Salkantay & Rainbow Mountain
THE ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
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Salkantay & Rainbow Mountain
The alternative trail to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trekking tour guides you through spectacular Andean landscapes, on route to the Machu Picchu Inca citadel high in the clouds. Add in visits to the Inca capital of Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and the breath-taking Rainbow Mountain, and you can count on a truly unforgettable experience!
- Trek the famous Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu, considered by many to be more spectacular than the traditional Inca Trail, and with fewer tourists.
- Discover Machu Picchu ruins, lost citadel of the Incas, with a private guide.
- Learn the incredible past history of Cusco city, ancient capital city of the Incas.
- Admire the breath-taking scenery of” Rainbow Mountain” on a day trip from Cusco.
- Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including local markets & Inca ruins.
Salkantay & Rainbow Mountain
Itineraries and pricing (per person) 2024
- Number of Passengers Standard Comfortable
- 2 Passengers $1820$2135
- 3 Passengers $1750$2070
- 4 Passengers $1740$2040
Itinerary
- DAY 1 Welcome to Lima – Arrival to the hotel inside the airport.
- DAY 2 Early flight to Cusco. Cusco city tour including: Koricancha (Sun Temple), Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman Ruins, Amphitheatre of Kenko, Puca & Tambomachay.
- DAY 3 Sacred Valley day tour including: Awana Kancha, Pisaq Market & ruins, Ollantaytambo ruins, Temple of the Sun, Terrace of the Ten Niches.
- DAY 4 Four-hour drive to Mollepata village. Begin the Salkatay Trek along an 18 km route through the Salkantay & Vilcababamba mountain ranges, enjoying amazing panoramas and with luck we may spot condors. Night camp at the clearing of Andenes.
- DAY 5 A full day of spectacular trekking begins with an impressive 20 km hike to the Salkantay Pass, then to the Santa Teresa River and small community of Collpapampa, and finally to La Playa and Lucmabamba where we rest for the night.
- DAY 6 A 4-hour trek (12 km) takes you to the Inca ruins of Llactapata, an iconic ancient site of Peru. Then walk down a mountain trail to a nearby hydroelectric for lunch, and board the train to Aguas Calientes and hotel lodging.
- DAY 7 A two-hour trek up to Machu Picchu ruins, and a guided tour of all of the principal sites. Optionally you may also opt to then climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu (at extra cost). Departing back down to Aguas Calientes you take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and bus to Cusco.
- DAY 8 Visit famous Vinicuna, also known as “Rainbow Mountain”. Climb up to observe the colorful landscape, magnificent scenery, and endless photo opportunities. Return to your hotel in Cusco.
- DAY 9 Morning transfer to the airport in Cusco.
Itinerary
- DAY 1 Welcome to Lima – Arrival to the hotel inside the airport.
- DAY 2 Early flight to Cusco. Cusco city tour including: Koricancha (Sun Temple), Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman Ruins, Amphitheatre of Kenko, Puca & Tambomachay.
- DAY 3 Sacred Valley day tour including: Awana Kancha, Pisaq Market & ruins, Ollantaytambo ruins, Temple of the Sun, Terrace of the Ten Niches.
- DAY 4 Four-hour drive to Mollepata village. Begin the Salkatay Trek along an 18 km route through the Salkantay & Vilcababamba mountain ranges, enjoying amazing panoramas and with luck we may spot condors. Night camp at the clearing of Andenes.
- DAY 5 A full day of spectacular trekking begins with an impressive 20 km hike to the Salkantay Pass, then to the Santa Teresa River and small community of Collpapampa, and finally to La Playa and Lucmabamba where we rest for the night.
- DAY 6 A 4-hour trek (12 km) takes you to the Inca ruins of Llactapata, an iconic ancient site of Peru. Then walk down a mountain trail to a nearby hydroelectric for lunch, and board the train to Aguas Calientes and hotel lodging.
