Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek

Machu Picchu`s Most Beautiful Trek

Rated #1 for the 25 Best Treks in the World by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, the Salkantay Trek is the most popular alternative hike to Machu Picchu as it gives adventurers an incredibly different experience than the famous Inca Trail. 

The trail travels through incredible landscapes where lowland jungle gives way to highland alpine settings and glaciated mountains. Just seeing the amazing mixture of both environments alone makes this trek worth it. This is where the famous name comes from. 

Nevada Salkantay is one of the most iconic mountains in the Cusco. For experienced mountaineers, trekkers and hikers Salkantay Mountain is sad to be challenging. In fact the Quechua name, Sallqantay, means ‘Savage’ or ‘Wild’ and it is rarely conquered.

As you hike up to the highest point 15200ft or 4650m halfway between two huge mountains, Salkantay and Tucarhuay.

 Another amazing feature of the Salkantay Trek is viewing the marvelous Humantay Lake  (Laguna Humantay) one of the most sought out sites in Cusco. The beautiful color disparity in the lake mixed with the beautiful Salkantay Mountain surrounding gives you an unbelievable sensation.

The Humantay Lake is said to be sacred to the Incas where people still to this day leave offerings known as Apachetas. Apachetas are said to be offerings to the deity named "Pachamama" and will find these offerings scattered around the lake shore. 

After all the breathtaking sites you will get a chance to catch your breath hiking through the peaceful Cloud Forest, this upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a series of small brooks and creeks is absolutely refreshing. You will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants.

The climate is warm in La Playa which is at(2500m)/(8202ft). After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy a well-deserved soak in the soothing waters. A real treat after all you´ve seen so far.

The next hidden gem you will get to see on the Salkantay Trek is LLactapata, which in Quechua means place (village, town, city, country, nation) and elevated above a bank or river which is west of Machu Picchu.
This unique site is a perfect lead to Machu Picchu and it´s unbelievable buildings.

After being blown away by the Salkantay Mountains, amazed by the Humantay Lake, re-energized by the Cloud Forest and finally left wondering about the Llaqtapata, what better way to end your journey than with the amazing Machu Picchu?

You will have seen more in one trip than what people see in two or three. This is why the Salkantay Trek is by far the best option and most amazing experience you can buy. 
Click here to see availability for our 
5 Day Salkantay Trek 
8 Day Salkantay Trek  - including Full Day Sacred Village 

Hiking to Machu Picchu

Hiking to Machu Picchu 

It´s 3 Most Famous Alternatives

     

Machu Picchu is the most popular place in South America peaking at 5,000 people traveling to see this amazing site daily. With all those people, it´s hard to make your trip as unique as possible. 

At Valencia Travel Cusco, we offer 6 treks that allow you a unique experience unlike the norm to the magnificent Machu Picchu but let´s talk about the 3 most popular Inca Trail, the Lares Trek and the Salkantay trek. 

Inca Trail Trek

Inca Trail is so famous not only because it leads you to Machu Picchu but

1. There is only a limited of individuals who can participate inside this trek daily. 
2. It is protected so you can see all the natural wildlife, an array of wild orchids in full bloom and many more untouched gems.
3. The Trail leads you directly to the Sun Gate which overlooks Machu Picchu. 

And last you get to see the ruins leading to Machu Picchu that travelers on different routes do not get to experience. The Inca Trail Trek is, by far, one of the best hikes you will ever take.
4 Day Trek
5 Day Trek

Short 2 Day Trek

Lares Trek

Inca Trail is obviously talked about a lot but what deserves more recognition is the beautiful Lares Trek. This trek is not a "runner-up" or in any competition to be the best. This beautiful trek is surrounded
by stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys. And it starts in a small city inside the Sacred Valley.  Just by looking at the picture you can tell this trek is nothing like the Inca Trail and anyone who has experienced this hike loves that it´s not.
This is the trek I would recommend :)

4 Day Lares Trek

Salkantay Trek 

National Geographic Adventure Magazine rated the Salkantay Trek as one of the Best Treks in the World. The most impressive is the snow peak Salkantay.  If you have missed to sign up on time for the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights, is your best option to get to Machu Picchu. There are also excellent hot springs at the end of your trek. Note: The Salkantay Trek in private service, is addressed to small groups since there is personalized attention so you can really get an insight into the local Andean communities and way of life.

