9-Nights Adventure in the Andes: Trekking the Salkantay from $5,506

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Peru

Transfer: Jorge Chavez Lima International Airportto Lima - Miraflores

Hotel: Ikonik Miraflores Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Located in the heart of Miraflores, the Ikonik Miraflores is located a few steps from Avenida Jose Pardo, one of the main commercial avenues in the district. This hotel is modern and cosy, perfect for discovering a city full of history and culture and whose historic centre has been declared a World Heritage Site. Its 63 rooms feature minimalist decor with neutral tones and touches of colour, designed so that, whether you are travelling for business or tourism purposes, you can find the rest and tranquillity you are looking for. In addition, at the Ikonik Miraflores, they offer the best services, such as restaurant, where you can taste the delicious local cuisine; two meeting rooms, perfect for holding any type of event; or the gym, so you don't neglect your workout routines while travelling.

Day 2: Bohemian Barranco Walking Tour & Guided Larco Museum Visit

Art, culture, and flavour converge in Barranco, Lima's most bohemian neighbourhood and one of the city's most rewarding places to explore on foot. Your journey begins on Saenz Pena Boulevard, where grand old houses bearing Gothic influences speak to the district's layered colonial and republican past. As you venture deeper into Barranco's streets, a world of picturesque residences unfolds, many converted into private workshops and galleries; including those of celebrated artists Jade Rivera and Victor Delfin, whose studios you'll enter to discover unique and memorable works up close. The neighbourhood's famous boardwalk beckons next, offering sweeping views across the Pacific Ocean and leading you to the Bridge of Sighs, the Puente de los Suspiros, one of Barranco's most iconic and storied landmarks, immortalised in legend, song, and verse. A sculpture honouring the beloved Peruvian singer Chabuca Grande, who dedicated one of her most celebrated songs to this very bridge, stands here as a tribute to the district's enduring creative spirit. Continuing toward the main square, vibrant murals line your path at every turn. The flavour highlight of the day awaits at El Cacaotal, a favourite haunt for coffee and chocolate lovers, where you'll sample a drink and discover why Peruvian cocoa and coffee are revered the world over. Before the walk concludes, a browse through local artisan and handicraft stores offers the perfect opportunity to take a little piece of Barranco home with you.This afternoon you will visit the Larco Herrera Museum, an 18th century colonial-style museum housing the largest and most impressive ceramic collection in the world, with about 55,000 pre-Colombian clay pots on display. The collection concentrates on the refined ceramics of the Moche Dynasty, the people who lived along the northern coast of Peru between 200 and 700 AD. The Moche culture is recognized as accomplishing one of the greatest imaginative languages of ancient Peru through the use of creative pottery, providing clues to all aspects of their civilization without the use of the written word. One can learn about their religion, agriculture, transport, dance and music through these ceramic designs and shapes. The Moche are also renowned for their fascinating erotic pottery and the famous collection is on display in the separate "Erotic Hall", depicting sexual practices of several Peruvian cultures in a lifelike, explicit and often humorous way. After touring the museum, you'll enjoy dinner at the museums excellent on-site restaurant alongside your guide. Following dinner, which includes a Pisco Sour, an entree, main and a dessert, you will be returned to your hotel.

Day 3: Into the Andes: From Lima to the Sacred Valley with Sulca Textiles Museum

Transfer: Lima - Miraflores to Jorge Chavez Lima International Airport

Upon arrival to Cusco Airport, please collect your baggage and head to the arrivals area. Here you will be greeted by a local assistant holding a sign with your name on it. Your journey toward the Sacred Valley soon begins, passing through the charming Imperial City of Cusco. Along the way, stop for special visit to the Sulca Museum, where Peru's textile history is showcased through unique pieces recreated by the talented Sulca family, inspired by Pre-Columbian, Inca, Colonial, and Contemporary cultures, and crafted using ancestral techniques. It is the perfect place to acquire your first authentic souvenir from the Andes. You will then continue toward your hotel in the Sacred Valley, crossing majestic mountains and fertile fields, and typically arriving in the early afternoon.The Boleto Tourism Card (BTC) allows you to access archeological and cultural sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The BTC is a mandatory requirement for travellers visiting the area, and is included in your itinerary.Sitting somewhat lower than Cusco, the Sacred Valley offers a gentler introduction to Andean altitude; still, a relaxed afternoon remains the wisest start to your adventure. Ranging from roughly 6,750 to 9,800 feet (2,050 to 3,000 meters) above sea level, let the extraordinary landscape welcome you to the region. Sweeping valley views, terraced hillsides, and comfortable accommodations are more than enough to fill a few hours as your body adjusts to the mountain elevation. Drink plenty of water, take things slowly, and eat lightly at dinner to ensure you're ready for the adventures ahead.

