The Rural Inca Trail Experience
This epic trek combines two of the most incredible trails in Peru. You get to enjoy the highlights of the off-the-beaten-path Ancascocha Trek and the amazing 2-day Inca Trail, famous worldwide. You’ll spend the first three days away from the crowds and enjoying the rustic Andes. You’ll be away from the typical tourist trails and be amazed by the astounding mountain views all around. We’ll pass by remote communities who still live and work off the land as they have done for many generations.
For the last 2 days, we’ll be making our way to the well-known Inca Trail and trace in ancient footsteps as we follow the path through well-preserved Inca constructions and marvel at the ancient culture’s engineering feats. We’ll end this fantastic trip with a visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu.
Ancascocha Trek & Inca Trail 5 Days Map
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
If you like to escape the crowds and visit some of the most well-renowned treks globally, the Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail Short combined itinerary is ideal for you. You get the best of both worlds by hiking off-the-beaten-path for the first three days on the Ancascocha Trek and then spend 2 days on the incredible Inca Trail. This trek has everything you’re after, from walking through rural parts of the Andes with amazing views to hiking along ancient paths and visiting sites they built hundreds of years ago.
For the first three days, you’ll be trekking through some of the most incredible scenery known to man. Towering mountains, gorgeous glaciers, and expansive landscapes will accompany you all the way. You’ll visit small communities that live far away from the nearest town or city and live off the land, just like their ancestors did for generations before them. It’s an excellent opportunity to see how locals live in such a rural part of the country.
For the second part of your journey, you’ll be retracing the steps of the Incas along the famous trail. You’ll visit infamous sites and learn all about their history as you make your way closer to Machu Picchu. You’ll get to see the site for the first time from the Sun Gate, something only those who trek the Inca Trail get to witness.
On your last day, you’ll enjoy a wonderful tour of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Discover its secrets and feel the magic of the Incas wash over you as you look out over the incredible feat of humankind and feel your hair stand on end. This is an adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Rayan - Kuychiccasa Pass - Chancachuco
We’ll take you to the beginning of the hike and walk towards Perolniyoc waterfall, where you can relax in the water. Then, we’ll visit Racaypata archaeological site and enjoy lunch. We’ll descend to our camp in Rayan this afternoon.
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Day 02
Chancachuco | Ancascocha - Huayanay Pass - Quesqa
We’ll head to the Kuychiccasa Pass in the morning and take in amazing views. After, we’ll enjoy lunch before descending to the Ancascocha community and then up to Huayanay Pass, the highest point of the trip. We’ll descend to our camp in the Quesqa Valley.
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Day 03
Quesqa | Paucarcancha - Piscacucho, KM 82 - Ollantaytambo
Today, we’ll visit the Paucarcancha Inca site and then walk for 5 hours on the Classic Inca Trail to KM 82, where we’ll eat lunch. We’ll spend the night in the quaint town of Ollantaytambo in a hotel.
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Day 04
Ollantaytambo | KM 104 - Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Travel by train to KM 104 to start your Short Inca Trail. Along the hike, you’ll stop at Wiñay Wayna before continuing to the Sun Gate. Take in the astounding views of Machu Picchu before heading to Aguas Calientes for dinner and to rest in your hotel.
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Day 05
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Today we´ll get up early to avoid the crowds and explore the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. There, you´ll have a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour. Finally, we will board a train to Ollantaytambo, from where private transportation will be waiting for us to return to Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- Ancascocha Trek was declared as one of the 20 dreamy walks on National Geographic’s list of the world's best walks.
- Follow in the footsteps of the Incas, one of the most important cultures in history.
- Witness small, remote communities working off the land like their ancestors.
- Be astounded by incredible scenery along the whole trail.
- Explore famous Inca sites with your knowledgeable local guide.
- Travel off-the-beaten-path on the Ancascocha Trail.
- Hike along the world-famous Inca Trail.
- Tour the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Rayan - Kuychiccasa Pass - Chancachuco
Highlight of the day: Cooling off in a gorgeous waterfall and visiting Inca sites.
Refreshing Waterfalls and Fascinating Inca Sites
We’ll start our adventure early and pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco to take you to the trek starting point. From there, we’ll walk for 3 hours to the Perolniyoc waterfall, where you’ll have time to freshen up and snap some excellent photos to take home. We’ll continue for another hour to Racaypata Inca archaeological site. Here, your guide will tell you all about this amazing place, and you’ll also get to take in the stunning surroundings. You’ll then enjoy your first lunch made by our excellent chefs.
After eating, we’ll make our way up for 3 hours to the Kuychiccasa Pass and witness farming fields and beautiful Andean wildlife, like alpacas and condors. Snowy mountains will be by your side all the way. When we get to the top, you’ll be able to spend some time looking out at the fantastic views before heading downhill for 1:45 hours to our campsite in the Chancacucho Valley. Rest and look up at the clear Andean sky while you wait for a delicious dinner and then bed.
