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5D - 4N
4650
8
Group
This is an alternative route to the Classic Inca Trail, which will take you through incredible landscape and natural beauty with exotic flora and fauna endemic of the region. The trek will involve hiking through valleys and mountains before arriving to the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu. A unique and specially designed 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, with incomparable views of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay, sacred mountains for the Incas.
Trek off the beaten track, following our unique route where you visit two incredible crystal clear glacial lakes, Humantay and Salkantay. Hike through the Andes Mountains and camp at our private sites which are more remote, less crowded and off the typical path. Hike through the extraordinary Peruvian cloud forest, and take the opportunity to try the fresh fruit grown there such as bananas, oranges, avocados, pineapple and much more. Take the opportunity to tour a coffee plantation next to your campsite! Explore the fields and learn about the different varieties of beans, pick, roast, and grind your beans. Then enjoy brewing your own coffee, a very unique experience! You will have the opportunity to visit the Hot Springs of Cocalmayo, where you can relax your fatigued muscles after the long hike in a bit of utopia! Hike up to LLACTAPATA Inca ruins, and explore the ancient Inca city, which was once coated with vegetation. This is the best viewpoint to have a glimpse of the Majestic Machu Picchu. Following in the footsteps of the Incas, explore the crevices and and niches of the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, with our expert guide.
ORANGE NATION Peru is your best choice if you truly want to enjoy your Salkantay trek in Peru. We specialize in creating unique trekking routes, with our customized treks to Machu Picchu like the Salkantay trek which other tour operators are not offering. What that means for our clients is more unique, enjoyable and exciting treks, personalized service, and small groups, typically 2 – 6 trekkers with a maximum of 8 people in the group.
Our private van will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30am, when we begin the 2 hour and half hour drive to Mollepata. Once you arrive, you will have your breakfast in a local restaurant. Then, we will continue until Challacancha for about 30 minutes and from here you will start the hike!
The first part will be around 3 hours until we get to Soraypampa trailhead. You will pass by an Inca Channel and the mountains that welcome you into the Salkantay Area. Upon arrival at Soraypampa, you will be accommodated in your panoramic glass domes, our exclusive campsite where you will rest under the stars.
After having a delicious lunch, we will continue our adventure. We will then begin the 2.5 hour excursion to Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacial lake nestled between tall mountains. An incredible sight to see, but you have to work for it!
After you have had your fill of the famous glacial lake, we will head over back to Soraypampa, have dinner and be ready to sleep under the stars.
Sky Domes in Soraypampa
For travelers looking to enhance their first night on the trek, the Sky Domes in Soraypampa are available as an upgrade.
Located in an open, high Andean valley, these panoramic domes offer unobstructed views of the Salkantay and Humantay glaciers, creating an unforgettable alpine setting.
Each dome features:
Highlights:
You will receive your wake up call bright and early as your guide delivers a hot drink to your bed, after which you will enjoy a healthy and hearty breakfast, preparing you for the day to come.
Shortly after breakfast we will begin the day’s hike, starting with the trek up to the Salkantay Pass– the highest point in the trail and an awe-inspiring moment for every traveler who takes on this adventure.
The hard part is over now, and we will descend for 2 hours towards the rural community of Huayracmachay, where we will stop for lunch. Along the way, watch as the route winds down from the harsh Andean peaks into the luscious jungle.
After lunch, we will walk for 3 more hours through the beginning of the Peruvian cloud forest, enjoying fruit bearing trees and various flora and fauna. After a long day we will finally arrive at Collpapampa, our second glamping campsite! Enjoy the comfort of sleeping in front of the mountains.
Sky Domes at Collpapampa
Further along the route, the Sky Domes at Collpapampa offer a completely different atmosphere, surrounded by the Lucmabamba Canyon and cloud forest.
These domes offer:
The ideal campsite to recover after a demanding day of trekking. It’s a unique opportunity to deeply relax while immersed in one of the most lush landscapes in the Salkantay region.
