Peru Tours Packages
Cusco, Sacred Valley & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
7 days / 6 nights
This amazing trek runs beneath the sacred Salkantay mountain (6.271m/20569ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally reach Aguas Calientes on the last day. The impressive Sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu is visited on the last day of the program. This itinerary is an interesting alternative for those not having found spaces on the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Itinerary Day 1: Arrival to Cusco & Half Day City Tour Transfer airport – Cusco hotel Cusco city tour and nearby archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay. Overnight: In Cusco City Day 2- Full day Sacred Valley Full day guided tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo) including lunch. Overnight: In Cusco City
Day 3: Salkantay Trek - Cusco to Andenes
We leave Cusco at 04.00 am in a private transport and start a scenic morning bus-ride to our trek starting point at Soraypampa. Along the four-hour drive, we drive through the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire, where the archaeological remains of Tarawasi are located. The road continues up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2800m/9184ft) and the small community of Cruzpata (2750m/9020ft) to finally reach Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), the starting point of the trek, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction and a quick breakfast, we start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft), crossing Salkantaypampa, and then starting a 2 hrs steep ascent to Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). Continuing uphill, we reach the Abra Huayracmachay (4600m/15088ft), the highest mountain pass in the program where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range with the south face of Salkantay towering above us, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. A long though easy descent brings us late afternoon to our first campsite at Andenes (3,500m/11480ft). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 18 km (11,25 miles) Estimated walking time: 8-9 hours
Day 4: Salkantay Trek - Huayracmachay to Lucmabamba Total distance: 20 km (12,50 miles)
Day 5: Salkantay Trek - Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes Total distance: 12 km (7,50 miles) Day 6: Salkantay Trek - Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu to Cusco We wake up early and board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Wayna Picchu Mountain (if you have previously requested this entrance at the time of the booking; check with your travel advisor) , where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it (please note that there are only 400 visitors allowed per day), or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall. Day 7: Transfer to Cusco Airport Meals: Breakfast
Inca Trail Notes * Departure and arrival times are approximated. Difficulty degree of this hike Challenging: An acclimatization period of at least 2 days in Cusco or at elevations above 3000m/9840ft is recommended
Price Information
Cusco, Sacred Valley & Salkantay to Machu Picchu 7days/6nights
Hotels Category
Full Program - Price per person
Simple
Double
Triple
Affordable - Hostels
USD 1107
USD 989
USD 969
USD 1235
USD 1039
USD 1009
USD 1379
USD 1099
USD 1079
USD 1534
USD 1189
USD 1189
USD 1616
USD 1232
USD 1189
from USD 2425
from USD 1659
from USD 1519
NOTE: Prices are subject to changes according to the increase/decrease of suppliers costs .
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative): Additional discounts (that may be added to the above-mentioned): What is included
Assistance Transfers as specified in the itinerary Guided tours as specified in the itinerary 3 nights in Cusco City including breakfasts at hotels Salkantay Trek 4days/3nights (2nights camping) Expedition/Tourist Train from Machupicchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) to Cusco -one way- All entrance fees included Transportation as specified in the itinerary Bilingual (English/Spanish) official guide during your itinerary Included in the 4d/3n Salkantay Trek Pre-departure briefing Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Soraypampa (starting point of the trail) Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field One foamy sleeping pad per person Dining tent with tables and chairs Kitchen tent Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people) Chef and cooking equipment Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3 1 emergency horse every 6 persons – days 1 to 3 Wranglers – days 1 to 3 Accommodation for all our staff Meals (03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, 02 dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle Train ticket from the Hydroelectric power plant to Aguas Calientes / Puente Ruinas (day 5) Round trip Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (day 6) Transfer from the Train Station to your Hotel
What is NOT included in the 4d/3n Salkantay Trek - Meals not specified in the itinerary After the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes. Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
NOTE: If you would like to add an extra remarkable outing, you may climb the Wayna Picchu Mountain but please review the following important information: Wayna Picchu
Optional services to be hired - An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Please note that if you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included. An extra horse to carry your personal items at an additional cost for 3 days. A horse can carry up to 20 kg. Sleeping bag rent. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form Sleeping bag rent at an additional cost. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips. Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent at an additional cost. Massage sessions at an additional cost. Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco and offer the following treatments: relaxing massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude problems, aroma therapy, therapy with honey, therapy with glass, therapy with stones, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and puddle of flowering. We recommend massage sessions before and after your trekking program. Services are at the hotel and are only available in Cusco. Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Expedition one (Tourist train), at an additional cost. (*) Pls note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Expedition train in all group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not be accompanied by our guide. Hiram Bingham Luxury Orient Express train instead of the Expedition one (Tourist train), at an additional cost. This train departs Aguas Calientes at 6.00pm and includes a gourmet dinner on board, with an estimated arrival time to Poroy train station at 9.30pm. (*) Pls note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Expedition train in all group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not be accompanied by our guide. What we recommend that you bring A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco) Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping Sleeping bag (please inform our Reservations Department if you wish to book this extra service at the moment of your booking) Flashlight/headlamp and batteries Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions) Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold Sun block After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported Handkerchiefs Toilet paper Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far Small towel Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes) Cash in soles and/or USD Original passport Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount) Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
Appropriate clothing along the Trek Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list. Weather Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
The best recommended period for this trek is April to November
How to make a Booking If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.contact us , we will be more than pleased assisting you.
