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Machu Picchu across the Salkantay trail 9 days

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$ 845
Physical level

Easy

Trip style
Max altitude
Group size

Experience an unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu across the Salkantay Trail. This small guided group tour includes activities that explore Lima’s historic center and the vibrant district of Miraflores. Trek the legendary Salkantay Trail, known as the Savage Mountain, and uncover the mysteries of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Highlights
DAY 1

ARRIVAL IN LIMA

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru, where you’ll be met by our representative at Jorge Chavez International Airport. From there, you’ll be privately transferred to your selected hotel to settle in and spend the night.

  • Meals: None.
DAY 2

LIMA CITY TOUR

Embark on a guided exploration of Lima, known as the “City of Kings.” You’ll visit notable landmarks including the historical center, San Martin Square, and the renowned Plaza de Armas (505 ft or 154 m). You’ll also tour the Convent of San Francisco, famous for its catacombs. The tour continues to the modern district of Miraflores, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the Park of Love. The tour lasts about four hours.

  • Meals: Breakfast.
DAY 3

CUSCO AT YOUR LEISURE

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco (11,152 ft or 3,399 m). Upon arrival, enjoy the day at your own pace. Explore Cusco’s vibrant streets, discover local restaurants, or visit local shops.

  • Meals: Breakfast.
DAY 4

SALKANTAY TRAIL - CUSCO TO MOLLEPATA TO SORAYPAMPA

Your Salkantay trek adventure begins early with a 4:30 a.m. pick-up from your hotel. You’ll drive to Mollepata (9,022 ft or 2,750 m), the starting point of the trek, arriving around 8:30 a.m. After a three-hour hike, you’ll reach Cruzpata for a rest. Continuing on, you’ll hike to Soraypampa (12,467 ft or 3,800 m), where you’ll enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll hike to the Humantay Lagoon (13,779 ft or 4,200 m), surrounded by a stunning glacier. After returning to the Soraypampa campsite, you’ll enjoy dinner and rest under the stars.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 5

SALKANTAY TRAIL - SORAYPAMPA TO COLLPAPAMPA

Begin the day with breakfast before continuing through the expansive Salkantaypampa. You’ll reach the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 15,255 ft (4,650 m), where you can take in breathtaking views of Apu Salkantay, a sacred mountain to the Incas. Afterward, you’ll descend to a tropical area near Collpapampa (9,514 ft or 2,900 m) for dinner and camping.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 6

SALKANTAY TRAIL - COLLPAPAMPA TO PLAYA

Wake up at 6:45 a.m. for breakfast before trekking through lush vegetation and waterfalls toward Sahuayacocha for lunch. You’ll pass coffee farms, fruit trees, and banana and avocado plantations. Your campsite for the night is at Playa (7,217 ft or 2,200 m).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 7

PLAYA TO LLACTAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast, begin a two-hour hike through the jungle to Lucmabamba, then continue up to Llactapata (9,121 ft or 2,780 m), where you’ll visit the archaeological complex. You’ll descend to the Hydroelectric Station for lunch before a two-hour hike to Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft or 2,040 m). Spend the night in a hotel, enjoying dinner and perhaps visiting the thermal baths or local nightspots.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Note: Camp and lunch locations may vary based on weather, regulations, and group pace.

DAY 8

VISIT MACHU PICCHU

Early in the morning, board a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft or 2,430 m). Hike up to Huayna Picchu (8,920 ft or 2,720 m) for panoramic views of the citadel. Then, explore Machu Picchu’s highlights, including the Temple of the Moon, the Great Cavern, and the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), which offers a stunning view of the ancient city at sunrise.

In the afternoon, take the train back to Cusco, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  • Meals: Breakfast.
DAY 9

