If you are seeking for a luxury alternative route to reach Machu Picchu site and avoiding the crowds, then this trek is perfect for you! instead of our private Inca Trail tour, consider our Luxury Salkantay trek is an antique and secluded trail located in the oposite side as the classic Inca Trail.
Your hotel, in Cusco city.
Usually 1 or 2 days before to start the services, you will receive a trekking orientation with more details.
Since our inception, we have been providing the best, and we sum it up as follows:
The walk to a snow-capped beauty has its first minute as you wake up for breakfast in your hotel in Cusco. After you are ready, join our tour guide in the spacious private van to the Soraypampa town (12860.9 ft / 3920 m). The tour guide will hold a short briefing to meet with the porters crew and be ready to start hiking.
As you start mixing yourself with the lands of snow peaks, the Sacred Valley landscapes are replaced with more arid views. Not that far, the chance to take the detour to the Turquoise Humantay Lagoon -3 hours roundtrip-. Once all the group is together, the views of the Apu Salkantay (20574.2 ft / 6271 m) and Humantay (19232 ft / 5862 m) will haunt your sight. The snowy lands still feature some endemic flowers and animals you can catch with your camera before reaching Salkantaypampa (13628.6 ft / 4154 m) for lunch. Last, 2.5 hours of ascending footsteps will get you closer to the sky until you get to the campsite in Soroycocha (14698.2 ft / 4480 m). Make yourself comfortable with a hot shower, a massage session and a delicious private dinner at one of the highest scenarios of Peru.
Warm sun beams will wake you up for your first meal. This challenging portion of the trek needs the strongest you. As you discover how to make the best of your stamina, the Salkantay Pass (15216.5 ft / 4638 m) and finally, the Salkantay Snow Mountain (20574.2 ft / 6271 m) are just in front of you. Impressive enough to celebrate with a toast of champagne with all your travel companions. A new chance of a detour is here, this time a roundtrip one-hour trek to Salkantaycocha.
Next, the downhill path transforms itself to show a lushful vegetation. Wacramachay (3906 mts/12814.9 ft) is the name of this remote land to have lunch and restore your energy. The next portion of the hike is 4 hours long, featuring natural scenarios of Andenes and Chaullay. Keep your eyes open, because a floral safari is about to start. Have the final break of the day in the Collpapampa campsite, to get your body refreshen, your muscles relaxed and your palate delighted.
It is time to wake up from your comfortable bedroom tent. The most beautiful day of the Salkantay Trail comes next to a nourishing breakfast. Valleys completely green, orchids hiding its beauty, exotic plants and all the magic the flora can cast awaits for you. Once you come back to the path, the perfume of cacao, bananas and more fruits will draw you to the farming villages of Wiñaypoco (8694.2 ft / 2650 m) and Lluscamayo (7939.6 ft / 2420 m). How is living on the fruit like? Have a seat and listen to their stories.
This inspiration will keep you smiling until you reach the Playa Sahuayaco (6889.8 ft / 2100 m) final campsite. Have your shower, private massage and dinner luxury routine and join the crew of porters for a final toast. They also want to greet you and wish you a great trip!
Was the trek challenging so far? Now it is time to go even further and walk by the ancient path of the Incas, the Inca Trail. After you wake up, a healthy meal and a 20-minute ride to Lucmabamba (6765.1 ft / 2062 m), the first archaeological site is here. Llactapata (8976.4 ft / 2736 m) mixes hues of stones and vegetation as well as meanings of priests and working people. Unveil all its secrets and discuss them at lunch time in the Llactapata Lodge Viewpoint (8431.8 ft / 2570 m).
Now it is time to get lost in your thoughts and the leaves around you. 5 hours of hike across the western valleys of Cusco follow, passing by Hydroelectric (5810.4 ft / 1771 m) and finally reaching the cosmopolitan town of Aguas Calientes (6791.3 ft / 2070 m).
Be escorted to your hotel, have dinner in this cozy town and be ready to step in a world wonder the next day on the Private Salkantay Trail.
Wake up and groom yourself to show the best version of you. Delight your palate at the hotel and join a 30-minute bus ride in the entrance of your final destination. Then, let the tour guide lead you in the Luxury Machu Picchu tour (7972.4 ft / 2430 m). History, fantasy, architecture and art, every single angle of the significance of this building in an unforgettable walk of two hours.
The sun is about to set and your lunch is served at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Return to Aguas Calientes and be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco. This chapter of your story has finished.
