Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
5 days, Cusco to Cusco
Itinerary
Day 1Cusco
Arrive at any time.
Arrive Cusco at any time. There are no planned activities so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. Our best advice for exploring Cusco is to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, arm yourself with a city map, and set off to explore! Meet the group at the welcome meeting, check for the start time on the welcome note at the hotel.
We highly recommended arriving at least one day prior to the tour in order to acclimatize to the altitude prior to the trek. A full day spent in Cusco (3249m), taking it easy and drinking plenty of water, is usually enough time for most people to acclimatize.
We strongly advise you to arrive at the hotel by 3:30pm on day 1 to attend the Trekking Briefing.
Additionally, please be aware that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative
The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Inka Museum
10PEN per personGet ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.
Cusco Tourist Ticket
130PEN per personThis ticket allows admission at 16 sights of the city of Cusco including many popular museums and cathedrals, the ticket also provides entrance to Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, and sights in the South Valley of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Cusco City Tour
45PEN per personEnjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel de la Villa Hermoza (or similar)
Day 2Cusco/Salkantay Trek
Depart Cusco and transfer to the start of the trail to begin the Salkantay Trek. Stunning views and Inca ruins fill the days as you hike with views of the striking snow-capped mountains of Vilcabamba mountain range. Traverse high passes the highest point reaching 4,600m (15,092 ft) before descending into valleys nestled in the mountains. Spend the nights camping under the stars. Enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and breathtaking views as the trek descends from the heights of the Andes to the lush subtropics surrounding Machu Picchu.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This G Adventures for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.
Salkantay Trek - Day 1
Start trekking accompanied by support staff and horses/mules, pass by spectacular views of the majestic Salkantay Peak and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Start the ascent up until Salkantaypampa (3,900m/12,795 ft) where you'll stop for a scenic lunch. After lunch, ascend past snowy peaks to the highest point of the trek, Salkantay pass reaching 4,600 metres (15,092 ft) above sea level. From here the views are spectacular towards the mountains of Umantay and Apu Salkantay. Descend from the pass and hike down to the campsite for the night, Wayraqmachay (3900m/12,795 ft).
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Salkantay Trek
Continue the trek downhill, passing through the town of Collpabamba on the way to Chaullay. Hike along the Sahuayaco River through lush cloud forest to your campsite for the evening, Playa Sahuayaco.
Salkantay Trek - Day 2
Trek to the town of Collpabamba, keeping an eye out for flora and fauna along the way. Stop for lunch at the village of Chaullay (2,900m/9,514 ft). Watch the scenery change from mountain landscapes to lush, cloud forest as you descend down to the Sahuayaco River and walk alongside it to Playa Sahuayaco (2,100m/6,890 ft), the campsite for the night.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Salkantay Trek
Hike to the Inca site Llactapata, where you can catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Catch the train in the afternoon to Aguas Calientes.
Llactapata Hike
Enjoy one last hike up to the ruins of Llactapata and look out towards Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Explore the well-preserved ruins and learn more about the site thought to have been used primarily for crop storage and production.
Accommodation
Hotel Wiracocha Inn (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Machu Picchu/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu then return to Cusco where the tour ends upon arrival.
Please note the tour ends upon arrival in the main square and does not include a post night in Cusco. If you wish to book a post night please contact a GCO or your agent for assistance.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.