The Epic Off-the-Beaten-Path Combo Trek
If you want to skip the crowds and still enjoy an epic trek to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu, look no further and venture on this combined Lares Trek & Inca Trail. This 5-day tour will take you through the most stunning scenery while interacting with rural Andean communities and retracing ancient steps on one of the best treks in the world, the Inca Trail.
Expect to see majestic mountain glaciers, shockingly blue and green lakes, waterfalls, streams, llamas, and alpacas along this gorgeous picturesque route. Spend three days in the Andean heights before dipping into the Short Inca Trail for the best of both worlds. You'll connect with nature while visiting incredible archaeological sites before ending your trip in the magical Machu Picchu.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
This package is for intrepid adventurers who like to avoid big crowds and get the best possible experience in the mountains. You’ll feel at one with nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You can enjoy this trip alone, with your partner, or as part of a larger group.
The Lares section of this incredible route will take you through rural Andean communities, where you’ll get to spend time with the locals and learn more about their customs and traditions. It’s fascinating to see how they live far away from the nearest town or city and live off their land, growing all their own products. These communities are all about preserving Inca traditions and keeping them alive today.
After spending time among the glaciers and chilly mountain tops, you’ll make your way to the Short Inca Trail. You’ll hike through the warm climate on the edge of the Peruvian jungle and visit some enigmatic archaeological sites to learn about this astounding ancient culture.
Finally, your trip closes with a flourish on a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu — a bucket list for many travelers worldwide. You’ll enjoy a guided tour and discover the secrets of this mystical site. Don’t forget to buy your Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets in advance to get the ultimate view over the Inca citadel. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it? Don’t miss out, and book your trek today!
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Calca - Lares Hot Springs - Cuncani - Willkikasa Pass - Quishuarani
Start your trip with a dip in the Lares hot springs to relax before beginning your hike. You’ll visit the Pacchayocc waterfall and Willkikasa pass before heading to our camp in Quishuarani. There you’ll spend time with the locals before dinner and bed.
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Day 02
Quishuarani | Qoyalay Lake - Pachacutec Pass - Cancha Cancha
Head up to the trek´s highest point, the Pachacutec pass, before making your way down to the camp in Cancha Cancha. There, you’ll learn all about the local customs and traditions and spend the night.
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Day 03
Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Maras Salt Mines - Ollantaytambo
Enjoy the last leg of the Lares trek to Huaran before boarding our transport to the Maras Salt Mines. In the afternoon, we’ll take you to Ollantaytambo for dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
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Day 04
Ollantaytambo | KM 104, Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Begin your Inca Trail journey today and visit Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna archaeological sites. See Machu Picchu for the first time from the Sun Gate and then spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
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Day 05
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Spend the morning exploring the magical Citadel of Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch. From there, you’ll catch the train to Ollantaytambo and then our private car back to your accommodation in Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- The Lares Trek is a wild and fantastic alternative route to Machu Picchu to escape the big crowds.
- Explore a part of the world-famous Inca Trail.
- Spend time with rural Andean communities and learn their customs and traditions.
- Witness some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the world.
- Visit several Inca archaeological sites and learn all about this culture's fascinating history.
- Enjoy a train ride through stunning landscapes alongside the roaring Urubamba River.
- End your epic trip with a guided tour of the World Wonder, Machu Picchu, and discover its best-kept secrets.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Calca - Lares Hot Springs - Cuncani - Willkikasa Pass - Quishuarani
Highlight of the day: Relaxing at the Lares hot springs and hiking the impressive Andes.
Take a Dip in the Hot Springs and Embark On Your Exciting Trek
We kick off this adventure with an early pickup and a drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll have a short stop in Calca and then continue to the Lares hot springs. There, you’ll enjoy breakfast and take a relaxing dip at any of the thermal baths before driving to the starting point of our trek in Cuncani. We’ll hike to the Pacchayocc waterfall and beat the highest point of the day, the Willkikasa pass, before taking the final stretch down to the camp in Quishuarani.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore the small community, get to know the locals, and visit a children's school. You’ll have your dinner there and enjoy a stargaze before heading to bed for the night.
We’ll start this epic adventure with an early pickup from your hotel, and a drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll travel for an hour and a half and stop at Calca town for a visit to its market and to do some last-minute shopping. We’ll then make our way for two-and-a-half hours to the Lares Hot Springs (3,200 m / 10,499 ft) for our first energizing breakfast.
Before embarking on the trail, you’ll take a dip in the hot thermal springs, a complex of pools of different sizes and temperatures. Its volcanic waters have therapeutic properties for the body, so it’ll be your perfect spot to relax before setting off on the hike. After that, we'll continue driving to our hike starting point in Cuncani (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) and meet the rest of our trekking team, including horsemen and cooks who’ll accompany us on the route.
