Salkantay Route
Hike to Machu Picchu on the lesser-traversed alternative to the Inca Trail.
If you want the challenge of trekking to Machu Picchu (but without the crowds and night spent in tents) then the Salkantay Trail lodge-to-lodge trek is for you.
Hike to Machu Picchu on the lesser-traversed alternative to the Inca Trail.
Trek to Humantay Lake, a glacier-fed body of water within Mount Humantay.
Along the way, stay in tranquil mountain lodges with comforting outdoor jacuzzis and good food.
Visit the intricate Inca stonework and unfathomable architecture of the UNESCO citadel.
While the Inca Trail is indisputably the classic route to Machu Picchu, it is also a well-trampled one. For a more authentic experience, lace up and take to the Salkantay Route where it is possible to walk over mountain passes and past huge snow-capped peaks, relaxing in remote lodges each evening before finally reaching the incredible Inca ruins.
Day 1
Lima - Cusco
Day 2
Cusco
Day 3
Salkantay Trail: Mollepata to Soraypampa
Day 4
Salkantay Trail: Humantay Lake
Day 5
Salkantay Trail: Cross Salkantay Pass
Day 6
Salkantay Trail: Cloud Forest
Day 7
Salkantay Trail: Santa Teresa River Valley
Day 8
Salkantay Trail: Machu Picchu
Day 9
Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 10
Cusco - Lima
Day 1
Lima - Cusco
Day 2
Cusco
Spend time in the Inca capital of Cusco, a lively colonial city set around a main plaza.
Day 3
Salkantay Trail: Mollepata to Soraypampa
Hike on an alternative to the Inca Trail, the less crowded Salkantay Route.
Day 4
Salkantay Trail: Humantay Lake
Trek to a lake fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay.
Day 5
Salkantay Trail: Cross Salkantay Pass
Day 6
Salkantay Trail: Cloud Forest
Day 7
Salkantay Trail: Santa Teresa River Valley
Day 8
Salkantay Trail: Machu Picchu
Visit the intricate Inca stonework and unfathomable architecture of the UNESCO citadel.
Day 9
Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 10
Cusco - Lima
The lesser-travelled Salkantay Trail presents opportunities to go for a glacial dip in Humantay Lake, view the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range, tuck in to a delicious traditional festive Pachamanca and unwind in a panoramic outdoor jacuzzi. The route navigates through rural villages, past avocado orchards and bamboo forests, and eventually arrives to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu.
This small group trek offers a unique hiking experience that enlists the comfort of beautifully-appointed and one-of-a-kind mountain lodges, the ideal places to recover from long days spent on foot. Instead of pitching a tent and cooking on an open fire, spend the evening relaxing in an outdoor jacuzzi and tasting delicious home cooked meals while admiring the stunning mountains.
Beginning in Cusco with some time at leisure, this itinerary is carefully designed and paced to allow for optimal acclimatisation to the maximum altitude of 4,638 metres. Nothing more than a modest backpack is required during each days’ trek, as all other luggage will be transported between the lodges in a private vehicle. All of the trails are well-maintained and safe but can be steep, rocky, or even muddy, and your expert guide will have a first aid kit, portable oxygen and communication radio on the trail at all times.
The trek includes visits to the Inca ruins of Tarawasi and Llactapata, and also to the rural village of Lucmabamba before reaching Aguas Calientes and the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, pack away your hiking boots as a panoramic train will return you to Cusco.
Spend time in the Inca capital of Cusco, a lively colonial city set around a main plaza to learn about the mysterious legends of the empire. Head to a hilltop artists’ studio to peruse delicately painted ceramics, photograph the friendly alpacas, and shop for brightly-coloured traditional garments.
Consider flying out to the remote and remarkable Galapagos Islands, the pristine archipelago that can be explored during eye-opening sailing voyages or through carefully planned island-hopping trips. For up close and personal encounters with fearless sea lions, penguins, tortoises, sharks, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas (to name very few), these islands are unmissable and combine beautifully with an adventure in Peru.
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January begins the rainy season in the Andes and the Amazon as they reach the summer months. Along the coast, this can be one of the best times to visit, although it is a hotspot for locals.
As the rains continue, February can be a good time to avoid crowds. While Machu Picchu remains open, trekking in this area is a challenge as the Inca Trail closes for the month. Heavy rains in the Amazon increase water levels on the river, making wildlife viewing slightly more challenging however it does allow you to adventure into areas otherwise not reachable by boat in other months of the year.
March can be a good time to visit Peru. As the rainy season draws to the end, the coast will still be experiencing summer weather while inland you can expect rains. This can be one of the least crowded months for Machu Picchu and the local tourism on the beaches has subsided as children go back to school.
April is considered one of the best times to travel to Peru with pleasant temperatures and avoiding the busiest period. As there is still some rain, the landscape is vibrant.
As the dry season begins and winter sets in, temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is green with life from the rainy season.
June marks the start of the peak season in Peru. Skies are clear, making for picturesque sightseeing. As this is officially the start of winter, cooler temperatures are expected especially in the evenings.
July begins the peak travel season as international holidays open. With warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, this is also the peak time for trekking the mountainous landscapes of the Andes.
August continues the peak season throughout the country. With cooler evening temperatures, brings a morning fog in the Sacred Valley, which clears to blue skies by the afternoon. Expect dry, sunny weather in the Amazon during this time.
As spring draws in during the month of September, expect cloudy mornings which clear to blue skies in the afternoon. Showers become more likely as this is considered the shoulder season before the green season begins.
Temperatures begin to increase in October as summer approaches. As the dry season comes to an end, the chance of precipitation increases along with clouds.
Temperatures rise in November with rain increasing from the middle of the month. As a shoulder season, this can be a good time to travel to avoid crowding in Machu Picchu.
Weather in December sees increased temperatures as summer begins, along with the start to the rainy season. Rising water levels in the Amazon makes wildlife viewing slightly more challenging along the shores.
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