Self-Launched Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) and take a taxi or pre-booked transfer to your hostel or guesthouse in the San Blas or Central Cuzco neighbourhood (~£5–8 by taxi). Spend the rest of the day resting and acclimatising — altitude sickness is real at 3,400m. Grab a light dinner of soup and local Andean food from the San Pedro Market or a cheap local restaurant on Plaza San Francisco. Drink coca tea and take it easy.

🚌Taxi from airport to hostel (~£6)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel Cuzco (dorm ~£10–14/night, private room ~£25–35/night)

• →Arrive Cuzco, taxi to accommodation (~£6)
• →Acclimatise — rest and explore the immediate neighbourhood gently
• →Try coca tea to ease altitude sickness
• →Light dinner at a local restaurant near Plaza San Francisco (~£5–8)

Join a self-booked walking tour of Cuzco's historic centre. The city's UNESCO-listed core — Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and the Colonial-era Cathedral — can largely be explored on foot for free or for a small entrance fee. Book a spot on a free walking tour (tip-based) via GetYourGuide or directly with Cuzco Free Walking Tour. The afternoon is yours to wander, visit the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), eat a set lunch menu (menú del día) at a local restaurant for as little as £2–4, and rest. Use this day to confirm your Salkantay trek booking with a local operator.

🚌Walking

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel Cuzco

• →Free walking tour of Cuzco historic centre — Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Qorikancha (~£3–5 tip)
• →Menú del día lunch at a local restaurant (~£3)
• →Visit San Blas artisan neighbourhood — free to explore
• →Confirm Salkantay trek booking with local operator (e.g. Peru Treks, Alpaca Expeditions)

Take a colectivo (shared minibus) or taxi up to Tambomachay, the highest of the ruins above Cuzco (~£2–4), and walk back down through Puca Pucara, Qenco, and the jaw-dropping fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) covers entry to most sites (~£32 for the full circuit, or buy the partial circuit covering just these ruins for ~£18). Pack a picnic lunch from the San Pedro Market to enjoy among the ruins. A gentle 7km walk back to the city centre helps your legs acclimatise for the trek ahead.

🚌Colectivo to Tambomachay (~£3), walk back to Cuzco

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel Cuzco

• →Colectivo or taxi up to Tambomachay (~£3)
• →Walk down via Puca Pucara, Qenco, Sacsayhuaman — Boleto Turístico partial circuit (~£18)
• →Picnic lunch among the ruins (~£4 from San Pedro Market)
• →Pack and prepare kit for the Salkantay trek starting tomorrow

Your Salkantay trek begins today. Local operators such as Alpaca Expeditions, Peru Treks, or Llama Path offer fully supported Salkantay treks (porter, cook, guide, camping) for around £180–250 per person for 5 days — a fraction of the international tour operator price. Your operator's shared minibus picks you up from your hostel early morning for the ~4-hour drive via Mollepata to the trailhead at Marcocasa. Trek uphill through beautiful high-altitude terrain to the campsite at Soraypampa (3,910m), with about 5–6 hours of walking. Camp meals are provided by your cook.

🚌Shared minibus pickup from Cuzco hostel (included in trek package)

🛏Soraypampa Camp (full-service camping via local trek operator)

• →Pickup and drive to Marcocasa trailhead via Mollepata (~4 hours)
• →Trek Marcocasa to Soraypampa (~11km, 5–6 hours, uphill)
• →Camp dinner provided by cook
• →Settle into full-service camping at Soraypampa (3,910m)

Wake up to a hot drink delivered to your tent — one of the great pleasures of a fully supported Salkantay trek. Take the optional 3-hour return detour to the stunning turquoise Humantay Lagoon (highly recommended — a highlight of the whole trip). Return for an early lunch at camp, then continue your ascent towards Nevado Salkantay (6,271m), the 'Savage Mountain'. Camp tonight at Ichu Pata (4,400m) in the high grassy meadow below the south face and glaciers of Salkantay. An extraordinary wild camp.

