About this experience
Forget the Inca Trail and hike to Machu Picchu along the higher and more beautiful Salkantay Trail! Embark on a challenging 4-day trek along the alternative Salkantay route, crossing over a 4,650 meters high pass where you can marvel at the Salkantay and Humantay peaks standing over 6,000 meters high. Hike along this unspoiled trail, passing through the villages of Soraypampa and Santa Teresa, to discover indigenous mountain communities. See the 'Lost City of the Incas' in the early morning light after having spent time in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Highlights:
-Hike among 6,000m Andean peaks
-Cross snowy high passes with incredible views
-Reach the comfort of Aguas Calientes town
-See the Machu Picchu site as it opens with a guide
At a glance
- Duration: 96 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 96 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration.
Local guides to help you plan
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What is included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
- Lunch
- Horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker. (This includes 3 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4 kilos of personal items.
- Car Transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric Station
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Van Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of trek)
- Meals: 3B/3L/3D/2 snacks with typical menus
- 1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
- Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
- Camping Accommodation during trek (including Basic Sleeping Pad & tent for 2 people)
- Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 4
- First Aid kit
- Emergency oxygen bottle
- Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
- Foam Sleeping Mat
- Tourist Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Not included
- Day 1 Breakfast, Day 4 Lunch and Dinner, Bottled Water
- Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
- Optional Services
- Accommodation in Cuzco
- Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
- Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker
- Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker
- Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group
- Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
- Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.
- Trekking Permit Salkantay Trail
- Machu Picchu
- Train transfer from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
- Optional Huayna Picchu Trek
- Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike
- Optional Sleeping bag rental
Itinerary and highlights
See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.
Meeting and pickup information
- *Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Bamba Travel
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Accommodation Options: Single travelers will share a tent/room with another traveler and couples will have a tent/room to themselves.
- Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it is important to be in good physical condition. There are important temperature changes associated with altitude changes (from 4000 meters to 2000 meters).
- Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration.
- As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Meeting time: 6 PM
Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru
Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
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