The Cruzjasa Pass, where you’ll also get stunning views of Apu Salkantay mountain.

Blue skies overhead as we trek the iconic Salkantay Trail

The Salkantay Trail offers stunning scenery and a more authentic experience of the Peruvian Andes.

The lost Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru

Quechua woman backstrap weaving | Mark Tipple

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Hidden Valleys of Salkantay to Machu Picchu

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu through high-altitude landscapes and remote Andean valleys.

Peru

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3 reviews

12 Days from

$3390 USD

Trip Code: SVP

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Tent only Single Supplement

$100 USD

Single Supplement

$410 USD

Duration

12 Days

Activities

5 Days Trek
Day Tours

Style

Classic Adventures

Accommodation

8 nights in comfortable hotels
3 nights fully supported camping

Meals

4 Dinners
7 Lunches
11 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint

39kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(425kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Trek the remote Salkantay route to Machu Picchu through high-altitude Andean landscapes
Arrive at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate following a multi-day guided trek
Cross mountain passes with views of Salkantay (6,271m / 20,574ft) and Humantay peaks
Discover Cusco’s Inca and colonial heritage including temples, plazas and ruins
Explore Inca archaeological sites including Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Patallacta

Overview

Trek to Machu Picchu via the remote Salkantay route, crossing high mountain passes and hidden Andean valleys. This multi-day guided trek combines Sacred Valley cultural experiences with a fully supported high-altitude journey through conservation areas and lesser-visited Inca sites. You walk through changing landscapes from alpine terrain to cloud forest before arriving at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate. The journey concludes with a guided exploration of Machu Picchu and Cusco’s historic sites.

Itinerary

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Arriving in Cusco, you meet your guide before descending into the Sacred Valley, where the landscape softens into fertile farmland framed by mountain peaks. Along the way, a stop at Awanacancha introduces traditional weaving techniques and the importance of alpaca fibres in Andean culture. At Pisac, the ruins rise above the valley, offering wide views across terraces and surrounding hills before you explore the lively local market below. By evening, you settle into the Sacred Valley, where the quieter setting provides time to adjust to the altitude. Accommodationt: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar

Meals: B

Today offers a more immersive experience within the Sacred Valley, as you travel to a local community and take part in daily activities. Working alongside families, you gain insight into traditional agricultural practices that have sustained life here for generations. Weaving demonstrations reveal the skill and detail behind Andean textiles, with natural fibres and dyes reflecting a deep connection to the land. The day provides a direct and personal understanding of life in rural Peru before returning to your accommodation Accommodation: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

The day begins at the Ensifera Sanctuary, where the focus turns to conservation and the delicate ecosystems of the Andes. Observing hummingbirds in their natural habitat offers a quieter moment before the trek begins. From here, you walk through rural landscapes toward the Inca site of Pumamarca, following trails that wind through terraces and small villages. The descent toward Ollantaytambo passes through agricultural lands that have been in use for centuries, linking past and present in a working landscape. Accommodation: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar Excess luggage can be stored here and collected on Day 9.

Meals: B,L

The journey into the mountains begins with a transfer toward the Salkantay region, where the snow-covered peaks of Salkantay and Humantay dominate the horizon. Starting from Misquiyaco, the trail enters a protected conservation area, home to rare Meso-Andean forest ecosystems. As you climb steadily, the landscape transitions from forest to open grasslands, with views expanding across the surrounding valleys. Reaching Acopía camp (4154m/13,628ft), you are fully immersed in the high Andes, where the sense of remoteness becomes part of the experience. Accommodation: Camping

Meals: B,L,D

Leaving Acopía (4154m / 13628ft) the trail climbs into higher alpine terrain, where each step brings broader views across the Salkantay range. Passing Tambomachay Pass (4367m / 14323ft) and Uspaccasa (4559m / 14953ft) before crossing Cruzjasa Pass (4683m / 15360ft), the highest point of the trek, with expansive views of Salkantay and surrounding peaks. The route traverses exposed ridgelines and remote valleys, highlighting the scale and isolation of this region. A steep descent leads to your campsite at Pampacahuana (3902m / 12801ft), set in a quiet and remote setting beneath the mountains. Accommodation: Camping

Meals: B,L,D

The trail descends through the Pampacahuana Valley, following the course of an ancient Inca canal that still shapes the landscape. As you lose altitude, the terrain becomes greener, with cultivated fields and small settlements appearing along the route. On reaching Paucarcancha (3133m / 10278ft) you explore an Inca site positioned at the meeting of two valleys before joining sections of the original Inca Trail. Passing Patallacta itself an important archaeological site overlooking the valley, the day ends at Chamana Camp (3865m / 12680ft), where you settle into your campsite in a quiet mountain setting. Accommodation: Camping

Meals: B,L,D

Continuing through the Machu Picchu sanctuary region, the trail connects a series of lesser-visited archaeological sites along historic pathways. The route reflects the early access routes used before the rediscovery of Machu Picchu. Reaching Piscacucho, you leave the trail and travel by road to Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Machu Picchu Village. Accommodation: El Mapi Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

An early start brings you to Machu Picchu, where the site emerges from the surrounding cloud forest. A guided visit explores its terraces, temples and residential areas, revealing the precision of Inca construction and its integration with the landscape. Built in the 15th century during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in South America. After your visit, you return by train and road to Cusco, where you settle into your hotel. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

Today you explore Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. Visits include Qoricancha, originally the most important temple in the Inca Empire, later built over by the Spanish Convent of Santo Domingo. You continue to the Plaza de Armas and nearby sites including Sacsayhuaman, an impressive fortress constructed from massive stone blocks, along with Q’enqo, Puka-Pukara and Tambomachay, each reflecting different ceremonial and defensive functions. The day provides insight into the layering of Inca and colonial history before returning to your hotel in Cusco. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar

Meals: B

A free day allows time to explore Cusco at your own pace, whether visiting museums, markets or simply taking in the atmosphere of the city. The slower pace provides space to reflect on the journey through the Andes. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What's included?

Included

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 4 dinners
Comfortable and central hotels
Group camping equipment and support crew
Airport transfers (Day 1 and Day 11)
Private vehicle transport to beginning of trek
Rail journey Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Village return
Expert bilingual guides
Sightseeing and site entrance fees and permits as listed
Group medical kit including oxygen
Filtered drinking water

Not included

International flights and taxes
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visa fees
Meals not listed as included
Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, aerated and alcoholic drinks
Tips and gratuities
Any items not listed as included