We’ll pick you up early from your accommodation to begin your adventure today. We’ll set off on a one-and-a-half-hour journey to the start point of our hike at 3,000 m / 9,843 ft. Our transport is very comfortable, and we provide you with warm blankets to keep you cozy and for you to catch a bit more sleep if you need it.
You’ll have time to enjoy a tasty breakfast while we meet the rest of our hiking team of cooks and horsemen that’ll be with us the whole way. Next, we’ll start our 3-hour hike to the tranquil and relaxing site of Perolniyoc waterfall. The place is beautiful, and you’ll have some time to cool off in the falling cascade and capture some great photos from the site.
Afterward, we’ll continue on for another hour or so to get to Racaypata Inca archaeological site, which was constructed on a cliff and offers wonderful views over the valley all around. All our guides are experts in Inca history and really love what they do, so you can be sure you’ll be learning quality information. Then, we’ll have a bit of lunch, and you’ll get to try our chef’s delicious cooking for the first time, which will surprise you in the middle of the mountains.
This afternoon, we’ll ascend to the Kuychiccasa Pass (4,500 m / 14,764 ft) and observe some farming fields and alpacas, and maybe even some condors midflight. The snowy mountain peaks will be with us all the way.
You don’t need to race to the top, and we’ll also have some time to enjoy a rest at the top while we look out over the gorgeous Chancacucho Valley and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Finally, we’ll head down for another hour and forty-five minutes to get to our camp for the evening in the Chancacucho Valley (4,350 m /14,764 ft). When we arrive, you’ll have time to rest and enjoy looking up at the clear Andean night sky to see constellations and shooting stars before you have a well-deserved dinner and night’s sleep.
Chancachuco | Ancascocha - Huayanay Pass - Quesqa
Highlight of the day: Taking in the impressive views of the Andes and valleys.
Enjoy Some of the Most Amazing Views in the Expansive Andes
We’ll wake up early to enjoy a nutritious breakfast before we head out for an hour to take some astounding views of La Veronica glacier. Then, we’ll make our way down to the community of Ancascocha and cross the beautiful valley where it sits that’s crossed by a crystalline stream. We’ll continue uphill for another hour and then be rewarded with some astounding views and enjoy some lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll be walking uphill to the highest spot of the route, the Huayanay Pass. You’ll also have the chance to experience a part of the original Inca Trail while you walk through more amazing scenery. The walk down will be relaxing, and we take it slowly as we head to this evening’s camp in the Quesqa Valley. It’ll then be time for another great dinner and to relax for the night.
We’ll wake you up bright and early with a warming cup of hot tea or coffee to help you get out of bed, and then you’ll enjoy a nourishing breakfast to give you energy for the day’s hike.
We’ll set out on a 45-minute rolling path and then a 20-minute uphill climb for you to enjoy the incredible views of the enormous La Veronica glacier (5,682 m / 18,642 ft). We’ll then descend for around 3 hours to the Ancascocha community (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). We’ll cross a lovely little valley here with a crystal stream running through the middle. The landscape is like something from a fairytale.
Then, we’ll continue for another hour trekking uphill to a spot that’ll reward you with amazing views everywhere you look of glaciers, Inca archaeological sites, and the stunningly blue Ancascocha lake. Ensure you have your camera to hand to shoot some fantastic photos.
Afterward, we’ll enjoy another scrumptious lunch made by our chefs before we go on to the highest point of the whole trip, the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m /15,265 ft), over a 2-hour ascent where you’ll also get to know a bit of the original Inca Trail. The views at this height certainly don’t disappoint.
Walking down is much easier, as we take it slowly while surrounded by more astounding views. We’ll get to our camp at Quesqa Valley (3,850 m / 12,631 ft) and have time to relax before it’s served. Finally, you’ll settle into your cozy tents for another great night’s slumber.
Quesqa | Paucarcancha - Piscacucho, KM 82 - Ollantaytambo
Highlight of the day: Hiking along the original Inca Trail.
Venture Along the Classic Inca Trail
We’ll be up at dawn again to leave the valley and make our way to the Paucarcancha Inca site as the vegetation surrounding us thickens. Once there, you’ll be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the original Inca Trail, and your guide will take you on tour. Then, we’ll head down for 5 hours along a part of the Classic Inca Trail until we reach KM 82. We’ll have a delicious lunch and enjoy some rest.
In the afternoon, we’ll transfer you to Ollantaytambo on our transport and check you in to your hostel. You’ll be able to explore the quaint Inca town before having a tasty meal in a restaurant and heading to bed.
