Machu Picchu - Salkantay Trek

Included: - Guides and porters - Food & purified water on the trek - Permits - Accommodation - Transfers from Cusco Airport - Air mats and pillow for camping - Duffel bag for all your things Excluded: - International flights - Food in Cusco - Personal travel/rescue insurance - Tips

The trek requires a good level of fitness - you will be hiking for around six hours each day. We recommend that you train by doing any sports or exercise (e.g. jogging) twice a week in the run-up to your trip.

The hostels have good standard toilets. There will be a portable toilet at each campsite you stay at. They are regularly maintained by the staff.

We recommend you check at the Fit for Travel website.

The average group size is 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

You will be given a duffel bag when you arrive. You can put all of your things in this, for the porters to carry. You will also need a small day bag, which you will carry yourself. Expect to carry about 5kg of weight in this bag e.g. water, suncream, waterproofs, phone, passport etc.

You will average around 10 miles per day.

The winter season and driest time of year in Peru are May - Sept. The summer season is Nov - Mar, which is the warmest, but wettest time. During the summer season, it does not rain every day, but can often have a downpour in the afternoons. Apr and Oct can sometimes see some small rain showers.

Cusco is at 3400m / 11,150ft, so you will feel some of the effects of altitude straight away. If you can arrive a few days earlier, then this will give your body more time to adapt. You will need to book any extra nights accommodation.

You stay in hostels in Cusco, tents whilst on the trek, with 1 night in a glass cabana and 1 night in a hobbit inspired house. The hostel is quite cosy with twin shared rooms, Wifi and pleasant communal areas. The tents are 4 person tents which are shared by 2 trekkers. Rooms are on a twin shared basis. Single supplement is available for $120. This will give you a single room and your own tent on this trip.

The minimum age for this trek is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.

You will arrive at the gates just before sunrise, then enjoy a guided tour which lasts around 2 hours. After this, you will have some free time inside the grounds before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.

It is worth checking on your government's website. British citizens can check here.

You can use a drone in areas around Machu Picchu, but not when you are inside the grounds.

It is customary in Peru to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. A good rule of thumb is between $50 - $100 at the end of your trip. You can give this to the lead guide.

While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time and arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude. When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. We advise that you move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat plenty to keep your energy levels up.

Porters will carry up to 7.5 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt. You can rent a sleeping mat, pillow, poncho for free when you arrive in Peru. Just ask one of your guides! You will be provided with a duffel bag, for all your things upon arrival. Documents • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cash • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping • Sleeping bag • Sleeping bag liner (optional) Footwear • Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight • City footwear: Sandals • Shoes for the plane (Optional) Clothing Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. • 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket for warmth (Optional) • Travel clothes and City Wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (Optional) • 2 thick wool hiking socks • Lightweight and breathable hiking socks • Gloves and wool hat • Swimwear Other • A daysack: 35 litres • Dry Liner or Dry Bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream • Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc • General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed) • Towel • Electronics - travel adaptor, phone & charger • Headtorch (Essential) • Lipsil • Book • MP3/Music and headphones • Travel wash • Hand sanitizer, wet wipes

The currency used in Peru is Nuevo Sol (PEN) You will need to ensure that you withdraw enough PEN for your trip to the airport or in Cusco.

We will send some professionally trained chefs on the trek with you. They will prepare fresh food each day. Most dietary requirements are catered for e.g. vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, food allergies etc. Our guides will provide you with clean water throughout the whole trek. This water is collected from each campsite, boiled and filtered. When travelling in countries such as Peru, it's important to maintain vigilance with hygiene and food safety. Bring plenty of hand sanitiser.

Start: You will be met at the airport at any time, and taken to your accommodation. Depending on the time you arrive, you will have some free time to explore Cusco. In the evening, you will meet with the rest of the group and have a team briefing. End: You will be taken back to the airport at any time on the last day of your itinerary.

You can be picked up from Cusco Airport at any time on the first day of the trip, and dropped off at any time on the last day. Airport transfers are included for free, and take about 15 minutes.

Yes - there will be a group of trained chefs joining you. Just let us know your requirements before you arrive.