Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights
Activities: Hiking, Adventure
Average Group: Size 12 people
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Accommodation: Camping, Hotel
Tour Language: English, Spanish
Hiking Distance: 64 km / 39 miles
Make an expeditionary journey to the renowned Machu Picchu via the Salkantay. Sail aboard the daunting Salkantay Mountain, Humantay Lake, and Cloud Forest over the course of five days as you discover the most awe-inspiring Andean marvels. Your journey will be filled with breathtaking scenery, including quaint rural villages, snow-capped peaks, and picturesque valleys and cascades.
Depart from your hotel at 4:30 am in the morning for a three-hour drive to the trailhead, where you will arrive at approximately 7:30 am to begin your Salkantay Trekking. Chef-prepared brunch will be served first, followed by a brief briefing before the Salkantay EsPeru embarkation by a group of porters and horsemen.
Following an Inca-era aqueduct, the initial segment consists of a three-hour, easy ascent to Soraypampa (3,800 m/12,467 ft). Our chef will create delectable meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients for lunch at Soraypampa.
You will ascend to the magnificent glacial lake of Humantay (4,200 m/13,779 ft) via a two-hour trek following lunch. You can explore and unwind at the lake while taking in the breathtaking views of this turquoise marvel. Two hours later, at the base of Salkantay Mountain, you will reach your first encampment. One will encounter an assortment of plant and animal species during the excursion, including vizcachas (similar in appearance to rabbits), the Andean waterfowl (also known as the love bird), and deer.
Campsite location: Salkantay Pampa, elevation 4,150 meters (13,615 feet). The night heavens and Salkantay Mountain are visible from this basecamp without obstruction. While preparing supper, prepare to sleep beneath a million stars while stargazing.
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration: 6 hours
Campsite Altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft
Highest Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Awaken early in your tent to the stunning panorama of snow-capped mountains while sipping a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. The Salkantay Trek’s highest point, at 4,630 meters (15,190 feet), will be reached in two hours following brunch. You will visit a picturesque lake situated at the base of Salkantay Mountain after spending some time atop the peak exploring and appreciating the area. The picnic spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m/12,467 ft) is reached after an additional three-hour descent. A Chilean-endemic chinchilla known as Vizcachas (Lagidium Peruanum) may also be spotted.
Proceed with the day’s concluding segment, which consists of three additional hours of descending from the arid and frigid highlands to the verdant cloud forest, characterized by mild temperatures and heavy humidity, following a deserved lunch break. This is undoubtedly one of the most rapid landscape and temperature variations you will ever encounter. Collapampa village is adjacent to the encampment.
Hiking Distance: 18 km / 11.8 mi
Duration: 9 hours
Campsite Altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
Highest Altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Take pleasure in the village’s ambiance while gazing upon the mountains that have eluded your attention. You will hike from Lucmabamba (2,000 m/6,561 ft) to Machu Picchu, the renowned citadel, via narrow paths, the river, waterfalls, granadilla, and banana plantations, in preparation for the most breathtaking day of the EsPeru. You will arrive at Lucmabamba for lunch after breakfast.
The distinctive supper of the day is the pinnacle of the Salkantay Trek. After approximately three hours of hiking followed by the final segment in a vehicle, you will be ready to partake in a Pachamanca Barbecue, an ancient, traditional underground stone barbecue. Following the burial of the food, you proceed to the organic coffee plantations to assemble the cup. After the culinary process, which lasts approximately forty-five minutes, you are seated down to savor regional delicacies such as cuy (Guinea pig) and an assortment of potatoes, fruits, and vegetables.
After rehydrating and refueling, embark on a three-hour ascent along the ancient Inca Trail to Llaqtapata, a diminutive Inca citadel situated atop a 2,750-meter-tall (9,022-foot-tall) peak from which one can initially behold Machu Picchu from a distance. Hiram Bingham discovered this location in 1911; however, it has been forgotten since that time until recently. Camping directly in front of Machu Picchu will afford you the opportunity to witness the sunrise and sunset over the UNESCO World Heritage Site, provided that the weather permits.
Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Duration: 6 hours
Campsite Altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
You are offered a cup of coffee or coca tea by your trekking group as you peer through the tent and are greeted by Machu Picchu perched atop an adjacent mountain. The hydroelectric station is a serene two-hour descent following brunch. Ascend to Aguas Calientes via the final stretch of the Salkantay EsPeru after sharing your farewell luncheon with the trekking guides.
Continuing upstream along the Urubamba River, the final segment consists of a three-hour trek along the railway. A halt at the Mandor Botanical Gardens, which was frequented by Hiram Bingham, who discovered an Arteaga farmer residing in the vicinity, imbues this segment of the trail with historical significance. In 1911, he led the initial English-speaking group to Machu Picchu. A variety of endemic species, including parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, Rupicola Peruviana (commonly referred to as the cock-of-the-rock), and orchids, reside on Arteaga’s farm. Your guide shall accompany you from Aguas Calientes to your hotel, where you may refresh yourself and embark on an excursion to the city or the hot springs. While you prepare for the evening of the Salkantay Trek’s most critical day, you will dine at a local establishment.
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Duration: 6 hours
Aguas Calientes Altitude: 2,000 m/ 6561 ft
Highest Altitude: 2,840 m / 9,318 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Difficulty: Moderate
The most critical day of the Salkantay Trek has arrived. It is on a visit to one of the seven new marvels of the world, a city that the great Inca Empire abandoned for unidentified reasons in the sixteenth century. After an early morning brunch at the hotel, board the first buses to Machu Picchu in time to witness the sunrise. Your tour guide shall lead you to the most renowned palaces, temples, and plazas of this magnificent Inca city atop this insurmountable mountain peak while elucidating its enigmas. You will have time to investigate the enchanted citadel or ascend Huayna Picchu or Montaña during the approximately three-hour guided tour.
You must return to Aguas Calientes via bus from the citadel tour or hike, have lunch there, retrieve your possessions from the hotel, and then board the exclusive Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, where our private van will transport you to Cusco. At 7:30 pm, the EsPeru Team will return you to your hotel via vehicle.
Tour Duration: 3 hours in Mach Picchu
Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy
US$ 590 – Adults
US$ 550 – Children and students
Student Discount:
US$ 40 off per person
Huayna Picchu Mountain – USD 75 per person
You can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain for amazing views from the top. It takes 2 hours round trip. You need to book far in advance.
Machu Picchu Mountain – USD 75 per person.
This is the highest mountain in Machu Picchu, and the hike will take you 3 hours round trip.
With an altitude of 6,271 meters (20,574 feet), Salkantay is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region. It is situated in the mid-range of the Peruvian Andes, on Vilcabamba Mountain, west-northwest, 60 kilometers from Cusco. Salkantay, which translates to “Savage Mountain,” has been revered by the indigenous people since the Inca era as a Sacred Deity who governs the weather and fecundity.
Salkantay was initially scaled by a French-American expedition in 1952. Due to its steepness, shape, and location on the Amazon frontier, Salkantay Mountain is regarded as exceedingly difficult to scale.
The ancient trails and close proximity of Salkantay to Machu Picchu render the Salkantay Trek an ideal alternative trek.
Achieving a peak elevation of 4,630 meters (15,190 feet), the Salkantay Pass, the Machu Picchu trek can be completed in four to five days. This trek was recognized by National Geographic’s Adventure Travel Magazine as one of the 25 Best Treks in the World.
I had the pleasure of being guided by Rosel during my trip to Peru, and I must say, the experience was exceptional. Rosel’s depth of knowledge about the country’s history, culture, and landmarks was truly impressive. Not only was Rosel informative, but his sense of humor and easy-going nature made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend Rosel as a guide for anyone seeking an insightful, entertaining, and memorable journey through the Cusco region.
We had an amazing experience doing the Inca trail with Rossel. Everything was perfectly organized. He knows a lot about the Inca culture and shared all his knowledge with a lot of passion. He was also very attentive of all the group always willing to help.
We originally trekked to Machu Picchu 4d/3n with Rosel and had such an outstanding experience, we went back and booked a private tour to Humantay with him. He is not only an amazing guide, but a wonderful person! Blessed to call him a friend! His experience, knowledge and history
