An Epic Peruvian & Machu Picchu Adventure (Salkantay Trail)

From £1,499
Deposit: 10%

A place where the diversity, culture, food and adventure hold all essence of life, we invite you to join us as we dive headfirst into an adventure of unparalleled proportions.

Start: Cusco, Peru

Finish: Cusco, Peru

Peru, the richest country in the world, invites you to discover that being rich isn’t about having the most; but about experiencing the most unforgettable moments. A place where the diversity, culture, food and adventure hold all essence of life, we invite you to join us as we dive headfirst into an adventure of unparalleled proportions.

After cycling the smooth dirt roads and rugged single tracks of Sacred Valley, you will embark on your journey up to the great Machu Picchu. Watch as the mist rolls over the majestic mountain ranges that engulf the Inca ruins and wander in disbelief as you circle one of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites. The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is considered by most, as the best alternative route to the top (and maybe even better!).

This magnificent trail is perfect for adventurers who wish to become personally integrated in changing ecosystems from one day to the next. You will walk through sweeping, magical landscapes of a snowy mountain paradise to a tropical jungle where you will find a wide range of animals and medicinal plants and flower varieties. Witness with your own eyes a living and ancient culture in remote villages hardly ever touched by the western world! This is an adventurers paradise!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Cusco

Welcome to Cusco! After arrival at the airport, we will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Your tour leader or local guide will meet you at the lobby and will brief you about your trip.

Cusco is a favourite destination of many visitors to Peru. The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Inca Empire for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today, Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Inca-built walls line the central streets and many of the elegant colonial buildings are built on or around Inca foundations. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for explorations into the Inca world or to enjoy a range of outdoor activities.

Included Activities:

  • Private Group Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotel.

Meals included:

  • None

Day 2

The Sacred Valley

Today travel from Cusco to the Sacred Valley on a bike ride that combines smooth dirt roads to rugged single tracks, challenging-short climbs and exhilarating downhills. Enjoy the majestic views of the Vilcanota Range of Mountains from the seat of your bike.

Our private vehicle will drive us for 30 minutes to the Chinchero Plateau. Once we are all saddled up and on our bikes, we will visit Maras and Moray, before descending down to the Sacred Valley where we will pass ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscapes. During the route, you will be given the opportunity to appreciate Huaypo Lagoon, Moray Inka agricultural laboratory, Maras Colonial Town and Maras Salt Mines.

Included Activities:

  • Biking Maras & Moray (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 3

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (1/5)

Leaving Cusco at approximately 5:00 am, we will begin our journey to the town of Mollepata (2,900 masl) arriving around 7:30 am. Upon arrival to the town, its time to make a quick stop for last-minute shopping, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms at a local restaurant before continuing the journey to Morkokasa - the starting point for the trek. From here, we will meet with the support staff who will load the equipment on horses and mules.

Now its time to begin the hike toward Soraypampa (3,850 masl). During the hike, observe the panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of the Apurimac River.

Around 1:00 pm, enjoy Peruvian lunch. After lunch, visit Humantay Lake, a marvellous lake nestled quietly amongst the mountains, (3 hours hike) and come back down to the campsite where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.

Included Activities:

  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 4

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (2/5)

Today the geography will change drastically from dry scenery to snowy peaks and more tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek.

Our hike will begin around 7:00 AM to a place called Pampas Salkantay, before veering off towards the left side of the snowy peaks of Umantay - located next to the Apu Salkantay. At midday, we will reach the highest point (4,600 masl) and appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of Salcantay (6,264 masl) - the second-highest point of the Cusco region.

Having lunch in the area called Huayracmachay and continuing for 3 more hours to reach the camp in Challway (2,920 masl), we will arrive at our campsite around 7:00 pm, where we can recuperate from the trek and eat dinner.

Included Activities:

  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 5

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (3/5)

This is a perfect day to enjoy the local flora and plantations.

Descend further to see the marvellous plantations of coffee, cacao and fruit. The path to these plantations lies in a beautiful forest, dominated by orchids, bromeliads and other plants. Here you will have the chance to meet the local families, in Winaypoco and La Playa and interact with the local people during the lunch stop in Lucmabamba. Learn how the locals harvest their crops such as coffee and cacao.

