Accommodation

• Tent: 2 people in a 4-person tent, allowing for greater comfort and backpack storage along the Salkantay Inca Trail.
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can rent you an inflatable mattress. See Optional Extras & Upgrades below.
• Toilet tent 

Meals

• Cook and cooking equipment, plus assistants for larger groups.
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs, and kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Meals as indicated in the Salkantay Inca Trail itinerary. Our professional cooks prepare a combination of traditional Peruvian and Western cuisine. Talk to your Travel Consultant during the booking process if you have certain preferences! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. When served, salads are washed in boiled water.
• Boiled water provided for drinking water on the trail (which you can carry in your own reusable water bottle)
• Bottled water provided during the drive to the trailhead on the first day
• Lunch on the last day.

Trekking Team

• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 8
• Mules and Muleteers (first 2 days) and Porters (last 4 days), who carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7kg / 15 lbs per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire a personal porter or muleteer. Please contact us for costs.
• Tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for our staff to sleep in, plus a budget for their meals

Transport

• Collection from your hotel on the morning of your Inca Trail Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu departure
• Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead and return at the end of the trek
• Bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Safety

• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if you are a little slower ONLY for first 2 days

Additional inclusions

• Pre-trek briefing
• Inca Trail Permit (includes entry to Machu Picchu)

Meals

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Dinner on the last night of your Salkantay Inca Trail trek.

Equipment

• Sleeping bags. Available for rent if you don’t have one with you. Sleeping bags good to at least -15˚C are recommended.
• Camping pillows. Available for rent if you don’t have one with you.

Optional Activities

• Entrance to the Aguas Calientes hot springs
• Entry to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.

Other

• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Flights to/from Cusco
• Travel Insurance

We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.

Equipment Available for Rent

• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5˚C (1.8kg)
• Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -15˚C (2.7kg)
• Camping pillow (0.27kg)
• Light-weight aluminium walking stick. Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes. 

Service Upgrades

• Porter/mules to carry your own things beyond the allowed 7kg / 15 lbs
• Single-occupancy tent supplement
• Comfort Camping Upgrade (only available on first 2 days of trek)
• Aguas Calientes Hotel Upgrade
• If you’d like more flexibility in your return travel to Cusco, consider a train upgrade. This upgrade must be requested at time of booking.

Optional Activities

• Extra Day at Machu Picchu
• If you’d like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain , let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.

Important!

• When calculating the cost of renting equipment, calculate using the length of the entire trip, not just the number of trekking days.
• Please be careful with rented equipment! You are responsible for the cost of replacement if something is damaged or broken.
• Any upgrades or trip extensions must be requested at the time of booking.
• All rental equipment needs to go in your personal duffel bag and counts towards the 8kg weight limit.  

See What to Pack for a Hike for our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack for your trek.

You’ll need to pack for a variety of microclimates on the 6 Day Salkantay and Inca Trail combo trek! You’ll be hiking up to some very high altitudes, surrounded by snowy peaks, but then will descend into the semi-tropical “Andean jungle”. You should pack flexible clothing options that you can layer.

The first two nights will be at very high-altitude campsites, each one over 4000m (13,780 ft). You should expect cold temperatures; during the dry season, the overnight temperature is likely to be below freezing. Be sure to bring warm, thermal under-layers, a winter hat (toque or beanie), gloves, a scarf and several pairs of warm socks.

By Day 5, it should start to warm up and you may find yourself shedding some layers! We recommend bringing a t-shirt or lightweight long-sleeve shirt for these warmer sections of trekking, as well as hiking pants that let you zip off the lower section to convert them into shorts. These convertible trekking pants are usually made of a quick-dry fabric and also feature a series of pockets which can be very handy on the trail.

As a long-distance hike, the Salkantay Inca Trail combo trek requires good quality, sturdy footwear. We think a water-resistant trekking boot with ankle support is the best option for a trek of this nature, but you can also choose to trek in hiking shoes. While hiking shoes tend to be durable enough, they lack ankle support and may only be water-resistant instead of water-proof.

For more help with what to pack, check out our blog How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.

