Trek the Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu

Our trekking trip was super organized and perfectly balanced! It offered an amazing combination of activities, educational information, scenic hiking, and delicious local food. Our guides, Christian and Edison, were absolutely amazing; they were super patient, knowledgeable, and guided our group safely through the Salkantay Pass. Highly recommended!

This is my second time with MBA and definitely not the last ! Everything was perfect 👌 we had two guids Lino and Edy . Lino very knowledgeable,friendly and so funny 😊 Edy " the eagle " very spiritual . After the tour finished I booked Rainbow Mountain whith Inka Altitude and it was terrible. The guide left me in the mountain and go. I was very upset, I didn't know who to call. . i do not speak Spanish, i had no water left and no cash on me. The only phone number that i know it was MBA so I called them. 🫂🫂 I can not say thank you enough to Roxner he was so helpful,looking for solutions for me to get back to Cusco. It make me feel safe . I highly recomend MBA they will be with you from the beginning till they will drop you to the airport!!! Thank you Roxner for picking up the phone 🫂

All in all a very solid experience. The trek was hard but doable for anyone with generally good level of a fitness. Lino and the rest of the guide team were very caring and competent guides and demonstrated tremendous energy and enthusiasm for showing everyone their beautiful country. I do wish I had known how massively overcrowded this trail is. Your group will never have the trail to yourself and will more often than not be on the exact same schedule as numerous other groups of similar or larger size - perhaps hundreds of other people at times. Also, while I was prepared for roughing it, the bathroom facilities at campgrounds could be greatly improved with installation of toilet seats and consistent provision of toilet paper. I brought my own sleeping bag for the three nights of camping but wish I had also brought my own air mattress and pillow because the ones provided were very basic. Finally, the distances on the MBA website do not seem entirely accurate. It seems clear that the plan is to virtually always do the longer downhill on day 2 (which is certainly the better choice) and have a shorter day 3 followed by a drive to the hot springs. Also, as of May 2026, a large section of the day 3 Inca trail is closed due to a landslide, resulting in a walk on the road and ~30 minute bus ride instead of part of the hike that day.

Our trek to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trail with Much Better Adventures was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. While the spectacular scenery, dramatic mountain landscapes, and breathtaking views were everything we had hoped for, it was the people who truly made the trip special. From day one, our group quickly bonded through the shared challenges and achievements of the trek. There was a wonderful atmosphere of encouragement, enthusiasm, and good humour throughout. Whether we were tackling a steep ascent, admiring a stunning vista, or relaxing together at the end of the day, there was always plenty of laughter and support. A huge part of this was thanks to our exceptional guides, Lino and Juan Carlos. Their knowledge, passion, and positivity were infectious. They took great care of everyone in the group, offering constant encouragement while sharing fascinating insights into the local culture, history, and environment. By the end of the trek, they felt less like guides and more like friends. Every day brought new moments of amazement, from the snow-capped peaks surrounding the Salkantary Pass to the changing landscapes as we descended towards the cloud forest. Then came the unforgettable highlight: our first sight of Machu Picchu. After days of trekking together, arriving at this extraordinary site was both emotional and awe-inspiring. Standing among the ancient ruins, surrounded by the incredible scenery, was a moment none of us will ever forget. This was far more than just a trek—it was an adventure shared with wonderful people, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Thank you to Much Better Adventures, and especially to Lino and Juan Carlos, for making it such a remarkable experience.

This was the best trip I have ever been on and I'm not that young! We started as 13 people, all of whom I'd never met and left as great friends. The group was always well supported by the guides and support staff, allowing us to focus on enjoying each other and the amazing places we went to. It's not an adventure if some things, totally out of our control, went wrong. When we were faced with a need to adapt, the group, which had coalesced by that point, took the challenge on and we all worked together to find the best solution possible. Leaders, formal and informal, stepped up to ensure we were able to each achieve our own understanding of success and goal achievement. Yes the scenery was beautiful, the type twoness was everything we expected and so on. What truly blew me away was being led by two guides who know this place, are rooted to the land and local communities, permitting us to join their culture, if only for a short time. This led to my favorite part of the trip. The laying of a ceremonial cairn at Humantay Lake with Papa Lino and Eddicito leading us in a local coca leaf experience at the top of the pass literally brought tears to my eyes. It grounded all of us in the spiritual significance of how important these places are to the Quechua people. It was a truly transformative, life changing experience. Thank you for this amazing service you offer and provide. This will not be my last trip with MBA!

Fantastic trek with an excellent itinerary and great food throughout (make sure you try guinea pigs!). We had to take a slightly different route due to landslides, but Lino and Edy adapted everything really well and made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. The weather can be intense — when it rains, it really pours — so come prepared. I’d also highly recommend arriving in Cusco a day or two early to help acclimatise to the altitude before the trek starts (even if you are fit!).

We enjoyed our time with Lino and Edson as they guided us through the Salkantay Trek and to Machu Picchu. Started in the Andes and ended in the Amazon. Highly recommend!

Day to day schedules didn't necessarily match up with what the website stated. Miles were longer, and timing was considerably longer- almost always, whether it be in the van, or on the trail. I needed food, more than once. Bring your snacks, because all the meals you're expecting don't always happen. The group farewell dinner on the last night DID NOT HAPPEN at all. That was a shame.

This trek was perfect from start to finish, very well organized and with 2 incredibly kind local guides, who took care of everything for the group. Food was delicious, people was friendly and open minded. I highly recommend this trek!

What an amazing adventure. Lino and Etson (apologies I am not sure I have the correct spelling) were our incredible guides so kind, thoughtful and helpful. Always just there when you needed a helping hand. Incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about everywhere we went. The food was delicious and with our early starts coca tea delivered to our tent to wake us up was such a welcome treat but more local coffee at breakfast would have helped! The beauty of the landscape at every turn truly took my breath away. Lino was also so cognisant of ensuring we had space away from the many other people/groups on this popular route. Overall an incredible experience.