Highlights:
Today experience something totally different, within 3 hours of walking, enjoy the start of the lush tropical rainforest, the bountiful fruit bearing trees, coffee and cacao trees. Witness the inviting fruit plantations with their flowering orchids and see the abundance of birdlife that inhabit the forest. We arrive at fabulous Lucmabamaba for a gourmet lunch and a much needed rest.
Tour a coffee plantation adjacent to the campsite. Explore the fields and learn about the different varieties of beans. Later you will be able to pick, roast, and grind your freshly picked beans. Enjoy brewing your own coffee. It doesn’t end there! The fields of tomatoes and avocados are where we pick our fresh produce which our chef will use for our dinner.
Around 3pm, travel by local transport for 30mins to the natural hot springs at Cocalmayo. Here we can soak our tired bodies in the natural, medicinal hot springs provided by Mother Nature, still revered today in traditional Andean beliefs as the Pachamama. When we return to camp our trekking chef will have created his specialty with our fresh produce from the day.
Highlights:
This will be our chef’s last delicious breakfast for us, after saying goodbye we continue along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Be in awe of the amazing views and the impressively unique valleys and fruit plantations. Arrive at Llactapata Inca Ruins, located in front of Machu Picchu where you may enjoy its views and surrounding mountains – Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.
Next, descend for 2 hours to the Hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco, where we have lunch. Then it’s the last leg of the journey walking to Aguas Calientes through the National Park of Machu Picchu, tonight sleep in the comfort of a soft bed in a clean hotel.
Highlights:
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise, not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. See many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.
When you have had your fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes lunch is waiting in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.
Highlights:
***IMPORTANT:
This unique Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers!
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 10 people | $ 597 USD per person |
**** This price includes the extra packhorse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we will provide you with a duffle bag, in which to put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
Please read the following information as it will answer any of the questions you may have about our services and the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210, Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Definitely! During the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both for free.
FIRST, to book your Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our home page or click the link here – BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase any Machu Picchu permits without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a ticket for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. You can make your deposit by clicking on PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
Unfortunately No. Once the tickets for Machu Picchu have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferrable nor refundable. If you cancel your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
Absolutely! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu permit. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number. Please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! Most airlines are enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
SALKANTAY TREK WEATHER – Weather on Salkantay trek is very varied, due to the fact that it winds its way through wildly different terrain at different altitudes. The only place where weather is a serious concern is the Salkantay Pass, and the nearby areas. Temperatures here, and at the nearby Soraypampa campsite, can fall below freezing. The other camps are much warmer, due to their proximity to the cloud forest.
We highly recommend you to bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
The maximum group size is 10 persons. Our groups are usually between 2-6 persons. ORANGE Nation Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14p. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the pack horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.
The Salkantay Trek is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, ORANGE Nation Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there !
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore, you we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20.
The upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and ceiling. You will have some snacks and a dance show on board. The price is $57 USD per person which includes the transfer from Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to Vistadome, all the way back to Poroy (Cusco), the trip lasts 3.5 hours, then 25mins by our private van to your hotel. Our clients are back at the hotel by 8pm.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Orange Nation Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
4650
5D - 4N
8
Hike, Van, Train
We're a family-owned Travel Company and Tour Operator located in the heart of the Inca Empire, Cusco, Peru. We create individually customized tours and treks to Peru's most iconic attractions, as well as untouched, off the beaten track locations high in the Andes Mountains.
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Excellent quality at the best price
Quiet Andean night
Unique and little explored routes
Experience the culture up close
Discover why thousands of people around the world trust us to explore the best of Peru.
