Ultimate Classic Salkantay Trek in Peru

Briefing: The night before your Salkantay trek you’ll come to the 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 the 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: Our team 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 3-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’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 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: 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.

Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast we will supply all the water needed. You need to bring your 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: We conduct mandatory training sessions every February, which every tour guide must attend. Your 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: Our team 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: Our team's 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.

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 us. 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.

Our team 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.

Food

Our 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.

Accommodation

Glass Cabanas – On your first night you will enjoy our glass cabanas, staring up into the nights sky. These lodges have privacy and real beds with oversized windows staring up to the sky. This is a great way to get ready for your first day of hiking the next day.

Camping above the clouds – Your second night will be spent in a spacious tent, 3800 meters above sea level. You will have amazing views of our snow capped peaks, but bundle up as it will be cold this night.

Salkantayshire – Our hobbit inspired houses créate the perfect shire to unwind in. Plus they include hot jacuzzis to relax your muscles. This campsite also has phone charging areas, beautiful views and a hot shower.

Camping at Llactapata – Head back inside a tent at this campsite with the most spectacular views…overlooking Machu Picchu. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, allowing you to see sun set and sun rise over the ruins.

A night at a Hotel – finally you will get the chance to have real life plumbing and another hot shower when you spend the night in a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu.

Essentials:

Passport

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 bag:
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
Hand sanitizer
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and paste
Toilet paper
Personal medication
First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.

Inside your daypack:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility.

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

Passport Requirements:

Please know that if you are booking with a passport that is set to expire within 6 months of your planned entry date to Peru, you will be required to renew your passport before coming to Peru. Peru authorities will not grant you entry to the country otherwise.

If you are booking your trek with us, and this is your case, please know you will be able to book with us to secure your Inca Trail permits and tickets to Machu Picchu. However, you will be required to renew your passport and update your passport details with us prior to your trip to Peru. Failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of your reserved permits, and tickets to Machu Picchu.

"We just completed the Inca Trail with the team and Jose and Umberto and it was the most amazing experience of our lives. They treat their porters very well - quality clothing, equipment, and pay. Jose shared his passion and love of Peru, the Incas, the local food and people, and his 'Green Team". I couldn't recommend this group more highly."

- Judy Anne Herson, September 20, 2021

"A group of 6 of us did the 4D/3N Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Juan Carlos H., our tour guide, was the BEST!! He got us through the tough climbs and taught us so much about the Inca culture! I would consider this a 5 star luxury expedition ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Everything was so well organized and the accommodations were superb! The porters work so hard to make you comfortable at camp and our chef Sergio made us the best meals 😋 Fun was had by all of us and I would highly recommend choosing this team if you’re considering this hike!"

- Kristin Campbell - August 15, 2021

Cancellation Policy for Treks and Small Tours

Notification of cancellation must be made in writing to info@activretreats.com. If you wish to cancel within eight weeks of your tour start date, further payment is needed as follows:

If you cancel eight weeks or more days before departure: Cancellation fees equal the amount of your deposit.

Eight to four weeks before departure: 60 percent of the total tour price is due.
Four weeks to five days before departure: 80 percent of the total tour price is due.
Five days to 36 hours: 90 percent of the total tour price is due.
36 hours or less before departure: 100 percent of the total price is due.

We charge these fees because there are a great deal of expenses that we pay to set up these tours. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions. We would be happy to supply a letter for your insurance company to help recover some of the cost.

Non-Refundable, Non-Transferable Deposit

There is a $200 deposit, per person, needed to book any trek or overnight, short tour with us. For all full itineraries which include hotels (5 days or more), the needed deposit is $400 per person. The deposit can be made through PayPal, which will incur a 5.5% PayPal merchant fee paid by the traveler, or by wire to Bank of America or Citibank (for free if you are a fellow account holder). Please notify us if paying by wire transfer. All deposits are fully non-refundable and non-transferable. In the event that you need to cancel your trip, cancellation fees will be assessed as outlined below under our cancellation policy. If canceling, you may not transfer your deposit to another person’s trek.

Final Payment Terms

The remaining balance will be due in our office in Cusco at least 2 days before your tour start date. However, it can also be paid in advance through PayPal with a 5.5 percent merchant fee paid by the traveler, or by wire to Bank of America or Citibank (for free if you are a fellow account holder). Please notify us if paying by wire transfer. In our office we accept both U.S. and Peruvian currency of any denomination. We do not accept any torn bills. If you are not arriving to Cusco 2 days before your tour begins, please arrange your payment with the team before your arrival.

Important notes:

November through February: Rainy Season

March through October: Dry Season

May through September: High Season

January: Permits for the next years Inca Trail released

February: Inca Trail closed for Maintenance

June 21st: Winter Solstice/Inti Raymi (Biggest Festival in Cusco)

December: We bring our Porters to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail permits are 100 percent non-refundable and non-transferable. Permits are issued in the name and with the passport number of the trekker and cannot be transferred to anyone else, under any circumstances.

Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date. Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.

Weather:

Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, make 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. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.