Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Longing for a trekking adventure in Peru beyond the classic Inca Trail? The "Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu" offers a thrilling four-day journey through the Andes, ideal for families and adventurous travelers eager to explore off the beaten path. Traverse a dramatic landscape, from snowcapped peaks to lush forests and vibrant highland villages, all en route to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.
Highlights include crossing the formidable Salkantay Pass (4,650m), marveling at the tranquil beauty of Humantay Lake (4,200m), and visiting significant Inca sites. This trekking trip is designed for those who seek variety—each day brings new scenery, wildlife, and cultural encounters.
The unique selling point lies in its rich tapestry of landscapes and authentic village life, offering a more secluded, nature-immersed alternative to the traditional route. Accommodation, transport, meals, and expert guidance are all provided, making this tour package a seamless way to experience Peru’s wild beauty and ancient wonders.
Incredible knowledge displayed by the local tour experts. Our Trip Liaison, was very responsive to our questions and adapted very well when a regional Peruvian flight was changed by the airline at the last minute.
was a great tour director made sure about everyone needs
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titic
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Santiago, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Pampas, Iguassu National Park, Iguassu National Park, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
"We did the 2D/1N trip to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides David and Ciprian are truly great people and made sure everyone was taken care of. Ciprian was carrying someone’s backpack to help them out, for the entire 8 mile hike. I got a stomach flu during the second morning and had to miss part of the 2nd day but David gave me a personal tour of Machu Picchu when I started feeling better. That’s when I found out how truly knowledgeable David was because I asked so many questions and David gave detailed and extremely educated responses. Because of this, I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Incas and their culture. David didn’t have to give me a make up tour of Machu Picchu, but he did so out of kindness and care.
Besides the gorgeous views all around and our exceptional tour guides, the next highlight for me was the lunch. We had lunch around 1pm and we were all surprised at how they managed to cook such amazing food without a kitchen. It was better food than some restaurants we had in Cuzco. There was avocado dip and fried wanton, chicken + mango ceviche, lomo saltado, potatoes, battered trout, apple water, various vegetables, and apple pie. The food was truly *chefs kiss* and maybe the best food we’ve had on a hike ever.
I highly recommend this tour and our tour guides David and Ciprian"
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
It's been an incredible experience. There was nothing missing from this trip: great company, incredible places, the challenge of hiking at high altitude, loads of food. Thanks to Rolo for being such an amazing guide.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.