This trek is perfect for slow, peace seeking individuals that loves mountains.

5 Day Salkantay Trek

As each trek will deliver its different essence of the Inca Culture, whichever trek you choose will deliver it`s amazing once in a lifetime experience. And if we were to recommend something, it would be to take the chance to plan out how you can witness not one but two of these unforgettable journeys.

 

Please tell us your experience below which trek did you choose and what was your favorite part?

8 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

This 8 day trek including airfare takes you through amazing landscapes near the skirts of Mount Salkantay while heading towards Machu Picchu.

 8 DAY SALKANTAY TREK LINK


ITINERARY

DAY 1-  FLY TO CUSCO

Board your overnight flight from Miami to Cusco. After your arrival, you will join your guide for a briefing regarding your trek.You will then go on a city tour of Cusco to enjoy the many sites this city has to offer.You will have the night to relax and explore at your leisure. Meals are not included on this day. 

CUSCO CITY TOUR  goes to the following places: 

• The main cathedral - Religious Art
• Qoricancha - Temple of the Sun
• Sacsayhuaman - Stones that weight up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - Dedicated to the Earth
• Pucapucara - Used to be a military control center
• Tambomachay - Temple of the Water

The tour ends at around 6 pm and we will drop you off at your hotel. 

DAY 2 -  OPEN DAY

Today, you have an open day to explore the city at your leisure or you can take the optional full day Sacred Valley tour. 

SACRED VALLEY TOUR will go to the following places: 

• Pisac - known for its indigenous markets held every Sunday
• Urubamba - this is where we will have lunch
• Ollantaytambo- the oldest occupied town within the South American continent
• Chinchero - also known for its indigenous markets

Towards the end of the tour, we will return you to the main square in Cusco around 6:30 pm. The night is free to explore at your leisure. 

DAY 3 - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

In the morning, we will pick you up and travel by bus to Mollepata. We continue with a 3 hour hike to Cruzpata, where we'll have lunch while admiring the beautiful snow capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. We keep going until we reach our first campsite of Soraypampa, which is the highest and coldest campsite of our trip. 

DAY 4 - MIGHTY SALKANTAY

After having breakfast, we begin our hike towards the highest pass on our trek, located between the two mountains of Salkantay and Tucarhuay. After resting, we continue walking downhill through the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay. We will have lunch here and then continue our trek for 3 more hours until we reach our second campsite called Colcapampa. There is the possibility of reaching other campsites along the way including Challway. 

DAY 5 -  CLOUD FOREST

After having breakfast, we begin our trek through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River. We will pass through valleys and near amazing waterfalls while seeing a variety of tropical fruits and plants. We will set up our camp at a site called La Playa. After resting, we will take a soak in the soothing waters of the nearby hot springs.

DAY 6 - LLACTAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

  Early in the morning, we will hike for three hours to reach Llactapata, which is an Incan fortress from which we can see Machu Picchu!  After taking photos and resting, we continue for two hours downhill passing many plantations the produce coca and bananas. For lunch, we will stop at the Hydroelectric dam. After lunch, we will walk for a couple of hours until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night. There is the option to go to the hot springs.  Entrance is 10 soles. 

DAY 7 - MACHU PICCHU

After having breakfast, we will catch a bus to Machu Picchu in order to view the sun rising over the citadel. Your guide will then give a 2 hour tour of the site, after which, you will be able to explore this ancient citadel by yourselves. There is the option of hiking Wayna Picchu. You have to book this hike in advance. Let your booking agent know. In the afternoon, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to have lunch and receive your return train tickets to Cusco. Please do arrive early in order to catch your train back to Cusco. The train stops in Ollantaytambo, you will have a bus waiting to return you to Cusco. 

