Make your way through the Peruvian Andes and discover a place full of natural wonders and immersive mysticism. The Salkantay Trek will take you through the most impressive landscapes of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the cloud forest before reaching Machu Picchu.
This 8-day experience allows you to immerse yourself in the lush nature of the Cusco region and, at the same time, let yourself be completely enveloped by the powerful energy of the Andes. ¡ Read on to find out all about this must-see trekking to Machu Picchu!
Our team will be waiting for you at Cusco airport to take you to the hotel. We recommend drinking the famous coca tea, known to help with the symptoms of altitude sickness.
After checking into the hotel, our team will inform you about the sights of the city with a map of Cusco, while they will also indicate restaurants, exchange offices, shops, and more.
Important Note: Cusco is 3,399 meters above sea level, therefore, we recommend that you take a few hours to get used to the altitude before exploring the beautiful Historic Center of Cusco.
Optional visit:
In the afternoon you can attend the presentation of typical Andean music and dances at the Qosqo Native Art Center (18h30 to 20h00), we recommend arriving with 45 minutes of antecedence. The deposit is already included in the package.
Overnight in Cusco.
Breakfast at the hotel.
On this day we will leave in the morning to make the Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will make our first stop to visit the Awanacancha Traditional Textile Museum, just after enjoying the magnificent view of the Sacred Valley.
Following the itinerary, we will continue to visit Pisac, a small town recognized for its authentic cultural expression and the outstanding archaeological site of Pisac. Later, we had lunch in Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
At the end of the tour, we will reach Ollantaytambo, where we can visit one of the oldest villages in the valley and its imposing archaeological site. After exploring the village of Ollantaytambo, we will board the train to Aguas Calientes, a village located in the middle of the jungle mountains, surrounded by majestic natural scenery.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
The wait is finally over, now it's time to live the dream! Our team will take you from the hotel to board the bus to Machu Picchu. The bus journey takes about 30 minutes from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the citadel.
Our professional guide will provide you with all the details about this wonder of the world, including the mysteries and fascinating facts of the Inca culture. After our time in Machu Picchu, we will return to Aguas Calientes to return to the city of Cusco by train.
Overnight in Cusco.
Now, if you want to improve your experience in Machu Picchu, check out these additional services:
• Exclusive lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel, located right in front of the entrance of Machu Picchu.
• Return on the train Vistadome, a panoramic train with first-class seats.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain. The most demanded additional hike inside Machu Picchu. This mountain offers an exceptional view of the citadel and great photo opportunities.
For more information, contact our sales team.
Our adventure will begin very early in the morning. We will cross the South Valley towards the famous Mountain of 7 Colors, located at 5 200 meters above sea level, so we will take this walk with calm and caution.
It takes up to 3 hours to complete the trek to the Rainbow Mountain climb, although it will depend on your physical condition. Be sure to follow our recommendations before starting the hike.
If you wish, you can rent a horse but you will have to walk the last 15 minutes of the journey, keep in mind that this is not included in the package. Once at the top, we will have about 1 hour to enjoy this natural wonder.
Upon reaching the top, we will continue our walk accompanied by a charming stream. During our trip, we will pass through villages where we will have contact with the locals and their clothing, we will see alpacas and llamas, which hopefully will not be frightened by our presence.
The return will be a shorter walk, 1 hour less. We will meet our vehicle that will take us back to Cusco to rest.
Overnight in Cusco.
On this day you will have the morning free or an optional walk that starts at 09:00 h and ends at 11:00 h called a Walking Tour where you will walk with a guide visiting the tourist spots of the cradle of the Inca culture that is the City of Cusco, known as the "the navel of the world", Qosqo (Cusco) in Quechua means navel. In the afternoon we will be performing the Archaeological City Tour that covers the main tourist points of Cusco, for which our team will find them in the Hotel. We advise you to have lunch before the ride, as it lasts about five and a half hours. The first tourist point will be the Cathedral of Cusco, ornamented with a baroque style and carved by the best sculptors of the Cusco School. The second tourist point to be visited is Qoricancha, which was the main place of worship to the Sun God. Then we resumed our walk visiting the other four archaeological sites below:
Sacsayhuaman Fortress, is famous for commemorating the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival), on the winter solstice. Qenqo is an architectural complex known for its sacrificial chamber and its semicircular shape. Puka Pukara, barracks, and Inca tambo (resting place for travelers). Tambomachay, also known as the Baños del Inca, is a place of worship and water veneration that has an impressive hydraulic system. At the end of the tour, we will return to the city of Cusco; with the night off, we suggest that you know the other typical restaurants in the Historic Center and rest, because the next day you will wake up early for the visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Overnight in Cusco.
