Cusco, Peru · Est. 2019
Why Choose Us
From the first message to your final drop-off, Salkantay Adventures handles every detail of your journey with professionalism, transparency, and genuine care.
Everything Starts With a Good Plan
Machu Picchu and the Andes require thoughtful preparation. We guide you through every step — from choosing your travel dates to securing the right permits and understanding exactly what to expect when you arrive.
Daily Permits
Book in Advance
Transparent Process
Team Support
Travel Date Planning
Availability for Machu Picchu and surrounding treks varies by season. If your dates are flexible, we identify the best options within your travel window. Just share your preferred days and we'll guide you through the possibilities.
Permit Availability & Timing
Machu Picchu requires limited daily permits that often sell out quickly. We advise checking availability as early as possible. If your schedule has flexibility, we can identify dates with open spaces without compromising the experience.
Trek Alternatives
If your first-choice route is unavailable or fully booked, there are several excellent alternatives offering stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences. Each has unique highlights, duration, and difficulty — we help you choose the right one.
Passport Requirements
To secure trekking permits or entrance tickets, your passport details must be accurate and valid. Please ensure the information you provide matches your document exactly. If you renew your passport before the trip, share the new details promptly.
Choosing the Right Tour
Some travelers prefer a relaxed citadel visit; others seek an active, hiking-focused adventure. We walk you through each option — duration, physical demands, and inclusions — so you feel confident choosing the itinerary that fits you best.
The Booking Process
Once you decide, securing your space is straightforward. We outline every step clearly — documents needed, payment instructions, and the timeline for confirming your tickets. Our goal is a simple, transparent, and stress-free experience.
Your Day at the Inca City
From the moment you step through the gates to the final walk toward the exit, we ensure your time at Machu Picchu is organized, enriching, and fully compliant with the sanctuary's regulations.
Entry Circuits
Machu Picchu operates several organized circuits to manage visitor flow and protect archaeological areas. Each route focuses on different sections — temples, farming terraces, viewpoints, and residential sectors. Your circuit depends on the ticket purchased, so reviewing the route in advance sets realistic expectations.
Entry Times & Stay Rules
The sanctuary uses fixed entry schedules to maintain orderly flow. The time on your ticket is when you must be at the gate. Re-entry is not permitted, so plan essentials — snacks, water, personal medication — before heading in. Your guide will coordinate timing so nothing is rushed.
Additional Routes & Hikes
Optional hikes like Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain offer spectacular views of the valleys and the Inca City layout. Spots are limited and sell out weeks ahead in busy seasons — early booking is essential. These hikes require good physical condition and proper footwear.
Guided Experience
Our guides explain the historical development of the Inca City and the purpose of its areas — agriculture, astronomy, and daily life during the Inca period. Moving through your assigned circuit, you'll pause for explanations at key structures that illustrate the engineering of the Andes.
Architecture & Organization
You'll see agricultural zones, ceremonial areas, and living quarters showcasing different construction methods. Your guide may highlight how water channels, terraces, and pathways contributed to the site's stability — giving structure and clarity to everything you observe.
Time Management Inside
The visit follows a continuous path with no backtracking. Each circuit has an approximate duration based on distance and inclines. Your guide will maintain a balanced rhythm — ensuring you don't rush through essential areas or fall behind the expected schedule.
Facilities Near the Entrance
Basic services outside the gate include restrooms, a restaurant, and snack points. Since re-entry is not permitted, use these before entering. Our reservations team can advise on restaurant options, including those with local organic ingredients or international cuisine.
Important Regulations
The sanctuary prohibits large bags, drones, tripods, and certain foods. Visitors must stay on marked paths, avoid touching Inca walls, and carry all personal waste until exiting. Your guide will remind you of specific practices that protect the site for future generations.
Departure Procedures
After completing the circuit, follow the designated path to the exit — returning to previous areas is not allowed. Near the exit, your guide confirms the meeting point for the next part of your itinerary: shuttle area, restaurant zone, or return to Aguas Calientes.
Seamless From Start to Finish
Your adventure extends far beyond Machu Picchu's gates. We coordinate every stage of the journey — from your hotel pickup in Cusco to the train back, the return transfer, and everything in between.
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01
Hotel Pickup & Private Transfer
Our experienced, trained drivers — operating vehicles owned and maintained exclusively by Salkantay Adventures — collect you from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. All drivers know the routes between stations, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu access points, and follow strict safety protocols for Andean road conditions.
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02
Train Journey & Boarding
Before boarding, verify your departure time and platform. Have your ticket and identification ready — staff verify information before entry to the boarding area. If time allows, Aguas Calientes offers local shops for souvenirs and restaurants featuring local organic ingredients or international cuisine options.
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03
Shuttle Up to the Sanctuary
From Aguas Calientes, you board the shuttle bus to the main gate of Machu Picchu. Your guide coordinates timing to ensure timely arrival at your designated entry window, especially important during peak seasons when visitor flow is at its highest.
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04
Guided Experience at Machu Picchu
Your certified, bilingual guide leads you through your assigned circuit, explaining Inca history, architecture, astronomy, and daily life. The pace is carefully managed to respect both the schedule and your enjoyment — with pauses at key structures and moments for personal exploration.
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05
Return to Aguas Calientes
After the circuit, descend by shuttle to Aguas Calientes. The service operates on a continuous schedule — your guide indicates the correct queue and reminds you to keep your shuttle ticket accessible. You can take a break, explore the town, or proceed to the railway station.