Depending on the variety, it takes approximately 3 to 4 years for newly planted coffee trees to begin to bear fruit. The fruit, called the coffee cherry, turns a bright, deep red when it is ripe and ready to be harvested. Due to the botanical characteristics of the coffee tree and the fact that coffee is often grown in mountainous areas, the widespread use of mechanical harvesters is not possible and the ripe coffee cherries are usually picked by hand, a labour-intensive and difficult process.

Learn the complete process from the tree to the cup of coffee and have the chance to ask the locals your own questions about the process.

Included Activities:

  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 6

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (4/5)

Early in the morning, we visit the archaeological complex of Llactapata (2,650 masl) which is located in the midst of a marvellous forest. Here enjoy time to see the magnificent view over Machu Picchu and take a lot of pictures. Then head towards the hydro-electric station to take the train to Aguas Calientes town. Dinner is included in a local restaurant. Have a good rest because tomorrow the day starts early.

Included Activities:

  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 7

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (5/5)

The moment you have been waiting for! In the morning, you will finally reach the breath-taking archaeological site of Machu Picchu. To reach the top, you will jump on a short bus ride up the steep, zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas. Upon arrival, get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and the tour guide will show you the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others.

Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon its remains. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.

After the guided tour, return to the town by bus and in the afternoon take the touristic train back to the town of Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco.

Included Activities:

  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 8

Departure

At the appropriate time, transfer from your hotel to the airport in Cusco to board your flight to your next destination.

Included Activities:

  • Private Group Transfer from Cusco Airport to Hotel.

Meals included:

  • Breakfast

Accommodation

Included

  • Hotel 04 Nights / Camping 03 Nights
  • Air conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
  • 07 Breakfasts / 05 Lunches / 04 Dinners
  • 1 English speaking tour leader throughout or Local Guides throughout
  • Arrival and departure transfers are included on a group basis. (Flight details are needed 45 days in advance)
  • Biking Maras & Moray (Private)
  • 05D/04N Salkantay Trek (Private)

Excluded

  • International airport tax
  • Any visas required
  • Services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Early check in and check out at hotels
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinks with included lunches and dinners
  • Tips for leaders, guide and driver
  • Expenditure of personal nature
  • Personal Insurance
  • Optional activities

Essential Information

How Fit Do I Need To Be & Do I Need To Train?

The short answer is: a basic level of fitness and good health is needed and training is highly recommended. However, you do not need to be a professional athlete or a marathon runner. What is going to get you to the end of your challenge is a mental and emotional commitment to the cause. As long as you set time aside to prepare for the challenge ahead, success will be on your side!

Check out our full fitness breakdown here

What is Altitude Sickness & Will I Get It?

Altitude sickness symptoms occur when the rate of ascent into higher altitudes is too quickly that the body doesn’t get time to acclimatise. Altitude sickness generally develops at elevations higher than 2,400 meters above sea level. The most common cause of altitude sickness is ascending too quickly, therefore, the main way to avoid altitude sickness is allowing the body to get used to the altitude slowly (Acclimatisation). Remember, this is not a race - look up and smell the roses!

Our professional guides will be monitoring you constantly throughout the trip, therefore, symptom checks will be a regular occurrence. It is important to be aware of the normal altitude symptoms that you may encounter, so please familiarise yourself with signs and symptoms before you depart and be very vocal about your own health during your trek. We will send you a full need to knows list at the time of booking!

If you are feeling nauseous, dizzy or experience other symptoms, please be sure to let your local guide know immediately so that we can monitor your condition.

[Click here to learn more about altitude sickness and how to avoid it] (http://)

Climate:

INCA TRAIL CLOSURES: The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. 

SEASONS: The wet season in Peru is from November to April. During this time it can be rainy or even snow heavily in the Andes. There have been occasions of torrential rains and flooding in some parts of the country, including Cusco. During the wet season landslides and inclement weather can cause disruption to road and rail travel as well as trekking and hiking routes. These can include Cusco, the routes to Machu Picchu and the north of Peru.

EARTHQUAKES: Peru is in an active earthquake zone and there are frequent tremors. If in a building when an earthquake strikes keep away from the windows and make your way to the safe zones marked in most buildings with an ‘S’ sign. If you are outside keep away from buildings and other areas where objects, like trees or power lines, could fall.

Visa:

Citizens of Australia, the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa do not currently require a visa for Peru.

For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa or entry requirements with the Peruvian consulate in your home country. On arrival you’re normally given permission to stay for up to 90 days. However, You may need to show your return ticket upon arrival and / or complete a landing card upon arrival. What's more, you’re staying for longer than 90 days then you’ll need to apply for a visa before travelling.