You’ll need to be up early again today to be able to enjoy another filling and nutritious breakfast before we begin our descent from the Quesqa Valley for two hours. We’ll be walking to the Paucarcancha Inca site (3,120 m / 10,236 ft), and you’ll notice that your surroundings change with vegetation becoming greener and thicker.
When we get to the archaeological site, you’ll see the original Inca Trail in the distance and the remote Quesqa Valley communities. Your guide will take you around Paucarcancha, and you’ll learn all about the site and its secrets.
Afterward, we’ll make our way onto the Classic Inca Trail for around 5 hours, heading down to KM 82, which is where the trail begins for those who opt to walk it. Along the hike, you’ll see small villages as well as the Llactapata and Canabamba archaeological sites. Once we reach KM 82, we’ll enjoy our lunch and a rest before we continue.
In the afternoon, we’ll take you to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft) and get you checked in to your hostel. If you’ve still got some energy, you can explore the quaint town before enjoying dinner in a restaurant. Make sure you head to bed early, as we’ll begin our final adventure along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tomorrow.
Ollantaytambo | KM 104 - Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: Visiting the most important site on the whole Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna.
The Most Important Site on the Inca Trail
Today, we’ll take you to the train station in Ollantaytambo to catch a ride to KM 104, where the Short Inca Trail begins. You’ll enjoy hiking through some beautiful landscapes surrounded by huge mountains and lush vegetation. We’ll stop off at some Inca archaeological sites, including Wiñay Wayna, the most important site on the Inca Trail.
After lunch, we’ll keep walking until we reach the Sun Gate, from where you get to enjoy your first views over the astound Machu Picchu. We’ll catch a bus down to Agua Calientes to enjoy dinner in a great restaurant before heading to bed in our hotel. You’ll need to rest early to be up before dawn tomorrow.
You’ll enjoy an early breakfast in the comfort of your hotel before we pick you up around 5:30 am to go to the train station in Ollantaytambo. As you journey along the tracks, you’ll be surrounded by some wonderful scenery and get a different perspective of the mountains you were hiking through the previous days.
After about one and half hours, you’ll reach KM 104, from where you’ll start our amazing hike on the historic Inca Trail. This morning, we’ll start with an uphill hike for about three hours until we reach the Wiñay Wayna archeological site (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), the most important citadel along the original Inca Trail. You’ll enjoy an in-depth history lesson and a tasty box lunch as we gaze up at the towering mountains that shoot up between trees and deep valleys.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue walking toward the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft). From this incredible vantage point, we’ll get our first amazing views over the magnificent Inca City of Machu Picchu. This is the official end of the Inca Trail and the place that the Incas would have gotten their first glimpse of the astounding fortress from when they arrived.
We’ll end our first day by heading down to Aguas Calientes by bus. We’ll check into our hostel and enjoy dinner in a restaurant. You’ll need to sleep early again to get up before sunrise tomorrow.
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Exploring the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Tour the Incredible Machu Picchu
The big day is finally here! Today you will explore the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Therefore, we´ll get up early to avoid the large crowds, be able to visit the site in peace, and enjoy it to the fullest. From here, we´ll have a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour with our guide through the most important areas of the site before walking up one of the additional mountains, if you booked tickets in advance.
Around noon, it will be time to return to the small town of Aguas Calientes for lunch at a restaurant of your choice before heading to the station and boarding the train to Ollantaytambo, from where our private transportation will be waiting for us to return to Cusco, where you will finally stop walking and rest.
Your long-awaited trip to Machu Picchu is finally here! You’ll need to wake up while it’s still dark to have some breakfast before heading to the bus stop in Aguas Calientes. We catch the bus at 5:30 am to make sure we’re one of the first people to enter at 6:00 am when the entrance opens. This way, we can beat the crowds, and you get to enjoy the fantastic citadel with very few others inside and see the glorious morning light cast a wonderful glow over the huge stones.
Once inside, our guide will take you on a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of some of the most important parts of the archaeological site. He´ll teach you all the history of this wonderful place, and you´ll discover its mysteries.
Then, you´ll be able to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain if you have obtained your tickets in advance.
Around midday, you’ll need to make your way back down to Aguas Calientes to grab a bite to eat before heading to the train station. You’ll catch the train at 16:22 hours (depending on availability) to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
It’s time to rest for now, but we’re sure your heart will be soaring high like a condor in the Andes for years to come after your unforgettable experience.
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Permits and Ticket for Inca Trail
As soon as we receive your complete information and the deposit that secures your reservation, we’ll buy all the necessary permits (subject to availability). These permits are issued for a specific date and will be in your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Change of passport number is only allowed for renewal reasons. In that case, you must bring both your old and new passport.
