Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike

Guide Freddy Apaza was excellent. He was so informative and I loved the insight he gave personally on the Inca culture. He also did so well in building a rapport in our group. We started as a group of strangers from all around the globe and ended up as family. A very, very special trip I will always cherish. The food was absolutely amazing. What Juan Carlos and his team managed to prepare each night was nothing short of magical! No reflection on the tour itself but the airport pick ups and drop offs were outsourced to another operator who were not at all punctual or reliable. I would recommend organising an uber independently (very cheap and reliable in Cusco)

We had the most incredible 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The food was amazing throughout the trek. So delicious, varied and incredibly abundant. We were so impressed by the quality and quantity of every meal, especially considering we were in the mountains! What truly made the trip, though, was our guide, César Quispe. He was absolutely outstanding. He was so thorough, passionate, knowledgeable and positive every single day. You could tell how much he genuinely cared about giving everyone the best possible experience. He went above and beyond in so many ways, always taking the time to explain the history, culture and nature around us, checking in on everyone, and encouraging us! Seeing other groups along the route really made us appreciate how exceptional César was. He put so much effort into making the trek special, and it was clear he consistently did more than many of the other guides we encountered. Our group was fantastic, and we made some amazing memories together, but the whole experience simply wouldn’t have been the same without César. He made what was already an incredible trek unforgettable. Thank you for the best five days - we’ll never forget it!

First overnight hike and I had the best experience! César Quispe was a phenomenal guide with a remarkable depth of knowledge about both the landscape and local history. He was warm, charismatic, and clearly passionate about his work, and his genuine desire to help us understand the local culture made the trip so much more meaningful. He did an amazing job leading a group with a wide range of experience levels and made sure everyone felt included and supported. If you want stunning views, great food, and deeper insight into Andean history, I would 100% recommend this tour – and if you have the chance to go with César, you're in for a real treat!

Had an incredible experience with our guides Oliver & Elias. Learned so much about Incan history & local native plants while enjoying beautiful scenery. Our guides were so encouraging and funny & made everything seamless! The food was delicious & kept us energized for 5 days of hiking!

I had an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience with Joel and the tour group. Joel was both knowledgeable and experienced while giving historic tours of the Machu Picchu and other hikes in Collaypampa. We also had a great time getting to know him on a personal level. It was one of the most challenging but also rewarding experiences both physically and mentally for me, personally. The fee was worth the value, and there were additional tips during the trip for the staff members as well as soles spent for your own food and excursions. The 5-day length was the perfect amount, although it would have been even better had the hikes been split further apart either in level of difficulty and length, or challenge level (especially for day 2). For example, day 4 was an extremely difficult hike after a complex day 2. It was great that everyone had the option to either participate or not in any event, and the group atmosphere was friendly with everyone getting along well with our guide (Joel) and with one another. The tour is best for those with greater athletic ability, or those who enjoy adventuring and outdoors (with experience glamping, camping, and backpacking for an extended period). Adjusting to altitude should also be a primary concern for anyone traveling, since the hikes will be strenuous for those that have not acclimated well or taken the necessary precautions (taking proper medication, arriving a few days earlier, and dressing the part). I wish there were more medic staff on the tour, but overall the tour company was very flexible in their accommodations if an issue came up.

This was one of the best tours I’ve been on! Our guide Joel was so knowledgeable and knowledgeable. The accommodations and food were great! There were some challenging parts of the hike, but I always felt safe and supported by the guide. Would recommend to anyone wanting their next adventure!!

Joel is incredible. This trek is incredible. 10/10 experience, so fun, so amazing! DO IT!!

ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE!! Our guide Yoel was incredible. He took great care of us. Very organized and safe and great memories to last a lifetime. Would recommend to anyone

WOW! I’m so glad we chose this trip. Salkantay Trekking provides such a high quality experience. Our guide, Fredy Apaza was incredibly fun, skilled, patient, and passionate about sharing the history of his Inca ancestors. He took such great care to bring a group of strangers together in a supportive way that we formed a true connection with one another. (Fredy even played the flute for us during some of the more challenging climbs!) The food prepared by our head chef, Juan Carlos, was some of the best food I’ve ever eaten! It was tasty, beautifully served, and always felt nourishing and healthy. The trek offers a great sense of the varied landscape with amazing views and top notch “glamping” style lodging. The company provides a fantastic experience and I can’t recommend it enough!!

Book it immediately you won’t regret it! Thanks to our wonderful guide Franz (Andean Goat) we had the most unforgettable experience. Everything from start to finish was easy to follow. Franz is very knowledgeable about the Incan culture and history and you can feel his passion for it as he teaches you all about it. He is patient and fun to trek with! 100% recommend without a doubt.