The Salkantay Trail Adventure
Days
10
Activity Level
Moderate
Host City
Cusco, Peru
From
$4,995 USD
Salkantay Trail Adventure
The Salkantay Lodge to Lodge Trek, named one of the world’s top 25 treks by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a breathtaking journey from Mollepata in Cusco to the legendary Machu Picchu. This remote and scenic route winds through the spectacular Andes, where snowcapped peaks meet lush rainforests, while you stay in a collection of luxurious mountain lodges offering exceptional comfort, cuisine, and hospitality. Towering above the trail at 20,574 feet, the glacier-capped Mount Salkantay, revered for centuries, provides a stunning backdrop to each day’s adventure. The journey culminates at Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, blending natural grandeur with the enduring spirit of the Inca civilization.
Trip Highlights
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TRIP COST
From $4,995 USD per person
Our Peru trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.
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Start dates
Custom dates are available every month.
To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!
Duration
Starts at 10 Days / 9 Nights
Accommodations
Relax in comfort & luxury
Various Options
9 Nights in Hotels/ Lodges
Choose between a 3.5 / 4, 5, & 5+ Star Hotels and Lodges
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
Sample Trip Itinerary
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Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, Peru
Bienvenidos a Peru! Upon arrival on your flight to Cusco you will be personally greeted by a member of The Explorer’s Passage team. A private transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel outside of the airport. Once you settle into your hotel, you will have the afternoon to explore on your own. In the evening, you will be told the history of Machu Picchu by a National Geographic explorer or local anthropologist over dinner at Incanto restaurant.
Day 2: Cusco
After breakfast at your hotel, Today begins your first full day in Peru! After a delicious breakfast you will set out to explore Cusco on a private tour of the city to see its top historical sites. You will have the afternoon and evening to explore the city on your own.
Day 3: Day 1 of Salkantay Trek
Begin your Salkantay adventure with a private transfer from your Cusco hotel to Challacancha, the starting point of the trail. Hike a scenic, lightly traveled route for about three hours through rolling valleys and vibrant Andean landscapes before arriving at the elegant Salkantay Lodge, set beside the Río Blanco with breathtaking views of Mount Salkantay. This eco-conscious retreat offers modern comfort and warm hospitality amid pristine mountain beauty, where you can relax as condors glide overhead and your guide shares stories of ancient Inca traditions.
Day 4: Day 2 of Salkantay Trek
After breakfast, set out on a gradual climb along the slopes rising behind Salkantay Lodge, surrounded by crisp mountain air and sweeping Andean views. After about ninety minutes, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of Humantay Lake, its turquoise waters reflecting the towering glacier above. Spend time here soaking in the serenity, enjoying light refreshments, and taking part in a traditional Pachamama (Mother Earth) ceremony led by your guide. Return to the lodge for a freshly prepared lunch, then spend a leisurely afternoon unwinding with a spa treatment or soaking in the outdoor hot tub as the sun sets over the majestic Salkantay Peak.
Day 4: Day 2 of Salkantay Trek
After breakfast, set out on a gradual climb along the slopes rising behind Salkantay Lodge, surrounded by crisp mountain air and sweeping Andean views. After about ninety minutes, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of Humantay Lake, its turquoise waters reflecting the towering glacier above. Spend time here soaking in the serenity, enjoying light refreshments, and taking part in a traditional Pachamama (Mother Earth) ceremony led by your guide. Return to the lodge for a freshly prepared lunch, then spend a leisurely afternoon unwinding with a spa treatment or soaking in the outdoor hot tub as the sun sets over the majestic Salkantay Peak.
Day 5: Day 3 of Salkantay Trek
After an early start, begin the ascent toward the Salkantay Pass, circling Humantay Peak along sweeping alpine plateaus scattered with glacial boulders. The final switchbacks lead to the highest point of the trek (15,213 ft / 4,636 m), offering breathtaking views of snowcapped summits. Continue with a dramatic descent through misty valleys and stone formations before enjoying a hot picnic lunch. Afterward, trek through peaceful meadows and rolling hills to reach Wayra Lodge, your elegant mountain retreat for the night.
Day 7: Day 5 of Salkantay Trek
Hike through the Santa Teresa River Valley along gentle trails lined with orchards and glacier-fed streams. Enjoy a riverside picnic lunch before continuing an hour to meet your transfer for the short drive to Lucma Lodge. En route, visit a local organic coffee plantation to sample some of the region’s finest brews. As you reach Lucmabamba, feel the warmth and humidity rise—signaling your approach to the final leg of your Salkantay journey.