The first leg is to find the impressive Pacchayocc waterfall and get to a little lake region, where you'll enjoy your first lunch served by our cook in the middle of the mountains! Then, we’ll continue to beat the highest point of the day, the Willkikasa Pass (4,400 m / 14,436 ft), and from there, walk downhill for an hour-and-a-half to our first campsite in Quishuarani. Here, you'll have enough time to explore the small town, visit local houses and learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
You'll also get to visit the school where children speak Quechua, their native language, and what the Incas used to speak. You can bring toys or other school supplies to share with them; it'll be a wonderful touch, given their remote location. We’ll later enjoy a hot drink and indulge in a fresh dinner as the sky darkens and the stars begin to appear. For the night, you’ll be able to stargaze and take refuge in your tent.
Quishuarani | Qoyalay Lake - Pachacutec Pass - Cancha Cancha
Highlight of the day: Spending time with rural Andean locals and learning about their way of life.
Immerse Yourself in Andean Culture As You Enjoy Stunning Surroundings
We’ll wake you up early with a hot drink to get ready and have an energizing breakfast before we start our hike. First, we’ll head up to the Pachacutec pass, the highest part of the trek. We’ll take in the astounding 360° views all around and head downhill again for lunch. From there, it’s another 2 hours to our camp in Cancha Cancha.
In this small village, you’ll spend the afternoon with the local people, observe their beautiful handicrafts, and learn more about their lifestyle. In the evening, you’ll have another great dinner and then settle in for a good night’s rest.
Today, we’ll wake you up around 5:30 am with a hot drink to get you going. Once the gear is ready, we’ll share a sumptuous breakfast and stock up with snacks and water. That way, you’ll have plenty of energy to start the striking hike ahead.
We’ll first take a 4-5 hour ascent toward the highest point on the trek, the Pachacutec pass at 4,700 m / 15,420 ft. The hiking will be upward in a zigzag pattern, observing the stunning landscapes of the area, so make sure you have your camera ready! From this place, you'll also spot the beautiful lake of Qoyalay and the impressive Qanchispaccha (seven waterfalls).
Once at Pachacutec Pass, you’ll find yourself above the clouds, enjoying a beautiful 360-degree view. Right in front of you, you’ll also see the majestic Pitusiray and Qolqe Cruz mountains. Here you can snap some fantastic photos because soon, we’ll begin our hike downhill. It will be for half an hour on a slope to our lunch spot, so make sure you’ve devoured everything; we still need to walk two more hours!
Finally, we’ll arrive in the town of Cancha Cancha (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), a picturesque village with traditional houses. Our support team will set the tents here, so you’ll be free for another great afternoon, mingling with the friendly locals. You’ll also visit one of the community houses to learn about the lifestyle of these peoples’ remote regions, including a demonstration of their traditional hand-made alpaca wool textiles.
You’ll later enjoy hot drinks, and after a nourishing dinner, you can drift off to your tent.
Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Maras Salt Mines - Ollantaytambo
Highlight of the day: Visiting the fascinating Maras Salt Mines and enjoying the change of scenery.
Stop Off at Amazing Sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
You’ll wake up early today to embark on the last leg of the Lares trek. You’ll observe more beautiful scenery and unique flora and fauna on your way into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll arrive in the small town of Huaran for some lunch and say farewell to our horsemen and cooks.
This afternoon, our transport will drive us to the Maras Salt Mines, a truly unique sight in the middle of the mountains. From there, we’ll be driven to Ollantaytambo, a quaint Inca town, to enjoy dinner in a restaurant and then spend the night in a hotel.
Just like every morning, you’ll wake up with a hot drink and breakfast to start the day in the best way possible. We’ll be hiking the last portion of the Lares trek. It’s a 4-hour downhill hike observing herds of sheep, llamas, alpacas, and plenty of fields of potatoes, fava beans, and other regional products. It’ll be a great opportunity to learn about Andean agricultural techniques.
Along the descent, we’ll reach the warm Sacred Valley of the Incas, feeling the drastic change between the cold mountains and the greenery of the valley. There it grows corn, quinoa, kiwi, peaches, avocados, and many other types of fruits, so you’ll learn why it was so treasured by the Incas and be amazed by its vast history. We'll finish the Lares trek in the small town of Huaran (2,920 m / 9,580 ft), where you’ll bid farewell to the trekking team and enjoy a lunch made with local produce.
Later, we’ll continue across the Sacred Valley for a visit to the Maras Salt Mines at 3,000 m / 9.843 ft. Here, you’ll witness its nearly 3,000 small salt pools, all fed by a nearby mountain spring. This salt has been harvested since pre-Inca times and is still mined by the locals. It has curative properties and, thanks to its minerals, boasts a unique pink color. To complete this experience, there’s a small shop where you can buy some pink salt if you wish. It’s perfect for cooking and a great gift!
