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
This trip comes with bragging rights. It’ll take you to Machu Picchu by a route that most tourists don’t even know exists. The trek combines the beauty of the mountains with a cultural visit to two different villages, deep in the mountains.
The trek starts in Lares and takes you through a swathe of the Sacred Valley that’s home to many traditional weavers and farmers. In this part of Peru, the valleys and peaks of the Andes crest and fall like ocean waves, and the hoof marks of alpacas are more common than footprints.
You will also have the chance to enjoy the hot springs, which are divided into various pools ranging from freezing cold to boiling. They are all composed of pure volcanic water, which is medicinal in nature and considered to be good for your bones, stress, muscles and headaches.
Welcome to Peru, where colourful cities rub shoulders with wild rainforests and ancient monuments. On this nine-day Premium adventure, join a local leader to discover Peru's Inca, Indigenous and modern sides of Peru on an immersive journey that hits the Amazon and Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. From the historical charm of Lima to the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, you'll take walking tours of thriving cities with an expert local leader, spend a night in a thatched cabana lodge surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, take a 360 train with incredible views of Inca ruins and spend time with the local Willoq community for a chance to witness the Peruvian culture firsthand.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Puerto Maldonado, O
Cusco, Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
This 5-day 4-night Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent substitute for the Inca Trail — considered by most to be the best alternative route, and maybe even better!
This magnificent trail is perfect for adventurers who wish to become personally integrated in changing ecosystems from one day to the next. You will walk through sweeping, magical landscapes of a snowy mountain paradise to a tropical jungle where you will find a wide range of animals, medicinal plants and flower varieties. Witness with your own eyes a living but ancient culture in remote villages hardly ever seen by foreigners. End your trek at the famed Machu Picchu for an experience of a lifetime.
Let’s start exploring the mountains!
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
Experience Peru in style on this 15-day adventure from coastal plains to mountaintop cities. Travelling through Lima, Puno, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, you’ll explore dramatic Andean landscapes and learn about traditional cultures. Visit the iconic Machu Picchu – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – and see the citadel from different angles on an optional One Day Inca Trail trek. Share a classic pachamanca meal with the locals in the highlands community of Huilloq. And spend time with the Uros people on their floating islands on Lake Titicaca. With a local leader by your side, you’ll go beneath the surface and come away with a deeper understanding of Peru and its people.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calie
Lima, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Explore Peru on an eye-opening journey from the depths of the Amazon to the heights of the Andes. Get to know downtown Lima’s ornate buildings and markets, uncover Cusco’s ancient charms, encounter incredible wildlife in the Amazon, see the lush Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, and marvel at the wonder of Machu Picchu. Offering an up-close look at Peru's diverse attractions, this is an unforgettable trip at a relaxing pace. Discover ancient cultures, natural wonders, welcoming locals and vibrant modern life as you journey through the homeland of the Incas.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Eco Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Inca Trail, Cusco, Lima, Puerto
Inca Trail, Cusco, Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
32% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
My girlfriend and I just came back from our amazing 4 weeks in Peru. We went from amazement to wonder across many different landscape and cultures. And without any doubt, our trek to Machu Picchu with Carlos and his team was the highest point (both literally and figuratively).
The organization was impeccable. We were provided with everything we needed, assisted by the team with every questions, both prior and during the trip. The sleeping locations, and the activities proposed, were all unique and made you feel closer to the wonderful and various scenery all along the trek. Helping with this organization was our two horsemen, Gilbert and Jos, that did an impressive job, bringing our stuff when and where we needed them.
5 days of trekking is hard, and a good meal at the end of the day helps a lot in recovering. The food prepared by our world-class chefs, Gido and Elvis, was simply among the best dishes we had, in terms of taste, variety, colors and quantities.
This trek brings you through sacred Apus (mountains), in the wilderness of the jungle and all its secrets to end up in this magic place that is Machu Picchu. And all covered with Quechuas culture, mythology and science. We experienced it fully thanks to our amazing guide Carlos the mountain king. He created a very familiar atmosphere between everybody from the very first moment, and rewarded us with all his knowledge of the fauna, flora, local cultures and history that brought a whole new level to our experience.
This trek is an amazing experience and I would recommend it 100%. It is strenuous, with very long walking days, but the treasures and natural beauty that you find along the way are worth every drop of sweat.
SULPAYKI WAIKIS to all team for this amazing adventure.
I met some of the best characters on this group tour, friends for life and had some of the experiences and memories that will live with me forever. The 65 day tour of South America is fast moving and packs so much in. The CEOs from G are the best and are always there to take care of you and the rest of the group, all you have to do is turn up and enjoy your trip
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Rio de Janeiro, Quito, Mancora, Trujillo, Lima, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Tena, Colca Canyon, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail, Puno, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama, Salta, Buenos Aires, Banos, Colonia, Montevideo, Estancia, Iguassu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Cuenca
Welcome to the Classic Inca Trail, the most famous and most spectacular hiking route in South America! This ancient 45-kilometer trail follows the footsteps of the Inca pilgrims to the gates of the sacred city of Machu Picchu, one of the new 7 Wonders of the World
Our exciting itinerary offers 4 days of trekking along the original Inca pathways, passing an array of Inca ruins along the way.
The trail is located high in the Peruvian Andes climbing gradually from the valley floor (2,700 m/8,856 ft) to the most spectacular mountain passes (as high as 4,215 m/13,825 ft). At every turn, the surrounding scenery will take your breath away!
Hiking the 4-day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a strenuous and awe-inspiring adventure. We will push ourselves to our physical limits, resting each night under the stunning Andean night sky.
On our final day, as the mist lifts to reveal the emerald peaks and terraced ruins of the mystical ancient city you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.
Action Peru Treks invites you to awaken your senses through this once in a lifetime experience trekking to Machu Picchu. If the 4-day trek is a bit too much for you, consider the Short Inca Trail hike instead.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This amazing five-day tour opens a portal into the past of the Incan Empire. You will get to see the city that was once the capital of the empire, Cuzco, and retrace the footsteps of Incan farmers, holy people, and families around the ruins of the Sacred Valley.
The headline sight on this trip is the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas, and a stunning example of Incan engineering. Arrive at this majestic spot at sunrise – a symbolic time for the Incans – and watch dawn break over the weathered walls of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Thanks to Sergio, we had the best time on this trip. Jam packed but still found time to do what we wanted to achieve. Had a blast. Would totally recommend to people. ROAMIES is a great idea.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Join us on this nine-day group tour to discover the historic and natural landmarks of Peru. Starting from Lima, this tour will take you to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca before returning back to Lima.
Sample the delights of the Peruvian capital city of Lima. Walk on the cobblestone streets of Cusco and see the incredible landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lose yourself among the ruins of Machu Picchu and travel to the spectacular Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. And see the Quechua people whose life sways to the rhythm of the quena and the charango. Discover their customs and traditions.
Please scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay
Age Range
6-70 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Puno
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Aguas Calientes, Luquina
The Lares Trek is an excellent alternative to the often busy Inca Trail. Taking you off the beaten track with visits to authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys, this fabulous trek offers a real insight into the lives of the people of Cusco as it once was.
The route we offer starts in the village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley and finishes in the hot springs of Lares, with a visit to the village of Cuncani along the way. On day 3 of the trek, you take a bus from Lares to Ollantaytambo and then carry on by train to Machu Picchu.
In the day 4 afternoon, we take the train to Ollantaytambo and from there we will take the bus to Cusco.
Please see the detailed itinerary for more information.