The Salkantay Trek to Lake Titicaca tour from Cusco offers the ultimate adventure in southern Peru. This all-inclusive tour showcases the best tourist attractions in Peru. During the 11-day Peru tour, you will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a day trip, hike to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trek on a 5-day all-inclusive tour, take the bus from Cusco to Puno and learn about the culture and history along the way on a guided bus tour. You will also visit Lake Titicaca and experience its culture.
The Salkantay to Lake Titicaca tour includes the best Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Due to its wide range of flora diversity, various ecosystems, remote Andean villages and view of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, it is one of the most interesting and important alternatives to the Inca Trail. Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America, is also the world’s highest navigable lake! The air there seems magically clear, with dazzling high-altitude sunshine suffusing the Altiplano highlands and sparkling on the lake's deep waters. You will also have the opportunity to explore the cities of Cusco and Puno.
Sustinable Travel: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities. Native Plant Reforestation: Our treks include actions to reforest the Andean mountains and provide social support to the communities.
Activities: Hiking/Trekking, Natural, Cultural, History.
Service Level: Quality accommodations & tourist transport,
Physical Rating: Difficulty and Moderate hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Not too challenging.
Age requirement: 2+ / All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accommodation: Hotel*** (5 nights), Hotel Machu Picchu (1 night), Camping (3 nights), Homestay (1 night).
Meals: 07x breakfast, 6x lunch, 5x dinner, 4x snack, 3x afternoon tea.
Transportation: Van, motorboat transportation, train.
Camping equipment: All inclusive such sleeping bag, hiking poles, air mattress and other, you can see our camping equipment here!!!
Day 1: Cusco
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 3 - 7: Trekking to Salkantay to Machu Picchu
Day 8: Bus to Puno
Day 09 - 10: Lake Titicaca
Day 11: Departure Day
Upon arrival in Cusco, our Salkantay Trek Machu representative will be waiting outside the airport. Please pay close attention and look out for a sign bearing your name. Once you have met them, they will transfer you to your hotel.
As there are no scheduled activities today, you can arrive in Cusco at any time. You are free to relax or explore the city for the rest of the day. Salkantay Trek Machu recommends that travellers rest for at least two hours before heading out to help with acclimatising to the altitude.
The historic centre of Cusco is anchored by the impressive Cusco Cathedral, which is located in the main square, Plaza de Armas. Once you have found your way around, you can walk down Avenida El Sol and visit the remarkable Qoricancha also known as the Temple of the Sun. Be sure to also stop by the vibrant San Pedro Market, where you can see a wide range of Andean natural products. There, you might be warmly offered a fresh juice by local women, who often say affectionately: "Papito lindo, toma juguito."
If you’re feeling adventurous, head up into the hills overlooking Cusco to visit the magnificent archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. Alternatively, hike up to San Cristóbal for a panoramic view of the entire city. Don't miss exploring the charming colonial streets of the San Blas neighborhood, known for its artisan shops and bohemian atmosphere.
Today is the perfect day to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas as part of your Salkantay to Lake Titicaca tour. We depart from Cusco in the morning and head to the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is the town of Pisac, where you can visit the vibrant local market - a great place to practise your bargaining skills and pick up handicrafts and souvenirs. You will also have the opportunity to visit the impressive Pisac ruins, which are located on a hilltop offering spectacular views of the valley below.
We then continue through the Sacred Valley to a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a buffet lunch. Afterwards, we will drive to Ollantaytambo to explore the fascinating archaeological site. We'll climb 125 steps to reach the Temple of the Sun, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the landscape dotted with Inca and colonial houses.
After the guided tour, we will return to Cusco, but first we will stop in Chinchero.
This small Andean village is located high on the windswept plains of Anta, at an altitude of 3,762 metres. From here, you can enjoy fantastic views of the valley and the Vilcabamba mountain range, including the glacier-capped summit of Salkantay. The village has preserved its traditional way of life — the locals still wear traditional Andean clothing and adobe houses are still the norm.
After our visit, we will return to Cusco. Spend the night in your hotel and prepare for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu the following day.
The Salkantay Trek begins today, offering you the chance to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes and sacred mountains in Peru. Please note that there is very limited mobile phone reception during this trek. In some places, you may find Wi-Fi, but this comes at an additional cost and is provided by local communities.
Your day begins with an early pick-up in Cusco, followed by a drive to Mollepata, a region characterised by tropical valleys and citrus groves. Here, you can have breakfast (not included in the tour price). Afterwards, you will continue to Soraypampa (3,850 m), the starting point of the trek.