After that, we'll continue to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft), a picturesque town considered the last intact Inca town inhabited in Peru. Here, you’ll have plenty of time to indulge in dinner at a nice restaurant and sleep in a comfortable hotel. Remember to go to bed early, as your Inca Trail hike will start early in the morning.
Note: Depending on the arrival time to Ollantaytambo, and if daylight permits, we can do a visit to the archaeological site (entry ticket not included).
Ollantaytambo | KM 104, Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: Hiking a part of the original Inca Trail and visiting some of the most important sites in their empire.
Retrace Ancient Steps and Travel Back in Time at Historic Sites
Our Inca adventure starts today. We’ll eat breakfast, then board the train to KM 104, where we’ll start our hike. First, we’ll stop at the archaeological site of Chachabamba to get your first insights into the trail. You’ll see waterfalls and many wild orchids on our way to Wiñay Wayna, an extremely important Inca site. You’ll learn all about its past and observe the incredible structures before enjoying lunch.
This afternoon, we’ll keep hiking until Inti Punku, the famous Sun Gate, from where you can take in your first amazing views of Machu Picchu. Then, we’ll hike to the Machu Picchu entrance to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have dinner in a nice restaurant before spending the night in a hotel.
After breakfast, it'll be time to head to the station and board the train towards KM 104, our Inca Trail starting point. You'll trip beside the sacred and rushing Urubamba River as you watch the golden sun shedding its light on the towering mountains. We’ll arrive at the control point and, from there, check-in for our hike of the day.
The first stop is just a little way, the archaeological site of Chachabamba. We'll do a short visit there and learn about its enigmatic history before we continue on our way. Next, It'll be a 3-hour hike retracing some original Inca paths. You'll observe waterfalls, unique wilds, orchids, and lush forests all the way to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most important sites on the route. This is a sophisticated archaeological center that shows the architectural mastery of the Incas and their great agricultural capacity.
Its name is due to an orchid that means ´forever young´ and boasts terrace fields and sheer steps you'll get to climb. Your guide will take you on a site tour, so you'll be well fed with incredible facts about it. After spending some time here, we'll stop for lunch nearby and continue with the last leg of the hike. It'll be just one hour to the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate, the official entrance of Machu Picchu (2,720 m / 8,924 ft). From there, you'll witness the Lost City of the Incas for the first time, feeling the powerful energy as you take in the view.
From this point, it's another hour of descent to the Machu Picchu site. By this time, the crowds will be gone, so we'll take a chance to enjoy the unrivaled scenery in peace. Later, we'll take the 25-min bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you'll eat dinner in a nice restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel. We recommend sleeping early tonight to make the most of the final day tomorrow.
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Visiting the one and only Machu Picchu and exploring every corner of this World Wonder.
Explore the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu
Today we´ll start the day early to avoid the crowds at Machu Picchu. Once inside, take in the spectacular views and enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the most significant sites of the site. Afterwards, you´ll be able to hike one of the additional mountains if you booked your tickets in advance.
Afterwards, we´ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo; from there, our private transportation will take you back to your accommodation in Cusco to rest after your 5-day adventure.
The most special day is finally here! You’ll need to wake up before dawn to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu. You’ll catch the bus from Aguas Calientes to the site entrance at 6:00 am when it opens. This way, you’ll get your first views over Machu Picchu as the morning sun glow hits its massive stones.
There's nothing better than walking through the Inca citadel at dawn, almost in silence. Tourists crowd this place in a few hours, so you’ll enjoy the tranquility of these moments. You’ll have an hour-and-a-half tour of the most important places while your guide explains all the mysteries that this wonder possesses. Take lots of pictures and let your spirit be filled with the energy of this sacred place.
If you get a ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance, it’ll be the time to hike to their tops and get stunning citadel views. Otherwise, you can walk to the Inca Bridge and get a different perspective from the rest of the Wonder. Later, you’ll head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
After putting your feet up and getting some rest, we're sure your heart will be beating the Andean rhythm for years to come!
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
Entrance Ticket for Lares Hot Springs
Entrance Ticket for Maras Salt Mines
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
5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 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 breakfast. 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 Lares Hot Springs and then to Cuncani, the trek's starting point.
- Day 3: Transport from Huaran to Maras Salt Mines and then to Ollantaytambo.
- Day 5: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Train Tickets
- Day 4: From Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Starting point of the Short Inca Trail).
- Day 5: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Round-Trip Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Day 4: From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5: From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
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
"Lares Trek & Inca Trail" 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$ 750.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment: US$ 400.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 350.00 (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!