
DURATION
7 nights
LOCATION
Peru
ANNUAL LEAVE
1 week off work
SEASON
May-Oct
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, Cusco
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Hotel · Wild camping
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
The steep terrain and altitude can make the going tough at times, but anyone with good fitness and the right attitude will love it.
Voted one of the top 25 treks on the planet by National Geographic
Trek through rainforest, cloud forest, over high passes and around glaciers - your feet might get tired, but your eyes never will
Sleep in picture-perfect campsites, so close to the Milky Way you can almost touch it
Day 1
Arrive in Cusco and get to know your crew
Arrive at your hotel in Cusco, perfectly located off one of the main squares. If you’ve got the time, head out to wander the streets for your first real taste of Peruvian culture. Join your guide later for dinner at a nearby restaurant, where you can sample the local cuisine and music, as well as get to know your fellow adventurers. After dinner, head back to the hotel for a good night’s rest – and perhaps a night cap.
Day 2
Tour of the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley was a crucial area for the Inca Empire, functioning as an agricultural, spiritual and political hub. You’ll visit the two main sites, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, to experience their ancient ruins, cobbled streets and learn about their history. On returning to your hotel in Cusco, you’ll meet your guide for a quick pre-trek briefing. Afterwards, the evening is yours - relax, grab some dinner and probably have an early night, ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 3
Trek to Soyrococha via Humantay Lake
Hiking
6-8hrs · 8.2km · 992m up · 377m down
You’ll be up picked from your hotel for a scenic drive to Mollepata, where you’ll enjoy breakfast in a local house. After brekkie, you’ll make your way to the start of your trek in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba at Soraypampa (3800m), getting your first glimpse of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains on the way. After packing the horses, it’s time to set off. You’ll trek to the high altitude and bright turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, sitting below the Humantay Glacier. From here, it's a gentle climb to Salkantaypampa for lunch. After lunch, you’ll ascend to Soyrococha (4400m) where you’ll set up camp with Humantay as your stunning backdrop.
Day 4
Soyrococha to Colpapampa
Hiking
8-9hrs · 15.3km · 235m up · 1884m down
Today’s a tough one. After breakfast, you’ll start with an uphill hike to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4630m). At the top, you’ll make an offering to Apu Salkantay and learn the significance of the mountain to Inca culture. Descend to Huayracmachay (3800m) for lunch, passing turquoise lakes with the Pumasillo and Humantay mountains in the distance. After lunch, you’ll descend further through highlands, cloud forest, and rainforest, until you reach camp at Colpapampa (3100m).
Day 5
Colpapampa to Lucmabamba Coffee Plantation
Hiking
5-6hrs · 15.5km · 320m up · 1141m down
A much gentler day, you’ll head through the rainforest along the Santa Teresa River, trekking past lush vegetation and waterfalls, before reaching camp by noon and stopping for lunch. After being fed, you’ll have a tour of the nearby coffee plantation, learn about the beans and pick your own to grind, roast and enjoy later. Before returning to camp, you’ll roam the nearby tomato and avocado fields and pick vegetables for the chef to use in tonight’s dinner.
Day 6
Trek to Aguas Calientes via Llactapata
Hiking
6-7hrs · 21.4km · 1634m up · 1604m down
After breakfast, you’ll embark on an easy(ish) trek through the rainforest to the Llactapata Inca site (2700m). You’ll have plenty of time to explore the area and catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the distance. From Llactapata, you’ll descend for lunch before boarding a train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel and perhaps indulge in a power-nap before visiting a local restaurant to enjoy dinner with the crew.
Day 7
Ah...Machu Picchu
Hiking
4hrs · 3.5km · 296m up · 296m down
Today you’ll head to Machu Picchu itself, one of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites, with a breathtaking location to match. You'll catch the bus there and have a guided tour to hear all about the hidden secrets of this ancient site. After a long day, you’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes and continue your journey back to Cusco via the expedition train to Ollantaytambo, and then bus it from there. You’ll be back at your hotel with a drink in hand by 21:00, no doubt ready to drop.
Day 8
Time to go home
After your Peruvian adventure, it's time to head home. Your transfer will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport in time for your onward journey.
Included
Guides
Local, certified and friendly English-speaking guides
Accommodation
4 nights in hotels (3 in Cusco, 1 in Aguas Calientes) and 3 nights camping on the trail
Meals
Local food cooked by your very own chef during the trek
Transfers
Both airport transfers and local transfers
Porterage
Porters and horses to carry your luggage on the trek
Equipment
Everything you need for camping along the trail will be provided and set up for you
Permits
All your tickets and entry fees will all be covered and organised in advance
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Hotel · Twin share
Day 2
Hotel · Twin share
Day 3 – Day 5
Wild camping · Twin share
Day 6
Hotel · Twin share
Day 7
Hotel · Twin share
Day 8
Departure day
What is the food like?
