Discover for yourself what Hiram Bingham wrongly thought in 1911 was the Lost City of the Incas. Machu Picchu is one of National Geographic's 50 places to visit in your lifetime.
The best way to get there — to increase your appreciation — is to hike.
Hundreds of hikers a day sign on for the guided Inca Trail. But this site is dedicated to the main alternative, the Salcantay Trek. A much better experience, we feel.
Salcantay goes higher than the Inca Trail. Gets you closer to the big mountains. More elevation change, greater variety of habitat. Much more contact with the indigenous Quechua people.
Downsides? No Inca ruins en route. You must walk a short section of road. And the Salcantay is not without hazards. Are you up for the challenge?
You can hire a guide (with burros or horses to carry your food & gear) but we recommend you carry your pack on Salcantay.
Peru is the most popular country in South America for hikers. Wonderful mountain access, spectacular festivals, & colourful culture. Historically alive, Inca & colonial legacies are everywhere.
What do you want to see? The Amazon jungle? The Nazca desert? The haunting altiplano? Deserted cities?
Cuzco, the Capital of the Incas, the naval of the Earth, the jumping off point for Machu Picchu, is the best place to start.
Check our FAQS, frequently asked questions.
