Ultimate Classic Salkantay Trek

Inclusions

Included

• Briefing:The night before your Salkantay trek you’ll come to Andean Land Expeditions’ office for your briefing. You’ll receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike. Your bag cannot exceed 7 kg/14 lbs. and needs to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
• Professional Guides:All of Andean Land Expeditions’ guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to teaching others about their heritage. They’re fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and happy.
• Porters:Andean Land Expeditions provides a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You’ll not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at your evening campsite.
• Hotel:The alternative treks all end in or before Aguas Calientes. Your last night will be in a hotel in the village instead of camping. Your 2-star hotel is included in the trek cost and based on a shared room. If you would like to upgrade your hotel or prefer a single room there’ll be an additional cost.
• Transportation:You’ll have transportation included in this trek. You’ll be picked up at 3 p.m. from your hotel or our office. Then you’ll meet your Andean Land Expeditions trekking team. From here we’ll head in our private van for a 3.5-hour drive to the Glass Cabañas in Soraypampa located at 3,800 meters above sea level. Also included will be the Expedition Train from Aguas Calientes. You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Additionally, your round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will be included.
• Equipment:Andean Land Expeditions has the best equipment. We use Eureka Timberline 4 tents that are shared by only two people. You’ll also have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals in.
• Food:The Andean Land Expeditions chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have loved. We honor all food restrictions so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form. You can also inform your guide at your briefing. Food is typically all served family-style.
  You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for the trek along with a happy hour of tea, coffee and snacks. A snack will be provided each morning for you to enjoy along the hike. Your last meal with your chef will be after breakfast on day four. *Lunch on the last day is not included.
• Water:Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast Andean Land Expeditions will supply all the water needed. You need to bring your own water bottles and or camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L worth of water. You’ll be able to refill your water at each meal.
• First Aid:Every Andean Land Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February, which every Andean Land tour guide must attend. Your Andean Land Expeditions tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We’ll get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible if needed and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
• Extras:Andean Land Expeditions believes it’s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. 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. We work VERY hard to ensure you have a once in a lifetime amazing trip to our country.
• Satellite Phones:Andean Land Expeditions’ top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with issues clients may have on the mountain, we also ensure you are never more than a phone call away from any doctor, hospital or friend. We have satellite phones on all treks. These can be used by our clients for non-emergencies in case you need to check in at home.

Not Included

• Rentals:Every Andean Land Expeditions’ trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:
  Sleeping Bag: $25
  Inflatable Air Mattress: $20
  Walking Sticks (Pair): $20
• Huayna Picchu:Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45 minute hike to the top. Be warned that going back down is quite steep. So, if you are scared of heights this may not be a trek you’ll enjoy. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu and there is an additional fee of $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
• Day packs:Day packs aren’t provided by Andean Land Expeditions. You must bring your own. Be sure you don’t bring anything too large, as you don’t want it to be too heavy while you’re trekking. Plus, Machu Picchu will not allow you to bring in a bag larger than 25L. If you have a large backpack it will need to be stored before your tour. Only essentials are needed while trekking. That includes water, snacks, camera, sunhat, warm layers, waterproof rain layers, insect spray, sunscreen and a first-aid kit.
• Headlamps:It’s strongly encouraged to bring a headlamp for your night camping. There’ll be no lights at the camping sites and it’s hard to get to your dining tent or your bathroom tent without one. Flashlights are acceptable if you don’t have a headlamp, but they make some tasks more difficult as you won’t have your hands free.
• Flights:Flying to Cusco can be tricky. Delays occur often and it’s not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Please be sure to arrive in the city at least two days before your trek start date. LAN Peru is the most reliable of the airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are acceptable companies as well. You will not return from your trek until around 8 p.m. on the last day. Be sure your flight is not until the next day when leaving Cusco.
• Gratuities:Tipping is always appreciated and should be based completely on your satisfaction. Although tipping may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who’ll take care of you during your travels.
• Travel Insurance:This is not required but always recommended. For those of you who live at sea-level landing in Cusco will take an adjustment period. Most people need one or two days to adjust to the altitude. In case you have a hard time adjusting we suggest you get travel insurance to protect you financially from any missed tours.

