Salkantay Trek 4 Days 3 Nights

We had the most amazing experience hiking through the Andes and Amazon to Machu Picchu. David was an extraordinary guide, very knowledgeable, and was an absolute blast to be around. Peru is beautiful and our two week visit still wasn't enough time for us. The people were wonderful, and the food was mind blowing at every meal. I rate this experience a 10/10.

David was an excellent tour guide, he helped us when needed and respected our time! He also had a lot of knowledge to share and did it in all the right times! Thank you very much to our amigo!

David is the best! Learned a lot and had an amazing experience

Traveler from the USA here! Sarita, Cesar, Victor and Juan made an excellent team and gave me a memorable, once in a lifetime experience in Peru. The tour was easy to organize with WhatsApp and the communication was excellent. Although this trek was hard, I felt comfortable going at the pace I needed and Sara was able to adjust the plan if we needed. The team was prepared for any scenarios and the scenery was really breathtaking! The food was ALWAYS excellent and Victor even carried my bag when the summit got too hard. Thank you Machulas journey, I will never forget this experience and the exceptions you made for me!! Don’t be afraid to communicate with the team when you book. Thank you my friends!

We did 3nights 4 days to Machu Pichu. Sara was an incredible guide! Boundless energy and a can-do attitude--"anything is possible!" She was helpful, supportive and so friendly. Sara is incredibly knowledgeable with 5yrs of schooling in history and tour guide skills and it was evident. We also loved lesrning more avout local Peru politics and Quechua. We're so glad we booked our once in a lifetime trip with her. She allowed us freedom to hike our own hike at a pace good for my friend and I without having to stop for slowed people constantly. She and the whole crew were so wonderful! We loved the food, loved playing cards, loved how silly and light it all was. We learned so much and had a blast!

David was the most incredible guide. I was very ill prepared for this trek. David set a pace I could manage; and he made accommodations for transit while still pushing me to challenge myself. He basically carried me (and my bag) up the first part of the mountain because I was struggling to keep up. He didn’t shame me or rush me. He just adjusted to ensure that me and other members had a good trek. He knew the whole path and town of Cusco like the back of his hand. I’ve told several of my friends to consider him for their upcoming trips.

I had an AMAZING time with Davíd. He is so, so knowledgeable about the area — its plants, history, and people — and really passionate about the development of the Cusco region as well. He’s hilarious, kind, patient, and an overall great guide. He speaks great English, and is very happy to teach Quechua too. I highly highly recommend him!

This hike is intense (more on this later) but stunning and rewarding. This route is not the usual Salkantay trek. Instead it goes through a less-traveled path over a higher and more scenic pass called Inka Chiriaska Pass. The result is much better views of Salkantay and much less company on the trail. We went more than a full day seeing no other hikers. The vast majority of climbing happens the first day. Days two and three are mostly downhill, sometimes over steep terrain. Day four is an expert tour of Machu Picchu. Our guide Sara as extremely professional and knowledgeable. She did an exceptional job of adjusting the hike to accommodate the abilities of our group, while still keeping us on a pace to finish on schedule. Once at Machu Picchu Sara transformed from an effective trail leader to a knowledgeable guide with a deep knowledge of the ruins and the history of their discovery and excavation. Our cook Cesar served a variety of sit-down meals at a table enclosed by a tent. The horse wrangler Felix did a great job. The team had been working together for several years and it showed. This hike is for able, fit adventurers looking for a unique experience over challenging and rugged terrain. The elevation gain and altitude will test even experienced hikers, and be prepared to pass one chilly night before descending to warmer elevations. The payoff for these efforts is staggeringly beautiful views of Salkantay and Humantay, a satisfying summit at the pass, and then a winding descent through remote mountain valleys. If you are looking for a unique, demanding hike that is well off the beaten path, consider this “Salkantay Plus” option through Machulas Journeys.

Amazing experience with Machulas team. Sara our guide and her team including Sekar and Felix made our hike really enjoyable. I would engage their team for future hiking trips in Peru.

This unique “Salkantay Plus” tour was an extremely memorable experience. The hike is physically demanding, but the result is highly rewarding. Sara, our guide, was knowledgeable and professional. She tailored the experience to the needs and abilities of our group. She worked closely with Cesar, the master chef, and Felix, the horse wrangler. Once we arrived at Machu Picchu, Sara showed herself to be extremely knowledgeable about the site’s history. Would highly recommend this adventure to anyone looking for a unique, off-grid path to Machu Picchu.

David was an outstanding guide — incredibly knowledgeable about Inca history and passionate about sharing his culture with us. The accommodations were excellent, and although the trek was challenging, the breathtaking views and great company made it completely worthwhile. I would highly recommend this trek!