The Short Inca Trail with José was a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. In the days leading up to our trek, he was highly communicative and provided all the details we needed (packing lists, expectations, timing) so everything…
Hace 3 meses
After researching extensively, I chose a Peruvian travel company to guide our Sacred Valley adventure for my husband and I. We booked a full day beginning with Maras and Moray, Ollantaytambo, lunch and Pisac.…
Hace 2 meses
We did the Lares Trek with Orange Nation/ Sam's travel and would highly recommend it. Lares has far less tourists than the inca trail (we saw about 4 groups over the two days initial hike up to the 4800m high point). The views are…
Hace 3 semanas
I had extremely high expectations and they were blown away! Our guide Rolando was an absolute legend. You can tell he is looked up to by all the other guides in the industry. He speaks multiple languages, connects deeply with each hiker,…
Hace 5 meses
Two of us did the 2 days Lares trek + 1 day Inca Trail, with a tour of Machu Picchu. We were blown away by the friendliness, knowledge, and kindness showed by both of our guides - Jorge and Carlos. We booked a group tour, but this ended up…
Hace 3 meses
Me and my friend did the 4 day Inca trail with Sam travel Peru, our tour guide was Juan Carlos, he has been doing tours to matchu pichu for over 20 years and his knowledge and expertise was amazing. I would recommend to anyone to as for him…
Hace 5 meses
We did the 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Our guide was Ray and Michael. It was really great - Ray was amazing and was really passionate about the place and told us loads of amazing stories. We had the perfect weather and even the packed…
Hace 3 meses
Amazing trip across 3 days with Jose! A massive thanks and shout out to our guide, he enriched the entire experience with his massive background of history of the culture and the land…
Hace 5 meses
Me and my Wife did the 5 day Inca trail with Sam Travel in April 2026. Our guide Henry and the incredible team of Porters and our Chef made the trip one of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good things about this group as they went over and…
Hace 3 meses
We were short on time during our trip to Peru, so we decided to do the 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Everything was very well organised. We were collected from our hotel and taken to the train, where our journey to the trail began. The first part of the hike was a bit challenging, but it was absolutely worth it. The views of the mountains and the surrounding nature were breathtaking. Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible. After the tour, we were taken back by train and dropped off at our hotel. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone visiting Peru, especially if you're short on time but still want to experience the Inca Trail. I also highly recommend our guide, Antonio. He was brilliant, incredibly knowledgeable, and shared so much interesting information about Machu Picchu, its history, and the local flora throughout the trek. He also allowed us to take breaks whenever we needed them.
Written August 6, 2026
I did the Rainbow Mountain tour, and I was the only one in the group who walked up the mountain. My guide Henry stayed with me the whole way, encouraging me and taking lots of photos along the trail. A truly great experience.
Written July 31, 2026
We had an amazing time with Henry our guide on our trek to Rainbow Mountian. With an early pick we left Cusco for the long car ride to Rainbow mountain with a quick stop for breakfast. When we got there Henry helped us reserve horses (highly recommend) and we started towards the mountain. The terrain, snow capped mountains and sediment settlement are a treat to see but it is worth the 10 extra minutes to the top. Because we had the horses we were able to take a long time at the top to take in all of the beautiful wonders. Henry allowed us time to explore and gave us wonderful information about how this beautiful wonder was formed. We definitely got more than our money's worth out of this gem!
Written July 29, 2026
Carlos Estrada was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and organized! Made our trip easy.
Written July 19, 2026
I had an amazing experience touring Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu with our tour guide, Carlos Estrada. He was quite helpful and knew a lot about everything. I recommend him and this tour!
Written July 19, 2026
Had an awesome day out to Rainbow Mountain with our guide Cesar Siccos! He was full of encouragement and positive energy and we made it to the top! Thank you, Cesar!
Written July 16, 2026
Following a great 2-day Inca Trail experience with SAM Travel, I signed up for the one-day Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley trek. Once again our group was small, just 4 people. Junior was our guide - he was friendly and knowledgeable. He seamlessly adjusted to our request for an earlier start time to beat the crowds, and also managed varying group member speeds / fitness levels well. Another positive experience with SAM Travel - highly recommend booking with them, especially if you are a solo traveler.
Written July 16, 2026
Rainbow mountain hike provided for gorgeous views, bunch of alpaca. At up to 5000 meters it provided for a healthy challenge even if the profile does not look that impressive…. Our guide - Cesar Siccos - was with us the whole way and provided the necessary support to get over the challenge. Great day out.
Written July 15, 2026
My trip to the rainbow mountain with my tour guide Siccos was incredible. Siccos was very energetic and kept our spirits high. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone.
Written July 15, 2026