Price

The Salkantay Trek can leave any day of the week, from March through December. We do not run this trek in January or February.

Group Tour

• $650 per person

A group tour means that it is open for other trekkers to join you. This means that your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. All our guides are experts on how to keep the trek moving and happy no matter how fast you hike.

Private Tour

Private tours are available and priced by party size.

2 Trekkers: $980 per person
3 Trekkers: $925 per person
4 Trekkers: $870 per person
5 Trekkers: $815 per person
6 Trekkers: $760 per person
7 Trekkers: $705 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $650 per person

* All our tours are priced in US Dollar.

Student Discount

• $25 off per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using an university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to sales@andeanlandexpeditions.com.

More Information about STUDENT CARD

Hotel

The alternative treks all end in, or before Aguas Calientes. The last night is spent at a hotel in the village, rather than camping. This 2 star hotel is included in the trek cost, and is based on a shared room. If you would like to upgrade your hotel, or prefer a single room, there will be an additional cost.

Additional Items

There are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.

Huayna Picchu: $75 per person
Montana: $75 per person
Vistadome Train (one way): $75 per person

Travel Info

Briefings

All briefings are done at our office at 6:30p.m. the night before your trek. If you are unable to make this time you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Andean Land Expeditions office team. Briefings are approximately 30 to 45 minutes long. This is where you’ll receive your duffel bags.
* 2D/1N Inca Trail Trek with HOTEL does not include a briefing. Our office staff will review all details at your check-in time.

Duffle Bags

You will receive your duffel bag at your briefing. These bags will be carried by the porters and returned to you at each campsite. They measure 66 cm long X 36 cm wide/2ft long X 1ft wide.

Every duffel has a maximum weight of 7kg. 4kg will be for your clothes and other personal items. The final 3kg will be for our logistics such as your sleeping bag and pad.

Pick Ups

Andean Land Expeditions is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco City, we’ll coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Very small hotels and Air BNBs are often located on streets that cars cannot pass through. They’re also often located up on the hillside with long steep climbs to the property which is difficult to maneuver with luggage. We highly recommend that you do not stay at one of these places. We have a list of hotels that are all lovely and easy to pick up from.

Some treks will allow for pickups in the Sacred Valley, which is outlined below.

The following chart refers to possible locations we can pick you up from when beginning the tour.

Returning to Cusco

Leaving Machu Picchu requires a lot of logistics, which are all included in your tour.

• From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, you will take a 25 minute bus down to the village. Buses are first come first serve and run all day.
• You’ll take a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Your guide will give you your train tickets with train time. Make sure you get to the platform 30 minutes ahead of time.
  * Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo is 2 hours
  * Train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy is 3.5 hours
• Once you arrive at the train station look for a gentleman wearing green with an Andean Land Expeditions sign. He’ll then drive you to San Francisco square, Cusco.
  * Van ride from Ollantaytambo to nearby San Francisco square is 2 hours
  * Van ride from Poroy to nearby San Francisco square is 30 minutes
• Once you arrive near San Francisco square, you will be separated into different pre-paid taxis and driven back to your hotel.

Machu Picchu Entrance Times

Machu Picchu has two different time windows to visit: either morning or afternoon. Your entrance ticket will only a morning session option. When your time window is over the Rangers will ask you to leave.

MORNING SESSION: 6AM – 12PM
AFTERNOON SESSION: 12PM – 5:30PM

** If you have tickets to hike either Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you’ll have some extra time until 2:30PM.

If you would like to spend the whole day at Machu Picchu, we can add an afternoon session ticket to your booking for $50 per person.

Huaynapicchu / Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu is most beautiful when seen from above, which is why hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular to do after your guided walking tour.

Huaynapicchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance; 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 dictating when you can START this hike. The 1st session is from 7 to 8 a.m. and the 2nd session is from 10 to 11 a.m. Again, this refers to when you can begin your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. This hike is done on your own, but your tour guide will show you where to begin.

Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and a bit less popular. It takes 1.5 hours to the top and another 1.5 hours to the bottom. Again, there are two time windows – from 7 to 8 a.m. and 9 to 10 a.m. and we normally purchase the second time window. 4 Day and 7 Day Inca Trail Trekkers CANNOT do this hike and enjoy a tour of the ruins. Time will not allow for this.

Hiking either mountain will allow you to have some extra time at the ruins once you complete your hike, as listed above.

Health Concerns

It’s important that you are honest with your guide about any health concerns you may suffer from. While guides are not medical professionals, they’re trained in First Aid. Andean Land Expeditions also works with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.

You’re responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. Andean Land Expeditions will not provide medical advice. It’s your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.

If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking and you wish to still visit Machu Picchu. We’ll work with you to coordinate this trip by train. This will be a new trip and may require additional fees. We’ll use as many of the purchased logistics from the original tour to keep fees low.

If you experience issues while hiking and cannot continue, a Andean Land Expeditions’ porter will accompany you to the closest road. They’ll also wait while a car comes to pick you up to bring you to the nearest health clinic.

Group Tours

Group tours are for all different types of people with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you must understand that some people might be slower or faster than you. Everyone can make their own pace for the trek and the guide will work through the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour and the Andean Land Expedition guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.

Strikes

Unfortunately strikes are very common in Peru and can cause a lot of disruption to our Tours. Roads are often blocked as well as trains stopped. Andean Land Expeditions does everything possible to operate your Tour including leaving the night before your start date. Tours may need to be cancelled under these circumstances. Andean Land Expeditions’ Operation Department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.

Lost Items

You’re responsible for your personal items throughout the trek. Please be diligent about where you leave your things. Always remember to remove all items from our vans, tents, restaurant etc. Don’t leave anything unintended while hiking. Other trekkers or teams may pick it up not knowing who it belongs to.

Tips

Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While Andean Land Expeditions pays very good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.

Typically, the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below. For the guide this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with the guide. This is done personally and not as a group together. Porters and Chef prefer soles if possible. Your guide is happy with US dollars, soles, or even your credit card.

* These numbers refer to what each member of the Green Machine should receive after the group pools their money. This is just a reference guide.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is inexpensive and Andean Land Expeditions strongly recommends it. These trips are planned months ahead of time and you can never predict what’ll happen. Adventure traveling includes more risk than your normal trip. Insurance is a way to protect the investment you’ve made on this amazing journey. We can help to recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.

Weather

Of course, weather is unpredictable. Typically, the dry season in Cusco is from April through October. However, this doesn’t stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December. The best plan is to just be prepared. No matter what month you’re doing the trek please be sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also prepare for four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you’ll need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key as they’re easy to adjust to the different temperatures. And evenings will always be cold so please be prepared with a warm winter weight jacket.
It’s also important to note that weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable and Andean Land Expeditions’ guides will be forced to rework the itinerary for your safety.

Altitude

As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get oxygen. Over several days at high altitude your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time that’s even better. Cusco is an amazing city with a lot to do so you won’t be bored.

With altitude sickness you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe please contact Andean Land Expeditions’ office and we’ll help you get to a doctor.

Most of the time these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids which helps bring oxygen into your blood therefore helping your body avoid altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They’ll cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Going slowly will give your body time to adjust to the mountain.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

You must remember that this is your holiday and you don’t want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick. Do everything slowly, drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick let your guide know right away. All Andean Land Expeditions guides are trained in how to help you get through it.

Getting to Cusco

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights. All international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco it tends to be difficult to land and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic. Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long especially from Lima. The buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.

Packing list

ESSENTIALS

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs