Machu Picchu Trek via Salkantay Route
PeruMachu Picchu Trek via Salkantay Route
- South America
- Pack Weight: 15 LBS
- 12 Days in country
- Gallery
- Dates & Pricing
Our finely crafted journey through the mountains of Peru blends hiking through the stunning Salkantay region, unique overnight stays in boutique lodges, and guided visits to the renowned Machu Picchu ruins. This journey highlights the Alpine Ascents experience at its finest, offering cultural richness, exceptional high-altitude trails, and multiple opportunities to explore Machu Picchu. One of the most outstanding features is the beautiful lodges where we rest each night.
Our six-day trek traverses remote river valleys and ascends a 15,000-foot pass (a much less traveled route than typical Inca Trail hikes). It culminates with a visit to the Machu Picchu ruins, historically known as the lost city of the Incas and recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Throughout the journey, trekkers encounter indigenous communities and gain insight into their distinctive traditions and way of life.
The route passes through the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range, with trekkers walking below its highest peak, Mount Salkantay (20,600 feet), regarded as the second most sacred mountain in Inca mythology.
Key Components
Guide Leadership: Trips are led by Miguel Atala, famed Peruvian Guide and naturalist.
Terrain & Ecology: Experience incredible trekking through fifteen different bio-zones, changing altitudes, and varied terrain on a much less traveled route.
Lodging: Stay in small, five-room boutique lodges along the route, featuring innovative local cuisine.
Scenic Highlights: Marvel at the exquisite beauty of Salkantay Peak, Salkantay Glacier, and Humantay Glacier Lake.
Extra Exploration Time: Spend two days visiting the ruins, including the afternoon of day one to explore the site in an uncrowded environment.
Community Impact: Witness environmental and social initiatives to maintain natural integrity and improve quality of life in the region.
Cultural Connection: Share in the culture and customs of local Andean families who maintain age-old traditions.
Light Pack & Trail Comfort: Enjoy your days on the trail unfettered by heavy packs while pack horses, mules, or porters carry your personal belongings.
Inspiration: Be inspired by the majesty of your surroundings and the knowledge that you are following in the footsteps of the Incas.
Exceptional planning and logistics
– absolutely nothing left to sort out during our trek. The accommodations were fantastic for such a remote area and our local guide, Miguel Alata is an absolute pro! Living in the area and his experience and familiarity of the Andes region was comforting and gave all of us assurance that we were in great hands.
I've been climbing/trekking for 27 years
and I’ve never felt so spoiled. Miguel was a terrific guide – kind and very knowledgeable about the Inca culture, terrain, wildlife, and so much more. The lodges were wonderful – I’m not accustomed to three course meals every lunch and dinner and hot water bottles at night! The extra day at Machu Picchu was smart as it allowed for a bad weather day (which we did not encounter). It was a fantastic trip!
On the Trail
Our journey begins in Cusco at an altitude of 11,200 feet, where we spend one day and two nights acclimatizing and touring this beautiful city. We then travel by road to the trailhead, the enchanting valley of Soraypampa. This route is less traveled and far more scenic than the more common “Inca Trail.” Trekkers spend two nights at Salkantay Lodge and one night each at three other lodges located at strategic points along the route. At the end of day six, we reach a train that takes us to Aguas Calientes where we stay the night in a beautiful hotel. On our next-to-last day, we spend the entire morning and early afternoon exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.
Alpine Ascents adds a second day to visit the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu. This allows us a second visit and gives us the afternoon of the first day to explore the area in an uncrowded environment.
The Alpine Ascents Way
Entering our 15th year of leading the Salkantay Trek, this program has been a continual standout for its diversity of culture, trekking, and the chance to walk into history as we explore the citadel of Machu Picchu. Lead guide Miguel Atala is a trained naturalist and one of the region’s most famed guides.
This lost city of the Incas, famed for its highly developed construction, has a rich and fabled past, its most recent “discovery” credited to Hiram Bingham in 1911. Alpine Ascents takes great care to treat each facet of this trip with the highest respect. This trip has easily been one of the most praised programs in our catalog of offerings.
Pack animals carry gear throughout the trek, and trekkers who need a break can ride on horseback, assisted by local guides.