- DAY 7 A two-hour trek up to Machu Picchu ruins, and a guided tour of all of the principal sites. Optionally you may also opt to then climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu (at extra cost). Departing back down to Aguas Calientes you take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and bus to Cusco.
- DAY 8 Visit famous Vinicuna, also known as “Rainbow Mountain”. Climb up to observe the colorful landscape, magnificent scenery, and endless photo opportunities. Return to your hotel in Cusco.
- DAY 9 Morning transfer to the airport in Cusco.
Tour Specifications
Inclusions
- Accommodation based on SINGLE or DOUBLE in the selected hotel category
- Train ticket Machu Picchu – Ollanta (or Poroy) in Expedition class (Regular) / Vistadome class (Comfort).
- Entrance fees to the sites noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted (B: breakfast, BoxedL: boxed lunch, L: lunch, D: dinner)
- All necessary camping equipment for Salkantay Trek, except for sleeping bag
- Mule to carry personal luggage (up to 5kg per person)
Exclusions
- International flights
- Domestic flights (Lima-Cusco-Lima approx. $295)
- Tips (for guides, drivers, waiters, luggage porters)
- Sleeping bag for Salkantay Trek
- Beverages during meals (unless specified in the itinerary)
- Single supplement ($350 Regular / $680 Comfort)
- Optional Wayna Picchu entrance fee & return bus tickets Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu (approx. $70)
- Wayna Picchu entry fee : $115
- Optional 2nd visit Machu Picchu entry fee: $100
Tour Dates
- This tour is available to start on any day throughout the year.
- Prices may increase for holidays or special events (for example Easter Week, National Holidays on July 28th and 29th, Inti Raymi, Christmas & New Year)
About Peru Tour Itineraries
- This Peru tour can be customized to your personal needs – just let our sales team know which changes you would like to make, and they will be happy to help!
Important information
Perurail baggage allowance restrictions
- PeruRail only allows 1-piece of hand baggage per person, up to a maximum of 5 kg (11 pounds) and a total linear dimension of 157 cm (62 inches). No larger bags will be accepted.
Train & entrance fees for machu picchu
- The restriction of daily visitor numbers to Machu Picchu makes it important to purchase tickets well in advance. We recommend that bookings are made at least 40 days prior to arrival to Peru.
- Train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance fees are non-refundable in event of tour cancellation.
Machu picchu
- Daily visitor numbers to Machu Picchu are restricted to max. 2,500 people.
- Machu Picchu opening hours: O6:00 am to 17:00 pm.
- There are 9 hourly slots (between 6:00 and 14:00 hrs) for entrance to Machu Picchu. For each slot, a limited amount of entrance tickets will be sold. Visitors can enter during or after their assigned slot, but not BEFORE the indicated time.
- The entrance fee entitles travelers a visit of max. 4 hours in Machu Picchu, or 7 hours if combining the visit to Machu Picchu with Wayna Picchu.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leave from 05:30 am, and at 10 minute intervals throughout the day.
- Large bags and food are not allowed into the citadel. Luggage storage is available near the entrance (at additional cost).
- Walking poles are only allowed for handicapped or elderly people.
- To enter Machu Picchu all visitors must show their printed e-ticket and passport. You may get a special Machu Picchu stamp in your passport if you wish.
- Our tips for an optional second visit to Machu Picchu: Hike to the sun gate ‘Inti Punku’ on your own (included in the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, duration approx. 2-hour roundtrip) or trek to Wayna Picchu peak (see below).
Wayna Picchu
- Daily visitor numbers to Wayna Picchu are restricted to max. 400 people.
- The entrance ticket must be bought in advance(recommended at least 60 days), together with your Machu Picchu ticket. The fee is S/150 Peruvian Soles (subject to change).
- Two entrance times are available: 07:00 am, 10:00 am.
- Be prepared for a steep hike, of aprox 3 hours (round-trip). Those with a fear of heights should NOT take this excursion.
- The narrow trail can be quite dangerous at times, especially after wet weather.
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