Salkantay Trek: Explore Andean Glaciers and Machu Picchu

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Embark on a 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Experience glaciers, wildlife, and the famous Humantay Lake. Discover breathtaking landscapes and ancient wonders.

Duration: 5 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Cusco City – Mollepata – Humantay Lagoon – Soraypampa

Cusco - After being picked up from the hotel (around 4:00 a.m.), the journey begins in a private van heading towards the town of Mollepata, which takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Mollepata - Upon reaching the town, there will be time to enjoy breakfast before continuing for…

Cusco City – Mollepata – Humantay Lagoon – Soraypampa

Cusco - After being picked up from the hotel (around 4:00 a.m.), the journey begins in a private van heading towards the town of Mollepata, which takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Mollepata - Upon reaching the town, there will be time to enjoy breakfast before continuing for another hour by van to the area near Soraypampa, all while taking in the stunning mountain views.

SORAYPAMPA - The hike starts near Soraypampa, with an ascent of about 3 hours to reach Humantay Lake at 4200m. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain and the Humantay summit, as well as native flora and fauna, including llamas and, if fortunate, Andean condors.

An official guide will accompany the group at all times, equipped with an oxygen tank to ensure a safe and comfortable hiking experience.

Humantay Lake - Upon arrival at Humantay Lake, there will be free time to explore the area and capture stunning photos. The official guide will then provide a detailed explanation of the Humantay region. Afterward, the group will descend to the lunch point to enjoy an organic meal with spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain and Humantay Mountain, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Andes.

SORAYPAMPA - After lunch, there will be time to relax and enjoy the beautiful views of Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding peaks. The afternoon continues with tea time, followed by dinner and a well-deserved rest in the tranquil Andean setting.

Soraypampa – Huayramachay – Chaullay

SORAYPAMPA - After a hearty breakfast, the trek to the Salkantay pass begins, located at 4,620m, the highest point of the trek.

Chaullay – Granadillas – Sawayaco

Lucmabamba Tropical Domes – Llaqta Pata Inca Trail – Machupicchu Town

Mirador de Llactapata - The journey continues through the tropical forest area and coffee plantations before arriving at the archaeological center of Llactapata, where a panoramic view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu mountain, Huchuy Machu Picchu, and the sacred city of the Incas and their valleys and ravines can be enjoyed.

Aguas Calientes - The adventure continues with a descent to the Hydroelectric dam, which takes around 2 hours, where lunch will be served, before continuing with a 3-hour walk along the flat railway path until reaching the Machu Picchu town of Aguas Calientes. Here, the group will settle in the hotel, have dinner, and receive an explanation for the Machu Picchu tour the following day.

Machu Picchu Guided Tour in 3 hours

Aguas Calientes - Today is a significant day as Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, will be explored. The Machu Picchu sanctuary opens at 6:00 am. The day starts with breakfast at the hotel. The guide will explain the restrictions of Machu Picchu. It is recommended to take the bus from Aguas Calientes town up to Machu Picchu, although walking uphill for an hour and a half to reach the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is another option.

Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu - To pass the control points, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and a personal passport are required. Once inside, a 3-hour guided Machu Picchu Tour will take place. In Machu Picchu LLaqta, the Inca architecture and hydraulic engineering, along with the important sites of the archaeological center, will be observed. Classic photo spots, the main gate to the urban sector of the Incas quarries of Machu Picchu, the main temple of Machu Picchu (Temple of the Sun), the Royal Tomb, the Intiwatana sundial, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the central square, and Sacred Rock of Machu Picchu, the Craft Sector, the Temple of the Condor, and others will be visited. The official guide will provide detailed explanations about Machu Picchu and its key places.

Aguas Calientes - It is recommended to take the bus back down to the village 2 hours before the train departs. In Aguas Calientes town, lunch can be enjoyed, then proceed to the train station 35 minutes before the train departure.

Ollantaytambo - At the designated time, the train will be taken back to the sacred valley of Ollantaytambo, where a representative of Peruvian Culture Tours will be waiting.

Cusco - Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a transfer will be waiting. The journey will continue by private transport back to Cusco, enjoying a comfortable 2-hour, door-to-door service.

What's Included

First-aid kit including an emergency oxygen bottle
Duffle Bag for 4 Kilos of your personal gear (carried by the horses)
Private Transport during your trip with a professional tour guide
One way Bus Ticket to Machupicchu
Train ticket to return Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

What's Not Included

Tips for our staff

Additional Information

Experience an amazing Salkantay trek that connects you to the high Andean glacier. Embrace the bond with nature through medicinal plants and local wildlife. Marvel at the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises over the mountains. Visit the renowned Humantay Lake, Cusco’s most famous lake. Take in stunning views of mountains, lagoons, waterfalls, canyons, and…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

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(5 Ratings)

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Cecek139

Sep 21, 2024

Best trip of my life - I recently finished the trek with a friend. As two young female travelers with limited trekking experience, we couldn't have imagined a better guide or more meaningful adventure than the one we had with David and Peruvian Culture Tours. We chose the classic 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. This business is the definition of integrity. Unlike big companies, Peruvian Culture Tours directly helps local families and sustains local cultures. David, who founded the company with his wife, has deep roots in the region, is himself indigenous, and only hires indigenous teams from the region. He also pointed us to various local producers for where to purchase coffee/chocolate etc. He cares so deeply about using Peruvian Culture Tours to lift up his region and puts sustainability–cultural and environmental–at the heart of the business. Everything you could need is included. David carried oxygen and is trained in first aid, we had ample snacks, and were woken up each morning with a cup of coca tea! Every campsite was stunning and incredibly comfortable. The food was amazing, fresh, and abundant!! We left feeling like we had a wonderful new friend/family in our lives. It was truly an experience of a lifetime!! This is a new business and absolutely one worth supporting!! I have traveled extensively and have never met a guide like David. If you’re thinking about doing any trek to Machu Picchu, look no further than David and Peruvian Culture Tours.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

