MARVELOUSEXCLUSIVE
Exclusive-Lima – Cusco – Salkantay 9 days
Exclusive Lima – Cusco – Salkantay Trek 9 Days: An Adventure Through Peru’s Wonders
Discover the best of Peru in this 9-day journey, starting in Lima with a gourmet dinner and transfer to Cusco. Explore the city’s historical sites before heading into the Sacred Valley to visit Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. On Day 4, embark on the Salkantay Trek, camping in luxury domes and hiking through stunning Andean landscapes, reaching Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters. Continue through cloud forests and tropical valleys, arriving at Aguas Calientes. Day 7 brings you to Machu Picchu for an early morning tour, with optional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. After a scenic train ride back to Cusco, enjoy free time before your flight back to Lima.
This exclusive adventure includes luxury accommodations, expert guides, all meals on the trek, and seamless transfers.
Physical activity level
Moderate Activity
TRIP LENGTH
9 Days
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Lima, transfer to hotel, relaxation or dinner in a gourmet restaurant.
- Day 2: Flight to Cusco, private guided tour of Cusco’s historic sites (Cusco Cathedral, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman), free afternoon to explore.
- Day 3: Scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, visit Moray, Maras salt pans, Ollantaytambo fortress, Pisac ruins, and return to Cusco.
- Day 4: Begin the Salkantay trek with a scenic drive to Mollepata, hike to Soraypampa, visit Humantay Lake.
- Day 5: Challenging day with a climb to Salkantay Pass, enjoy views, lunch in Huayracmachay, continue to Chaullay for the night.
- Day 6: Trek through Santa Teresa valley to La Playa, visit waterfalls, enjoy fruits along the way, transport to Hidroelectrica, then walk to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 7: Sunrise at Machu Picchu, 2-hour guided tour, optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, return to Aguas Calientes and train back to Ollantaytambo, transfer to Cusco.
- Day 8: Free morning in Cusco for souvenirs or city exploration, transport to airport.
- Day 9: Transport to the airport for flight back to Lima.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Lima
Welcome to Lima: Arrival, Transfer, and Rest Before Your Journey Begins
Upon arrival at the Lima airport, you will be greeted by our Marvelous Exclusive Travel representative. After a transfer to your confirmed Lima hotel and assistance with the check in, you’ll be provided with everything needed in preparation for your upcoming journey.
Use this arrival day to rejuvenate yourself by resting or dinner in at one of the many gourmet restaurants throughout the city.
Day 2 – From Lima to Cusco
Flight to Cusco: History, Culture, and Guided Exploration of the Inca City
Fly from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival at Cusco airport, be met by an Inca Expert Travel representative. The short drive to your hotel in the historic center will provide you with stunning examples of Cusco’s hybrid Spanish-Inca architecture.
Immerse yourself into the story of Cusco’s past with a private guided tour of its foremost historic sites. Start with a visit to the impressive Cusco Cathedral and Coricancha temple. Then ascend above the sea of terracotta roofs as you visit the monumental Sacsayhuaman citadel.
The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure. Explore new flavors and pick up souvenirs at the San Pedro Market or wander the cobblestone streets of bohemian San Blas.
Day 3 – Sacred Valley Tour
Sacred Valley Exploration: Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac Ruins
After a satiating breakfast your guide will meet you for the scenic private drive through the Sacred Valley. Your private tour will visit the Moray archaeological site and multi-hued salt pans of Maras and delight you with the intellectual legacy of the Incas. We continue to the monolithic fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo,our english guide always showing his knowledge about incas sites,we visit Pisac ruins,the tour ends in Cusco.
Day 4 – SALKANTAY 4D/3N - DOMES
CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:45 AM and 5:30 AM and drive by bus to Mollepata. Begin a spectacular scenic journey through the Anta plains, with panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay and other snow-capped mountains, along with the stunning Apurimac River Valley.
After approximately two hours of driving, we will stop in Mollepata for breakfast. This is also a chance to grab any last-minute supplies, stretch your legs, or use the restrooms before continuing on to Challacancha.
Upon arrival at Challacancha, we will meet our support staff, who will transport our equipment to the campsite. Around 9:30 AM, we’ll begin our trek towards Soraypampa (3,900 meters above sea level). At a steady pace, we will take about 4 hours to reach Soraypampa, our first campsite. Here, you’ll stay in the comfortable Cristal domes and huts, which offer stunning panoramic views. After lunch, we’ll take a 3-hour hike in the afternoon to visit Humantay Lake (4,200 meters above sea level), where you’ll have the opportunity to admire the stunning glacier lake.
In the evening, enjoy a warm and delicious dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cristal domes and huts
Maximum Altitude: 3,850 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,850 meters above sea level
Distance Travelled: Approximately 14 km
DAY 5 – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRAMACHAY – CHAULLAY
Challenge and Magic at Salkantay Pass: From Snowy Peaks to Chaullay
This morning, we’ll wake you up with a warm cup of coca tea. Around 5:00 AM, we’ll enjoy a nutritious breakfast. By 6:00 AM, we’ll begin the hardest day of the entire Salkantay trek, as we hike up to the highest point of the journey.
After 6 kilometers of uphill trekking through the magnificent Rocky Mountains, with stunning views of Mount Salkantay, we’ll reach the summit. From here, we’ll take in spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains, including the imposing snow-capped peak of Salkantay (6,264 meters above sea level), the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region.
After two hours of downhill hiking, we’ll arrive at Huayracmachay around 1:00 PM, where we’ll enjoy a delicious Peruvian lunch. Following lunch, we’ll continue our hike for about 3 more hours of downhill walking, arriving at our campsite in Chaullay (2,900 meters above sea level). Here, you’ll spend the night in cozy and unique Indian huts.
