Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

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.

Included Experiences

• 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 Experiences

• Cusco Tourist Ticket: This 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: Enjoy 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.
• Inka Museum: Get ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.

Depart Cusco and transfer to the start of the trail to begin the Salkantay Trek. The day’s hike will begin with the hike up to the incredibly beautiful Humantay Lake. Witness the serene views of the crystalline blue water and spend the night camping under the stars.

Included Experiences

• Day 1 of Salkantay Trek: 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 to Laguna Humantay for breathtaking views of the vibrant blue water. Enjoy a stop here for a scenic lunch before continuing to ascend past snowy peaks to Salkantaypampa (3,900m/12,795 ft), where you will camp for the night.
• 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.

Stunning views fill the day as you hike past the striking snow-capped mountains of Vilcabamba mountain range. Traverse the highest point, Salkantay pass reaching 4,600m (15,092 ft) before descending into valleys nestled in the mountains to the town of Collpabamba. Set up camp for the evening surrounded by lush cloud forest.

Included Experiences

• Day 2 - Salkantay Trek: Traverse 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 Wayraqmachay (3900m/12,795 ft) where the group will stop for lunch. Watch the scenery change from mountain landscapes to lush cloud forest nestled in the mountains. Enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and breathtaking views as you go. Finish the trek to the town of Collpapamba, where you will camp for the night.

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.

Included Experiences

• 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.

Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu then return to Cusco where the tour ends upon arrival.

Please note the tour ends upon arrival at the start hotel 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.

Included Experiences

• 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.
• Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.