🚌On foot

🛏Ichupata Campsite (full-service camping via local trek operator)

• →Hot drink delivered to tent (included in trek)
• →Optional 3-hour return hike to Humantay Lagoon — stunning turquoise glacial lake
• →Lunch at Soraypampa camp (included)
• →Trek to Ichupata camp at 4,400m beneath Salkantay (~7km)

The highest and most dramatic day of the Salkantay Trek. A steep climb brings you past glaciers and ice walls to the Inca Chiriasqa Pass at nearly 5,000m — with 360-degree views of the Andean peaks. Descend into the broad valley below, passing through Pampa Japonesa (historic base camp of a Japanese mountaineering expedition) and along an Inca-canalised river to camp at Pampa Cahuana (3,870m). All meals included in your trek package.

🚌On foot

🛏Pampa Cahuana Camp (full-service camping via local trek operator)

• →Early start and steep climb to Inca Chiriasqa Pass (~5,000m) — the trek's high point
• →360-degree views of glaciers and Andean peaks at the summit
• →Descend through Pampa Japonesa
• →Camp alongside the Inca canal at Pampa Cahuana (~12km day)

Today's walk follows the canalised river as it drops into a steep-sided valley, with a detour to explore the small Inca watchtower site of Paucarcancha — a guardian of the Pampa Cahuana valley. Continue down to the village of Huayllabamba (3,100m) where you camp for the night. This is the last campsite before joining the classic Inca Trail tomorrow — a great moment to reflect on how far you've come.

🚌On foot

🛏Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping via local trek operator)

• →Trek along the canal route through steep valley (~7km)
• →Explore Paucarcancha Inca watchtower ruins
• →Arrive at Huayllabamba village campsite (3,100m)
• →Camp dinner and rest before the Inca Trail begins tomorrow

Today you join the iconic Inca Trail — the most famous trekking route in South America. Your Inca Trail permit must be booked well in advance (permits sell out months ahead — book as soon as your dates are confirmed). Book through a licensed Peruvian agency; permit + agency fees typically cost £200–270 per person including a compulsory licensed guide for the Inca Trail section. A steady climb through cloud forest leads to Llulluchapampa meadows, then the notorious Dead Woman's Pass (Warmihuañusca, 4,215m) — the highest point on the classic Inca Trail. A steep descent on original Inca steps brings you to camp in the Pacaymayu valley (3,600m).

🚌On foot

🛏Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping — included in licensed Inca Trail agency package)

• →Join the classic Inca Trail at Huayllabamba junction
• →Trek through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa meadows
• →Summit Dead Woman's Pass (Warmihuañusca, 4,215m) — iconic high five moment
• →Descend on original Inca steps to Pacaymayu camp (~10km)

A classic Inca Trail day of archaeological wonder. Climb past the circular ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3,930m), then follow a beautifully preserved flat-boulder Inca path — only accessible on foot — to the dramatic clifftop ruins of Sayacmarca (3,625m), perched above the cloud forest. Continue along the trail to the spectacular ridge campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3,680m), where you can watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba range and sleep under a brilliant Andean sky.

🚌On foot

🛏Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping — included in licensed Inca Trail agency package)

• →Climb past Runquracay ruins and over Runquracay Pass (3,930m)
• →Walk the ancient flat-boulder Inca Trail — pedestrians only
• →Explore Sayacmarca ruins perched above the cloud forest
• →Camp at Phuyupatamarca ridge — sunset and sunrise views (~12km day)

The culmination of 7 days of trekking. Descend the famous 2km Inca stone staircase from Phuyupatamarca into a sweeping panorama of cloud forest and the Vilcanota River far below. Stop to explore the beautiful terraced ruins of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') and have lunch before continuing along the cloud forest trail to Inti Punku — the Sun Gate. Step through and see Machu Picchu for the first time, with Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind: one of the great travel moments on Earth. Your afternoon arrival gives you quieter views than the morning rush. Descend by bus (~£11 return) to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned shower and bed. Book Machu Picchu entry ticket separately online well in advance at ~£35.