• Students: USD $30 off, in certain circumstances. Please enquire for details about eligibility.
• Youth 12-17: 5% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
• Children 5-11 years: 15% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
• Children 0-4 years: 75% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking. Children under 4 will not count towards the total number of guests in a group, but will be charged 25% of the per person price based on final group size. For example, a group of 4 adults and one child under 4: adults will be charged the full price per person based on a group size of 4 and the child will be charged 25% of the per person price for a group of 4. Children under 3 will not be considered to occupy a seat on any train or bus, and instead must ride on a parent’s lap. Car seats, cribs and other baby needs may not be included and must be discussed in advance. For more information about travelling with infants and toddlers, please see this blog as well as the Age Requirements section of our Booking Conditions.
• 5% off the second trek, if you book two treks or two tours. 5% is discounted from the cheaper of the two treks or tours; only one trek is discounted.

All of our Salkantay Inca Trail guides are handpicked for their personality, knowledge of the hiking route and communication skills. In addition to being formally licenced guides, we provide additional frequent training at Apus Peru that includes topics like mountain rescue and high altitude first aid. Get to know our team!

As a member of an elite group of trekking agencies in Cusco, Apus Peru is one of the few agencies that put people before profit. For us, safety is paramount and we have a comprehensive risk assessment policy that covers a wide range of details, from vehicle maintenance to illness and evacuation on the trail.

Due to safety considerations, there are several treks which we will not operate during the wet season under any circumstances. This includes our 6 day Inca Trail and Salkantay combo trek.

Want to join a Salkantay Inca Trail trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone! Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!

Note: Trekkers Wanted for this trek ONLY available while Inca Trail permits last for your departure date.

General Information About trekking with Apus Peru

• Each guide has their own preferred route and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• The times cited in this Salkantay Inca trail trek itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group, and the guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.

Specific Information About Hiking the Inca Trail & Salkantay Trek 7d/6n

• The Inca Trail is not open in February
• Campsites or itinerary are subject to change, depending on the time of booking and availability of campsites. The Ministry of Culture, the government institution responsible for operating the Inca Trail, allocates campsites to authorized trekking companies on a first-come, first-served basis, and so we cannot guarantee that all campsites described in this itinerary will be available when you book.

Booking Your 7d/6n Inca Trail & Salkantay Trek

Does this trek sound like just what you were looking for? If you’re ready to book or just want to find out a bit more information, fill out the Inquiry Form in the top right-hand corner of this page to get the ball rolling. You’ll connect with someone from our amazing sales team who will be able to turn your dream of hiking in the Andes into a reality. For more information on the entire booking process, please see How to Book.

Please note the following when booking your Salkantay Inca Trail trek:

• A scanned copy of your passport and a non-refundable deposit must be provided upon booking an Inca Trail trek. This is due to government regulations which require complete passport details and full payment of the Machu Picchu entrance fee in order to issue a permit. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands.
• If your passport number changes after you book, you must tell us immediately or you may lose your booking. If the name or number on your passport is different from the name or number on your Inca Trail permit, you will not be allowed to start the trek and you will not be entitled to a refund.
• You must carry your original passport with you on the Salkantay Inca Trail.
• If you booked the Inca Trail at a student rate, you must bring your valid student card on the trail with you. If you do not present your student card, you will not be allowed to start the trek and you will not be entitled to a refund, nor given an opportunity to pay the full rate.

Travel insurance is a must! World Nomads offers travel insurance for adventure activities.

You should have breakfast in your hotel prior to departure or take snacks for the road. We will collect you early in the morning from your hotel and take private transport to the village of Mollepata (2.5 hours) where we will have breakfast/ or a snack (not included in price) and have a look around the village. We also suggest if you want to buy last minute supplies you can do so in Mollepata, thus supporting the local economy.

We will start our trek here, and meet our horseman.  We will hike for approximately 3 hours, climbing steadily until we reach Marqocasa (3500m/11482ft). From here we will have views of the magnificent snow-capped mountain, Rayuska, which is more than 5350M/17552ft above sea level.

From Marqocasa we will continue to our campsite in Challacancha (3700m), with views across the green, lush valley.

We have breakfast and then begin a walk of about four and a half hours towards Soraypampa. (3800m/12464ft). This point has impressive views of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay (5917m/19412ft) Tucarway (5910m/19389ft) Rayuska (5350m/17552ft) and Salcantay (6271/20573ft). We have lunch and a rest here.

To hike from Soray to the camp of Ichupata in the upper valley requires about two ½ hours. (Soraypampa – Ichupata 12km approx)This campsite is extremely cold, year round, and you should be prepared for below freezing temperatures. Also, as this is a high campsite you should have acclimatised for at least 3 days before departing on this trek. 

We may camp in Ichupata (4400m) or Pampa Japonesa (4750m), depending on the fitness of the group. 