Before the hike begins, you will be introduced to your trekking team, including the cook, who will prepare traditional Peruvian meals for you over the next four days, and the muleteer, who, along with the horses, is responsible for carrying the camping equipment.
Unlike some other tour operator, at Salkantay Trek Machu does not use igloos or permanent shelters as these structures cause damage to the natural landscape. Our service includes tents, which are a more environmentally responsible option.
The hike begins with a 2.5-hour ascent to stunning turquoise Humantay Lake, located high in the mountains. The view here is spectacular, offering perfect photo opportunities of the surrounding peaks. After visiting the lake, you will descend back to Soraypampa for lunch.
Afterwards, you will continue the hike to Salkantaypampa, where you will set up camp for the first night. En route, you will enjoy incredible views of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains. When you arrive at the campsite, your tents and equipment will be ready and waiting, set up by our team.
Spend the night under the stars and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Andean sky.
Today is the most challenging day of the trek. Salkantay Mountain (20,574 ft / 6,271 m) is located near the highest point of the trail: the Salkantay Pass (14,967 ft / 4,552 m).
After an early breakfast, we will begin the uphill hike. The trail includes steep sections, flat areas and zigzag paths, which can be tough, but remember: this is not a competition. Walk at your own pace. During the three-hour ascent, you will enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped peak of Salkantay Mountain, Humantay Mountain, the rocky paths and a small glacial lake called Qomercocha, which was formed by melting snow. You will also see small rivers flowing down towards Soraypampa and Mollepata.
Once we reach the high pass (4,552 m), we'll stop to admire the sacred Salkantay Mountain and its majestic white peak. Take a well-deserved break, take some photos and enjoy the stunning landscape. Your guide will also provide a brief introduction to the mountain and its significance.
From here, we will begin our descent to Wayracmachay, where our trekking cook will be waiting to serve us a delicious lunch.
After saying goodbye to Salkantay Mountain, we will hike down to the next campsite. En route, we pass small rivers formed by melting snow, which will accompany us throughout the trek. Once we reach Wayracmachay, we will stop for lunch.
Afterwards, we will continue into the tropical cloud forest, where the scenery will change dramatically. You will notice the changing flora and fauna during the four-hour hike. Eventually, we arrive at our second campsite in the small village of Chaullay.
Dinner will be served here and you can then relax or take a short walk around the area. Wi-Fi is available at this point, but it’s essential to speak with your guide to coordinate access with the local community. Please note that this service comes at an additional cost and is not included in the price.
After a hearty breakfast, we continue descending deeper into the forest, passing increasingly tall trees and bamboo groves. Along the way, we observe birds and follow the Santa Teresa River on a wild path filled with native fruits and colorful flowers, until we arrive at our third campsite, La Playa.
After breakfast in the morning, we will continue the hike to Llactapata, one of the most important Inca sites along the Salkantay Trek. From here, you can enjoy a unique view of Machu Picchu and take some stunning photos of the landscape
We will start the day with a 3-hour hike to a lookout point offering panoramic views of the iconic Inca citadel. En route, you can admire coffee plantations, coca leaves and tropical fruits. Once at the top, you can take photos of the breathtaking view of the 'Lost City of the Incas'.
We then descend to Hidroeléctrica, where we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afterwards, we continue hiking alongside the railway to Aguas Calientes. On this route, we cross the Hidroeléctrica bridge and walk through tropical plantations growing bananas, coffee and other crops. Midway through the trail, we will also have the opportunity to admire the area's rich flora and fauna, as well as some of the Andean terraces of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we check into our hotel, where we will spend the night.
Today is a special day on the Salkantay to Lake Titicaca tour. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you to the bus station, where you will board a bus to Machu Picchu.
According to the new Machu Picchu regulations, entry tickets are divided into different circuits. The most popular is Circuit 2, which allows visitors to explore almost the entire Inca citadel. If Circuit 2 is sold out, the next option is Circuit 3, which provides access to the lower part of the site. If you book in advance, our sales team will confirm and secure the best available circuit for your trip.
Depending on your ticket, your guide will accompany you to the entrance gate for a guided tour lasting approximately two and a half hours. Afterwards, you can choose to hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (both of which require an additional fee and must be booked in advance).
