The Love in the Andes Romantic Trek to Machu Picchu
Hey there love birds! They say that your honeymoon should be an experience you’ll never forget, so why not pair it with the most unforgettable adventure in the world?
The Salkantay Trek is listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine and is the best alternative route to the New Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu.
We guarantee that you and the person you love most in the world will have a life-changing experience as you hike amongst the mountains and celebrate with some of our beloved Andean wedding traditions. We’ll do everything we can to accommodate you to ensure you receive all the comfort and privacy you desire!
Salkantay Honeymoon Trek to Machu Picchu Map
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Accommodation
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best ways to reach the Inca Citadel and takes you through a range of incredible landscapes. The ecosystem offers a wide range of biodiversity, and you’ll get to witness some outstanding mountain scenery, unique flora and fauna, and rural communities that reside in this region.
On this incredible journey, you’ll pass through the snowy mountain tops and then descend through the fascinating and unique cloud forest to the Peruvian jungle. With each step, you’ll be making your way closer and closer to the New Wonder of the World and the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Along the way, you’ll stop at some amazing destinations, including Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass, Llaqtapata archaeological site, and, of course, Machu Picchu. Your knowledgeable guide will give you the ultimate tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site before you and your sweetheart can start a final hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime, unique experience for you to remarry the love of your life below the sacred mountain god of Salkantay, surrounded by the magic of the mountains and the stunning Humantay Lake.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
Set off on your adventure and hike up to the stunning Humantay Lake in the morning. Remarry the love of your life in Soraypampa in a traditional ceremony before spending the night in our Sky Camp.
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Day 02
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa (Mountain Sky View)
Walk the challenging route up to Salkantay Pass before descending through the cloud forest. You’ll spend the night in our exclusive Mountain Sky View in Collpapampa.
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Day 03
Collpapampa | Loreta - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Cocalmayo - Jungle Domes
You’ll hike through the lush jungle and visit an organic coffee farm. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing soak in the thermo-medicinal waters of Cocalmayo. At night, you’ll sleep surrounded by nature in our Jungle Domes.
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Day 04
Lucmabamba | Llaqtapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
We’ll start with a trek up to Llaqtapata archaeological site before going to Hidroelecrica. Walk or take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll spend the night in a comfy hotel.
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Day 05
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Tour the majestic Machu Picchu all morning and learn its secrets before getting the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we’ll take you back to Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- The Salkantay Trek is listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
- The Salkantay Trek is one of the very best hiking adventures you’ll find in Peru and the continent of South America.
- The Salkantay Trek is one of the most popular treks to Machu Picchu, just like the Inca Trail (and a lot less crowded).
- You get to remarry the love of your life in the most incredible setting imaginable in an authentic ceremony with an Andean priest.
- Hiking beside the magnificent Salkantay Glacier and arriving at the magical, mystical Machu Picchu citadel is one of the best experiences known to mankind.
- Trekkers get to observe incredible scenery like cascades, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, colorful valleys, unique plants and wildlife, and the cloud forest.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
Highlight of the day: Remarry the love of your life and witness the incredibly beautiful Humantay Lake in the company of the mountain “Apus” Salkantay and Humantay.
The Perfect Wedding Ceremony Beside the Jewel in the Mountains
Your romantic journey begins today when we get you from your accommodation and take you to Soraypampa to hike up to Humantay Lake. You’ll be astounded by the gorgeous scenery and have time to relax and take some amazing photos. When you make your way back down, you’ll see that your Andean wedding ceremony is all ready. An Andean priest will conduct the ritual according to traditions.
Once you’ve remarried, it’ll be time for a delicious lunch followed by an afternoon of relaxing in the mountains. Spend the evening gazing up at the Andean constellations and enjoying a romantic dinner before settling into your igloo for the night.
Today, you’ll be picked up early from your accommodation, from where we’ll transport you to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). After enjoying an energetic breakfast to fuel you for the hike, we’ll begin our journey up to a gorgeous lake at the bottom of Humantay Mountain.
You’ll witness some stunning views of glaciers come into view as you get closer. Once you reach Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the turquoise jewel-like water against the snowy mountain backdrop. You’ll spend some time taking in the astonishing scenery before you head back down to our campsite.
Ready and waiting for you back at camp is your Andean wedding ceremony, which will be set up while you’re away. It’ll take place in the middle of the natural environment, with Salkantay Mountain towering above you. An Andean priest is in charge of the ceremony, and he’ll conduct the service according to Andean traditions and rituals.
Once the ceremony is complete, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before spending a relaxing afternoon doing whatever you like in this amazing place and having dinner. You’ll be able to cuddle up together and watch the sun go down as the clear, starry Andean sky at night appears. Enjoy staring at the constellations from the comfort of your Sky Camp igloo as you drift off to sleep.
