The Apu Salkantay Experience
A legendary trek over the flanks of sacred Salkantay — from snow passes to cloud forest — winding through wild Andes all the way to the gates of Machu Picchu.
Your journey, stop by stop
A day to remember
Welcome to Lima
Arrival in Lima
Welcome to Peru! Touch down in the capital and transfer to your hotel to settle in.
🍽️ No meals included
Lima city tour & Museo Larco
Miraflores & San Isidro
Set out along the Pacific cliffs, taking in Lima's smart seaside districts and the wide ocean views.
Huaca Pucllana
Pause at the great pre-Inca adobe pyramid, a ceremonial temple that has survived the city growing up around it.
Colonial old town
Explore the UNESCO historic centre — the Plaza Mayor, Government Palace and Cathedral — then the Santo Domingo convent that guards the relics of Peru's saints.
Museo Larco
Finish at the Larco Museum and its dazzling pre-Columbian ceramics, including the famous erotic gallery, before returning to Larcomar or your hotel.
🍽️ Breakfast
Fly to Cusco & city tour
Flight to Cusco
Fly up to the imperial city (3,399 m) and transfer to your hotel to take the altitude gently before the city tour.
San Cristóbal & San Blas
Walk the picturesque hillside quarters — the San Cristóbal viewpoint, the Siete Borreguitos lane, the Sapantiana aqueduct and the artisan Plaza San Blas, down to the Plaza de Armas.
Cathedral & Qorikancha
In the afternoon, step inside the Cathedral and the Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun once sheathed in gold.
Ruins above the city
Explore the nearby Inca sites of Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
🍽️ Breakfast
Trek begins — over the Salkantay pass
Drive to Soraypampa
Set out early through Mollepata and Cruzpata to Soraypampa, the trailhead at the foot of Mount Salkantay.
Salkantay pass
Climb to the Salkantay pass beneath the great snow peak, with the Vilcabamba range unfolding on every side.
Camp at Andenes
Descend to the camp at Andenes (3,500 m) for your first night under the stars. About 18 km, 8–9 hours.
🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Down the Salkantay valley to cloud forest
Río Salkantay descent
Follow the river down through Chaullay and Collpapampa, the landscape turning lush and green with every step.
La Playa to Lucmabamba
Reach the camp at Lucmabamba (2,100 m), ringed by cloud forest and coffee plantations.
Campfire night
Watch for forest birds and wildlife, then dinner by the glow of the campfire. About 20 km, 8–9 hours.
🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Llactapata & first sight of Machu Picchu
Q'elloqasa viewpoint
Climb to the Q'elloqasa lookout for a thrilling first glimpse of Machu Picchu across the valley.
Llactapata ruins
Lunch at Llactapata and explore the little-visited Inca ruins set in the forest.
Train to Aguas Calientes
Descend to the hydroelectric station and ride the train to Aguas Calientes for the night. About 12 km, 6–7 hours.
🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Machu Picchu & back to Cusco
Guided tour of the citadel
Rise early and ride the bus up for a two-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel and its principal sectors.
Train to Cusco
Descend to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Poroy, then transfer to your hotel in Cusco to rest.
🍽️ Breakfast
Departure
Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima or onward journey.
🍽️ Breakfast
Price per person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 1500 | 1401 | 1394 |
| Tourist | 1544 | 1411 | 1403 |
| Tourist Superior | 1621 | 1468 | 1439 |
| Superior | 1753 | 1535 | 1573 |
| First Class | 1847 | 1579 | — |
| Deluxe | 2197 | 1754 | — |
| Top Deluxe | 2555 | 1907 | — |
Per person in euros, sharing, minimum 2 travellers. Flights not included. We’ll tailor a final quote to your dates.
Love the look of this one?
Send us a message and our local team will tailor The Apu Salkantay Experience to you — dates, pace and all the little details.
Find out more →