A journey is more than just a vacation: it’s an experience that touches the soul and stays in your memory forever. At Salkantay Trekking, we know this well, because since 2013 we have dedicated every step, every smile, and every effort to creating authentic tourism adventures in the Peruvian Andes.
That commitment has once again been recognized at the World Travel Awards 2025, where we received for the second consecutive year the title of South America’s Leading Tour Operator. This award confirms that our passion for sustainable tourism, quality service, and respect for nature places us at the top of the tourism industry in the region.
This achievement is shared with every traveler who trusts us and with every member of our team—from guides, cooks, and porters to the warehouse crew, logistics, human resources, accounting, sales, operations, and marketing. Today, we celebrate this recognition together and want to share with you what it means, why travelers choose us, and what we do to ensure your next adventure is unforgettable.
What does Salkantay Trekking mean?
The World Travel Awards are considered the most prestigious honors in global tourism, a true benchmark of excellence. Being recognized in 2025 as South America’s Leading Tour Operator means that Salkantay Trekking is seen as a model of innovation, sustainability, and quality service in the region.
For us, this award reflects years of dedication and commitment to travelers. It represents every sustainable campsite we’ve built in the Andes, every carefully planned route, and every smile shared along the way to Machu Picchu. Winning for the second consecutive year also brings responsibility: to continue raising the bar and ensuring that those who choose us enjoy the best trekking experience in Peru.
This achievement also symbolizes a clear vision: to transform Andean tourism into an experience that inspires, protects the environment, and benefits local communities. Every nomination and every victory at the World Travel Awards is proof of work that goes beyond business and becomes a life mission: to connect the world with the greatness of the Peruvian Andes.
Why Salkantay Trekking?
International travelers seek authenticity, safety, and unique experiences. That is exactly what we offer. Salkantay Trekking was born in Cusco to become a reference in sustainable adventure tourism, and today we achieve it thanks to a passionate team and a philosophy based on respect and excellence.
Our staff is the essence of this success: guides trained in rescue and first aid who speak multiple languages; cooks who turn Andean ingredients into memorable feasts; porters and muleteers who make the route possible; and an operations, marketing, sales, human resources, and logistics team that ensures everything runs smoothly. Each member contributes passion and commitment so that every traveler enjoys the journey to the fullest.
We also stand out thanks to our commitment to environmental and social sustainability. We promote the use of reusable bottles, route clean-up campaigns, and responsible waste practices. A portion of our income goes to support social projects in Andean communities, from Christmas campaigns to generating local employment. Traveling with us means being part of tourism that leaves a positive footprint.
In short, travelers choose us because we are not just a trekking company. We are a team that creates memories, inspires trust, and takes every traveler on an authentic, safe, and transformative adventure.
What does Salkantay Trekking do?
At Salkantay Trekking, we design experiences that combine adventure, comfort, and respect for nature. Our hallmark is our exclusive campsites, which transform a demanding hike into an unforgettable experience:
- Sky Camp (Soraypampa, 3,900 m / 12,795 ft): The first campsite on the route welcomes you with glass igloos perfectly integrated into the surroundings. From here, you’ll have unique views of the Salkantay and Humantay snowcapped peaks. At night, you can admire Andean constellations from the comfort of your bed, in a natural spectacle impossible to forget.
- Mountain Sky View (Collpapampa, 2,950 m / 9,680 ft): The second camp offers a cozy design in the heart of the mountains, providing warmth on cold nights and tranquility after the hike. Here, sunrises and sunsets become unforgettable shows, with panoramic views of the Andean landscapes.
- Super Jungle Domes (Lucmabamba, 2,000 m / 6,562 ft): Designed for those seeking an even more exclusive experience in the jungle. These domes offer a luxurious space where comfort blends with the tropical environment, letting you live in nature without giving up convenience.
- Jungle Domes (Lucmabamba, 2,000 m / 6,562 ft): The third campsite blends with the jungle, creating an immersive and visual experience surrounded by nature. The sounds of the forest, the wind, and the rain accompany your rest, while you enjoy the comfort of the domes and the chance to stargaze through the central skylight.
- Basecamp Domes (Soraypampa, 3,900 m / 12,795 ft): Located in front of the Humantay and Salkantay mountains, our Basecamp Domes offer a unique connection between sky and earth. Here you can sleep under a starry sky and enjoy all the comforts of a first-class vacation home.
