DESCRIPTION:

Perched dramatically 1,000 feet above the valley, Machu Picchu appears magically from the verdant, jungle-clad peaks and steep, terraced slopes that fall into the valley below. Machu Picchu will take your breath away at first sight, as you emerge from the lush beauty of the Salkantay Trail. While a number of trails to the heart of the once-mighty Inca Empire, this trail offers adventurous trekkers close-up views of towering snow-clad peaks, travel through exotic vegetation, insights into the age-old culture and traditions of local Andean families, and the welcome comforts of a cozy mountain lodge after each day’s hike.

 

The Salkantay Trail is an ancient and remote footpath, in the same region as the Inca Trail, where massive snow-capped mountains collide with lush tropical rainforests. However, the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu offers more spectacular vistas coupled with a quieter, less trodden route than the Inca Trail, allowing for the solitude and quiet contemplation that such a sacred path deserves. Named among the “25 Best Treks in the World” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, this trail also offers more elevation change, greater variety of habitat, hot springs, and more contact with the indigenous Quechua people.

 

Four days of hiking range from easy to challenging, with the highest elevation at 15,000 feet. While the days are full, the hiking takes 3-6 hours a day. Horses carry the gear for the first four days; porters are used for the final leg of the trek. This is a unique opportunity to experience the essence of adventure within the realm of creature comforts. The lodges along the trail each offer private rooms with private baths, hot water, cozy reading rooms, fireplaces, outdoor Jacuzzi, central heating, and Peruvian or international cuisine.

 

Spend time meandering through the beautiful cobbled streets of Cusco, and exploring the splendid Sacred Valley, the heartland of the ancient Inca Empire. Cusco represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and walking the streets one sees the layers of history; Spanish colonial buildings built directly atop Inca walls lining the square.

 

Enjoy an in-depth pilgrimage to the breathtaking and magical Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Although T.S. Eliot aptly said the “the journey, not the arrival matters,” likely he had never emerged from the jungle after a rewarding trek to gaze upon the grandeur and mystery of Machu Picchu. Explore the staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, and fountains of this mystical place. Witness the picture postcard view from the top of Funerary Rock, and take your time to wander and appreciate the magic of the site and the ingenuity of its builders, which is truly unforgettable.

 

CONSIDER:

This is an active, physical program.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Optional extensions to Lake Titicaca or the Amazon allow for more in-depth discovery of the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of Peru.