We had such an amazing tour with David! He was very a helpful and knowledgeable guide, and we had an amazing trip. I would definitely recommend anyone to him as a tour guide.

David was an amazing tour guide; friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and took great care of our family on this adventure. Great times, great memories, and David helped make it happen.

David is an amazing guide. He is truly passionate about his work and beautiful country, and it shows in everything he does. During our trek, he shared so much knowledge about the nature, mountains, animals, and plants around us. His stories brought the landscape to life, and his energy and kindness made the journey unforgettable. We felt safe, inspired, and connected to Peru in a way we never expected. Highly recommended!

We had a wonderful time on the trekking tour with David! He was so knowledgeable about the history of the area and shared fascinating stories that brought the city to life. Also he's so caring to every teammate in the tour! We can trust him and feel comfortable for the trip! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting!

We had an amazing time with David! Besides the fact that David gave us the best guidance, fun, and interesting information, he especially gave us a lot of love! We had a really great group, where everyone connected well with each other. David clearly showed that he truly took responsibility, which made us feel safe at all times. In short, an unforgettable experience, thanks to the whole group and of course David and his crew. Thank you David!

In May we walked the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. We were part of a group led by our guide David Herrera. David was a very positive, motivational and informative leader. He had a wealth of knowledge about his culture and a passion for sharing this with his clients. He encouraged all Members of the group - especially when the walking and the altitude got tough. He was a good communicator and spoke English well. I enjoyed his sense of humour - there was a strong team spirit throughout the trek that he created

The most beautiful sight I’ve ever witnessed, the team of Machulas journey is exceptional the best .. Telling us where to go and stay and providing all transportation. Davide , thank you for swift response at all times .. Thank you again . The guide Davide very knowledgeable and humble knows every mountain in sight , hahah you’re amazing my friend Thank you so much for being with us every step of the way and incouraging and being patient .. Thank you Davide . The porters woww impressive always quick with cold water , hot water , snacks for the day .. what ever you asked always smiling 😊, thank you again For you’re dedication.. Our chef Cook .. unbelievable cuisine 5 stars .. what an amazing chef Beautiful meals fine with passion I will miss each and every plate . Thank you again Thank you , Machulas journey for this unbelievable breath taken experience.. Love you all From Nick & Emilio

What can I say? If I could give above 5 I would. Everything was perfect. David our guide was exceptional. His knowledge and explanation about the history and importance of the land was the bar for guides. The hike there was treacherous but David was there every step of the way. The food was something out of this world. Raymundo served up some great ceviches that match any restaurant. The porters we're super friendly and helped get us ready every morning. Would recommend anyone going with this tour guide to visit machu pichu

Firstly, a little bit about the Salkantay Trek 4-days 3-nights journey: this is not to be confused with the traditional Salkantay Trek which focuses on just the Salkantay Peak and surrounding region. The trek we did was a combination of hiking to Humantay Lake and then continuing on to the foot of Salkantay mountain (day 1) where we camped for the night. On day 2, we continued past Salkantay Peak to Condor Pass (spectacular!) which was, then, followed by a beautiful descent into the Inca Valley & Trail (parts of day 2 & 3), finally culminating with a visit to Machu Picchu on day 4. In many ways, for us, this was the more interesting and varied experience (in short, "better") tour since we got to see the high Andes (max. ~17,000 ft at Condor Pass) with spectacular views of Salkantay Peak and the surrounding mountains as well as the beautiful descent into the Inca Valley. And then, to top it off, there was the visit to Machu Picchu with our superb guide, David, who provided interesting information regarding the history, geography, and cultural background to this much-visited site. My wife and I are 60-something hikers who are reasonably fit. Despite this, the hike was a physical challenge for us. No matter, David was more than patient and encouraging to us and, albeit at a slower pace than many hikers, we were able to complete this epic journey ("nothing is impossible!"). I would say to those who have doubts about walking this route to: 1) make sure you walk/train as much as possible beforehand and 2) don't stress too much about whether you can do it. If we can, I'm sure that you can, too. Again, with adequate pre-trip training you should be fine. Plus, you will have the best support from the Machulas crew during your trek. A few words about Machulas Journey and the folks who supported us during our trek: in short, they are fantastic. David (our guide), Raymundo (chef extraordinaire), & Félix (a horseman second to none) worked so well together and they were more than gracious hosts. Imagine having a superbly prepared 5-course meal for you at the foot of Salkantay Peak. Everything is provided, we ate like kings and we were treated so well, so professionally during our time together. It's important to mention that these guys were born and raised in the Inca Valley region. They know this part of the world extremely well and they are excited and passionate about sharing with their clients what they know of the history, culture, and beauty of Peru in general and the Salkantay and Inca Valley region in particular. I cannot say enough nice things about Machulas Journey and the professional and hard-working people who do these tours; you will not regret choosing them as your trekking company! Copyright notice: all photos are © Bob Loudon (made and distributed by me).

