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Machu Picchu Hidden Valleys of Salkantayo Route 

TRIP ITINERARY Mountains are the temples of Andean culture, the locus of life, the source of water, food, and sprit. The arduous but rewarding Hidden Valleys of Salkantay Trek carries you via pristine mountain country, over a 15,000-foot pass, and down undisturbed valleys to the foot of Machu Picchu. Set amid the deeply-incised Vilcambamba range, this high-altitude camping-based route is a premier entry into the footloose, uncrowded Peru of old, with breathtaking views of the Inca empire’s heartland. After a total 40 miles of trekking, you arrive, weary and elated, through the classic Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu itself.  

 

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Schedule JUNE 20 Arrive Cusco Wewill have a group briefing today and get a chance to know your guides and fellow guests, while addressing equipment and other issues. 

JUNE 21 Cusco Cusco was “the navel of the world,” the Incas said. Walking a variety of urban archaeology sites and visiting the most important temples and landmarks in and around the city will serve as both historic orientation and acclimatization to altitude.  

 JUNE 22 Cusco to Tocobamba  

Elevation (ft) 11,500ft to 12,200ft 

Distance 2.5mi 

Hiking Time 2 hours 

Today we get an early start by road to Tomacaya village, and the beginning of your trek. We encounter our first views of the startlingly-steep 20,500-ft Salkantay (“Savage”) mountain. After a stop to study the ruins of Tarawasi, a walled ceremonial center for the Incas, we begin a short but steep acclimatization hike, climbing to 11,810 ft to camp beside a stream, and enjoy views of the Limatambo and Apurimac valleys while adjusting to altitude. This 2 hour hike is rated moderate due to incline.  

 

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 JUNE 23 Tocobamba to Tinkoc Camp 

Elevation (ft) 12,200ft to 13,615ft 

Distance 5.6mi 

Hiking Time 6 hours 

Today we ascend the Tinkoc Valley, gradually leaving behind remnants of ancient forests where we can still see some 500-year old Chachacomo trees as we enter the puna grasslands. We descend to the Collpa River at 11,480 ft then hike uphill again to make camp after six miles at Tinkoc Camp.  

JUNE 24 Tinkoc to Pampacahuana Overlook 

Elevation (ft) 13,615ft to 15,750ft to 13,120 ft 

Distance 9mi 

Hiking Time 7-8 hours 

The big crossing. A long uphill climb on the southeast side of Salkantay, with a chance of condors escorting us over the Tocto Pass at 15,750 ft. Great solitude and incredible, close-up views of the sacred snow-capped peak. After 3-4 hours up, we descend the Pampacahua Valley and camp after 10 miles at a mere 13,120 ft amid tremendous, direct views of Salkantay’s eastern face, weather permitting. 

JUNE 25  Pampacahuana to Chamana 

Elevation (ft) 13,000 ft to 8,750ft 

Distance 8.7mi 

Hiking Time 7-8 hours 

From views of Salkantay, we descend the Pampacauha valley, following an ancient Inca canal still used by scattered farmers and entering the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. Descending back into the treeline at lunchtime, we pause to 

examine the Inca site at Paucarcancha, located at the meeting of two valleys. From here, we follow a stretch of the popular Inca Traildown toward Chamana, our campsite in front of the Llactapata ruins.  

JUNE 26 Chamana to Ollantaytambo 

Elevation (ft) 8,750ft to 8,000ft 

Distance 6.8mi 

Hiking Time 6-7 hours 

An early start, we will explore the ruins at Machu Q’ente and Huayna Q’ente before descending on an Inca trail beside the Vilcanota River toward the trailhead at Km. 82. Vehicle pickup and transport to Ollantaytambo where we will enjoy a well-earned group meal and hotel rest.  

JUNE 27  The Machu Picchu Trail 

Distance 3mi 

Hiking Time 4-5 hours 

An early train sweeps you along the Urubamba River—and then stops at Km. 104 to drop you in cloud forest. Crossing the roaring Urubamba on a hanging bridge, you climb for 3 strenuous hours to Wiñay Wayna, a miniature Machu Picchu with distinctive waterworks. Cutting across steep ridge lines, you follow this one-time emperor’s trail up to the Sun Gate, and the once-in-a-lifetime reveal of the “lost city” laid out below. Descend through the site itself to eat and sleep in Aguas Calientes.    

 

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JUNE 28 Machu Picchu Sanctuary to Sacred Valley 

After breakfast and a 30 minute bus ride, we enjoy a guided visit to the citadel itself, a huge complex of hundreds of homes and sacred sites. By arriving hours ahead of the day trippers, you will have unique access to this showcase of Andean spirituality, architecture, engineering, astronomy, and agriculture. Our guides will share detailed knowledge while also allowing you plenty of time to explore on your own. In late afternoon, return on a train with panoramic viewing cars to Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley.   

JUNE 29 Return to Cusco  

An early start allows you to visit traditional town of Chinchero on a guided tour. We then continue towards Moray to walk the amazing irrigated farming terraces with their microclimates. After Moray we visit Maras and the vast Incan mountainside salt ponds. After a picnic lunch overlooking the Sacred Valley and reflecting on this incredible trip, it’s back to Cusco and your hotel.  

JUNE 30  Departure for airport for international flight home or add-on activity.   

 

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Pricing 8-DAY SALKANTAY TREK | 11 DAYS IN PERU 

6+ persons $3,195 per person double occupancy. 

10+ persons $2,995 per person double occupancy. 

 

ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS 

Airfare $1500-$2000 per person 

Supplemental medical insurance $200-$700 per person (varies widely based on what you want to insure, base cost of just medical insurance is less than insuring the cost of your trip) 

Tips for support staff $200- $300 per person 

Gear $500 (will vary based on personal needs and what you already have)  

This pricing is based on eight days trekking and 3 additional nights in hotels, double occupancy in hotels and tents. Extra nights in a hotel are approximately $100 depending upon room type, availability and double-occupancy. 

 

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ABOVE COST INCLUDES 

● All international and domestic airport transfers as per the program by private vehicle 

● Transport to and from trailheads by private vehicle 

● Accommodation for 3 nights in Cusco and breakfasts while at the hotel 

● All park fees ● All meals and accommodations while on climb ● Accommodation, meals, insurance, equipment, 

transportation and allowances of guide and porter. 

● All applicable government taxes ● Any sightseeing tours in Cusco 

 

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE  

● Lunch and dinner in Cusco prior and post-trek. ● International and domestic airfare ● Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, 

and alcoholic drinks). ● Your travel insurance and overseas medical 

insurance coverage ● Expenses of personal nature such as tips for 

guide, porter and driver, laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc. 

● Liability for expenses against sickness, flight cancellation, road blockage, accidents and other occurrence beyond our control 

● Any other expenses not mentioned above 

 

 

 

Disclaimer The outline itinerary is a guide that the Embark Exploration Co. will adhere to. The final itinerary may differ in the order that you visit areas and the places where you stay overnight. We reserve the right to make changes based on weather, road and/or operating conditions imposed by owners of accommodation facilities, etc.