Alter a cold night, we continue our hike past Pampa Japonesa to start the 3-4-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4965m), the highest of the entire route, offering impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. 

After a celebratory rest on the pass we will then descend towards our lunch spot at Sisaypampa (4100m), a flat area from which one can observe the Salkantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). If we camp at Sisaypampa, we can make a short detour to the Palqay Pass, which has an altitude of 4500m and offers a different view of Salkantay mountain.

We will continue towards Pampacahuana community, located next to an original Inca canal, about 3.5 hours of descent to 3300m. The Incas frequently cut canals through valleys to increase the agricultural land. From Pampachuana it’s a 1-2 hours hike down the narrow, steep valley to the Inca fortress of Inkaracay (also known as Paucarcancha). This is a site well worth exploring and little known to the vast majority of visitors to Peru. 

It’s about another ½ to 1 hours walk down to the small village of Wayllabamba which is the point that we join the Traditional (or Classic) Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. As mules are not allowed on the Traditional Inca Trail, at this point we say goodbye to our mules and muleteers and welcome our porters who will accompany us for the next few days

In the afternoon, we leave Wayllabamba behind to start our way up the Warmihuañusca mountain pass (Dead Woman’s pass) through an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. We only climb part way up the pass, stopping at Ayapata, where we camp and spend the night. (also known as Yuncachimpa approx. altitude 3300m) 

**Depending on Inca Trail permits and the campsites that we are allocated, we may need to hike to Llulluchapampa (3800m) which is 2 hours further up the Inca Trail from Ayapata** If this occurs it’s likely that we would change our campsite for Night 2 to Pampacahuana. 

Today we continue our trek up to the highest point in the Inca Trail (but not on this trek), reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca (4200m/13776ft) after about 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), from which we then continue to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft), stopping halfway to visit the very impressive archaeological complex Runkurakay. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. 

After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction. Only 20 minutes away is Chaquicocha – 3600m (dry lake in Quechua), where we will camp. 

After breakfast we have an easy climb, to arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Phuyupatamarca is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From here we also have impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. 

We descend by stone to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft). At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge. Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector – even if you are tired and enjoying the relative luxury of this campsite, don’t miss this archaeological complex!

On this last day we get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna at approx. 5am and climb to the Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This will take two hours of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From Intipunku we descend into Machupicchu, and about an hour later we enter this famous city. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided tour Machu Picchu that will take approximately two hours. 

In addition to your tour of the ruins, you may wish to climb Huayna (Wayna) Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. (You need to buy a special permit at the time of booking, an extra $60). 

If you don’t get to do Huayna Picchu, other options are:

– Inti Punku (Sun Gate) this is the location where the Classic Inca Trail arrives. 
– Inca Bridge
– Machu Picchu Mountain

All require separate permits.

We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. It’s a 1.5 hour walk back to the village of Aguas Calientes. 

We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the Expedition train (most departures between 3 and 5) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive in Cusco approximately 4 hours after your train’s departure from Aguas Calientes.

IMPORTANT – government regulations will not allow reservations to be made unless accompanied by full passport details of the client and full payment of the entrance fee to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This is to assist in the 500 people a day rule. Therefore to guarantee your place on the Inca Trail trek you must provide a scanned copy of your passport and a non refundable deposit. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands. In case of passport number change this information must be relayed to us or you will lose your booking. Original passport must be carried on the trail. 

We rate the 7 day Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek as challenging. (See how we rate all of our treks in the Cusco region!)

The 7 day Salkantay Inca Trail trek itinerary combines two popular Machu Picchu treks for a unique, if strenuous, Peru hiking experience.

For full details on what to expect in terms of difficulty, check out these blogs:

• Salkantay Trek Difficulty
• Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail

This trek will be challenging for most people. If you are young, of average fitness, someone who works out several times a week, you will find this trek difficult. Those who are older or less fit should make sure they embark on a good fitness training program prior to departing. Training for a trek of this nature should be done in consultation with a medical or fitness professional, and be tailored to your specific needs, abilities and goals.

No matter what – make sure acclimatization is part of your training schedule!

See our Tip #3 for how to get ready for your trek.

It’s easy to prepare for the high altitudes you’ll experience on the Salkantay Inca Trail trek: plan your trip to allow at least 3 days in a high-altitude place (like Cusco) before starting your trek. Three days is even better; you don’t want to be sick on the Salkantay trail!