This trek was an awesome experience and the Lluvia was very helpful throughout. I appreciate Lluvia coordinating a way for us to get back to Cusco despite an ongoing strike which shut down the railway. The hike starts in a high alpine area, descends into a mountainous jungle, then arrives to Machu Picchu. It is beautiful and scenic throughout. I highly recommend booking through this tour operator.

The beauty of the Peruvian Mountains and the welcoming Peruvian people. Our guide Sara was so professional, knowledgeable and helpful. She organized everything beautifully. All our needs were met. This company does not abuse their porters by giving them too heavy of loads and they make sure their equipment is good and they are well taken care of. This is definitely not the case for all companies. It felt good to support this and we hope it can become a trend if more trekkers support this.

I just finished the Salkantay trek! What a beautiful experience was this! 4 days of amazing views, good food and the best staff. During this trip through nature and Machu Picchu the staff was amazing, thanks to the porters, chef and guides I had a really good time. Thanks for the experience machulas journey :)

we had a great experience made all the better by the organization, support, and encouragement from our tour guide Sara. She is the best and made a great experience personally memorable and customized. thanks so much for your guidance and knowledge!

The trip was one of the best I’ve ever been on. Sara was extremely caring for everybody in the group. She is great to talk to whether it is to pass the time or to educate you on the landscape and history. This trip was no walk in the park and I highly recommend preparing for a challenge. She brings an exceptional attitude to the group and repeatedly says, “With Sara, nothing is impossible”.

Our Salkantay trek was 5 days/4 nights. We are four women 49-73 in age from Colorado and Utah. David provided exceptional care for one member of our group who had difficulty with the altitude over 15,000 feet at the pass. He was a great host and knowledgeable guide at Machu PIcchu. The food for every meal was exquisite. The presentation and flavor profiles were the equivalent of a 5-star restaurant. I will definitely book with Machulas Journey again. Thank you David and the Machulas team including the horsemen and the master chef.

My favorite part was amazing mountains with glaciers and beautiful Cristal Lakes, Amazing places and Views.

The best part of tjis experience was climbing to machu pichu and meeting the locals. Thanks to Lluvia that gave us lots of explanations

David is definitely the person I would recommend to anyone coming to the sacred valley and wanting a genuine, unique, memorable experience. I will always remember the experience we had with him, his generosity, kindness, professionalism, and adaptability. Still emotional to think about everything : the team, the food, the landscape, the people we met in the mountains etc ... A must do if you visit the Sacred Valley !!

I did the 4 day Salkantay trek with my mum and sister in May of 2014 and it was incredible. Besides the beautiful scenery, our tour guides were fantastic and made the trip that much more enjoyable. They shared so much history each day and evening and ensured we were all comfortable and felt able to hike each day. Our bags and camping supplies would meet us at every new campsite and we didn't have to lift a finger once arrived. Each lunch and dinner was over the top delicious and timely. One of my highlights of the trip was opening up the tent each morning to receive fresh coca tea and enjoy the quiet morning. I would go again in a heartbeat even though I have seen Machu Pichu because the best part was hiking to our destination. If you consider yourself active, the Salkantay is perfect for you and the scenery is one of a kind! However, we had some less fit people in our group who seemed to manage just fine. The hiking is not treacherous, it's just long distances.

Really nice people! Perfect to travel on your own to meet new people. Well organized bij guides with experience.

These folks are awesome, highly trained and well-versed with the surrounding and history behind. They took care of the group, making sure that everybody is enjoying the tour safe and sound. Highly recommended.

The best way you can experience the Inca Trail! Sara is an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about everything on the inca trail. She always made me feel safe even if I walked the trail a lot slower than the group! Highly Recommend this company

Spectacular guide, master the culture, total support from restaurants, shopping locations and trails. We did not speak another language, only Portuguese, but it had no difficulty for us to understand. Super recommend, gave us maximum attention

I did the short Inca trail with the guide Danny, loved, besides very attentive and friendly, knows a lot about the history of the place and helped us in a lot! I would do it all over again, the experience was amazing. I highly recommend Danny, note a thousand! Thanks!!!

We did the route with Yoner and took care of us very well! We had a lot of fun and gave us very good explanations (it was hard but we all got it!) I highly recommend for those who want a little adventure and test themselves:)