Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

The trek requires a good level of fitness - you will be hiking for around six hours each day. You'll also need to be able to carry a small day bag while hiking. Expect to carry about 5kg of weight in this bag, e.g. water, suncream, waterproofs, phone, passport, etc. We recommend that you train by doing any sports or exercise (e.g. jogging) twice a week in the run-up to your trip.

See the section above for trip inclusions and exclusions.

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.

We recommend you check at the Fit for Travel website.

Porters will carry up to 7.5 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and mat. Every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. In addition, please bring the following; Documents • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cash • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping • Sleeping bag (available to rent for $25) • 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 Available To Rent; Walking Sticks (Pair): $20 Inflatable Air Mattress: $20

While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation while 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.

It is worth checking on your government's website. British citizens can check here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements

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.

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

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

It’s highly recommended you take out personal travel insurance. Travel cover protects you in the case of unforeseen circumstances including cancellations, injuries, equipment loss, flight changes and other events that could negatively impact your trip. We suggest specialist adventure travel insurers, [Rise & Shield](https://riseandshield.com/). They cover 100s of activities and are easy to deal with if you need to make a claim. They also cover unique scenarios, like trekking at altitude or emergency evacuation in hard-to-reach places, that ordinary travel insurance doesn’t cover.

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.

You will average around 16km per day. Day 1: Arrival day Day 2: Tour Sacred Valley - 1hr tour, no hiking Day 3: 22km and approx. 9hrs hiking Day 4: 22km and approx. 8hrs hiking Day 5: 12km and approx. 3hrs hiking Day 6: 14km and approx. 5hrs hiking Day 7: Visit Machu Picchu approx. 2hrs hiking Day 8: Departure day

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

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.

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 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 US$50 to US$100 at the end of your trip. You can give this to the lead guide.

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.

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 night's accommodation at your own expense (paid in-country). It is usually possible for us to collect you from the airport on an earlier date. We can also help you arrange extra nights in the hotel before or after your trip. Please 'MESSAGE YOUR GUIDE' on the Skyhook dashboard after booking to ask us about earlier transfers and extra nights. Hotel accommodation prices vary depending on what hotel we use but generally cost $100-$150 per night based on a double room (TBC).

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

Yes! If you would like to add extra days to your trip and visit Rainbow Mountain, please 'Message Your Guide' from your Skyhook Dashboard after making the booking. These extras will need to be arranged directly with the local operator and paid for in the country.

Machu Picchu entrance tickets can sell out, especially in season. So, it is advisable to book your trip in advance. We can only confirm your trip once we have secured your Machu Picchu entrance ticket. If we are unable to get a ticket for your date, we will recommend an alternative date or refund your booking in full. Please immediately follow your booking by providing your passport information to your host on your Skyhook dashboard. Note that if we have confirmed the purchase of your ticket and you need to change dates/ cancel your trip, the ticket price is non refundable (as cash or Skyhook credit). If a date change is possible, you will need to pay the extra cost of a new ticket.

All of your luggage is not needed for the trek and should stay in Cusco. All hotels are very accommodating and quite used to storing luggage on-site, or you can safely store your bags with us. You can give your bags to your guide when he picks you up from your hotel, and your things will be taken to our storage facility and delivered to you when you return.

Huaynapicchu is a popular add-on and must be booked in advance since it sells out very quickly. This hike takes approximately 45 minutes to the top, and another 45 minutes back down. Tickets are sold in time sessions stating when you can start this hike. The first session is from 7-8 AM, and the 2nd session is from 10-11 AM. Again, this refers to the timeframe when you can start your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. You will do this hike on your own, but your guide will show you where to begin. This add-on costs $75 per person and needs to be arranged in advance, directly with your host after you have booked the trek.