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06
Train Back & Final Transfer
After the train arrives at Ollantaytambo or Poroy, a Salkantay Adventures representative meets you at the designated exit area. Our staff monitors train timetables to account for minor delays. You then board our private transportation for the final leg back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Your Safety Is Our Priority
Trekking in the Andes involves altitude, variable weather, and remote terrain. We apply rigorous safety standards at every stage so you can focus on the experience — not the logistics.
Years
Expert Local Guides With Extensive Field Experience
All our guides are certified professionals with years of experience leading groups from many countries, in multiple languages. They hold current first aid certifications, carry oxygen and first aid kits on all trekking routes, and are trained to recognize early signs of altitude sickness, fatigue, and dehydration.
Altitude Acclimatization
Cusco sits at 3,400m. We build acclimatization days into every itinerary and brief all travelers on prevention. We recommend spending at least 2–3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before undertaking any trek. Guides monitor your wellbeing and adjust the pace when needed.
Emergency Procedures
In any unexpected situation, guides apply established emergency protocols — basic first aid, coordinated communication with our operations team, and organized evacuation routes when required. If specialized medical attention is needed, arrangements are made to reach the closest access point for additional transportation.
Private Transportation
All vehicles are owned and operated directly by Salkantay Adventures — driven by trained professionals familiar with routes between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu access points. Our vehicles are regularly maintained to ensure consistent, reliable service.
Weather & Route Monitoring
We track weather conditions daily across all routes. Itineraries are adjusted proactively when conditions change. Your safety always takes priority over sticking rigidly to a schedule, and your guide will communicate any changes clearly and in advance.
Travel Insurance Guidance
Although not mandatory, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Ensure your policy covers medical attention, evacuation services, and itinerary interruptions at elevations above 4,000m, as well as personal belongings and trip modifications.
Special Requirements
Travelers with specific needs can request additional support before the tour — slower pacing, dietary accommodation, or guidance for families with children. While the sanctuary has physical limitations, our team adapts the service as much as possible. Contact our reservations team to review available options.
24/7 On-Trip Support
Our local coordinators are available around the clock during your trip. Whether it's a route adjustment, a schedule change, or any question that arises — we're always just a message away. We monitor schedules and transportation to prevent misunderstandings before they happen.
Environmental Responsibilities
All visitors must stay on marked paths, avoid touching Inca walls, carry personal waste to the exit, and respect wildlife and local communities. Your guide provides reminders throughout so you contribute to maintaining the site in excellent condition for future travelers.
Respecting Local Communities
Parts of the journey pass near rural communities. Travelers should respect residents' privacy, customs, and spaces. Photograph individuals only with permission, and interact politely and considerately. These guidelines support positive relations and sustainable tourism throughout the region.
Transparent, Fair & Clear
We believe that great travel begins with trust. These policies exist to protect you, inform you, and ensure that every part of your experience is handled with complete transparency and professionalism.
Traveler Responsibilities
Each participant is responsible for providing accurate personal information during booking, carrying valid identification, respecting equipment weight limits, and following all guide instructions throughout the tour.
Proper use of provided gear, adherence to schedules, and compliance with environmental and cultural guidelines all contribute to a smooth, safe experience for everyone. Inaccurate information may affect access to checkpoints or services during the trek.
Agency Liability
Salkantay Adventures is responsible for organizing the itinerary, coordinating staff, and delivering the logistics described in your program. However, external factors — weather, trail restrictions, or government regulations — may require schedule adjustments.
The agency is not responsible for incidents related to personal negligence, lack of physical preparation, or disregard of guide instructions. Loss of personal belongings is the traveler's responsibility. We recommend keeping valuables secured at all times.
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Itinerary Modifications
If adjustments are needed — due to weather, train schedule changes, or regulations — our team evaluates alternatives and communicates all costs clearly. Some services (Machu Picchu entry times, train categories) have strict constraints and may involve availability limitations, fare differences, or administrative rebooking fees.
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Third-Party Providers
Salkantay Adventures acts as an intermediary between travelers and independent service providers — transportation companies, hotels, and ticket issuers. While we carefully select reliable partners, each provider operates independently and is responsible for its own policies and schedules.
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Accurate Information
Details regarding passport data, personal conditions, and any updates that may affect entry procedures must be communicated to the agency promptly. Incorrect or incomplete information may result in restrictions at control points, additional costs, or denial of access.
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Data Privacy & Confidentiality
All personal information — names, passport details, contact data, and payment confirmations — is used exclusively for booking and itinerary execution. We do not share, sell, or disclose data to unauthorized parties. Only providers directly involved in your services receive necessary details.
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Policy Updates
Policies and operational guidelines are subject to change based on updates from government entities, third-party providers, or internal improvements. If changes affect already-booked services, our team will notify you promptly through your registered contact channels.
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Communication Channels
Our reservations team is available before, during, and after your trip through the channels provided in your confirmation documents. For faster responses — especially for train schedules, Machu Picchu entry, or transportation — use the messaging platforms indicated by our team. Response times may vary during late-night hours or peak periods.
Tour Types
Experience Peru, Miss Nothing
From the ancient stones of Machu Picchu to the depths of the Amazon and the mirror waters of Lake Titicaca — we've crafted every kind of Peruvian adventure so you can find the one that's yours.
Icon of the Andes
Machu Picchu
The Ultimate Trail
Salkantay Trek
Walk the Ancient Path
Inca Trail
Culture & Landscapes
Sacred Valley
Into the Jungle
Amazon
Above the Clouds
Lake Titicaca
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