Pre-Trek Briefing at 7 PM at the Machu Picchu Team Office in Cusco
The day before your trek begins, you’ll attend a briefing at 7:00 PM at our office in Cusco. This is where you’ll meet your guide and the rest of your group for the first time. During this session, your guide will cover everything you need to know: technical details about the trek, exact pick-up times, and your printed train and Machu Picchu entrance tickets. You’ll also receive your duffle bag (for up to 7 kg of personal belongings to be carried by horses) and learn how to store any extra luggage with us if needed. You don’t need to bring anything except your passport for check-in. This is also the time to settle any outstanding balance on your tour or rent a sleeping bag or trekking poles if you haven’t already.
Professional Tour Guide for the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu Tour
Your trek is led by certified, professional guides with extensive experience in mountain expeditions, including Salkantay itself. They’ll accompany you throughout the entire journey and also lead your guided tour of Machu Picchu, following the circuit and schedule on your ticket. Every guide carries a first aid kit and an oxygen tank for emergencies, and all guides are fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication and a safe experience from start to finish.
Hotel Pick-Up Service Between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM
Your trek includes hotel pick-up to kick off the adventure. Pick-up times range between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, with the exact time confirmed during your briefing the day before, based on your accommodation’s location. If your hotel is near our office, you also have the option to simply meet us there at 5:00 AM. All the details will be coordinated directly with your guide.
Private Transport from Cusco to Soraypampa
Your package includes private transport in a comfortable tourist vehicle from Cusco to Soraypampa, the starting point of the trek. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, giving you a relaxed and comfortable start before meeting the support team and beginning your hike.
Duffle Bag Service for 7 Kilograms
During the briefing, you’ll receive a duffle bag for up to 7 kg of personal belongings. Our horses carry these bags throughout the trek, so they’re waiting for you at each campsite — meaning you only need to hike with a small daypack for your daily essentials. After the trek, you can leave your duffle bag at our office in Cusco for safekeeping.
Meals Included: 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
Throughout the 5-day trek, our expert chefs travel with the group, preparing fresh, nutritious, and energizing meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners in total, plus daily snacks. Vegetarian, vegan, and other special dietary requirements are fully accommodated at no extra cost.
Vegetarian and Vegan Dining
We offer a full range of vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options, including gluten-free, at no extra cost — simply let us know your preferences when booking.
Cooking Team for the Entire Trek
A dedicated team of chefs travels with the group, preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. They’re trained to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and other special dietary needs, ensuring every member of the group is well-fed and ready for the day ahead.
Kitchen Equipment and Utensils
All necessary cooking equipment and utensils are provided and transported to each campsite by our team, ensuring every meal is prepared and served in the best possible conditions.
Two Nights in Our Sky Star Crystal Domes
Your trek includes two nights in our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes, featuring panoramic transparent walls and ceilings that allow you to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, nature, and night sky. Each dome is equipped with comfortable mattresses and pillows. You only need to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from us during the pre-trek briefing. The domes are normally arranged for two guests but are spacious enough to accommodate groups of three or four who prefer to stay together.
One Night in Our Panoramic Cabins
You will also spend one night in our panoramic cabins, designed to provide comfort while keeping you connected with the natural surroundings. The cabins include mattresses and pillows and offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. A sleeping bag is required and can be brought from home or rented from our office before the trek.
One Night in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Your final night is spent in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), allowing you to rest before visiting Machu Picchu the following morning. The hotel room includes a private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, towels, and basic toiletries. Rooms are normally arranged for two guests, while triple or family rooms can be provided for travelers who wish to stay together, subject to availabilit
Muleteers and Horses
A team of muleteers and horses accompanies the trek, transporting all camping equipment, food supplies, and your duffle bags (up to 7 kg per person, including sleeping bags). This support team is essential to the experience — it means you can hike with just a small daypack while everything else is moved ahead to the next campsite for you.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Your package includes a guided tour of Machu Picchu lasting approximately 2.5 hours, led by one of our expert guides and tailored to your ticket’s entry time and assigned circuit. After the tour, you’ll have an additional 30 minutes of free time to take in the views at your own pace. This guide service is included for all travelers — even if you purchased your own Machu Picchu entrance ticket separately or bought it in Aguas Calientes — regardless of your ticket’s circuit or entry time.
Free Luggage Storage
If you’re doing the Salkantay Trek with Machu Picchu Team, our main office — located one block from the Plaza de Armas — offers free storage for any luggage you won’t be taking on the trek. You can drop it off the day before or the same day the trek begins, since the vehicle that takes you to the trailhead stops by the office to collect bags.
Emergency Provisions
For your safety, every guide carries an oxygen bottle and a fully stocked first aid kit, ready to provide immediate assistance whenever needed.