Once you have explored the site and completed your mountain hike, if applicable, you will take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Here, you will have free time for lunch (not included in the tour). In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Transfer to the bus station for your ride to Puno. During the journey, you will visit four significant archaeological sites, including Raqchi and the Church of Andahuaylillas. The latter is known as the 'Sistine Chapel of the Americas' thanks to its remarkably well-preserved Andean religious art.
You will also visit Pukara, home to lithic sculptures from the ancient Pukara civilisation, and La Raya Pass, the highest point between Cusco and Puno at 4,234 metres, where you can enjoy stunning views of glacier-capped mountains.
Lunch will be served at a buffet restaurant in Sicuani, after which you will continue driving to Puno, where you will stay tonight.
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the port, where you will board a boat for your Lake Titicaca tour. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3,800 metres (9,840 feet) above sea level. Then, you will discover the floating islands of Uros, which are occupied by a small community of traditional fishermen and their families who have lived on these reed islands for decades. Centuries ago, the small indigenous Uros tribe created the islands as a means of isolating themselves from rival tribes such as the Collas and the Incas. The Uros people harvested reeds from the lake's shallows and used them to build floating islands with reed houses and canoes. Next, we take a boat to Amantani Island, where we are welcomed by a group of local families and spend the night. Here, you can walk to the island's highest point to explore ancient ruins on a mountain called Pachamama (Mother Earth) by the locals. The vista and sunset here are incredible. In the evening, the festivities begin.
There are lots of joyful dance performances in the evening, with dinner included. On the second day, we say goodbye to the families and travel down to the harbour, where we board a boat for Lake Titicaca. The tour then continues to Taquile Island (an hour and a half away). The Quechua name for Taquile Island is Intika. It is a traditional Quechua-speaking community with ancient farming terraces and pre-Inca ruins. The inhabitants of Taquile were rather isolated from the rest of the world until the 1950s. Today, they still uphold their strong family and community values, as well as their ancestral traditions, which they have maintained for centuries. Taquile is most famous for its weaving. The islanders learn to weave before they learn to read or write. They also use weaving as a means of expression and traditionally use certain types of symbols on their calendar waistbands to represent their yearly activities. Another famous piece of clothing is the chullo: a knitted hat with earflaps. You then have free time to explore the island. We have lunch on the island, then return to the harbour to catch the boat back to Puno.
Today is the last day of the Salkantay Trek to Lake Titicaca tour. From here, you can either return to Lima for your flight home or extend your visit to explore more of Peru or Bolivia. La Paz, Bolivia is near Puno, so if you wish, you can continue your trip into that country. For more information, please contact our sales department.
Meal budget: Please allow USD 100-150 for meals not included.
Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Salkantay Trek.
Local flights: Two local flights are not included in the cost of your tour.
If you would like us to book these flights for you, it is very important that we have your passport details at the time of booking in order to process the tickets. Tickets for internal flights are issued locally and will be provided to you prior to each flight departure.
All Salkantay Trek Machu tours in Peru include a dedicated representative, professional guides and support staff to ensure that your trip is comfortable, well organised and truly memorable.
Our guides are destination specialists and certified professionals with university degrees and language training (English or other languages) from accredited institutes. They have extensive knowledge of Peru’s cities, tourist attractions, history, culture and traditions, which they will be happy to share with you. They will also provide helpful recommendations during your stay, such as the best restaurants and places to buy souvenirs. They will be attentive throughout your trip, ensuring that everything goes smoothly.
Our Salkantay Trek Machu representative is responsible for overseeing the logistics of your journey, including airport pick-ups, accommodation and transfers. They will make sure that all services provided by Salkantay Trek Machu match what was promised and that your experience meets your expectations.
During the Salkantay Trek to Lake Titicaca, a professional trekking cook will accompany you, preparing delicious meals using fresh, local ingredients and surprising you with what can be achieved in the middle of the Andes. The muleteer carries the trekking and camping equipment with the help of pack horses, making your hike easier and more enjoyable.
All our guides, trekking cooks and representatives undergo annual training with Salkantay Trek Machu in areas such as group management, food safety, first aid and emergency response, ensuring your safety and comfort at all times.
During the day it is recommended Hiking pants and T-shirts, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.
Many people include Peru Treks in their “Things to do”, the main reason being to trek the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.
If you want to say that you’ve hiked the famous hike to Machu Picchu, then the Classic Inca Trail is for you. But usually you will need to book in advance, in case it is fully booked, we recommend other good alternative treks:
+51 84 226 547
+51 912 891 560
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
www.salkantaytrekmachu.com