Whilst trekking, an experienced chef will be on-hand to make amazing meals in the middle of the mountains. Expect plenty of hot food and drinks with every meal. Snacks such as chocolate or granola bars, cookies, dried or fresh fruit will be provided in addition to three meals a day during the hike. Breakfasts typically include things like oats (or 'kiwicha', a local supergrain), eggs/omelettes, jam and toast, pancakes and granola. Lunches are usually soups, salads, pasta, or potato-based dishes and dinners tend to be three-course cooked meals complete with dessert! Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Cusco
During your time in Cusco, you’ll stay in a centrally located stylish boutique hotel, such as the Tierra Viva Cusco Hotel or similar. This highly rated hotel is set in a classic colonial house just off the Plaza de Armas (main square).
Salkantay trek
During the trek, you'll camp along the route. Your host will provide a four-man tent for every two people, complete with a Thermarest inflatable mattress and pillow. You’ll be accompanied by a group camp chef and porters, bringing a kitchen tent, dining tent with tables and chairs, and a toilet tent with portable loo.
Aguas Calientes
On the last night of the trek, you'll stay in either the La Cabana Machu Picchu or Andina Luxury in Aguas Calientes for a good night's sleep before heading up to Machu Picchu the following day. Both hotels are modern, clean, very friendly and serve a brilliant breakfast.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Cusco Airport (CUZ)
Flexible - arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Cusco Airport (CUZ)
Flexible - catch any flight home on Day 8
Transfers
Catch any flight you like. Your host will pick you up on arrival and drop you off on departure. Just bear in mind that if you arrive at the crack of dawn your room may not be ready for check-in.
Travel options
There are currently no direct international flights from Europe or the US into Cuzco. Flights generally involve one or two changes and go via Lima. If you prefer to break up the journey, you could consider flying into Lima a day early and booking an onward flight to Cuzco the following day. Airport hotels are available in Lima or, if you have more time to spare, why not stay in the popular Miraflores district of Lima and use this as a base to explore the city? See Optional Extras below for prices for extra nights in Cuzco or Lima before or after the tour.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Tent, inflatable mattress and pillow
- Duffle bag for your personal belongings
- Group oxygen bottle and medical kit
What's available to hire?
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking poles
What do I need to bring?
- Day pack (25-35 litre)
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm fleece or down jacket
- Hiking boots
- Wicking base layers
- Light long walking trousers
- Few t-shirts
- Hiking socks
- Winter gloves
- Beanie and sun hat
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag
- Warm layers for the first night camping at 4400m
- Ear plugs
- Trekking poles (recommended)
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen (SPF 35+ recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
FURTHER INFORMATION
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You'll be given a duffel bag during the trek briefing to pack your trekking gear into. You'll have an 8kg limit per person for porterage, so you'll only need to carry your day pack.
-
Your camp crew will provide you with boiled water every day, which is safe to drink. Should you have any concerns about the water quality, please feel free to bring additional water purification tablets.
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
… Per Person
Sleeping Bag Hire
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping Bag Hire
…
Trekking Pole Hire
Payable Before Departure
Trekking Pole Hire
…
Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Single)
… Per Night
Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Twin/Double)
… Per Night
Pre/post accommodation in Cusco (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post accommodation in Cusco (Single)
… Per Night
Pre/post accommodation in Cusco (Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post accommodation in Cusco (Twin/Double)
… Per Night
An incredible experience that really lived up to expectations. Book this trip!
The local guide (Christian) was phenomenal, a charming and funny guy with a formidable knowledge of local history, geography, botany and more. The supporting crew were great and there’s way more good food than you could eat. If there’s a particular snack you like to get you through the tough bits then maybe bring some with you but otherwise you will be well fed.
Be prepared for the first night to be very cold (especially if you end up pushing on and camping high) bring at least one more layer than you think you’ll need. You’ll also need to be ready for it to be very warm as you hit the high jungle. We rented poles I found I didn’t use them but others in our group found them essential. Get a poncho!
Machu Picchu completely lived up to the hype!
This was my first solo trip and first trip with MBA and I had the most amazing time. The accommodation is lovely and the tents provided are good quality and clean. The food is incredible on the trek, how the chef manages to produce so much good food in that environment is beyond me. Our guide Lino was so welcoming and informative, answering all our questions. The trek itself was tough with the altitude but worth it for the amazing views. Seeing Machu Picchu itself was a dream come true, we had an excellent tour and plenty of opportunity for photos. We had a group of five, three solo travellers and I felt so welcomed and supported by everyone. I would definitely recommend coming with MBA on this trip.
I just finished Salkantay trek and it was absolutely amazing! I was anxious in the beginning- but local hosts and guide were very helpful and supportive. Food was brilliant. I couldn't even imagine such menu is possible during the hike! And the trek itself was perfect. Interesting, challenging and versatile. I was specifically impressed by the quality of rented equipment- it was tidy and of good quality! Highly recommend this trip!
Such a phenomenal trip. The local guides (Christian and Hans) and support team were incredible. They provided fascinating insight throughout. I felt as though we really connected with the local culture. The Salkantay route covers some breathtaking diverse terrain, from snowy mountain peaks to lush jungle. And Machu Picchu was the absolute highlight. Couldn’t have wished for anything more. I will definitely be booking another trip with MBA soon.
An absolute dream of a trek, Christian was a wonderful guide and the views, people, food, culture were all fantastic
Brilliant for anyone who loves adventure. Beautiful landscape all around. Amazing experience.
I recently took a MBA trip to Peru. It was an incredible experience.
If you are look for a well run trip that is highly organized and led by warm, friendly and knowledgeable local guides, I highly recommend giving the Peru trip a GO. You won’t be disappointed.
I am looking forward to future trips with MBA. A truly first class organization that sources good trips for those seeking unique outdoor experiences
Trek of a lifetime. Hiking through frozen water streams, lush jungles and cold and hot weather, you see it all. Our guide odom was legendary in his guidance and humor. The food was unbelievable. One of us had her birthday and they managed to whip up a delicious birthday cake in the middle of the jungle! Word of caution though, make sure you spend a few nights acclimating to the altitude before beginning the trek, it’s doable but will take u to your limits
A fantastic trip. The mountains of Peru are breathtaking. The team guiding us and organising tents and food was so well organised… unbelievable. So many local experiences that I wouldn’t have had on my own. The walking is tough. You definitely need good boots. But I didn’t do any training and still managed! The guides are constantly checking everyone is ok. I would definitely recommend this trip. I have fallen in love with Peru!
Wow...this trip exceeded all our expectations the trip was well organised from start to finish and the guides both Christian and Lu made the whole thing fun and educational. The actual trek is challenging but with the stunning views at every turn well worth it. 👏
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 126kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
A little tougher and higher than the classic Inca Trail (and without any of the permit faff), the Salkantay Trek is a great challenge for those with good fitness who are after quieter trails and dramatic Andean landscapes. The two nights in Cuzco (3,400m) before the trek double up as acclimatisation days, but nevertheless - the steep terrain and high altitude will make the going tough at times, particularly on the first two days of the hike. A pocket full of coca leaves will also help you with the altitude. No previous experience is necessary, but you will need to be able to walk for 6-8 hours a day with considerable ascent and descent for four consecutive days. Porterage is included, so you'll only need to carry a small daypack with extra layers and bits for that day.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Clean drinking water will be provided for you each morning and at meals. In an effort to eliminate plastic waste you must bring your own water bottle or hydration bladder with you. If you are concerned about the water quality, please feel free to bring additional water purification tablets.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however we suggest the below as a guideline:
- If each Porter/Horseman were to receive 60 to 70 soles and your Chef received 120 to 150 soles in total from the group, this would be considered a generous tip, and your team would be delighted!
- We recommend that your Guide is tipped personally and would suggest between 60 to 100 soles per person.
Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it is difficult to accurately predict. You can have beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Peru.
In the Andes, there are two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April and is wet but usually warmer overall. The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold nights. May and June are two of the most popular months to trek in the Andes as the weather tends to be more stable. If you're spending time in Lima before or after the trip then be aware that the season is the reverse of this so you can expect some grey skies.
When you trek in the mountains, there's always the risk of getting altitude sickness, regardless of how old, young, fit or unfit you are. We would expect most trekkers to feel some mild symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, sleeplessness, heavy breathing) when over 3000m. Our guides are trained to identify the symptoms of altitude sickness so if any more serious symptoms are noted, there is a strict procedure regarding extra care or a rapid descent or evacuation if needed. All of our trips have been designed with altitude best practice in mind so acclimatisation days have been built in and our experienced guides follow advice to ‘walk high and sleep low’.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
No, for this trek you do not need to organise a permit, and entrance to Machu Picchu is included in the price of the trip.
The Inca Trail has all the fame, but in our humble opinion, this is a better, less crowded trek. It passes through more dramatic landscapes, past Inca ruins, and still ends at Machu Picchu. It is widely regarded as the best alternative trek, and though that does mean you won’t have the trail to yourself, our local guides will keep you away from the crowds and camping away from other groups. You'll also evade the permit requirement and strict regulations that are enforced on the Inca Trail.
Customer safety is our top priority - we monitor the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - FCDO travel advice and keep in regular contact with our host partner in Peru for the latest updates on the ground. Politically motivated protests are not uncommon in Peru and these can lead to some disruption to transport links and occasionally the closure of sites. As of 14 February protests are ongoing in Peru but Machu Picchu (which had been closed in response) has now reopened to visitors. Based on the advice of our local hosts we anticipate that the situation will settle down in the coming weeks and expect to operate the 2023 season from May onwards as planned. In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your holiday in response to a change in FCDO travel advice or disruption, you will be offered the option of a full refund for your MBA booking.
For current advice about travelling in Peru, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (4630m)
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.