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa (Mountain Sky View)
Highlight of the day: Get up close and personal to the towering Salkantay glacier and descend through the intriguing cloud forest.
The Stunning Salkantay Pass and Descent through the Cloud Forest
Today is the most challenging day of the entire trek. You’ll enjoy an energizing breakfast before you start on your hike up to the Salkantay Pass. Once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and have some time to rest. After, you’ll begin your descent through the cloud forest.
You’ll stop for lunch on your way down and then continue as you notice your surroundings turn into luscious jungle and the climate get warmer. You’ll reach your night’s camp at Collpapampa for a delicious dinner and well-deserved rest in our Mountain Sky View Campsite.
After an early wake-up call at 5:30 a.m. and another fueling breakfast, we’ll begin the ascent to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). The distance is only 7 km (4.34 mi), but it’s a challenging hike that takes around 4 hours to complete on a winding path from the rocky valley up to the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft).
Once we’re at the top, we’ll take in the spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and imposing peaks and glaciers of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains. Salkantay Mountain is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Inca gods known as “Apu.” After enjoying the views, we’ll start the 7 km walk downhill to the lunch spot.
This part of the hike is along a serpent-shaped, rocky, gravel path that takes us to Wayracmachay for lunch. We can rest on the way down at a perfect lookout across the absolutely stunning valley below.
After our meal, we’ll be entering the upper part of the tropical jungle valley known as the “cloud forest.” This is an 8 km (4.97 mi) hike over 3 hours on a wide trail through the thick and magical tropical forest. Along this section, you’ll notice the landscape changes dramatically as well as the energy of the earth as we move from the Andes to the Amazon.
This hike is truly beautiful; the hills are decorated with colorful scenery, unique wildlife, and native plants. The forests are warm and tropical most of the year with temperate climates. At the end of this outstanding hike, we arrive to our new campsite in Collpampa, Mountain Sky View (2,950 m / 9,678 ft) for a well-deserved rest from our long day of trekking. This is our camp for the night surrounded by valleys, rushing rivers, and lots of vegetation.
Collpapampa | Loreta - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Cocalmayo - Jungle Domes
Highlight of the day: Enjoy the luscious tropical landscape and the unique flora and fauna from the zone while you tour coffee plantations and soak up the fantastic aroma.
Rainforest Adventure and Coffee Experience
Leave bright and early this morning to enjoy a quieter trail and appreciate the sprawling landscape, beautiful scenery, and unique wildlife. While trekking through the rainforest, you’ll see various fruits, like banana, avocado, passion fruit, etc. There are also waterfalls and streams where you can dip your feet in to cool down.
In La Playa, we'll have time to rest before a short hike to our lunch spot and base camp in Lucmabamba. This afternoon, we’ll visit an organic coffee plantation where you can learn all about the main farming industry in the region and smell the incredible coffee aromas in the air before trying a freshly prepared cup. Afterwards, you will take a relaxing bath in the hot springs of Cocalmayo to recover your energy. We’ll head back to our Jungle Domes camp in Lucmabamba for another great meal and sleep among nature.
Today, we’ll begin walking around 6:00 a.m. after a nourishing breakfast. We’ll pass through the small town of Collpapampa and head on to the Santa Teresa Valley. You’ll get to enjoy this lush forest landscape over 5 hours of walking today. Along the way, we’ll spot rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, and plantations of coffee, banana, and avocado. You can also try passion fruit and granadilla while you walk.
Then, we will descend to the bottom of the mountains and pass through the valley that follows where we will see waterfalls, birds, fruit trees as well as some of the local flora and fauna. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the national bird of Peru, the Cock of the Rock.
Arriving at La Playa, we will rest for half an hour before heading to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where we will have lunch and camp for the night.
This afternoon, you’ll explore the tropical forest and visit an organic coffee farm, which you’ll really appreciate if you’re a coffee-lover. You get to try the coffee that’s been freshly prepared by the local people and enjoy the glorious aromas of freshly roasted and ground coffee in the air. Coffee is the main farming industry of the local people here in the jungle, and they farm many acres of coffee to export to the USA, Asia, and Europe. Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia, and it wasn’t until the Spanish invaded Cusco that it was brought to this region. You’ll also get the opportunity to explore orange and avocado plantations.
After this incredible experience, you will go to the hot springs of Cocalmayo to take a comforting bath and relax after several days of hiking. You will take a break and feel the tranquility of the surroundings. Later, you will return to Lucmabamba to spend the night in our Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with mother earth.
Lucmabamba | Llaqtapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: Visit the interesting archaeological site of Llaqtapata from where you get your first glimpse of the mystical Machu Picchu.
