The Salkantay Trek is our favourite alternative to the Inca Trail. From high passes between snow-capped mountains and glaciers, to lowland jungle with hot springs and coffee plantations, the Salkantay trek is a study in contrast – like Peru itself!
Start:
Cusco, Peru
End:
Cusco, Peru
Maximum group size:
12 Guests
Duration:
3 5 days
Price:
US$ 1,090
Includes:
zOutdoorsFHike
Campsite on the Salkantay trek
Steve and Elke's first time on the Salkantay Trek
Seeing hot weather plants and snowcapped peaks at the same time is one of Salkantay's attractions
Hike down the Santa Teresa river and out to the high jungle
5
4
My family and I had a great time and the trip was AMAZING. Thank you for everything. Your communication and flexibility prior to the trip exceeded my expectations. Aldo was about the most genuine and pleasant person I could hope for as a guide. Yohan was a fine cook and a pleasure to be around. All such likeable people. We would do the trip again in a heartbeat
– Clay T
The trip in detail
We’ll pick you up at 5am from your Cusco hotel to travel to the start of the trail, stopping along the way for some breakfast. At the trailhead we’ll load our gear onto our packhorses then start hiking. Two hours in, our first destination is the incredibly scenic Laguna Humantay – an incredible glacial blue lake set between spectacular mountains – this is one of the most photogenic places in Peru! From here it’s a 4.5 to 6 hour hike up to Soyrococha, where we spend the night in the shadow of the impressive Salkantay Glacier.
Meals: Lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping on the Salkantay Trail
Walking: 12km (7.5 miles)
Minimum Altitude: 3,890m (12,760ft)
Maximum Altitude: 4,480m (14,700ft)
Altitude of camp: 4,480m (14,700ft)
After breakfast, we begin our steep ascent to Abra Huayracmachay (15,100 feet/4,600m), the highest point in the hike where we’ll enjoy magnificent views of the high glacier of Salkantay. From here it’s a long, easy descent to our second campsite. Total trekking time is about 8 hours.
Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Camping on the Salkantay Trail
Walking: 18km (10 miles)
Minimum Altitude: 2,890m (9,480ft)
Maximum Altitude: 4,600m (15,100ft)
Altitude of camp: 2,890m (9,480ft)
Today’s first section is a lovely descent alongside the Salkantay River. You’ll notice the changing environment as we move down from arid highlands into a tropical ecosystem, with waterfalls, lush vegetation, and eventually coffee, avocado and banana plantations. In the afternoon we’ll likely be accompanied by flocks of colourful parrots, and if we’re lucky we’ll see the bespectacled bears that were the inspiration for Paddington Bear!
From the end of the trail, our vehicle will take us to the Cocalmayo hot springs where we’ll camp the night – what better place to soak away the tiredness and bask in our achievements on the rugged Salkantay trail?!
Meals: All meals included
Accommodation: Camping at Cocalmayo hot springs
Walking: 15km (9 miles)
Minimum Altitude: 2,150m (7,070ft)
Maximum Altitude: 2,890m (9,480ft )
Altitude of camp: 2,150m (7,070ft)
After another soak in the springs in the morning, we’ll pack up, wave goodbye to our cooks, and drive to the beginning of our very pleasant 10km stroll to Aguas Calientes, through a winding rainforest gorge around the base of Huayna Picchu. Here we’ll enjoy a shower and an early night – we’ll be up early tomorrow to catch sunrise at Machu Picchu!
A spectacular stone city surrounded by incredibly steep, incredibly green mountains, Machu Picchu needs no introduction and is deservedly one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. We’ll get an early start, so there’s time for your guide to show you around Machu Picchu’s main citadel, as well as our favourite hidden nooks and crannies, before the crowds arrive. Then there’s time for your own exploration of the massive, still-mysterious site, before we catch the train back to Cusco.
