Sacred Valley & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 8D/7N

This Beautiful trek Salkantay to Machu Picchu is one of the best alternative treks from the Inca Trail. One of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, with 6.271m 20569ft. This trek is perfect for you who wish to become personally integrated with nature and the changing ecosystems from one day to the next. You will be hiking through a sweeping, beautiful landscape, a snow mountain to the cloud forest where you will enjoy the biodiversity of flora and fauna in this journey. Salkantay is part of the Vilcabamba mountain range extending over 270 km. Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco. In order to complete your journey you need to have a reasonable level of fitness, the most important thing is to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Considering this is your first time at high altitude. Because your highest point will be 4600m/15000ft. This journey is the best option for you who didn’t found spaces on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY

Meet Peru Cusco Guide in the Airport of Cusco, please look for your Machu Picchu trails Guide holding a sign with your name on it. Our Guide will transfer you to your Hotel. We will help you to check-in. Today you will take it easy acclimatization day. We know Cusco is 3400mtrs. we will have plenty of recommendations for places to explore on your own.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR OF CUSCO

Your local expert guide will collect to your Hotel for a private tour of the city Starting in the San Blas neighborhood to Santo Domingo convent monastery. This monastery was previously the Koricancha temple. The most important temple dedicated to worship the Sun God back in the Inca times. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Your next stop will be the main plaza of Cusco and visit the Cathedral. After you will drive to Sacsayhuaman. Here you will be impressed by the handmade Inca architecture with enormous carved stones joined together with the utmost precisión. in the Inca times, it represented one of the most important temples to worship their deities. After you will continue exploring other archeological sites Quenko, Pukapukra, and Tambomachay. After you will drive back to the city center where your guide will have recommendations for you to have lunch. After you will have a free afternoon to explore the city on your own. And to get ready for the next hike.

DAY 3: CUSCO, SORAYPAMPA HUMANTAY LAGOON TO SALKANTAYPAMPA

We will pick you up early morning from your hotel for a private transfer to the start of our trek, which will take around four hours, along this drive we will pass through farm villages Pampa de Anta in (Izcuchaca Province) we will continue driving into Limatambo valley and then toward to Soraypampa 3800m /12,084ft. Here we will start our ascend to Humantay lagoon consider nowadays one of the beautiful natural and turquoise color lake located at the base of the Humantay glacier. After having a free time we will come back to Soraypampa to have lunch. After lunch, we will continue our hike for two hours to get tour basecamp Salkantaypampa 4000m/12,720ft from here you will be able to enjoy the beautiful views of Salkantay glacier as well a great point to see the sunrise and sunset.

Duration: 10.00k.m.
Time: 5 to 6 hours.
Highest elevation: 4100m/13,038ft.

DAY4: SALKANTAY PAMPA BY SALKANTAY PASS TO COLPAPAMPA

We will wake you up early morning to have breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue our journey with ascending up for 2.30hrs to our highest point Salkantay pass 4600m/14,628fts here you will have free time to take photos and enjoy this beautiful views of Salkantay glacier and part of Humantay glacier as well from this point you will be able to see the Vilcabamba mountain range. after we will continue to descend for two hours to have lunch in Wayracmachay. After lunch, we will continue our descend for three hours to get the tour basecamp to Colpapampa. 2900m/9,222ft This part of this journey is to enjoy the amazing changes of the landscape from high altitude to the cloud forest, as well to see the ancient medicinal plants and many species of hummingbirds.

Trekking distance: 16 km
Time: 8 to 9 hours
Highest point: 4600m/14,628

DAY 5: COLPAPAMPA TO LUCMABAMBA

We will wake you up early morning to have breakfast. Today we continue our hike up and down along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush Green vegetation rich in flora and fauna as native Ochides flowers from the area passing waterfalls, Granadilla farms (pasión fruit), as well you will see banana, avocado, Yaca and coffee farms. We will pass true small farm villages like Wiñaypocco, Llusccamayo, playa Sahuayaco and finally to arrive at our camp Lucmabamba 2100m/6,678ft. We are going to camp nearby the Coffe Farm as well we will have demonstrations you will try the best coffee of Peru. This afternoon you have a chance to visit the relaxing Hot springs Cocalmayo this is extra activity.

Trekking distance: 15 km
Time: 5 to 6 hours.
Highest point: 2900/9,222ft.

DAY 6: LUCMABAMBA, LLACTAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

We will wake you up early in the morning to have breakfast. Today we will continue the ascent for three hours to Qelloqasa 2700m/8,586ft. from where we have an exceptional view of the lost city of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. From this point, you will descend to get Llaptapata archeological site where you can see both Machupicchu and the Salkantay mountain enjoying a good rest and exploring your descent to towards to Aobamba river crossing lush bamboo forest and more orchards and coffee plantations bring us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from we board a train that takes us to Machu Picchu town of Aguas Calientes town. The train ride will be for 40 minutes and will bring you to your hotel.

Trekking distance: 12km
Time: 5 to 6 hours.
Highest point: 2700m/8,586ft.

DAY 7: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU AFTERNOON BACK TO CUSCO

We will wake up early to board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take us approximately three hours. You will then have free time to wander around and if you got a Ticket for Waynapicchu you can climb. Note. There are just 400 visitors allowed per day. You have to book it in advance the entrance, In the afternoon we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes. From here we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy depending of the space and private transportation back to your Hotel Cusco.

DAY 8: FAREWELL DAY

Today we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport. After having a wonderful life long experiences with us. Unless you keep traveling with us. in extension tours we will get you to the destination. Please let us know for any changes or we make arrangement any extra activities that you would like do it.