Truly, the more time you can spend at altitude before trekking, the better. Spending two or even three days at altitude will give your body time to adapt and allow you time enough to recover if you experience altitude sickness symptoms.

In addition, you should eat healthy food, stay away from alcohol, drink plenty of fluids and make sure you get enough rest. Being kind to your body helps it deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates.

Read more about Altitude and How to Acclimatize before starting your trek.

The best months of the year to plan your Inca Trail & Salkantay trekking trip are the dry winter months from May to August. This is peak tourist season in Cusco, so you can guarantee the trails will be busy and crowded, but the lack of rain makes it the ideal time for hiking.

Dry season is also the coldest time of year in the Andes, so be prepared for some very cold temperatures, especially at night (even below freezing!)

The rainy season in the Andes is December through March and is not a good time for this trek. In fact, we typically will not offer any Salkantay treks during this period for safety reasons. The trail can be slippery and there is a risk of rockslides that can wipe the trail out altogether. Additionally, the pass and higher areas can be covered in snow, which makes trekking difficult if you are not properly equipped.

Another date to watch out for is February: the Inca Trail is closed every February for regular maintenance, making it impossible to hike this Salkantay Inca Trail combo trek at that time.

The shoulder season (April, September, October) is an unpredictable time, weather-wise. Usually there is less rain and the temperatures can be warmer, making them ideal times for hiking (you can also expect fewer people on the trails!). But it all depends on the actual conditions at the time, and if you book a trek during this time, we reserve the right to cancel or modify it if conditions make the trail unsafe.

Read more about the best time to hike and take note of our wet season trekking policy.

Yes! Our guides take solar-powered chargers with them during the Inca Trail Salkantay Trek so that you can charge your phone or other device along the way.

The 7 day Salkantay and Inca Trail hike includes 5 nights of camping, including two nights at very high altitude (over 4000m).

We use 4 season North Face tents on all of our treks which are set up for you by our team of hardworking staff. You will be well taken care of overnight, no matter what conditions present themselves on the Salkantay Inca Trail. This is particularly important for high altitude camping when temperatures can be very low.

Go luxe! You can also choose our Comfort Camping option for a full-on luxury camping experience.

You will also be accompanied by a personal chef who prepares delicious meals during your trek. Our chefs receive annual training in order to offer you some really stunning culinary creations on the trail! This is not basic trail food, but fully catered for trekking.

We have a lot of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free travellers and our cooks are well-prepared to meet their needs. We can cater for or all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.

Read more about What to Expect on the Trail, including more about meals and equipment.

The Salkantay portion of this combo trek does not require any permits, but the Inca Trail does! This permit is included in the price of your trek. We purchase your Inca Trail permit immediately after you book. In order to do so, we will ask you for some additional information (such as a scan of your passport) at the time of booking.

Permits for the Inca Trail can sell out very quickly, especially for peak dates (May through July). You should ALWAYS book as early as you can, but know that dates for these peak months will sell out 6 to 8 months in advance. Permits usually go on sale in October for the peak dates, so booking on or before October 1st is your best bet to secure dates during that time period.

Permits for Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain

The Inca Trail permit includes your visit to Machu Picchu. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, this requires an extra permit not included in the price of your trek.

Huayna Picchu is the conical shaped mountain that appears in all the classic pictures of Machu Picchu. The climb is very steep and not for the faint-hearted, but is very rewarding for those who can stomach it!

Permits for Huayna Picchu can also sell out in advance, so let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Read more about Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain in our post on hikes at Machu Picchu.

All YOU need to carry with you on 7 days Salkantay Inca Trail hike is a light day pack. In your day pack, you should carry things like your water bottle, extra layers, gloves, camera, sun hat, beanie, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Water is very important while hiking. You should start each day with 2 litres. On the way to the trailhead, we will have filtered water which you can use to fill up your water bottles, as well as boiled water for tea. During the trek, we provide boiled water at meal times. You will have a chance to refill at lunchtime and again in the evening.

We also provide an ample range of snacks which will fill up the average person – if you have hollow legs, you might need to bring some extra snacks of your own!

The rest of your belongings – up to 8kg (17 lbs) – are carried in a duffel bag (which we provide during your Pre Trek Briefing) by mules (on the Salkantay portion of the trek) and porters (on the Inca Trail). All of the camping equipment needed on the trek is also carried by mules or porters.