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

In the morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Once in Lima, transfer to your international flight back home.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • 5 hotel nights with breakfast included
  • 3 camping nights during the Inca Trail
  • Daily tours and activities in small groups
  • All entrance fees for attractions to visit
  • Lima city tour and attractions
  • 5 Days Salkantay Trail hike to Machu Picchu
  • Collection from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the head of Mollepata village (trek starting point)
  • Entrance ticket to the Salkantay (Trail Permit)
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
  • Huayna Picchu hiking (no guide)
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu complex to Aguas Calientes
  • Two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Professional multilingual Salkantay Trail tour guides and leaders
  • Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Experienced cook and cooking equipment
  • Well-treated local porters (service to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment only)
  • 4 nutritious breakfasts, 4 high-energy lunches, and 3 delicious dinners
  • Vegetarian food available upon request at no extra charge
  • Clean and spacious 4-person capacity tents (Marmot Limestone) – only 2 people per tent
  • Comfortable personal foamy pads (double foam), provided at the beginning of the trek
  • Dining and kitchen tent
  • Portable camping tables and chairs
  • 24-hour emergency oxygen assistance
  • First aid equipment
  • Biodegradable personal hand soaps
  • Biodegradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
  • Accommodation, food, transport, permits, and entrance fees for our porters and cooks
  • Safe storage of your belongings at our office in Cusco while you hike the Salkantay Trail
  • Salkantay Trail Survivor Certificate
  • High-quality service and support
  • Collection from the train station on Day 4 and transfer to downtown Cusco
  • Train ticket from Machu Picchu to Cusco via Ollantaytambo
  • All hotel pick-up and drop-off to/from the airport, bus terminal, and train station
  • Flight ticket from Lima to Cusco and back
  • 24/7 assistance
  • Guaranteed professional service
What to bring
Travel guide
Aditional information
What our travelers say about us
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Ben Tooth profile picture
Ben Tooth
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
"Amazing experience with Incas Expeditions on the Slcante Trek. From the logistics to the knowledgeable guides, everything was planned out. We were able to fully appreciate the region's rich history and scenic splendor during the walk. Great value for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Highly recommended for hikers of all skill levels.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
René Lehrer profile picture
René Lehrer
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
An Unforgettable Journey Through Cusco. Incas Expeditions went above and above! Transportation, lodging, and guiding were excellent, and their staff made everything run smoothly from the minute we arrived in Cusco. Every ruin was brought to life with stories by our guide, who was quite educated about Inca history. Highlights of my trip included the walk to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley excursion. Throughout the entire process, I felt motivated, informed, and safe. Excellently suggested.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Diego Fernando R profile picture
Diego Fernando R
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Amazing Inca Trail Salkantay Trek tour with friends I booked with my friends the Inca Trail Salkantay Trek tour with a group of friends and it was an experience that changed my way of seeing the Andean tours. The first day we walked around the city of Cusco and started the Inca Trail and camped at night but one of my friends got hurt during the last day in the Salkantay Pass and the guides were ready with their first aid kit and the attention was great! I recommend you to have a good stamina for this kind of multi-day treks. This tourism agency in Cusco is the best for trekking to Machu Picchu, thank you very much Incas Expeditions!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Arianna O profile picture
Arianna O
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
The best travel guide We traveled with our teenage children and chose the short Inca trail with camping because it offered the right balance of adventure and comfort. It was our kids' first time camping and they loved it! The porters and guides were very friendly and always made sure we were ok. The trail itself was breathtaking, especially the views of Wiñay Wayna. At night, we stargazed and shared stories by the tent. I want to thank Incas Expeditions who took care of the logistics and even the food! My family and I will be returning to Cusco in a few months and we are happy to do the tour with you again :)
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Belén Lázaro profile picture
Belén Lázaro
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
My experience on the Cusco day tour I'm going to tell you about my experience with Incas Expeditions. The truth is that they exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived in Cusco, everything was perfectly organized. The guides were not only professional but also incredibly passionate about Peruvian culture and history, which made each tour feel personal and unique. They were also very attentive and helped me arrange some free time to explore on my own, which I truly appreciated. If you're looking for Peru tour packages, Incas Expeditions is, without a doubt, the best option. An incredible experience from start to finish!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Departure58624235970 profile picture
Departure58624235970
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
An unforgettable trip to Machu Picchu My partner and I had always dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu, but we wanted to make this experience something unique. From the first contact with Incas Expeditions, everything was perfect. The team was incredibly attentive and helped us create a personalized itinerary that suited our preferences, and the guides explained the history and even taught us a little Quechua. Arriving at Machu Picchu was a dream come true, and having the opportunity to explore it so intimately on our personalized tour was something we will never forget. We definitely recommend Incas Expeditions to any couple who wants to experience the magic of Machu Picchu in a unique and worry-free way.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Russ M profile picture
Russ M
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
This was the best and most amazing tour. This was the best and most amazing tour. I wonder how I hadn't come across it sooner. Everything they did was perfect, from the accommodation to the hospitality—they did a great job.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Nenuz M profile picture
Nenuz M
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
We both enjoy this tour together with our kids. We both enjoy this tour together with our kids. It was an awesome feeling and experience. Guide were friendlily from the beginning to the end and we were took to my place. They're the best.
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  • Guided by certified locals
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