G2283wbisabellev

Sep 21, 2024

The Experience of a Lifetime! - My 5 day trek on the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu was nothing short of incredible. From the very beginning, the experience was deeply rooted in the local culture and traditions, making it far more than just a physical journey. Our guide, David, a native of the Sacred Valley region, brought the mountains and their history to life through his knowledge of the region’s plants, animals, people, history and culture. He is also just an incredibly inspiring and kind person. We encountered so many different landscapes on one trek: mountains, lakes, glaciers, hills, cloud forests, and jungles. Our guide knew the terrain expertly well, and took us off the beaten path to see hidden sects of wildlife, including Llamas, toucans, and showing us medicinal plants! Peruvian culture tours supports indigenous communities in the region by employing indigenous people, guiding us to sustainable business to purchase things, as well as being run by an indigenous family. David also has a passion for helping the many stray dogs in the area, and donates part of the profits to this effort. As a female solo traveler, I felt incredibly safe, cared for and prepared. David anticipated everything, carried first aid supplies and Oxygen, and was patient with everyone’s pace. The logistics were seamless, and the lodging was very comfortable and they kindly set up the tent each night. The food was beyond delicious, the chef prepared beautiful and elaborate meals with local ingredients. And we were woken up each morning with a hot cup of Coca tea! Everything needed was included, and they didn’t miss a thing. If you're looking for an adventure that goes beyond the typical tourist experience, I can’t recommend this trek enough. It was absolutely worth every penny, and I would recommend Peruvian culture tours to absolutely everyone!

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Nicola

Jun 3, 2024

Salkantay 5 day hike and Cusco 1/2 day tour highly recommend. - David from Peruvian culture tours organised my Salkantay 5 day hike extremely well. I did not have to worry about a thing. David had included in the cost hotel booking , bus and train tickets and my pre purchased Machu Picchu ticket. Which many travellers did not have on this hike which added stress to the last days of this trip. David and his wife were very helpful and extremely kind. Beautiful people I felt so grateful.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jameshz9376kq

Jun 1, 2024

Peruvian Culture Tours with David is without a doubt the absolute best way to do Salkantay. - No question Peruvian Culture Tours with David is the way to do Salkantay. His business is just starting to take off and there may not be a ton of reviews, but don't let that distract from the fact that David (and PCT) is an awesome professional. I met him on an Amazon expedition before he started Peruvian Culture Tours and was blown away by his genuine passion for his country and its beautiful peoples, cultures, landscapes, and nature. When my friend visited, there was no doubt in my mind we should hike the Salkantay trail with David. And man was our trust in David rewarded. Firstly, the Salkantay trail is beautiful start to finish. I've done a decent amount of backpacking/hiking, and I've never done a trail so diverse and beautiful. From the base of Salkantay to the depths of the Andean cloud forest, there was never a dull sight. And David is the perfect person to guide you and unpack everything to be experienced at every point in the trail. He knows the ins and outs of the trail, as he grew up in a small town near Cusco. He perfectly structured the days so that we were never overwhelmed with the day's route nor bored with only a small walk on any given day. He also has assembled a great family team to take care of all the logistics. Every meal was hot and fresh cooked, the tents were comfortable, and most of your gear is carried by donkey or bus to the next campsite, allowing you to enjoy the trail with minimal gear. Additionally, the price is better than any other company I could find. David is also a true expert in everything related to Salkantay. He can identify every plant and animal encountered over the various terrain. He knows the comprehensive history of the Inca Empire and Quechua people. He also has extensive knowledge of the geography and geology of the area, both past and present. Whatever you're interested in, David can cover it extensively. Finally, David lives his life with an ethical conviction that is deeply admirable. He runs a true family operation where profits help the family, not get funneled into the pockets of rich owners of the larger operations in the area. He also contributes a portion of revenue to his ongoing effort to improve the lives of the large population of stray dogs (big problem in Peru) living in and around Cusco. Bottom line - choosing Peruvian Culture Tours with David is the right decision for every possible reason.

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Katherine

May 30, 2024

Incredible salkantay trek!! - Incredible Salkantay trek with David. My boyfriend and I (23 years old and female) have lived in Peru for nine months and had visited Machu Picchu twice before going just now with David post-trek. I am incredibly inspired by his enthusiasm and passion for work. A private salkantay trek with David is cheaper and more individualized than any other company I had researched. Instead of being in a group of 25, left miles behind the guide on the trail, David was with my group of three every step of the way. Every day we woke up with a steaming cup of coca tea. The pace of the trek was set by you, and David was always providing insight into animals and plants which other guides were clearly skipping. On the third day we went to the thermal baths, which was also a great experience. Daily snacks were provided as well as an unlimited amount of water. We learned about quechua traditions (current and old) and ate absolutely delicious food. His english, spanish, and quechua are perfect as well. I sincerely could not recommend Peruvian Culture tours more!!

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From $595

up to 8 guests

1 - Adult