Salkantay is an alternative trek to the Inca Trail. This program will take you quickly from Lima to Cusco. The visit in Cusco will have many attractions, until arriving by a scenic road to the magical citadel of Machu Picchu. An ideal itinerary for a regular visit.
Jorge Chavez, Lima Airport.
Depend on your arrival time, we suggest to arrive between 8 or 9 AM.
Since our inception, we have been providing the best, and we sum it up as follows:
Depending on the time of your arrival at the Lima airport, we will be waiting for you to assist you and take you to your hotel.
Lima, the capital of Peru, is a city full of daily activities, you will stay between the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro; very quiet places with sea views that you will fall in love with.
Please note that the check-in time to the hotels is from 3PM.
For this day, we suggest you to have the flight from Lima to Cusco starting at 5 pm.
To enjoy Lima, you have 2 options:
Take a city tour visiting churches and squares of the city of Lima such as the cathedral, the convent of San Francisco; besides knowing a little more of its history from the past to the present modernity.
The second option is to leave the city of Lima and go to Pachacamac, a sanctuary of the Inca era; mud constructions rise almost in the middle of a desert. It was an important place in Inca times.
At noon, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in a charming place.
After lunch you will be assisted to the Lima airport to take the flight to Cusco.
In Cusco, another person will be waiting for you to assist you and take you to your hotel in the heart of Cusco. While appreciating the night life of the city, very quiet.
Cusco is an important place in Peru, an Inca city that was later transformed by the Spanish colonial.
This day, we will head to peaceful places that will be very useful to be able to acclimatize and be ready for the hike.
The guide and a comfortable vehicle will take you to places like Tipon, an Inca ceremonial center, a place full of terraces and canals flowing water. Afterwards we head to Pikillaqta, an archaeological center of the Wari culture. And from there, we will have some views of wetlands and lagoons.
Lunch will be served in Andahuaylillas, a quiet and picturesque village. After lunch, we will do some exploring until we reach the town square and its treasure: The San Pedro Apostol church, considered as one of the Sistine Chapels of America; upon entering its interior you will be amazed by this jewel. Near this town, you will find Huaro, where another colonial church awaits you, whose magic mural paintings will dazzle you.
At sunset, you will return to the city of Cusco and rest early; the next day awaits for you a scenic hike of several days.
Start the adventure in Cusco. Once you enjoy breakfast (or box breakfast from your hotel), our expert guide will welcome and escort you in our private transportation. After 3.5 hours, reach the Soraypampa town (3920 m. / 12860.9 ft.) If you are interested in Humantay Lake then it is possible to accomplish this visit in 3 hours roundtrip with prior announcement to the guide.
The trek begins winding through an amazing valley and overwhelming panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and surroundings for more than 200 minutes. We will appreciate the Salkantay (6271 m. / 20574.2 ft.) and the Humantay (5862 m. / 19232.3 ft.) Then we will reach Salkantaypampa (4154 m. / 13628.6 ft) where our exquisite lunch is ready for us.
We will keep hiking for another 2.5 hours towards our luxury campsite called Soyrococha (4480 m. /14698.2 ft.). It is time for a fantastic gourmet and organic dinner. Your heated tent will be waiting for you to enjoy your first night.
Continuing our escapade and breakfast, we will begin a challenging day. Hike for 1.5 hours towards Salkantay Pass (4638 m. / 15216.5 ft.) and be welcomed by the Salkantay Mountain (6271 mts/20574.2 ft) and marvelous landscapes. Celebrate this milestone, toasting with champagne. Experienced hikers can add Salkantaycocha (1-hour round trip) to the trek.
Notice the lush colorful endemic vegetation of the area and descend by 3.5 hours until you reach our lunch place, Wayracmachay (3906 m, / 12814.9 ft.)
Next, the 4-hour way to the campsite for 4 more hours features interesting sites such as Andenes and Chaullay, home of orchids, bromeliads and other flora species. By the time we reach our luxury and warm Collpapampa campsite (2870 m. / 9416.0 ft.) in the cloud forest. Finish your day with a delicate dinner and peaceful starry night.
Then, we will take a hot shower, a boost of energy with our nourishing breakfast and be ready for the 5 hours hike through the most beautiful day of the trek, where you will admire the magnificent flora and sprawling plantations. Our hike will keep descending into a thick cloud forest that will surround us with orchids, bromelains, and other amazing and exotic flora. Come upon a secluded valley filled with expansive coffee, cacao and fruit plantations. During this journey, we will pass through the farming villages of Wiñaypoco (2650 m. / 8694.2 ft.) and Lluscamayo (2420 m. / 7939.6 ft.) that own plantations of diverse products. We will also encounter some local families and have the possibility to learn about their lifestyle.
Lastly, arrive at our final campsite named Playa Sahuayaco (2100 m. / 6889.8 ft) just to find our well-organized staff waiting with our gourmet lunch. After finishing the luscious lunch, take a hot shower. Now, it is time for a complete private tour of coffee plantations by our knowledgeable guide. Right after we will move on for the fabulous gourmet dinner served in our dining tent. Being this the last night with all of our crew, we suggest to share a final toast with them.
This day will require the final effort. Start with a succulent breakfast at 05:00 am approx. Proceeding with the trail, we will take a 20 mins ride to Lucmabamba (2062 m. / 6765.1 ft) where an authentic inca trail is waiting for you! This 3.5 hours uphill trail towards Llaqtapata ruins (2736 m. / 8976.4 ft.) are almost fully covered by endemic vegetation. Once we reach the site we will appreciate part of Machu Picchu citadel. Then, it is time to have lunch with exceptional views at the Llaqtapata Lodge Viewpoint (2570 m. / 8431.8 ft.) Enjoy homemade meals and have the most splendid views of Veronica Mountain, Vilcanota River and more. Afterwards, head down for another 2 hours to Hydroelectric train station (1771 m. / 5810.4 ft.) where we will have some rest and continue hiking to Aguas Calientes town.
Finally, reach Aguas Calientes town (2070 m. / 6791.3 ft) and be escorted to your hotel. Coordinate with your guide the pick-up time for the following day, and enjoy dinner and a restful sleep.
Early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel in order to catch the bus up to the citadel for a 30 mins ride. Seeing the impressive Machu Picchu citadel (2430 m. / 7972.4 ft) will definitely be worth all the efforts. Our knowledgeable guide will teach us about the magnificent theories about the purpose of Machu Picchu, the history and its beauty. Once you have fully enjoyed and take all the perfect photos you will have some time to explore the site at your own leisure.
To end your time at Machu Picchu, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. Later you will take the bus departing back to Aguas Calientes, to proceed boarding your train. Upon arrival, our View Latin America representative will collect you in our private vehicle and take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Depending on your flight schedule, we will pick you up at your hotel to assist you to the airport in Cusco. The staff in charge will be with you during the entire check in process until we drop you off at the boarding gate.