Day 8: Day 6 of Salkantay Trek
After breakfast, begin a steady 2–3 hour ascent from Lucma Lodge through misty cloud forest and ancient Inca steps beneath a canopy of lush greenery. Reach Llactapata Pass (8,974 ft / 2,736 m) for a rare, breathtaking view of Machu Picchu before enjoying a picnic lunch overlooking the valley. Descend through bamboo groves and coffee plantations to the Aobamba River, then cross the bridge and board the scenic train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Day 9: Machu Picchu
After an early breakfast, take a short bus ride to the entrance of Machu Picchu for a guided exploration of its temples, terraces, and sacred plazas. As you wander through this magnificent citadel, the harmony between stone and nature reveals the genius of the Inca civilization. In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes and board the train to Ollantaytambo, enjoying refreshments and scenic views before your private transfer back to Cusco.
Day 10: Final Day in Peru
Day 10: Flight Home
Today you will enjoy your last morning in Peru and then will be transferred to Cusco Airport for you flight to back home.
Customizing Your Peru Adventure
Are you interested in another activity or destination in Peru? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Want to visit Rainbow Mountain, or experience the culinary delights of Lima? Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Scared Valley? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:
Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Peru!
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Trip Accommodations
Lodge Accommodations
Salkantay Lodge
Our flagship Salkantay Lodge was built on the flatlands of the Rio Blanco river valley, with a stunning, unobstructed view of the majestic Salkantay mountain peak. Its contemporary, eco-conscious design was the inspiration for all other MLP lodges.
Wayra Lodge
Wayra Lodge, a cozy mountain refuge with dramatic views of Mt. Humantay, is the most remote of our MLP lodges and a welcome sight after a long day of trekking over the Salkantay Pass. (12,812’/3,906m)
Colpa Lodge
Surrounded by lush green mountains in a cloud forest, our Colpa Lodge is situated on a promontory at the confluence of three rivers (9,333’/2,845m). Sun-drenched in the afternoons, it is the perfect spot to relax or soak in the outdoor hot tub. (9,414’/2,870m)
Lucma Lodge
Situated in a lush avocado orchard at the edge of the Amazon jungle, our charming Lucma Lodge resembles a contemporary treehouse. The view through the multi-pane windows that stretch almost to the ceiling will give you the sensation of living amidst the beautiful foliage that surrounds you. (7,003’/2,135m)
3.5 Star Accommodations
Novotel | Cusco, Peru
The centrally located Novotel Cusco hotel is the perfect base for exploring this historic city and its surrounding wonders. Nestled in the heart of Cusco, the hotel seamlessly blends colonial charm with modern comforts. The architecture reflects a harmonious fusion of old and new, and this unique style extends into the spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, each equipped with free Wi-Fi to keep you connected during your stay. After a day of adventuring through the vibrant streets and ancient ruins of Cusco, unwind in the serene ambiance of the hotel’s lush courtyard. Relax under the shade of the canopy on the patio of this beautifully restored colonial house while sipping a traditional coca tea.
El Mapi | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Step into the smart, contemporary and cozy confines of El Mapi, amidst the picturesque Machu Picchu Pueblo. Discover an efficient, lively and friendly atmosphere, welcoming guests expecting an unfussy, down-to-earth break. The flowing lobby creates a sense of vitality. Lofty ceilings, panoramic windows and an open café allow natural light to filter between tall eucalyptus dried branches, creating an ambience of order and wellbeing. Relax in a pleasant and wholesome ambience after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most famous destination: the Machu Picchu archaeological site!
5 Star Accommodations
Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru
Located in the heart of Cusco, Palacio del Inka is walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and museums. It is also located across from the Koricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. The spacious rooms are exquisitely appointed, combining Peruvian art, handcrafted furnishings, as well as state-of-the-art technology. The on-site restaurant, Inti Raymi, serves particularly authentic Andean specialties, with ingredients organically grown in the Sacred Valley.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – as well as the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant overlooking the river, as well as a relaxing spa and sauna.
5+ Star Accommodations
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | Cusco, Peru
Bedding down in a former convent isn’t necessarily what you might expect. Lovingly restored, 17th-century architecture gives each artistic room and suite a distinctly colonial feel. Recline on a four-poster bed splashed with hand-embroidered silk coverlets. Bathe beneath hand-painted frescos using soap perfumed by the Palacio’s own flowers. Some suites feature original Inca stonework; others boast balconies with hypnotic views of Cusco’s distant, mist-wrapped mountains.
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas website
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Sitting in the shadows of the Lost City, our lodge is an oasis of calm before or after a day exploring Machu Picchu. Unwind with a yoga session, take part in a traditional shaman ceremony in the garden, or sip muña tea in the Tampu Bar. Tranquility, wonder and beauty are at the heart of our unique experience. Cool botanical fabrics are offset by cherry-colored woods. King-sized beds provide space to unwind. Outside your windows, the mountains ripple into the distance.Signature dishes like a Jungle Landscape salad or Sacred Valley grilled trout evoke the Andean setting. Take a seat and let our authentic menu kickstart your Peruvian adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Trip Support
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.
Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip
We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.
Staff Support & Logistics
We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that Peru has to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, permits, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
Additional Trip Information
Check out our detailed educational content on the Sacred Valley, written by our adventure team. The article provides a complete overview of everything that you need to know about this amazing journey in Machu Picchu.
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