Entry to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site
Circuit 3
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing - The day before the trip, at 5:00 pm you will meet your trekking guide.
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. There, we’ll provide you with the duffle bags, which our horses will carry. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide - All our guides have professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness and passion, which will make your trip safe and comfortable.
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- Bilingual Tour Guide in group service or shared (English and Spanish)
Private Camping Equipment
You’ll have spacious dining and kitchen tents where you can enjoy your food without problems. In addition, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our horses).
Portable Travel Toilet
One Duffle Bag
On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
Medical Kit or First AID Kit - Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Extras Included in our Service - You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a small sleeping pillow, a foam mattress, a cover to protect your backpack on the road, and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service - We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.
Satellite Phone - Each of our guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of emergency.
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. All of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains; however, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. For this reason, each Salkantay Trekking guide has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of an emergency.
Accommodation
Lodging in Campsites
We have a series of campsites that offer you true comfort. Besides that, just like our ancestors, we have a profound link of affection and respect for our Mother Earth. Because of this, we are insistent that our campsites don’t generate any negative environmental impact. Remember that the accommodations are double and shared.
Best Camping Tents
Salkantay Trekking uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents with a capacity for 4 people.
Hostel in Ollantaytambo
The third night of this trek is spent in a hostel in Ollantaytambo.
Comfortable Hotel in Aguas Calientes
The last night of this trek is spent in a hotel in Aguas Calientes with a double or triple room, private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
Meals
4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 3 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.
Water on the trail - You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle for us to give you boiled, filtered and refrigerated water.
We’ll provide you boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your hike, from your first lunch to your last lunch with your hiking team in Piscacucho (KM 82). For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
Wake up tea - Every morning at campig we will provide you with hot coca tea.
Every morning at the campsite, you'll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour - Every evening, before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, cookies, coffee, tea, hot water, etc.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Snacks on the trail daily - You will receive a bag with cookies, fruit and more, to be refilled each morning.
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Hygiene Products
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.
Transportation
Transport
- Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel in our private transportation to Soqma, the trek's starting point.
- Day 3: Transport from Piscacucho (KM 82) to Ollantaytambo
- Day 5: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Round-Trip Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Day 4: From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5: From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Train Tickets
- Day 4: From Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Starting point of the Short Inca Trail).
- Day 5: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Personal Belongings Transportation
On days 1,2, and 3, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
What Is Not Included?
Extras and important equipment
All our travelers need a sleeping bag to camp. Inflatable mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but highly recommended. If you do not have them, don’t worry, you can rent them with Salkantay Trekking.
- Sleeping bag: US$ 20.00
- Inflatable mattress: US$ 20.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 20.00
Huayna Picchu Mountain
You can climb the famous mountain you always see in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill, and coming back down can be scary if you fear heights. You can take this excursion once your guided tour to Machu Picchu ends. The permit must be issued at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, mainly due to weather conditions.
- The ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider, and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can secure for you if we have time in advance.
- The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco (Day 5)
Personal Hiking Clothing and Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?
It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.
Here some suggestions for activities to do in the Cusco vicinity before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or Informative Meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Duffel Bag or Canvas Case
You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will carry them, and the horsemen will hand them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Return to Cusco
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
- In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that’ll take you for 25 minutes to the small city of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo (or Poroy). Your guide will give you the train tickets where the boarding time will be shown. Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1:45 hours.
- Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified with the Salkantay Trekking clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- In Cusco, depending on your hotel’s location, we’ll take you to a smaller car from our company (Hyundai H1) to transfer you faster to your hotel.
Note: For an extra One-Way Consettur Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, you’ll need to pay an extra of US$ 12.00.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
"Ancascocha Trek & Inca Trail Short" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We don’t operate this itinerary in February because of the rainy season & maintenance of the route.
2025 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 900.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment: US$ 400.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 500.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 5%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Hotel
All the related treks to Machu Picchu end in or before Aguas Calientes, so you’ll spend the last night in a hotel in the town rather than camping (including a shared room in a standard 3-star hotel). If you need a hotel upgrade or prefer a single room, you can pay an extra fee. Please enquire for more details.
Extras & Upgrades
There are complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip.
- Huayna Picchu: US$ 60.00
- Machu Picchu Mountain: US$ 60.00
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain: US$ 45.00
- Single Supplement (Hotel at Aguas Calientes): US$ 30.00
- Extra Night at Aguas Calientes: US$ 50.00
- Vistadome Train (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo): US$ 70.00
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
- Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Sacred Valley: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- City Tour: US$ 50.00 US$ 40.00
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
- Sleeping bag:: US$ 20.00
- Inflattable mattress: US$ 20.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 20.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00 off
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to info@salkantaytrekking.com.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at info@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
