Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
For adventurous souls craving an alternative to the Inca Trail, the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu offers five days of ever-changing ecosystems and cultural immersion. Traverse from snow-capped Andean peaks into lush tropical forests, encountering diverse wildlife, medicinal plants, and remote villages where ancient traditions still thrive. Each day reveals new vistas and unique experiences, culminating in the awe-inspiring arrival at Machu Picchu—a truly unforgettable finale. The trek’s unique selling point is its variety: from magical landscapes to living culture, this trip offers a rich, less-traveled path to one of the world’s great wonders, perfect for those seeking both adventure and authenticity.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Tent, Camping
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Soraypampa, Ch
Salkantay, Cusco, Soraypampa, Chaullay, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes
Families and adventure seekers alike will be enchanted by the "Five-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Group Service." Journey along ancient Andean trails, framed by snowcapped peaks and lush vegetation, and pause at the shimmering Humantay Lake—one of Cusco’s must-see sights. The trek culminates with a guided exploration of Machu Picchu, but not before you’ve had the chance to interact with local communities, discovering their customs and traditions along the way. The tour’s highlight is its blend of natural beauty and cultural interaction, creating a holistic Andean experience that’s as authentic as it is awe-inspiring.
AdventureTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Looking for the perfect mix of Andean adventure, authentic culture, and iconic history? The Lares Trek & One Day Inca Trail 5 Days trip is an ideal choice for young adults and families ready to experience the best of Peru in a compact timeframe.
Your journey starts in Cusco before venturing to the Lares Valley, where three days of trekking bring you face-to-face with wild mountain scenery, cascading waterfalls, and welcoming indigenous communities. Along the way, spot llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat and unwind in soothing hot springs after a day's hike. Camping under the stars, you'll be treated to delicious meals prepared by your own cook, adding a special touch to your adventure.
On the fourth day, explore the historic town of Ollantaytambo before embarking on a short trek along the famous Inca Trail—culminating in a breathtaking arrival at Machu Picchu. Your journey concludes with a guided tour of this world wonder, followed by a return to Cusco.
What sets this tour package apart is its balance of adventure and cultural immersion—offering both the challenge of trekking and the reward of meeting locals and learning about their traditions. If you’re seeking a trip that weaves together natural wonders, history, and genuine Peruvian hospitality, this is your ticket to an unforgettable escape.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
For trekking enthusiasts and adventure lovers, the "5-Day Salkantay Trail Tour to Machu Picchu" is a bucket-list journey through Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes. Over five days, trek from Cusco through Soraypampa, Lucmabamba, and lush cloud forests to the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll encounter glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, and soothing hot springs, all while following one of the world’s top-rated trekking routes. The tour’s highlight is its grand finale—a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This trip is perfect for those who crave diverse scenery and a sense of accomplishment from conquering a renowned Andean trail.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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.
Trekking and HikingMountains
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent, Hostel
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, peruvian
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Colcapampa, La Playa, Aguas Calientes
A five-day breathtaking trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota, on a route we call the “The trail of the Apu” located in close proximity to the highest sacred mountain in the Cusco region, Mt. Ausangate. The Apu Ausangate is the bearer of life and the guardian of one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world.
The trek is accompanied by llamas and horses that will carry our gear. These are owned by shepherds of the native community of Chillca who are proud to share their land with us, as well as the Spirit of their inspiring world. On our hikes and in our unique Andean lodges, daily meals will be prepared by experienced chefs who will introduce you to a great variety of delicious Peruvian dishes and produce, and for your entertainment: authentic vernacular music, played by local inhabitants, will liven up some of our evenings at the "tambos."