🚌On foot; bus Machu Picchu entrance to Aguas Calientes (~£11 return)

🛏Hostal Cusi Wasi or El Mapi by inkaterra (budget option ~£20–35/night) in Aguas Calientes

• →Descend the famous Inca staircase from Phuyupatamarca (~2km stone steps)
• →Explore Wiñay Wayna terraced ruins
• →Walk to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) — first view of Machu Picchu
• →Bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£11 return, Consettur buses)
• →Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes

Rise early and take the first bus up to Machu Picchu (buses run from 05:30, ~£11 return). A licensed guide is required inside Machu Picchu and can be hired at the entrance gate for ~£20–30, or book in advance via GetYourGuide. Spend 2–3 hours exploring this extraordinary Inca citadel with your guide, then have free time to explore independently. In the afternoon, walk or bus down to Aguas Calientes station and take the Peru Rail or Inca Rail train to Ollantaytambo (~1h 30min, ~£30–45 depending on class — book in advance at perurait.com or incarail.com). Stay the night in Ollantaytambo.

🚌Bus to Machu Picchu (~£11 return); Peru Rail / Inca Rail train to Ollantaytambo (~£30–45)

🛏Hostal Iskay or KB Tambo Hotel, Ollantaytambo (budget guesthouse ~£18–30/night)

• →Early bus to Machu Picchu entrance (~£11 return)
• →Hire licensed guide at the gate or pre-book via GetYourGuide (~£20–30)
• →2–3 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel
• →Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~1h 30min, ~£30–45, book in advance)

Spend the morning exploring the magnificent Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo — still a living Inca town with water channels running through the streets. Entry via Boleto Turístico (already purchased) or ~£12 separately. Take a colectivo or shared taxi from Ollantaytambo to Pisac (~£3–5, ~1 hour), where you can wander the terraced ruins above the town and browse the famous Pisac artisan market. Colectivos back to Cuzco depart regularly from Pisac (~£1.50–2, ~1.5 hours). Arrive back in Cuzco in time for dinner — celebrate your achievement with a pisco sour!

🚌Colectivo Ollantaytambo–Pisac (~£4); colectivo Pisac–Cuzco (~£2)

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel Cuzco

• →Explore Ollantaytambo Inca fortress (Boleto Turístico or ~£12 entry)
• →Colectivo from Ollantaytambo to Pisac (~£3–5)
• →Visit Pisac ruins and artisan market
• →Colectivo back to Cuzco (~£2)
• →Celebration dinner and pisco sour in Cuzco (~£10–15)

A well-earned free day. Sleep in, visit the Coricancha museum, explore the San Pedro Market, or treat yourself to a longer meal at a mid-range restaurant on Plaza Regocijo. Optional adventures can be self-booked: mountain biking through Moray, Maras salt pans and the Sacred Valley (~£35–50 via GetYourGuide or local agencies on Plateros Street), or paddleboarding on Lake Piuray near Chinchero (~£30–40). Alternatively, browse the craft shops in San Blas, visit the Museo Histórico Regional, or simply sit in Plaza de Armas with a coffee and watch the city hum around you.

🚌Walking / colectivo as needed

🛏Loki Hostel Cuzco or Pariwana Hostel Cuzco

• →Sleep in and rest after the trek
• →Optional: mountain biking Moray–Maras–Sacred Valley (~£35–50, book via GetYourGuide or local agencies)
• →Optional: paddleboarding on Lake Piuray (~£30–40)
• →Browse San Blas artisan workshops and craft market
• →Plaza de Armas coffee and people-watching

Your adventure ends in Cuzco. Enjoy a final breakfast at your hostel or a local café near the Plaza de Armas. Check out by midday and take a taxi to the airport (~£6) for your onward flight. If you have a late departure, leave your bags at the hostel and do one final wander through this extraordinary Inca city. Safe travels — you've earned it!

🚌Taxi to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (~£6)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Cuzco
• →Check out and store bags at hostel if needed
• →Last wander through Cuzco's historic centre
• →Taxi to airport (~£6)