If you did not manage to reserve permits for the Inca Trail, we highly recommend the Salkantay as an alternative. Apart from the classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is without a doubt one of the most beautiful treks in the Andes. National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine listed it as one of the 25 best treks in the world. The trek is currently open to everyone and there are no limitations on spaces and permits.
The Salkantay Trek will take you through unique and varying landscapes with the scenery nothing short of breathtaking! Photographers will experience sheer ecstasy as we walk along ancient and solitary footpaths: from picturesque grassy highlands to flourishing cloud forests, where luxuriant tropical rainforests meet colossal snow-capped mountains. The Salkantay Trek is off-the-beaten path and authentic. You will be spirited away into a world of phenomenal beauty and abundance of nature, with sacred solitude and hours of deliciously quiet contemplation.
Since the ancient Incan times, the spectacular glacier-capped peak of Mount Salkantay has been considered as sacred and the protector of the local people and their crops. The name Salkantay or Salcantay is a Quechua word meaning invincible, wild or savage. Thus, Salkantay is often called "Savage Mountain". Salkantay (Nevado Salkantay), or Sallqantay in Quechua, is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, which forms part of the Andes Mountain Range, rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20,574 ft). Salkantay is located less than 50 miles from the city of Cusco.
We are looking forward to taking you on a great hike.
Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative to the very-crowded classic Inca Trail. It offers more distance, more mountains, more scenery, and a wider variety of landscapes, but still concludes with a visit to the iconic city of Machu Picchu. As the route does not have as many regulations as the Inca Trail, this also means that it can provide a “back door” trek to Machu Picchu when Inca Trail permits are sold out. This new itinerary, Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llaqtapata, includes the highlights of the other Salkantay trek, but avoids many of the areas that are becoming crowded with other trekkers.
This trip is fully-inclusive, including a guide, accommodation, meals and transportation.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Distance trekked: about 50km
Elevation: 1900-4600m
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
The wonders of Peru and Bolivia await as you walk beneath the Amazon Jungle's lush canopy, trek the llama-filled plains of the Sacred Valley and stroll the cobblestone streets of Cusco on this 15-day journey from Lima to La Paz. Search for monkeys and medicinal plants in the Amazon, tackle the ancient road to Machu Picchu, experience a homestay in a traditional community on the shore of Lake Titicaca and finish in La Paz, where Indigenous communities continue to form the city’s cultural fabric. With the option to see Machu Picchu by trek or by train, plus the expert knowledge of local leaders, this trip will no doubt leave you breathless – in more ways than one.
We start early in the morning (around 5:00 am) when your tour guide and a driver will pick you up from your hotel. The first stop of the day will be at Mollepata where you will have a breakfast. Then continue your journey to Soraypampa. Take some rest and prepare yourself for the uphill hike to reach the highest point of the trail. Along the way, you will travel across wonderful landscapes surrounded by mountains.
Enjoy surreal views of Humantay Lake (4300 masl) and its surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then get into your transport and drive back to Cusco where you will reach at around 5:00 pm.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to visit Rainbow Mountain, one of Peru's most popular landmark, during a day trip. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 3:30 am in the morning and drive you through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead takes around three hours long. We will also provide you with breakfast along the way.
Set off on the hike following a lovely stream. Herds of alpacas and llamas will surprise you along the way. In case you are lucky, you might also come across chinchillas and vicunas. Enjoy views of Ausangate Mountain as you hike through villages and interact with the local residents.
Reach your destination after around 90 minutes of hike. See the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m) and explore the surrounding landscape. You will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top before it is time to hike downhill, which takes around two hours.
Hop into the private ban and continue your journey back. There will be a stop for lunch before we head to Cusco. The total journey back to Cusco takes around three hours and we will drop you off at your hotel in the city at around 5:00 pm.
From Buenos Aires set out on a wilderness adventure through Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, taking in the spectacular landscapes of the Andes mountains, the Atacama Desert and the shimmering Uyuni Salt Flats, culminating at magnificent Machu Picchu.
This small-group tour will take you on a magical adventure to some of the most popular attractions in South America! Begin your journey in Lima, from where you will fly over the breathtaking Andes Mountains to Cusco. Explore the ins and outs of this magnificent city as you visit the San Cristobal Plaza, taste the rich flavors of the San Pedro Market, and discover the Korikancha Temple. From there you will take a train to Machu Pichu, the most famous tourist attraction in Peru and one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Bask in the beautiful scenery of this extraordinary site, also known as the "Lost City of the Incas". Make your way back to Cusco, one of the most scenic and gorgeous overland trips in Peru. Stop at various sites along the way as you travel to Puno, including Racchi, the Temple of the Wiracocha God, and La Raya, a natural border between the two cities. Enjoy a breathtaking cruise of Lake Titicaca — the highest navigable lake in the world. From there you will head to Lima, and transfer to La Paz, via a tourist bus, to begin the second part of the trip. Explore La Paz's highlights, including cable car rides, the Valle de la Luna aka Moon Valley, and vibrant markets. Board an overnight bus to Uyuni and arrive for a traditional breakfast before venturing out to the famous Salt Flats of Bolivia. Discover the Train Cemetery, Colchani village, and unique salt formations. Visit Incahuasi Island, where giant cacti thrive amidst the salt and witness stunning sunset views before spending the night in Uyuni. From here, you’ll head back to La Paz and fly back to Lima, where this amazing tour of Peru and Bolivia will come to an end.
Enjoy a wonderful outdoor hike to the amazing Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca, where you will be in contact with nature and wildlife, with the opportunity to admire a spectacular colorful mountain range forming a beautiful rainbow, surrounded by delightful landscapes.
Have a good time with this challenging trek taking amazing photos, and visit Rainbow Mountain with us, a highly recommended day tour in Cusco
This comprehensive 3 week tour is designed to reveal some of the secrets lying in South America. The tour begins in Lima; you then head south for an incredible Ballestas Islands boat trip where you will see exotic birds and sea mammals. You then travel inland to the desert and the palm trees and sand dunes of the Oasis of Huacachina where we make camp under the stars. You will then visit the mysterious Nazca lines whose true meaning is still up for debate. The tour then starts it's ascent into the Andes to the town of Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world. The tour then takes us to Cuzco where we prepare for the unforgettable Inca Trail, after reaching Machu Picchu we head back to Cuzco for some relaxing time in this beautiful Andean city. We continue our journey to Lake Titicaca where we spend time learning of the traditions of the local Uros Indians, with free time to laze the day away on the shores of this deep blue lake. The tour makes it's final stop in La Paz, giving you free time to explore the Bolivian capital.