The Day of Your First Glance at Machu Picchu
We’ll be up early again as we aim to get to Llaqtapata as early as possible. We’ll hike up through a part of the original Inca trail and get to experience how the native people who live in the area go about their lives. Get a chance to harvest several fruits and enjoy one of the best views of the Santa Teresa Valley. Say goodbye to The Salkantay Mountain behind you and have your first glance at Machu Picchu!
We’ll then head for some lunch and make our way to Hidroelectrica, from where you can catch the train to Aguas Calientes. Once we’re in the town, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy some rest before having dinner at a great restaurant. Spend this night sleeping comfortably in your cozy hotel room.
This morning, you’ll be woken up with a hot cup of coca tea served to your Jungle Dome. While you enjoy your last delicious breakfast made by the cooks, you’ll get ready to head off for the day. We’ll set off early again and start walking on a piece of the original Inca Trail; exciting stuff! After climbing for 3 hours and overlooking some stunning landscapes of the Santa Teresa Valley, we’ll arrive at Llaqtapata Inca archaeological site that sits right in front of Machu Picchu.
This site is the first spot from where we can catch a glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas, and it’s a really special place to spend some time. You can also see Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, two dominant parts of Machu Picchu Inca citadel. We’ll explore Llaqtapata with our guide to listen to a history lesson about the ancient civilization and this beautiful country. You can also take all the photos you want.
After the visit, we’ll continue our hike with a one-and-a-half-hour walk downhill until we reach our lunch spot at Aobamba, enjoying the views of Machu Picchu all the way. After eating, we’ll continue to our next stop at Hidroelectrica. Once there, you will board the train that will take you to Aguas Calientes, appreciating the best scenery along the way.
After arriving to Aguas Calientes, the town at Machu Picchu’s base, you’ll enjoy dinner in a restaurant and head to bed early at your hotel for your early start to see Machu Picchu, Wonder of the World, in the morning.
Note: During the rainy season, hiking the Llactapata trail is not 100% guaranteed for safety reasons. When there are frequent heavy rains, this trail can become very dangerous.
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Seeing a New Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the incredible, magical Machu Picchu.
Tour of the Incredible Incan Metropolis: Machu Picchu
Get up early and in a good mood to get to the entrance of Machu Picchu as soon as it opens, where you will have plenty of time to explore this magnificent wonder of the world with fewer tourists. You’ll enjoy the beautiful sunrise, as you’ll be there before the Inca Trail hikers. Next, you’ll visit the mystical Machu Picchu with your guide for approximately two hours, and then you can optionally climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (if you have booked tickets in advance).
Later you’ll return to Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll have a quick lunch before boarding the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, from where our private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for since you left Cusco; you’re visiting Machu Picchu! You’ll wake up very early to beat the crowds and enjoy the site with fewer tourists around. The Inca citadel entrance is between 6:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. We’ll board the bus to Machu Picchu and enter the Royal city of the Incas to get there first thing in the morning.
You’ll enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours by the most important places of this incredible ancient metropolis and you will see: temples, palaces, priestly houses, crop fields, among others. Then, you’ll be able to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain (book tickets in advance); these tours will take you one hour and a half and three hours up and down, respectively.
After marveling at being in this sacred place, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll have some time for lunch and then head to the train station to return home on the exclusive Vistadome train. Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
It’s time to rest your feet now and relax after your exciting adventure. We can assure you that your heart will be soaring for weeks, months, or even 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 to Salkantay Trek
Entrance Ticket to Cocalmayo Hot Springs
Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site
Circuit 2
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure briefing
You will meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will 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 Guide
Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
We have dining rooms and a kitchen on each campsite. In addition, all our equipment, like tables, chairs, cooking equipment, etc., will be carried by our horses.
One Duffle Bag
There, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15 lbs (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
Sleeping Bag
Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
Trekking Poles with rubber tips
Medical Kit or First Aid Kit
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
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service
We have telephone service available 24 hours a day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
Satellite phones
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.
Accommodation
Personal Accommodation in Private Campsites
Like our ancestors, we’re very considerate of the Pachamama (Mother Earth). For this reason, our campsites and lodges are adapted to the environment to avoid generating negative impacts.
Superior 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
You will spend the last night of this trek in a comfortable hotel at Aguas Calientes, including luggage storage while visiting Machu Picchu.
Ceremony
Andean Wedding Ceremony
Your wedding ceremony will be set up in a marvelous natural environment with the towering Mountain Salkantay high up above the valley. An Andean priest is in charge of the ceremony who conducts the service according to the Andean rituals and traditions.
