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
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
Trekking and HikingMountains
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Loved the itinerary and the Amazon extension. was the best tour director we’ve ever had and the local guides (especially ) were very good. Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Cusco were all amazing and the rainforest was icing on the cake.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picch
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca
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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.