PROFESIONAL TOUR GUIDE

All of our guide, Machu Picchu trails Peru, has a degree in tourism they studied at Cusco National University. They are passionate about sharing our Peruvian History, culture, gastronomy, and others, they are fluent in English speaking and many of them speak our local language (Quechua) they will make sure your safety and lifelong memories.

HOTELS

In this tour, we will include a one-night Hotel in Aguas Calientes. We can easily add extra nights before or after the tour if needed, let know our travel specialist, Upgrade Hotels are always possible. We can also book the tour without any Hotels if you prefer to book them on your own.

TRANSPORTATION

We provide private transportation through the sacred valley to the train station and back to your hotel. also is included around trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

TICKETS

The entrance fees are included to visit the sacred valley tour and Machu Picchu.

TRAIN TICKETS

Train tickets are in expeditions tourist class around trip from Ollantaytambo if you would like to upgrade to Vistadome train the is $75 one way and $100 round trip from Ollantaytambo.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Cusco Region mainly presents two seasons, the rainy season, from November to April the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January, February, and March, and the dry season from May to October. The dry season is colder so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night

Along the Inca Trail, temperature ranges from 15-20°c during the day if it’s sunny, to 10 – 28 °c during the day if not sunny, or 05-15°c at night in the first 2 campsites. At Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu, at a lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

There are benefits to visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu during each season as well you can have some drawbacks. The dry season is usually crowded in all the sites and specially in the Inca Trail you need to ensure your permit at least six months in advance.

The rainy season can be a very pleasant time for you looking to do cultural tours or for you who Will design your holiday with no trekking, including visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu with less crowd.

ALTITUDE: of Cusco city. 3400 meters 10,800 fits

POPULATION: of the Cusco region 1,300,000.

MACHU PICCHU TICKETS

With the new regulations of the Peruvian government now the Machu Picchu entrance ticket goes on sale from 6.00 am. to 3.00 pm.

WAYNA PICCHU TICKETS

With the new regulations from the Peruvian government now the Wayna Picchu tickets go on sale from 7.00 am. Until 10:00 to 11:000 am. The hike Will take 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down all the way step not recommendable for the people who have vertigo. Note. Very important to book in advance to ensure your entrance tickets to the sites.

MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN TICKETS

The hike Will take you 1.45 hs. And 1:00 hs down. The ticket goes in sale in two windows of time from 6 to 7 and the second group is from 8 to 9 am. Takes longer but it’s more beautiful.

STRIKES

Is the biggest problem in South America not just in Peru it can affect us in our tour treks roads are often blocked as well as trains stop their operations. Usually, the advice is two weeks in advance to prevent do not affect too much any of this country’s problems in our tours in the worst-case Private Machu Picchu Will let you know to cancel the tours or treks. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

ARRIVAL AT CUSCO

Cusco has an airport mostly for domestic flights from inside the country. Our international airport is Jorge Chavez Lima.

LATAM Airlines is the biggest company that operates in Peru and has connections all over the world. Is the only airline that doesn’t have too many cancellations in the weather conditions here in Cusco. The time flight from Lima to Cusco is one hour. Always you can connect your flights to Puno, Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado Jungle, Iquitos, or the north of Peru. In our extension tours.

Always there is a bus option from lima to Cusco the time Will take you 22 hours.

FOOD

Peruvian cuisine is recognized for its biodiversity of products and continues conquering the whole world. Peruvian food is being awarded internationally for owning the most delicious food in the world.

Cusco Region has unique gastronomy for the use of local products like potatoes, quinoa, corn, a variety of vegetables, and its exotic fruits plus guinea pig, and alpaca meat. Your travel expert will recommend you restaurants you can wonder here in Peru and Cusco.

On our treks, we provide you with delicious food you just need to make sure to let us your dietary restrictions before departure our treks as well as our chefs are very experienced in cooking in the mountains.

WHAT WE RECOMEND TO BRING

* Backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.

* 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.

* Cámara and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)

* Sun block or sun cream.

* Hydrating cream for face and body.

* Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% deet – no malaria risk has been reported

* Toilet paper and tissues

* Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits, etc. Please note that we do provide a 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’s not included in our selection.

* Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into the Inca trail. Plastic water containers or comelback or metal ones are recommended.

* 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 a extra day in Aguas Calientes town you can go to the hot springs)

* Cash in soles or in Dollars.

* Original Passport, travel insurance, any important health document you may have to follow any restrictions.

* Original international student identity card (in case you have applied for a student discount)

* Optional, walking sticks or hiking poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage inca trail) if not we have here for rent.

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.

Massage sessions: us$50 per 1-hour session our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco.

RECOMENDED PACKING LIST FOR TREKS

Passport

Valid student card in case if you booked as a student

immigration stamp

25lts or 30 lts daypack

Water battle or comeback at list with 2 lts of storage.

Footwear waterproof hiking boots.

4 or 5 hiking t-shirts, three hiking pants considering one nice outfit for Machu Picchu, 5 sets of undergarments, 4 pers of socks, one fleece and down jacket for cold nights, set for rain gears jacket and pants, sun hat, wool hat, headlamp, warm waterproof gloves, shoes for camp, quickdry small towel.

Battery charger. There is no place to plug in while trekking.

Sunscreen, face moisturizer, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, personal medication, band aids, moleskin, and others.

Camara, pone, music player.

Tour: Sacred Valley & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 8D/7N

Type: Our Packages

Duration: 8D/7N

Difficulty: Moderate

Sacred Valley & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 8D/7N

For further information or bookings don't hesitate to contact us

Call us

WhatsApp

Email us

Messenger

Private Machu Picchu

CONTACT US

OFFICE HOURS

MORE