We will start the tour by embarking from your hotel at approximately four in the morning. We will continue along the road for three hours, passing through Anta and Mollepata until we reach Challacancha which will be the starting point, where we will start our walk for three hours around 09:30 a.m. towards Soraypampa at 3 869 m.s.n.m. Lunch will be served there. Then we will continue for another 3 hours (5 km) until we reach a beautiful and magical lagoon with turquoise waters known as La Laguna Humantay at 4 221 m.s.n.m. and after knowing it we will return to the Sky Camp to enjoy the wonderful view offered by the night in Soraypampa.
Overnight at Sky Camp.
Distance: 12 km/ 7.45 miles.
Running time: 6 hours approximately.
Initial height: 3 360 meters above sea level.
Maximum altitude: 4,221 meters above sea level.
Type of accommodation: Sky Camp (transparent igloos).
Altitude: 3,869 meters above sea level.
Difficulty: moderate.
Meals: Lunch and dinner. In addition to afternoon tea and tea time.
For this day, we will get up at 5:30 in the morning and enjoy a delicious breakfast to start our energetic walk towards the route known as "The road of the 7 snakes" that will lead us to the highest point of this route: the Salkantay open, which is over 4,600 meters above sea level. Are you ready for this fascinating adventure?
Continuing our journey, we will descend from the mountains on a path that will take us to Soroycocha, where we will rest for a moment to delight our palate with the lunch that we have prepared. Once satisfied, we will continue descending until finally arriving at our Sky Camp in Soraypampa, where the transport that will take us to Cusco will await us.
We will return to the city around 18:00 hours.
Overnight in Cusco.
Distance: 15 km/ 9.32 miles.
Running time: 8 hours.
Initial height: 3 869 meters above sea level.
Maximum altitude: 4,638 meters above sea level.
Difficulty: Moderate - difficult.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch, plus snacks.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our team will be waiting for you at the hotel to take you to the airport 2 hours before the departure of your flight. This will be the last of our services.
Quick Tip: If your flight from Cusco to Lima leaves in the afternoon, we encourage you to visit some of the museums of the historic center: The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Regional Museum, the Qorikancha Museum, and the Museum of Popular Art. Don’t worry about the tickets, they are included in your Cusco Tourist Ticket!
Check-In y Check-Out:
- Cusco: Check-In - 10:00 a.m. | Check-Out - 9:00 a.m.
- Aguas Calientes: Check-In - 9:00 a.m. | Check-Out - 10:00 a.m.
Hotels with breakfast
• 05 hotel nights in Cusco.
• 01 hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
• 01 hotel night in Salkantay Sky Camp
Tours
• Walking Tour in Cusco | Courtesy
• Archaeological City Tour in Cusco | Regular Service
• Sacred Valley of the Incas Valley Tour + Buffet Lunch | Regular Service
• Guided Tours in Machu Picchu | Private Service
• Colored Mountain Trek + Food | Regular Service
• Laguna Humantay Trail + Meals | Regular Service
• Salkantay Trail + Meals + Regular Service
Transportation and Tickets.
• Entrance to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
• Tourist Train | Ollantaytambo > Aguas Calientes
• Tourist Bus | Aguas Calientes > Machu Picchu > Aguas Calientes
• Tourist Train | Machu Picchu > Ollantaytambo or Cusco
• Tickets for all archaeological complexes to visit
Private transfers
• Transfer from the hotel to Cusco airport.
• Transfer from Cusco station to the hotel.
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Cusco.
Benefits of Viagens Machu Picchu
• 24-hour assistance in Spanish and English.
• Professional team on all tours and walks.
• Guidance in Spanish and English; inform in advance.
• Personalized concierge, and assistance to the needs of your stay.
What is not included?
• Travel insurance.
• National or international air tickets.
• Food and drinks not mentioned above.
• Extra expenses: own, laundry, phone calls, and details included in the itinerary.
| Hotels | Categories | Validity | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cusco:
-Rojas Inn, San Francisco Plaza, El Andariego,
or Similar Room Standard 5 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Aguas Calientes :
-Flower House, Ferré Boulevard Machu Picchu, Sacred Stone Boutique,
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Salkantay Sky Camp :
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
|
Económica
|
|
|||||||||
|
Cusco:
-Casona Plaza Cusco, San Agustin Internacional, Taypikala Cusco,
or Similar Room Standard 5 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Aguas Calientes :
-Ferré Machu Picchu, Hatun Inti Classic, Tara Machupicchu,
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Salkantay Sky Camp :
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
|
Turística
|
|
|||||||||
|
Cusco:
-Xima Cusco ,Terra Andina, San Agustin Dorado,
or Similar Room Standard 5 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Aguas Calientes :
-Taypikala, Tierra Viva Machu Picchu, Golden Sunrise,
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Salkantay Sky Camp :
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
|
Primera
|
|
|||||||||
|
Cusco:
-Hilton Garden Inn, Sonesta Cusco, Costa del Sol Ramada,
or Similar Room Standard 5 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Aguas Calientes :
-El Mapi By Inkaterra, Hatun Inti Boutique,
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
Salkantay Sky Camp :
or Similar Room Standard 1 night(s)
- Bufffet Breakfast
|
Premium
|
|
|||||||||
Buffet Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant
Located in the luxurious Sanctuary Lodge hotel (former Orient Express); It is the only one located very close to the entrance to Machu Picchu.
• From USD 40.00 per person.
Return train Vistadome Service
First-class train with panoramic view, typical dance show, and service on board.
• From USD 70.00 per person.
Entrance to the Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu Mountain
Small path that runs from the Inca citadel to the viewpoint of Huayna Picchu, a strategic and unique place where you have the most complete view of the Machu Picchu citadel.
• From USD 65.00 per person.
Apukunaq Tianan in Quad bike:
These sculptures, also known as "The Abode of the Gods" (The Abode of the Gods), is a monument that seeks to represent the Inca deities and the Andean beliefs, offering a vision of the culture of this region.
• From USD 100.00 per person.
Professional Photographer::
During all walks, our professional photographer will record the most beautiful and unforgettable moments.
Value to consult.
Private Tours and Walks
They are ideal for those who want a more personalized service, where the schedules of the tours and walks are more flexible, according to the client's preference. To request a private or personalized service, contact our travel agents.
1. Would my admission ticket to Machu Picchu be refundable if I change the date or cancel my trip?
Recently, the Ministry of Culture of Peru made an update about the changes to the admission ticket to Machu Picchu: all ticket sales are now final. Therefore, the tickets we purchase as part of your tour package are not refundable, and also cannot be transferred to another person or modified to another date.
2. Do you arrange commercial and international flights?
At the moment, we do not arrange international or commercial flights. However, we will help you organize your trip and flight schedules before traveling abroad. Make sure to contact our team and get personalized assistance for planning your trip.
3. Do you organize personalized travel packages?
Yes, we do. Our main goal as a travel agency is to provide an authentic adventure in our country. So, if you want to travel off the beaten path or get the best trip itinerary for Peru, contact our team.
4. Do you offer private tours?
Yes, we do have private excursions to different locations in Peru. We look forward to guaranteeing comfort and showing you much of our history and culture.
5. How do I book a travel package?
Booking a travel package is as easy as requesting a quote on any of our options. Once you’ve filled in your details, one of our travel assistants will contact you. If you still have no idea what you’d like to do during your stay in Peru, don’t worry, we are here to help you.
Our sales team will handle all the details of your trip. They will also give you options for the destinations in our country, so you’ll realize that planning a trip abroad has never been easier.
6. How far in advance should I book my trip?
Usually, we recommend booking your trip 2-3 months in advance. This is especially true for long stays in Peru. Viagens Machu Picchu works with 3 to 5-star hotels. Most of them request booking weeks in advance, they also book tours, train rides, transportation options, and other services.
7. What is the best train for Machu Picchu: Expedition or Vistadome?
We recommend you take the Expedition train on the way to Aguas Calientes since most of the departure times are generally when it’s dark. The expedition train has simpler wagons with smaller windows.
Usually, the return takes place during daylight. That's why we recommend you take the Vistadome train. It has panoramic windows, where you'll enjoy the striking scenery of this road. Also, the Vistadome train offers onboard service and typical dance shows.
8. Are the train tickets included in the package?
Yes, all our packages include round-trip train tickets. Except for those who may choose to go to Machu Picchu by trek. In this case, we’ll only cover the return ticket.
9. Can I choose seats on train trips?
Unfortunately, Peru Rail (the railway company) does not allow passengers to choose seats on any of their different types of trains. The distribution of these is done automatically by the company’s system.
10. During the trip to Machu Picchu, where will my largest luggage stay?
Bags that weigh more than 5kg are not allowed on the train or in the Archeological Site of Machu Picchu. Therefore, you must leave your large luggage in the storage service of your accommodation.
For your trip to Machu Picchu, we highly recommend you carry a light backpack with just the essentials for your comfort.
11. What are the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains?
Those are the surrounding mountains of the Inca Citadel. Huayna Picchu is 2,720 meters above sea level, offering a great view of the site and several Inca ruins along the trail.
Machu Picchu Mountain is located 3,082 meters above sea level and serves as another viewpoint of the famous historical sanctuary. Yet, the trek to its summit is significantly less challenging than the Huayna Picchu mountain.
To trek either of these mounts, you must purchase an additional entrance ticket well in advance. For more information, contact your travel agent.
12. What Currency is Used in Peru?
Nuevo Soles is the local currency in Peru, banknotes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Whilst coins come in 5, 2, 1, 0.50, 0.20, and 0,10 units.
13. What is the best currency to use in Peru: US Dollars or Soles?
Almost all establishments accept payments in US Dollars. However, we highly recommend you have both Dollars and Soles (the local currency). There might be places where you’ll need to pay only with Soles.
14. What are the Peru entry requirements?
Depending on your nationality, you would either need a tourist visa, valid passport, or your national I.D. card to enter Peru, for example:
- Passport: Concerns to every country that isn’t in the Andean Community. It must have a validity of at least 6 months. - Tourist Visa: This applies to visitors from Venezuela, Haití, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The national ID card is valid for all the members of the Andean Community. This includes Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Changes & Cancellations
1. If a tour is canceled due to weather conditions, will I get a refund?
Tour cancellations due to bad weather conditions have no refund, as they are factors beyond our control. However, we’d like to ensure the integrity of our passengers by acknowledging that some other situations may be taken into account. Therefore, if there is any inconvenience, contact your travel agent.
2. Can I change the starting date of my travel package?
Yes, you can change the starting date of your travel package. However, an administrative fee of 10% to 50% of the package's total value will be charged. The fee depends on how close it is to your trip's original date. This depends on availability and supplier policies.
3. Can I cancel my trip?
Affirmative, you can definitely cancel your trip. Your options for a refund are, however, subject to certain rules. Only a limited sum will be refunded by Viagens Machu Picchu under the following circumstances:
There won't be a fee if you cancel up to 50 days before your trip. You'll get a 10% price cut on the deposit commission and other administrative fees.
- You will be charged a 50% fee of the package's total value for cancellations made 21 to 39 days before the start date.
- Up to 20 days before the starting date, there will be a 50% fine on the total value of the package.
- Up to 10 days before the starting date, there will be an 80% fine of the total value of the package.
- For cancellations made less than 7 days before the starting date, the total value of the package will be withheld.
Important Note: Viagens Machu Picchu will have up to 50 days to refund the money to the passenger. This is according to the aforementioned conditions, from the date of trip cancellation.
For further information, we have a section with the most Frequently Asked Questions about Peru, Machu Picchu, and our company.
To confirm your booking, we will send you a link with 50% of the total amount; the remaining 50% must be paid 15 days before your arrival to Peru. Payment can be in US Dollars, credit, or debit card. For payment in installments of the remaining value, please consult your travel agent.
Our current payment methods are through PayPal and Visa.