Your last night on the trail will be spent either at Wiñaywayna or Phuyupatamarca campsites. Many people covet Wiñaywayna as it’s just a 2-hour hike to Machu Picchu from there, whereas it is 5 hours from Phuyupatamarca.

Being the most popular, Wiñaywayna is allocated first. If you have your heart set on camping at Wiñaywayna, book early! The plus side to Phuyupatamarca is that it is generally less crowded.

Read more about Wiñaywayna vs Phuyupatamarca in our blog!

In order to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu from Inti Punku, two things need to happen: (1) you leave camp early enough to arrive at dawn, and (2) it is a clear, sunny day.

Arriving at Inti Punku at dawn is possible on this trek, especially if you book early enough and we are able to reserve the preferred campsite (Wiñay Wayna) the night before. From Wiñay Wayna it is a 2-3 hour hike to Inti Punku so if we start early enough (say, 3am, the earliest we are permitted to start out on the trail), then there is a good chance we’ll arrive as dawn breaks.

However, as Machu Picchu is located in the high jungle, it is actually often shrouded in mist in the early mornings. A misty Machu Picchu is a beautiful and ethereal sight, but it is not the same as a stunning bright sunrise breaking over the mountain.

It is on many people’s bucket list to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and some less honest agencies promote this as a selling point. But let’s not be misleading: you most likely won’t see the sun actually rise over Machu Picchu.

Truth be told, we actually think a later arrival at Machu Picchu can be better. You are likely to be joined by fewer fellow hikers on the trail, and may also experience a somewhat less-crowded Machu Picchu, too.

In order to answer whether this trek is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have time to acclimatize well? The first two nights will be spent camping at altitudes over 4000m. Sleeping at such a high altitude can be very hard on the body. You will also pass two high altitude passes, the first at nearly 5000m, so you must be well acclimatized before starting the trek.
• Am I prepared for a strenuous and challenging hike? The Inca Trail Salkantay trek is 7 days of tough trekking along an undulating route, with steep ascents and descents. You will climb up, down, then up again, and down again, over the course of the trek. The Inca Trail portion of the trek also includes steep stone steps which can be especially hard on the knees, especially going down. You must have a solid level of fitness and strong mental preparation to complete this trek.
• Am I looking for solitude on the trail and a unique experience? Both Salkantay and the Inca Trail are popular treks, with hundreds of hikers per day. The Inca Trail alone sees 500 people – including porters and guides – every single day. If you want solitude or something off-the-beaten-path, this is not the trek for you. Instead, consider another alternative trek like Lares or Ausangate.
• Do I want to see a range of changing scenery & climates? One of the best things about both the Inca Trail and Salkantay is that they let you hike through a series of changing climates, from the high alpine to semi-tropical Andean jungle terrain. You will see snowy peaks and also lush vegetation. This is definitely a trek for nature lovers.
• Am I looking for a trek that includes Machu Picchu? Not all hikes in the Cusco area include Machu Picchu, so if you want a hike that does, the Salkantay Inca Trail hike might be a good choice for you. In fact this combo trek provides the perfect combination of high mountain scenery, jungle vegetation and Inca history! Bonus: the Inca Trail is the only trek that lets you actually hike right into Machu Picchu itself.
• Is hiking past Incan Ruins important to me? Then this is a perfect trek for you. The Inca Trail and Salkantay hike is filled with fascinating Inca ruins, and time to explore each one.
• Am I interested in learning about contemporary Andean culture or interacting with locals? If so, then one of our Lares treks might be a better option.

The Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek begins and ends in Cusco. Travel to/from Cusco is not included in the price of your trek.

Travel Direct…

• By Plane – Most international flights land in Lima, Peru’s capital. From here, you can take a domestic flight to Cusco. Some international flights go through other South American capitals, like Bogotá, Colombia, which also has connecting flights to Cusco.
• By Bus – You can take an overnight bus from Lima to Cusco (it takes about 20-23 hours). One of the benefits of travelling slowly up from the coast is that you are automatically acclimatising as you travel. Not to mention you get an idea of the stunning landscape and mountains as you travel! The top recommended buses are Cruz del Sur, Palomino and ExcluCiva.

…or Take the Long Way

• Via Arequipa and/or Puno – If you have the time, spend a day or two in Lima and then head to Arequipa or Puno (or both!) to gradually acclimatize to the altitude over the space of several days before you arrive in Cusco for your trek. We offer 3 and 4 day package tours to Arequipa and Puno that you can add onto to your trek.