For the most up to date information on visa requirements, we recommend you contact the Peruvian embassy in your country or visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements

Vaccines:

It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country. Please check in with your local consulate and health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area.

Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate in any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your Tour leader/ local representative, who will take note of your insurance details and emergency contact number. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability of luggage, cancellation, curtailment and loss and personal effects, alongside covid-19 cover.

If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine Direct for a quote. GoKo Travels is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd who are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority .

Click here to apply for travel insurance ONLINE

Covid-19:

Please click here to learn more about what we do to keep you safe while on a GoKo run tour.

For more up to date information regarding the current travel restrictions within Peru, please click here

Addtionally, you can email: info@gokotravels.com and a GoKo Travel Manager will get back to you as soon possible with all the relevant information.

Travel With Confidence:

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the safety and wellbeing of all of our travellers, leaders, suppliers and staff remains our top priority. Not only have we updated our booking policies so you can flexibly amend booking arrangements before departure and get the most out of your holidays while away, we have also introduced new measures and safety guidelines so you can travel with GoKo Travels safely and securely.

What does this new booking policy mean for me?:

Fully Flexible bookings for peace of mind - We understand that sometimes plans change. That’s why GoKo Travels have updated our booking policies, so you now have full flexibility to change your travel plans if needed.

Our flexible booking policy includes:

(a) Free date changes up to 45days prior to departure - with no interest or added fees

(b) Full refund giving if you have to cancel the trip due to any COVID-19 related issues or international restrictions.

(c) You can now lock in your trip with a small refundable deposit and then pay the rest in instalments whenever you like, with no interest or fees.

Booking Terms:

Please note: This trip must receive a minimum of three reservations forty-five days prior to the departure date. In the unlikely event that we do not receive three or more bookings for each departure, you will have two options:

  • You will be able to change dates at no additional cost to you (flexibility up to 3 years

  • Full refund will be given.

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Reserve your tour place now. A personal travel consultant will contact you directly to finalise your booking.

Contact Details

Choose Your Tour Type

Join a Group Tailor a Tour
Group Tours

Choose Your Preferred Tour Date

Private Tour

Create the unique tour you've always dreamed of. A personal travel consultant will contact you directly to help you every step of the way.

Tour Availability

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Tour Additions

Book with Confidence

  • Full Flexibility

    Free date changes and cancellations up to 45-days before departure on the majority of our holidays

  • Your Money is Safe

    Full financial Protection on all of our bookings so you can travel with piece of mind.

  • COVID-19 Commitment

    Full refund given if you have to cancel the trip due to any COVID-19 related issues or international restrictions.

  • Travelling Safely

    When you travel with us you can be confident that all of our holidays meet COVID-19 safety regulations.

Giving Back

As part of our commitment to preserving planet earth, we donate 3% of our profits to GoKo Travel's registered non-for-profit, "The GoKo Earth Preservation".

The GoKo Earth Preservation has been set up to protect and preserve the natural habitats of our planet and to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of threatened environments and endangered species around the globe. This is achieved through rewilding, reforestation and marine conservation projects, alongside local community support.

Rainforest canopy viewed from above with river in the centre

Securing A Rainforest Reserve

Support the purchase of our very own GoKo Rainforest reserve - preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species in the world's most important habitat.

Giant sea turtle swimming under water

Assisting Marine Conservation

With your help, we can buy boats to support marine conservation; securing the future for our fragile oceans and the wonderful beings that inhabit them.

Jaguar big cat looking at the camera

Creating New National Parks

By helping with the creation of new parks, we can support local economies, empower native communities and put healthy landscapes into permanent protection.

Looking to Carbon Offset?

Although all of our GoKo holidays promise to warm your hearts, we don’t want it to contribute to warming the planet.

Upon request, we can help you go Carbon Neutral. Thanks for our contacts, we can support a 3-step carbon offset scheme to calculate and neutralise your holiday footprint, allowing you to travel conscious free. This covers every step of the journey where you travel with us, from international flights to hotel heating, transport, food and more.

If requested, the GoKo Carbon Offsetting scheme does not focus on just planting trees, but rather the purchasing, persevering and protecting standing forests from deforestation and degradation - helping revive forests back to full health and avoiding the release of stored carbon. This also enables the regeneration of degraded habitats, which gradually re-absorb atmospheric CO2.

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