Paqo or Alto Misayoc
In the Andean tradition, an Alto Misayoq is a very high-level shaman, and they are usually described as Paqos with incredible abilities.
Filmmaker & Photographer for the Andean Wedding
Meals
5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
Our chef prepares the most amazing 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
We'll provide boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your hike. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle, which you can refill during each meal (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
Wake up tea
Every morning at the campsite, you’ll be woken up with a cup of coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your bed so that you’re warmed from the inside out before you start your day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits, 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
Every morning we’ll give you snacks so you can enjoy them during the walk. Your tour leader will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc., at the beginning of each day.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we will give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Transportation
Transport
Private transfer in and out: Cusco (Airport or Bus Station)
- Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel by private transportation to Challacancha, the trek’s starting point.
- Day 3: Transportation from Lucmabamba/ La Playa to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo.
- Day 5: Round-Trip Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Day 5: Private transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Train Tickets
- Day 4: From Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes
- Day 5: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (PeruRail Vistadome Train)
Personal Belongings Transportation
- On day 1, 2 and 3, cargo mules carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb).
- On day 4, your duffle bag will be transported by car and train.
What Is Not Included?
Huayna Picchu Mountain
You can climb the famous mountain always seen in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill. Going 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 one month in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, this, mainly due to weather conditions.
- The ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain costs 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 roads than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure you if we have time in advance.
- The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain costs US$ 60.00 per person.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco (Day 5)
Personal Hiking Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering their hard work. 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.
Is it for me?
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative for the Inca Trail trek and better suited for more adventurous trekkers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances. Ascending to reach the famous Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) is not too strenuous nor very steep since it is at the beginning of the trek. Still, it does require stamina and a little time in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude before beginning the trek.
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
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.
Duffle Bag or Travel Bag
The evening before the trek, we'll provide you with a duffle bag to pack your clothes and personal gear needed for the trip. Our horsemen will carry it on the route and hand it to you once you get to each camp. Please note that you will not have access to your items in the bag until the end of each day.
The maximum weight allowed is 7 kg / 15.4 lb, including the weight of your sleeping bag, clothes, and other personal items. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.4 x 8.7 in).
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. 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.
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
Private & Exclusive Campsites
Sky Camp
Our incredible Sky Camp is located in front of the impressive mountains Humantay and Salkantay. This campsite allows for the perfect union of sky and earth. It allows you to sleep calmly under a deep, blue sky starred with an exceptional view of the constellations. At the same time, you can enjoy all the comforts of a first-class vacation home.
- Location: Soraypampa
- Altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Igloos: 26
- Capacity: 2 people per Igloo
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Mountain Sky View
Our campsite Mountain Sky View is a warm mountain accommodation and our novelty this year, and it’s with great pleasure that we prepared this place for all those looking for a glamping experience surrounded by nature. Each one of its individual Andean Sky Huts counts with a private bath besides spectacular tropical mountain views. You’ll find peace under the shining stars listening to the voices of wildlife and the whispers of the river in the valley.
- Location: Collpapampa
- Altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
- Cabins: 10
- Capacity: 2 people per Sky Hut
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Jungle Domes
From the comfort of our domes, you can be in intimate contact with the surrounding nature, hearing the wind or the rain or gazing at the stars through the central dome from your comfortable bed. The conceptual design of our domes invites you to see one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world from your window.
- Location: Lucmabamba
- Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
- Domes: 16
- Capacity: 2 people per Dome
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Selected Hotels
We offer a set of well located hotels with very comfortable and tasteful decorated rooms. You will find them impecable, clean rooms and beds, adequate toilets and showers. A perfect place to rest before the great day!
- Location: Aguas Calientes
- Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Type: Double, Matrimonial, and Triple
- Meals: Breakfast
"Salkantay Honeymoon Trek" 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.
2024 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 1500.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 400.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 1100.00 (Typically paid in Cusco two days before the start of your expedition)
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Please note that PayPal and our credit/debit card payment gateway, Niubiz, charge a 5% processing fee for online deposits. We kindly request that our clients cover this fee, as it is necessary to use their secure service. Please be aware that this fee only applies to online deposits. If you choose to pay the full amount or remaining balance in cash, there will be no additional 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 village rather than camping. This 3-star hotel is included in the trek cost and consists of a matrimonial room. If you would like to upgrade your hotel, please consider that there will be an additional cost.
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
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your fascinating Peru Adventure:
- City Tour: US$ 50.00 US$ 40.00
- Sacred Valley of the Incas: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Andean Textiles, Moray & Maras Salt Mines: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Waqrapukara Tour: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Ausangate Seven Lakes: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Qeswachaka Inca Bridge: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
- Sleeping bag:: US$ 25.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 25.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information
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