Our Tours
We offer a wide variety of tours and routes to suit different interests, schedules, and levels of adventure. Some of our main options include:
- Salkantay Trek: one of the most breathtaking and popular trekking routes in South America. This adventure combines spectacular mountain landscapes, surprising natural transitions, and an intimate approach to Andean culture before culminating at the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- The Inca Trail: one of our most iconic and world-renowned routes. This ancestral path was used by the Incas as a ceremonial road to Machu Picchu, and walking it is literally walking through history.
- Customized treks: for those seeking extra comfort or privacy, we offer personalized versions of classic journeys, preserving the essence of adventure while adding special touches.
- Combinations: for travelers eager to experience different ecosystems and historical routes, we offer tours that combine the best of the Salkantay Trail with sections of the Inca Trail, or routes that include the legendary Rainbow Mountain, and much more.
The Best Traditional and Alternative Treks
Perfect if you’re looking for routes outside the most popular circuits, with spectacular landscapes, living history, and authentic connections with local culture. Some of these include:
- Inca Quarry Trail: a less-traveled route that takes you through remote communities, a visit to the Inca quarry of Cachicata (which supplied stones for Ollantaytambo), waterfalls, high-altitude landscapes, and the ascent to the Sun Gate.
- Choquequirao Trek: a challenging route that leads to a lesser-known Inca citadel with great archaeological and scenic value. Perfect for those seeking adventure and solitude in the mountains.
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek: short, less demanding, and highly representative of Andean culture. It includes beautiful landscapes, local communities, and the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo overlooking the Sacred Valley.
- Lares Trek: offers stunning natural beauty, lagoons, traditional villages, and the chance to experience Andean culture up close. A moderate path, ideal for travelers seeking both beauty and authenticity.
- Ancascocha Trek: one of the least-known routes to Machu Picchu, featuring spectacular views, traditional Andean villages, high mountain passes exceeding 4,650 m / 15,255 ft, and the satisfaction of walking an authentic and peaceful path.
- Inca Jungle Trek: the most adventurous alternative route to Machu Picchu, perfect for those who want to combine trekking with extreme sports. It includes downhill biking on mountain roads, rafting on rushing rivers, hiking through jungle trails, zip-lining, and natural hot springs—all culminating with your entrance to Machu Picchu.
Our added value
The proposal also stands out for its exceptional trail cuisine. Skilled chefs prepare balanced, flavorful meals with local ingredients, accommodating vegetarian, vegan, and special diets. With us, you can enjoy a gourmet dish in the middle of the Andes, accompanied by hot coca tea to boost your energy.
Safety is another of our priorities. Our guides always carry first-aid kits, oxygen, and emergency equipment, in addition to having evacuation horses. This ensures that your adventure is both exciting and safe.
We also believe in the power of small groups. Traveling with fewer companions makes your experience more personalized, authentic, and respectful of local communities. You won’t be just another traveler—you’ll be part of a family sharing a common dream: reaching the highest peaks together.
Salkantay Foundation
Our work goes beyond tours: through the Salkantay Foundation, we strive to ensure that tourism generates a positive and sustainable impact on local communities. Some of our main projects include:
- Education and mentoring: we support learning spaces for children and young people, strengthening educational opportunities in rural communities.
- Dental health and care campaigns: we organize initiatives to improve oral health in local communities, bringing care to remote areas.
- Environmental conservation: we promote ecotourism, reforestation projects, responsible campsite management, and joint trail-cleaning campaigns with local communities, to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Andean environment.
- Support for local development: we generate local employment, hire local staff and suppliers, and work closely with Andean communities so that they directly benefit from tourism.
Conclusion
Receiving the award as South America’s Leading Tour Operator 2025, for the second consecutive year, is a celebration of everything we are: passion, commitment, sustainability, and excellence. It confirms that every step with Salkantay Trekking becomes an unforgettable memory.
Now we invite you to experience it firsthand. Discover our itineraries, choose your next route, and join us on this transformative adventure in the heart of the Andes.
Follow us on our channels, join our community of explorers, and trust Salkantay Trekking for your next great experience in Peru.
With us, every journey is a story of trust, respect, and connection with nature. Your adventure to the top starts here.
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