Salkantay Trek & Sacred Valley Tour to Machu Picchu – 6 Days

Your Sacred Valley tour begins with an 8:00 AM pick-up from your Cusco hotel, followed by a scenic drive with stops to appreciate the valley’s landscapes.

The first stop is an alpaca farm, where you’ll see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, and learn about traditional weaving techniques using their wool.

Next, visit the Pisac Inca site, known for its agricultural terraces, religious areas, and scenic views. Afterward, explore the Pisac market for handmade textiles and crafts.

After the market, travel to Urubamba for lunch. Then continue to the Ollantaytambo Inca site, renowned for its rock formations representing the Inca god Viracocha and its status as the last living Inca city. Your guide will provide insights into its historical and cultural significance during the tour.

The tour concludes with your return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 PM.

• Accommodation: RumiPunko *** or similar
• Tickets: Included
• Meals: Lunch included

Your day starts early with a 4:30 AM pick-up from your hotel. After a scenic three-hour drive to Soraypampa at 3,450 meters, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared by our chef to get you ready for the trek.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your trek. Remember to bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and plenty of water. Your first stop is Humantay Lagoon, a beautiful glacial lake at 4,300 meters. The uphill hike takes about two hours, and when you arrive, you’ll see amazing views of the lagoon and glacier peaks. In winter, the scenery is especially impressive.

As you hike, your guide will share interesting facts about the area’s history, geology, and culture. After taking in the views at Humantay Lagoon, you’ll walk back down for about an hour to the lunch spot. There, you can relax and enjoy a tasty meal made by our chef.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue on the Salkantay Trek for about two and a half hours toward Salkantay Pampa at 3,800 meters, where you’ll camp for the night. When you arrive, your tent will be ready, and you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the views of the Salkantay Glacier.

In the evening, you can enjoy happy hour and then a nutritious dinner at 7:00 PM. Nights can be cold at this altitude, so remember to pack warm clothes for a comfortable sleep.

• Accommodation: Camping with a beautiful view
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
• Ticket: All fees included
• Walking distance: 12 km

Your day starts early with a 4:45 AM wake-up call and a hot cup of coca tea brought to your tent. This early start lets you be one of the first to reach Salkantay Pass (4,600 meters). After your tea, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and we’ll make sure you have water and snacks for the trek.

The hike to Salkantay Pass takes about 2.5 hours and offers amazing views of the Salkantay Glacier and nearby mountains. Take your time to enjoy the scenery and capture some great photos.

After reaching the pass and enjoying the views, the trail heads downhill into the cloud forest. This part of the trek takes about 2 hours. As you go down, you’ll see the landscape and plants start to change.

At the end of your hike, you’ll arrive at Huayracmachay. Here, our chef will have a tasty lunch and refreshing drinks ready to help you recharge.

In the afternoon, you’ll hike for another 3 hours to reach Colpapampa (2,450 meters), your second campsite. This small jungle community is warmer and more humid, so you might see some mosquitoes. Bring insect repellent and get ready for a peaceful evening.

• Accommodation: Camping in a tent
• Meals:  B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 15km

On the third day, you’ll start early again. After a healthy breakfast, you’ll begin a hike that takes about four hours as you follow the valley. The trail often runs next to the road, and you might see local wildlife like orchids, different birds, and busy farms. This area is famous for its fruit and especially for its excellent coffee, which is known as some of the best in Cusco.

After hiking for about four hours, you’ll meet your chef and enjoy a tasty lunch. Then, you’ll visit a local coffee farm, where a family will show you how they grow and harvest their coffee beans. You’ll see why their coffee is considered some of the best in Cusco. If you like, you can buy a small bag of fresh coffee for 30 to 50 soles.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Cocalmayo hot springs for some relaxation. It’s just a one-hour minivan ride from your campsite. There, you can unwind in the warm pools. After your soak, you’ll head back to camp for dinner and a good night’s sleep before the next part of your adventure.

• Accommodation: Camping in a tent
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 13km

Today is a special day as you start your walk along the famous Inca Trail, which once linked Machu Picchu to the jungle. The hike is a gentle climb and takes about 3.5 hours to reach the Llactapata Inca site. From here, you’ll enjoy amazing views of Machu Picchu and the beautiful scenery all around.

Once you’ve explored Llactapata and enjoyed the views, you’ll head downhill for about 2 hours to the hydroelectric station. Here, our chef will have a well-earned lunch ready for you. This will be your last lunch with the trekking team, so it’s a good time to thank them for all their help.

After lunch, you’ll say goodbye to the chef and porters before starting the last part of your journey. From the hydroelectric station, you’ll walk along the railway tracks for about 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes, the town at the entrance to Machu Picchu. On this part of the trail, you’ll see lush plants, colorful orchids, the Mandor waterfall, and many kinds of birds, all part of the amazing nature in Machu Picchu National Park.

When you arrive in Aguas Calientes (2,000 meters above sea level), your guide will take you to your hotel. Here, you can take a shower, relax, and rest after your amazing trek.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes ***
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 14km

Today is the highlight of your trip. After an early breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you and take you to the bus station. You’ll catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu and arrive early enough to see the sunrise over this famous site, depending on the season. It’s a great time to take photos of the Lost City of the Incas in the morning light.

After sunrise, your guide will take you on a 2.5-hour walking tour of Machu Picchu. You’ll visit the main areas and palaces, and your guide will share interesting facts about the history and culture of the site.

If you have already booked a ticket to climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, you can start your hike now. The round trip takes about two hours. Remember, tickets for Huayna Picchu are limited and need to be reserved ahead of time.

When you finish exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here, you can have a final lunch with your group (lunch is not included) and look back on your adventure.

In the afternoon, you’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will meet you at the station and drive you to your hotel in Cusco. You should arrive by around 7:30 PM, ending your 5-day trek.

• Accommodation: book on your own.
• Meals: only breakfast at the hotel.
• Ticket: all included.