DAY 8 - FLY TO LIMA

You will have the morning to enjoy Cusco before being transferred to the airport in the afternoon.  Once in the airport, you'll catch your flight to Lima. 

DAY 9 - DEPART FOR MIAMI

Today, you'll take your connection flight from Lima to Miami

9 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

This 9 day breathtaking trek includes airfare and takes you from the skirts of Mount Salkantay towards the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu!!  All while exploring the different landscapes the Andes has to offer.  

  9 DAY SALKANTAY TREK LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1-  FLY TO CUSCO

Board your overnight flight from Miami to Cusco. After your arrival, you will join your guide for a briefing regarding your trek. You will then go on a city tour of Cusco to enjoy the many sites this city has to offer. You will have the night to relax and explore at your leisure. Meals are not included on this day. 

CUSCO CITY TOUR starting at 2 pm goes to the following places: 

• The Main Cathedral - Religious art
• Qoricancha - Temple of the Sun
• Sacsayhuaman - Stones weighting up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - Dedicated to the Earth
• Pucapucara - Used to be a military control center
• Tambomachay - Temple of the Water

The tour ends at around 6 pm and we will drop you off at your hotel. 

DAY 2 -  OPEN DAY

 Today, you have an open day to explore the city at your leisure or you can take the optional full day Sacred Valley tour. 

SACRED VALLEY TOUR will go to the following places: 

• Pisac -Known for its indigenous markets held every Sunday
• Urubamba -This is where we will have lunch
• Ollantaytambo- The oldest occupied town in South America.
• Chinchero - Also known for its markets

Towards the end of the tour,we will return you to the main square in Cusco around 6:30 pm. The night is free to explore at your leisure. 

DAY 3 - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

We begin our day by picking you up from your hotel and then traveling by bus to Mollepata.  Afterwards, we will hike for three hours towards Cruzpata, where we will have lunch surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. We'll continue towards Soraypampa, which is our first campsite. This is considered the highest and coldest campsite of our trek! 

DAY 4 - MIGHTY SALKANTAY

After breakfast, we begin our hike towards the highest pass located between two mountains, Salkantay and Tucarhuay. We will continue our hike downhill through the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay. This is where we will have lunch. 
After lunch, we continue hiking for three hours towards the jungle. We will reach our second campsite called Colcapampa. There is the possibility of reaching other campsites along the way such as Challway.

DAY 5 - CLOUD FOREST

In the morning, we will begin our trek through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo river. We will pass through valleys and nearby waterfalls while admiring a variety of tropical fruits and plants. After arriving at our campsite, La Playa, we will go and take a relaxing soak in the nearby hot springs. 

DAY 6 - LLACATAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning, we will hike towards the Incan fortress of Llactapata for about three hours. Once there, we will be able to view Machu Picchu from here. After resting, we will continue for two hours downhill passing plantations that produce coca and bananas. We will have lunch at the Hydroelectric dam. After which, we will keep walking until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night. There's the option of going to the hot springs. Cost is 10 soles. 

DAY 7 -  MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then, you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise. Your guide will give a two hour tour of the site after which,you will be able to explore the citadel by yourselves. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to have lunch and be given your return train tickets to Cusco. Please be early at the train station in order to catch your train back to Cusco. The train will take you to Ollantaytambo and you'll take a bus back to Cusco. 

DAY 8 -  FLY TO LIMA

You will have the morning to enjoy Cusco before being transferred to the airport in the afternoon. Once in the airport, you'll catch your flight to Lima. 

DAY 9 - DEPART FOR MIAMI

Today, you'll take your connection flight from Lima to Miami

Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu

Valencia Travel Cusco offers alternative treks that takes travelers off the beaten path to discover the natural and cultural beauty of the other trails that lead to Machu Picchu!


Treks offered:

• 4 Day Lares Trek To Machu Picchu

• 5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Additional treks offered:

• 7 Day Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu

• 8 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

• 8 Day Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu

• 9 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu