Join a group of outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life on this fabulous adventure in the mountains of spectacular Peru! This guided tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu will take you through the heart of the Peruvian Andes to experience the ancient wonders of the Inca people and the beautifully scenic landscape that they called home. Spend time exploring Cusco, the vibrant capital city of the Inca Empire, before trekking through the Andes Mountains along the Salkantay Trek. After passing through the high-altitude villages of the Quechua people, you will eventually arrive at the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu. Featuring the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury, the Andes Mountains Guided Trek to Machu Picchu really does have it all, making for an amazing getaway to the Peruvian Andes! ⭐️⭐️ PRICE * EUR 1495 – Early bird * Reg price: EUR 1580 - After Jan 15, 2025 ⭐️ FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE: Sat, February 22, 2025. This will allow us to confirm all the reservations for this tour at the current price.
Walter is a teacher and outdoor enthusiast living in Canada, and has been an organizer of hiking and sightseeing tours for several years. He is proud to share his knowledge and travel experience with fellow travellers from all walks of life and all over the world as a TripLeader. Born in Canada and raised in Italy, Walter discovered his love of the outdoors as a child, when he joined a chapter of the boy scouts in this lovely country. He spent many summers hiking and camping with fellow scouts in the mountains of Abruzzo, a region in central Italy which attracts outdoor adventurers from all over Europe. Since 2014, Walter has also been the organizer of Hiking Network and other groups for outdoor and travel enthusiasts on Meetup. Being involved with such a large community of adventurers has inspired him to explore new places and seek more daring adventures. He looks forward to meeting you on one of his adventure trips and helping you experience magical places, thus making fond memories that you will always treasure.
* Days 1 and 2: Hotel Jose Antonio, Cusco * Days 3 to 5: Camping on the Salkantay trek in the Andes Mountains * Day 6: Hatun Inti Boutique Suites, Aguas Calientes * Day 7: Hotel Jose Antonio, Cusco Hotels on this trip offer modern conveniences that make this trip more pleasant. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement. In some cases, accommodation listed above may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations. Camping and cooking supplies for the trek on Days 3 to 5 are included, provided by a local outfitter. You will need a mat, sleeping bag and hiking poles (can be rented at time of booking). Any questions about the trip? You can let me know in the Q&A section!
What's included?
Meals and accommodation as indicated
Private Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel
Cusco City Private Tour (English Guide)
Entrance Fee: Basilica Cathedral
Entrance Fee: Koricancha and Mollepata
Transport: Lucmabamba to Hidroelectrica
Local Hiking Guide and Sherpas - 4 Days
Bus Ticket: Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu
Train Ticket: Aguas Calientes to Poroy
Private Transfer: Poroy to Cusco Hotel
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations. Learn More
Walter is a teacher and outdoor enthusiast living in Canada, and has been an organizer of hiking and sightseeing tours for several years.
You can chat with Walter once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Cusco
Day 1-2
* Day 1: WELCOME TO CUSCO! Arrive in Cusco with a transfer from the Airport to your hotel. Enjoy time to explore the city at your leisure. * Overnight: Hotel Jose Antonio, Cusco * Meals Incl: None * Transport: Cusco Airport – Hotel (20 minutes)
2
Cusco
Day 2-3
* Day 2: KORICANCHA TEMPLE COURTYARD IN CUSCO Our tour of the city of Cusco begins in the morning at 8:00 a.m., when we will first go to the wonderful Koricancha, next to the Church of Santo Domingo. After visiting the Koricancha, we will go to the Cathedral of Cusco, located in the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1654 on the foundations of an existing Inca temple, this spectacular cathedral houses many works of art from the Cusco school of painters, and its high altar and pulpit are covered in gold and silver reliefs. Our next stop is the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which stands on a hill above Cusco. Here you will see some of the best examples of Inca stonework and construction, including huge rocks that were carefully cut and fitted perfectly to form the walls. From here you will also have beautiful panoramic views of Cusco. After exploring Sacsayhuaman, we will go up the hill to the Qenqo Archaeological Complex, which is considered an Inca labyrinth where there is an altar with ritual motifs. Then we headed to Tambomachay. The exact purpose of this site is unknown, but it may have functioned, at least in part, as an Inca spa. Inca hydroengineering is evident here, with a series of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls traversing the terraced rocks. Tambomachay is the last attraction of our city tour, after which we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. But if you want to explore the city and its culture a little mor e, you can hire one of our extensions. * Overnight: Hotel Jose Antonio, Cusco * Meals Incl: Breakfast
3
Soraypampa
Day 3-4
* Day 3: SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU Our Andes Mountains Trek to Machu Picchu begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 5 a.m. We will travel in our private car to Soraypampa, which takes approximately four hours. It’s a lengthy trip, but it’s necessary to arrive at this relatively remote region. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery, including views of the Izcuchaca and Limatambo mountain ranges. Eventually, we’ll arrive at the colorful Andean village of Mollepata, where we will make a short stop to make some purchases such as water, rain poncho, and snacks for your trip. Then we will continue in our private bus for 1 hour more where we will meet our mules, muleteers, and cooks. Here our chefs will prepare our breakfast before starting our Salkantay Trek. After enjoying our breakfast and receiving our snacks, we will walk approximately 4 hours, including a visit to the Humantay lagoon, until we reach our Salkantaypampa campsite. This is where our chef awaits us with a delightful dinner prepared with local ingredients. We’ll set up camp and later have dinner, surrounded by mesmerizing scenery. * Overnight: Camping on the trail * Meals Incl: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner * Hiking time: 4-5 hours approx. * Distance: 7km / 4.35 miles * Lowest Point: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft * Highest Point: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
4
Colcapampa
Day 4-5
* Day 4: THE GLORIOUS ANDEAN MOUNTAINS We will wake early and have breakfast around 5:30 a.m. We have a long day of trekking ahead of us, through some of the most incredible scenery in Peru. This will be our most challenging day, as we ascend to the highest point on the trail. We first make the climb to a mountain pass at 4,650 m (15,200 ft)–the highest location on the trek. From here, we’ll have sublime views of two huge snow-capped mountains: Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. After a rest and time to enjoy the views, we will continue our walk downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. We’ll then set off again, trekking for about three hours through jungle-like scenery until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa, at 3,000 m (9,800 ft). If our group has made good progress, we might have time to push on to alternative campsites at Challway or Andenes. Wherever we decide to stop, we’ll set up the camp and prepare a big meal, a well-deserved reward after a hard day of trekking. * Overnight: Camping on the trail * Meals Incl: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner * Hiking time: 8-9 hours approx. * Distance: 16 km / 9.94 m * Lowest Point: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft * Highest Point: 4,620 m / 15,157 ft
5
Salkantay Trail
Day 5-6
* Day 5: SALKANTAY TREK THROUGH THE CLOUD FOREST Waking at 6: 30 a.m., we’ll have a hearty breakfast before setting off. Today, much of our trekking takes us through a region of jungle known as the ceja de selva: the swathe of jungle that lies between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. We’ll cross the Lluskamayo River and find ourselves in a world of waterfalls, tropical fruits and colorful birds. If we’re lucky, we might even see a cock of the rock, Peru’s national bird. The temperature will be much warmer here, and the various waterfalls and creeks provide plenty of opportunities to cool down with a refreshing splash in their crystalline waters. We’ll stop for lunch and then continue trekking for three more hours, until we reach our last campsite at the village of La Playa, at 2,500 m (8,202 ft). At La Playa you’ll have plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the nearby hot springs: the perfect way to soothe your aching muscles! Later we’ll have dinner and then turn in for the night, relaxed and ready for our final day of trekking. * Overnight: Camping on the trail * Meals Incl: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner * Hiking time: 6-7 hours approx. * Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles * Lowest Point: 2,060 m / 6,759 ft * Highest Point: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
6
Aguas Calientes
Day 6-7
* Day 6: SALKANTAY TREK TO LLACTAPATA & AGUAS CALIENTES On our final day of trekking we’ll have breakfast at 6:30 a.m. before setting off towards Llactapata. It will be a steady three-hour climb, and as we ascend we’ll have wonderful views of the Santa Teresa Valley below us. Eventually we’ll reach Llactapata, an impressive Inca ruin that may have served as an important rest stop and roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu, which it is connected to via the Inca Trail. From here we get our very first glimpse of our final destination: Machu Picchu in the distance, an inspiring sight indeed! After a rest and time to take photos, we will continue along a downhill trail for about two hours, passing plantations where coca, bananas and other crops are grown. Eventually we’ll reach the Hydroelectric Station, a well-known point along various routes to Machu Picchu, where we’ll have lunch. Then we will walk for a couple more hours until we reach Aguas Calientes, the lively town that sits below Machu Picchu. After check ing in to your hotel you’ll have some free time, so you can explore the town and, if you like, visit the nearby hot springs. We’ll have dinner in one of the many great restaurants in Aguas Calientes, and then you can return to your hotel for an early night before our final day – and our tour of the magnificent Machu Picchu. * Overnight: Hatun Inti Boutique, accommodation in Suite Room * Meals Incl: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner * Hiking time: 8-9 hours approx. * Distance: 18 km / 11.19 miles * Lowest Point: 2,060 m / 6,759 ft * Highest Point: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
7
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Day 7-8
* Day 7: DISCOVER ICONIC MACHU PICCHU (AND RETURN TO CUSCO) To best appreciate Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu. We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views across the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu as you please, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge. Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can think back to your incredible tour of one of the world’s most famous and most impressive attractions. * Overnight: Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel, standard room * Meals Incl: Breakfast
8
Cusco
Day 8
* Day 8: CUSCO DEPARTURE Our incredible adventure ends today. It is time to bid farewell to our new Trip Mates and begin our journey back home. After breakfast enjoy your last day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight. * Meals Incl: Breakfast
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hotel & Camping
8 days trip
Cusco, Cusco & 6 more
Transportation
Car, Trekking, Train
What's excluded?
Flights
Insurance
Visas if required
Any meals not noted as included
Anything not mentioned as included
Why JoinMyTrip?
Trusted platform used by 150K+ TripMates
Have A Question? Live Chat with our experts 24x7
Unique Trips hosted by Experienced Travellers
Secure Payments to ensure your money is always safe
Show All 24 Photos 
Peru
Marvel at the Machu Picchu Iconic Ruins 
Meals and accommodation as indicated 
Phone Verified
Identity Verified
10 Countries
Flights 
Trusted platform used by 150K+ TripMates 
Have A Question?
Unique Trips hosted by Experienced Travellers 
Secure Payments to ensure your money is always safe 
Instant Booking
Special Price only for the next booking!