Around 6:00 PM, we’ll have a well-deserved dinner to help recover from the day’s trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Indian Huts
Maximum Altitude: 4,650 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,920 meters above sea level
Distance Travelled: 20 km to Chaullay
DAY 6 – CHAULLAY | COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – AGUAS CALIENTES
From Mist to Jungle: Exploring the Santa Teresa Valley and Aguas Calientes
At 6:00 AM, we’ll begin our trek to the small town of La Playa, passing through the lush Santa Teresa Valley. During today’s 6-hour hike, you’ll be immersed in vibrant landscapes filled with rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, and plantations of coffee, bananas, and avocados. You’ll also have the chance to taste the famous passion fruit and granadilla along the way!
We’ll pass through the village of Colpapampa, also known as the “brow of the cloud forest,” where we can observe waterfalls, a variety of birds, hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, and diverse flora and fauna. If we’re lucky, we might even spot the beautiful “Cock of the Rocks,” the national bird of Peru.
After a hearty lunch in La Playa, we’ll take a 1.5-hour drive to Hidroelectrica. From there, we’ll walk for 10 kilometers along the railway tracks, which takes about 3 hours, until we reach Aguas Calientes.
In the evening, we’ll check into a hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
DAY 7 – THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY – MACHU PICCHU!
Meeting Machu Picchu: A Journey to the Heart of the Inca Civilization
Activity Overview:
- Touring: Easy
- Hike: Strenuous
- Activity Length: 2-3 hours strenuous hike
- Machu Picchu Elevation: 7,972 feet
Today’s Highlights:
Your excitement will build as we hike early in the morning through the forest, aiming to reach Machu Picchu before most tourists – even before the Inca Trail trekkers! You’ll have ample time to explore this incredible World Wonder while enjoying the beautiful sunrise from a once-in-a-lifetime viewpoint.
Your group will then embark on a two-hour guided tour of the ruins, learning about this mystical site’s fascinating history. Afterward, you have the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (if you’ve pre-booked tickets). Be sure to ask about availability!
The Journey to Machu Picchu:
Today marks the long-awaited finale of our trek: Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site! After a restful night at our hostel, we’ll wake up early to beat the crowds and experience the serenity of Machu Picchu in the soft morning light.
The Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint is open from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We will hike up to the site (a bus ride is available for an additional $12) and enter the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas. Here, we’ll have a 2-hour guided tour, visiting temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, the industrial sector, and the farming fields.
You’ll be amazed by the engineering ingenuity of the Incas, who managed to build this city without modern tools or steel, organizing it in a sustainable and beautiful way on the side of a mountain. The city’s canals brought water through its streets for the people to use, and despite the lack of modern technology, their work remains a mystery to this day.
When a Peruvian guide first showed Machu Picchu to Hiram Bingham, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in thick vegetation and in a state of disrepair. Since then, the site has been cleaned, restored, and is now protected and treasured by people around the world.
Optional Hikes:
After the tour, you can choose to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an additional $60 USD per mountain (be sure to book your tickets in advance). Each hike takes approximately 3 hours round-trip.
You’ll have 3 hours to explore the magical city of Machu Picchu before hiking back down to Aguas Calientes for your train ride at 4:22 PM or 6:20 PM (subject to availability). Our private minivan will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. After the day’s adventure, rest your feet and body, but we can assure you that your heart will continue to soar for weeks, even years, to come!
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain:
- $60 USD per mountain
- Be sure to check availability and book in advance.
Day 8 – Free Morning in Cusco
Explore Cusco at Your Leisure: Souvenirs, City Visits, and Transfer to Lima
Free morning in cusco to by suvenir sor visit the city.
We Will tranport to the airport to fly back to lima
Night Hotel
Day 9 – Return to Lima
Departure from Cusco: Transfer to the Airport and Flight Back to Lima
Transport form your hotel to the airport.
Start Planning Your Dream Trip
Inclusions & Rates
Every journey we create is uniquely crafted around your preferences, interests, and travel style. Because of this personalized approach, pricing can vary depending on factors like the number of travelers, the type of accommodations you prefer, the experiences you choose to include, and more.
Our expert travel designers will build a custom itinerary just for you. If you have a specific budget in mind, feel free to share it with us — we’ll tailor the experience to make the most of it without compromising on quality or authenticity.
Included
- 6 nights of accommodation in stated hotels
- 2 nights luxury camping.
- Breakfast at all hotels
- Tours as stated in the itinerary with English speaking guides
- Transfers and entrance fees
Not included
- Airfare
- Lunches and dinners (unless otherwise specified)
- Airport taxes
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Prices
Price per person
- Double — USD 3,709
- Single — USD 5,189
What Is Included in Salkantay Trek :
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to mollepata (starting point of the trek)
- Domes: 2 people ,Huts 2 people.
- One sleeping pad per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen .
- English speaking professional and official tourist guide
- 1 night accomodation in Aguas Calientes-Hotel
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3
- Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 7 kg per person days 1 to 3
Not included
- Drinking water,you can buy the whole trip or you can bring filters.
Recommendations
- Original passport and Student Card from your University.
- Insurance card is essential.
- Hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
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- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Sleeping bag.
- Warm jack.
- Hat and gloves.
- T-shirts.
- Comfortable trousers.
- Rain pants.
- Sun hat, Bathing suit (for hot springs in santa teresa and Aguas Calientes)
- Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong.
- Insect Repellent 30 % deet ( for mosquitos )
- Water bottle.
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Toilet paper.
- Personal medication.
- Camera and films.
- Torch with spare batteries (flashlight)
- Extra contribution suggested money for tipping porters, cook and guide. and for any emergency (300 soles)
- Walking poles .
