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Let me tell you, if you’re tired of the usual tours, this one is different. The folks at Apu Salkantay Trek really specialize in these hikes that go completely off-grid. They’ve planned out this truly unique itinerary. It’s so well thought out. The trek takes you to not just one, but two of the most significant Inca cities in the Cusco region. It’s pretty amazing.
This trip is a deep dive into history because you get to see both the impressive Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,006 ft) and, of course, Machu Picchu. It feels like a very special journey to get to visit them both like this. It’s not the same old thing.
A real high point of this trek is the hike to Llactapata (2,840 m / 9,317 ft). From up there, you get this absolutely insane panoramic view. I mean, you can see Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, the Machu Picchu Mountains, and the huge Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft peak). But that’s not all. The path from Llactapata actually puts you on a section of the original Inca Trail. It’s a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience.
Let me tell you, if you’re tired of the usual tours, this one is different. The folks at Apu Salkantay Trek really specialize in these hikes that go completely off-grid. They’ve planned out this truly unique itinerary. It’s so well thought out. The trek takes you to not just one, but two of the most significant Inca cities in the Cusco region. It’s pretty amazing.
This trip is a deep dive into history because you get to see both the impressive Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,006 ft) and, of course, Machu Picchu. It feels like a very special journey to get to visit them both like this. It’s not the same old thing.
A real high point of this trek is the hike to Llactapata (2,840 m / 9,317 ft). From up there, you get this absolutely insane panoramic view. I mean, you can see Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, the Machu Picchu Mountains, and the huge Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft peak). But that’s not all. The path from Llactapata actually puts you on a section of the original Inca Trail. It’s a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience.
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The adventure starts at 5 a.m., super early. But it’s worth it. A private van will pick you up from your hotel for a long drive—about four hours. We’re going to a place called Capuliyoc (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), which is right on the edge of the huge Apurimac Canyon. The views from there are just amazing.
After we meet the horsemen and get all the equipment loaded onto the horses, it’s time to start hiking. The trail goes downhill, which is a nice way to begin. It’s a three-hour walk down to a spot called Chikiska, where we’ll have lunch. Then, we hike for another hour to Playa Rosalinas (1,550 m / 5,084 ft). That’s our campsite for the first night. We’ll set up camp and get ready to rest.
We get to start the day with some hot tea or coffee, which is so nice. Then, it’s time for the big climb. It’s an early ascent, about four hours long. We’ll be hiking up to Santa Rosa (2,100 m / 6,889 ft) and then to Maranpata (2,850 m / 9,350 ft) where we’ll have lunch. The views during this part of the hike are incredible, you can already get a stunning glimpse of the ruins in the distance. It’s a lot of work, but the reward is so worth it.
After lunch, we just have a two-hour hike left. That takes us straight to the Choquequirao Archaeological site (3,110 m / 10,120 ft) itself. Once we get there, it’s all set up for us. Tents are ready, and there are even drinks and appetizers waiting. You get to just relax for the rest of the evening. It’s a perfect end to a tough hiking day.
This morning is all about Choquequirao (3,110 m / 10,120 ft). We get to spend some serious time exploring the archaeological site, which is great because there’s so much to see. After that, we take a nice, long rest before we have lunch. In the afternoon, it’s time to get going again. We hike for about two hours over a ridge to get to this other cool spot called Pinchiunuyoc (2,487 m / 8,159 ft). That’s where we’ll set up camp for the night. It’s a pretty fascinating place, so I’m excited to see it.
Today, after breakfast, we start with a two-hour hike. It’s all downhill, which is a nice break. We’ll go all the way down to the Rio Blanco canyon (1,990 m / 6,527 ft). Lunch will be waiting for us down there. We get to rest for a bit, but then, the real work starts. It’s a challenging climb, about three to four hours long, all the way up to our campsite in Maizal (3,000 m / 9,842 ft). I’m a little worried about that part, but the views should be worth it.
We’ll be up and ready to go by 7 a.m. today. The hike starts with a three-hour climb through a sub-tropical jungle, which sounds pretty cool, right? We’re heading to the Victoria Mines (3,960 m / 12,992 ft), where we’ll get to check out the old mines and some Inca ruins. It’s a bit of history, you know? After that, it’s another hour of hiking up to the Victoria Pass (4,130 m / 13,546 ft). I bet the views from there are just stunning.
From the pass, we get to go downhill for about two hours. We’re heading for the village of Yanama (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). Then we’ll travel to Lucmabamba (2,050 m / 6,725 ft), where we’ll set up camp. I’m excited for this part because the trip is supposed to have some amazing views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls. A perfect way to end a day of hiking.
This is the morning we’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast, we get to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) to see the sun come up over the ruins. I can only imagine how incredible that’s going to be. Then, the guide will give us a tour, about two hours long, showing us all the important parts of the citadel. After the tour, anyone who booked an extra hike, like up Huayna Picchu, will get to do that on their own.
When we’re done exploring, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,692 ft). Lunch isn’t included on the last day, so we’ll need to grab something. Depending on when our train leaves, we might have time to look at some shops, or go to the museum. We’ll be on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, leaving at either 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m. Then a private car will be waiting to take us the rest of the way back to our hotel in Cusco, and we should get there by 7:00 p.m.
Just a heads-up: You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for an extra $67 USD. It has a few more departure times, like 2:55 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 4:22 p.m., or 4:43 p.m. If you need to leave earlier than those times, you’ll have to ask when you first book.
Important Notes:
| Number of persons | Price per person | |
| 1 | $600.00 | Inquire Now |
| Number of persons | Price per person | |
| 2 Persons | $ USD 850.00 | Inquire Now |
| 3 Persons | $ USD 800.00 | Inquire Now |
| 4 Persons | $ USD 750.00 | Inquire Now |
| 5 Persons | $ USD 700.00 | Inquire Now |
| 6 Persons | $ USD 650.00 | Inquire Now |
| 7 Persons or more | $ USD 620.00 | Inquire Now |
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Welcome to Apu Salkantay Trek, your premier travel partner in the heart of Cusco! Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of this ancient city, we are dedicated to creating unforgettable travel experiences for adventurers, history enthusiasts, and wanderers alike.
Established with a passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for the wonders of Cusco, Apu Salkantay Trek was born out of a desire to share the magic of this extraordinary destination with the world. With years of experience and a team of dedicated travel experts, we have curated a selection of immersive journeys that capture the essence of Cusco’s charm and allure.