Hotel: Hotel La Casona de Yucay (4 Star Rating)

Surrounded by imposing mountains and snow-capped peaks, the hotel will amaze you with spectacular views and beautiful gardens where you can relax and experience the magic of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Located in Yucay, a picturesque town in the heart of the Sacred Valley, the land chosen by the Incas as their resting place, the hotel is the ideal location from which to visit major archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Maras, Moray, and Chinchero. This colonial mansion, built in 1810, will transport you back in time to a place where history, nature, and warm service come together to create unique experiences.

Day 4: Stand-Up Paddleboarding in the Sacred Valley

This morning, enjoy a quieter part of the Sacred Valley and some time off the beaten path. The setting today will be the wonderful Piuray Lagoon, in Chinchero, which has supplied the city of Cusco with its calm waters since the times of the Tahuantinsuyo and which you will explore by Stand-Up Paddleboard with the help of a local guide. Arriving to the shore of the lake, you can appreciate the views of imposing snow-capped mountains that surround the lagoon (Soray, Veronica and Salkantay) while enjoying a welcome snack. After a stretching session and a safety briefing, grab your equipment (SUP, paddle, and vest) and begin the adventure. During the experience, you will be always accompanied by a guide and will be able to safely enjoy the peace and tranquility offered by this remote place. If you are feeling adventurous, after a breathing session, get set for an invigorating cold plunge in the lake. Back on shore, you will have the option of enjoying lunch or exploring the surroundings of the lagoon before being returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 5: The Tika Tika Pass, Misquiyaco & Acopia

After being met at your hotel, begin the drive toward Limatambo and through the Tika Tika Pass where you will catch your first views of Mount Salkantay, with Humantay on the horizon. Crossing the Anta plateau, you'll drive past breathtaking panoramas of this vibrant agricultural region with views of rugged snowcapped peaks in the background, arriving at the trailhead just beyond the village of Misquiyaco. Here you'll begin the trek in earnest, and through one of Peru's newest private conservation areas, signed into law in 2021. Hike uphill through an old growth Meso-Andean Relict Forest, a rare type of inter-Andean cloud forest that exists in less than 0.02% of Peru's vast territory. Among the species that inhabit this forest are the Tasta (Escallonia myrtilloides) and Chachacomo (Escallonia resinosa) tree species, which are protected by Peruvian law. As you gain in elevation, it is striking to observe how dramatically the ecosystem changes with the altitude. Leaving behind the tree line, you'll enter high grasslands and reach your campsite at Acopia, some 13,475 feet (4190 meters) above sea level. Through the course of the day, you will have covered approximately 5.78 miles (9.3 kilometers), taking roughly six hours to complete.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch

As there are strict luggage restrictions in place on board the train to Aguas Calientes, a luggage transfer service has been arranged to bring your additional belongings to Cusco. Once you have completed your experience in and around Machu Picchu, your baggage will be ready and waiting for you in Cusco.

Day 6: The Tambomachay Pass & Mirador de Pampacahuana

Leaving Acopia, continue the uphill climb toward the first pass at Tambomachay, some 15,256 feet (4,660 meters) above sea level. As the day warms up, you may see some Andean bird species, including Condors, as they soar above the mountains. After five to six hours of gentle uphill climbing, you will reach your rather exclusive lunch spot at Uspaccasa, 14,927 feet (4,550 meters) above sea level, a sheltered area just beyond the pass with outstanding views of Mount Salkantay and Mount Humantay. After lunch, your guide will continue to lead the way along the high ridge, veering right toward the Cruzjasa Pass where you will have fantastic views of the South face of Mount Palcay, the south face of Mount Salkantay and the Pampacahuana Valley. The special feeling of solitude that comes with knowing there are few other humans in the vicinity is unique, and you're quite likely to feel it here. From here, descend on a steep trail to your campsite where you will sleep surrounded by mountains and stars at Mirador de Pampacahuana, some 12,801 feet (3,902 meters) above sea level. Through the course of the day, you will have covered approximately 9.2 miles (14.8 kilometers), taking roughly eight hours to complete.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Day 7: Paucarcancha, the Q'esca Valley & Patallacta Ruins

After waking to views of Mount Salkantay, it will soon be time to continue your hike downhill along an ancient Inca canal flowing down the center of the Pampacahuana Valley. This morning you'll pass through a landscape dotted with small farm settlements, and toward the end of the valley, you'll once again begin to observe a greater variety of vegetation as you descend below the tree line and arrive in Paucarcancha, a remote Inca site at the confluence of the Pampacahuana and Q'esca valleys. After a short visit to explore the Inca stone walls and remnants of ancient houses at the site, it will be time to break for lunch. You'll then continue the journey downhill to join the first stretch of the famed Inca Trail, descending toward the Patallacta ruins. This site was once an important rest stop for the Inca on the way to Machu Picchu. After a brief visit, continue onward to your campsite at Chamana, 8,497 feet (2,590 meters) above sea level, which is a private area equipped with a hot shower for you to cleanse and refresh after the strenuous activity of the previous few days. Through the course of the day, you will have covered approximately 10.19 miles (16.4 kilometers), taking roughly eight hours to complete.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Day 8: Machu Q'ente, the Trail of Hiram Bingham & Aguas Calientes

At this point, you will be on the edge of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, and here you will explore the secluded archaeological Site called Machu Q'ente. Depending on the pace of your visit and the amount of time available, you may also have the opportunity to visit Wayna Q'ente, another remarkable site located nearby. After the visit, you will leave the Sanctuary through the town of Q'oriwairachina and head towards Piscacucho, where the main entrance to the Inca Trail is located. The trail will take you alongside the Vilcanota River and through several more ancient archaeological sites. In fact, this is the same path that Hiram Bingham used when he was first led to Machu Picchu by locals living here in 1911. From here, you and your guide will travel by car to Ollantaytambo in time to take the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, where you'll spend the night before visiting the magical citadel of Machu Picchu tomorrow morning. Through the course of the day, you will have covered approximately 9.63 miles (15.5 kilometers), taking roughly six hours to complete. Please note, dinner this evening is on your own accord, and not included.

Hotel: El Mapi by Inkaterra (3 Star Rating)

El Mapi by Inkaterra is located right at the foot of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and just across from the train station for Cusco/Machu Picchu train. This is a very reasonably priced hotel for Machu Picchu with full amenities. While the ruins may be ancient this hotel has all the modern comforts.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Machu Picchu, Train to Ollantaytambo & Drive to Cusco

After an early breakfast, a quick, half-hour bus ride brings you and your guide up the road to the gates of Machu Picchu where you'll set out a guided three-hour tour of this ancient hilltop citadel. Exploring the various sectors and entering some of the houses and temples will bring these iconic ruins to life. Wandering among these centuries-old structures blended seamlessly into the mountain-top surroundings leaves even the most seasoned of adventurers with a sense of wonder and reverence, and with the gift of memories to enjoy for years to come. In the early afternoon, return to the village where a train will take you back to Ollantaytambo. After returning to Ollantaytambo train station, you will be picked up and driven back to the city of Cusco, bidding farewell to your guide upon arrival to your hotel.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels (4 Star Rating)

Palacio Manco Capac is a hotel built on an ancient republican house, built on the San Cristobal hill, where the foundation of Manco Capac's original residence used to be. In the property an authentic Inca wall from the building can be appreciated only a few meters from the hotel.

The location is ideal; it is only ten minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco and The Sacsayhuaman archaeological site.

Day 10: Depart from Peru

Transfer: Cusco to Cusco Airport