What is it about Peru and Machu Picchu that is so enticing? Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world, but there is more to this place than the fascinating ruins of an ancient civilization. Peru is a unique fusion of Inca and Spanish-Peruvian cultures, reflected in the cuisine, arts, architecture, and the infectious passion and humor of the people. There are three overriding principles of Peruvian outlooks on life: love, learn, and work hard. When you meet and interact with the people of Peru, whether living in sparse highland pastures, farming in cloud forests and valleys, working in tourism, or dancing and celebrating in the main squares, you see these cultural traditions come to life.
A visit to Machu Picchu is a rare and unforgettable journey for those fortunate enough to visit. But for those Trekking to Machu Picchu with AGC, it is more than just checking an item off a bucket list; it is a complete cultural and physical immersion in the Andes Mountains. AGC’s 10-day trip includes 2 days in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca civilization; 6 days of hiking along the Salkantay Trek through the Andes Mountains, and 2 days in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. The bonds built over strenuous hikes, shared meals, and hot tubs with stunning views make this trip feel transformative.
Cusco: The Heart of Incan History
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, which reigned from 1438 until the Spanish conquest of 1533. And while Lima has been the capital of Peru since its founding in 1535, Cusco remains the vibrant cultural center of the country’s rich Peruvian and Inca heritage. Arriving at over 11,000 feet in elevation, the city will quite literally take your breath away.
AGS’s Trekking to Machu Picchu trip includes a walking tour of Cusco, beginning in Sacsayhuaman, a mountain setting featuring many ancient worship rituals. We will walk along original cobblestone streets dating back to both the Inca era and the Spanish colonial period. The streets feature intricately embedded stonework designs, drainage systems still in use, and embedded flights of stone stairs lined with tall buildings and pots of vibrant red geraniums—many of the buildings lining the streets date back to the same time period, with Spanish Colonial buildings built atop the precise stonework of ancient Inca palaces.
AGC’s Peruvian guide will vividly describe the past and present life of Cusco. Tales of the Spanish invasion and the rebirth of traditional Peruvian customs come alive when we visit Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, and see celebrations in the main squares filled with dancers in traditional garb, as integral to the culture today as it was in years past.
Choosing the Salkantay Trek Over the Inca Trail
Before the presence of trains and infrastructure, visitors to Machu Picchu hiked along the original Inca Trail. Over time, alternative treks have been developed, incorporating ancient pre-existing trails, each with its own appeal. The most well-known of these treks will include the Salkantay Trek, the Lares Trek, and the Choquequirao Trek.
Both the original Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek feature diverse, rugged terrain and a variety of ecological zones. The Salkantay Trek offers a relatively longer and more challenging journey. This trek fully immerses travelers in the Andes mountains, from towering peaks and high mountain passes to cloud forests and lush valleys. And while the full length of the original Inca Trail is only available as a permitted and guided backpacking experience, the Salkantay Trek offers options for camping, glamping, or staying in high mountain lodges along the way.
The Trek: A Lodge-to-Lodge Adventure
AGC’s Salkantay Trek includes six days of lodge-to-lodge trekking, with stays in beautifully appointed and intimate off-grid lodges—Indigenous Peruvians staff these lodges, which have been carefully designed to reflect their local, natural surroundings. The walls have been decorated with traditional weavings, artwork, masks, and carvings. Each lodge features a hot tub with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and its own professional chef who will prepare traditional Peruvian cuisine made with locally sourced foods.
Hiking lodge-to-lodge means we carry nothing on our backs but daypacks, as horses and porters transport our other belongings—a bonus to trekking with AGC!
Extensive Ecosystems of the Salkantay Trek
Our six-day trek will begin with an uphill hike through the Andean highlands, culminating at the base of Salkantay Mountain. A full day will be spent acclimating as we visit the vivid turquoise waters of glacial Humantay Lake, nestled between the snow-capped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay mountains. The trek continues up through the high-altitude puna grasslands to Salkantay Pass, at an elevation of 15,000 feet, before descending into the misty cloud forests. As the trail descends, the vegetation becomes thicker and taller, and moss-covered trees soon brim with orchids, green ferns, and bright red bromeliads. Here is where hummingbirds make their first appearances, followed by a variety of bamboos.
As we continue into the Santa Teresa River Valley, passing waterfalls and crossing rivers, we will begin seeing passion fruit, bananas, and avocados. As the landscape becomes lusher, we will also see an increase in villages with colorful gardens, small farms, and coffee bushes, all teeming with domesticated chickens, roosters, and turkeys.
On the last day of the hike, we will cross up and over the Llactapata Pass and then descend into the Sacred Valley, where we will catch our first glimpses of Machu Picchu before continuing through lush forests to the Urubamba River.
Immersion: Farms, Markets, Coffee Plantations, and Local Life
After starting our trip with a walking tour of Cusco, we will begin our actual trek with a visit to a small artisan farm near the town of Mollepata. We will enjoy a home-cooked lunch featuring farm-fresh produce before browsing through a collection of handmade knitted apparel and weavings from a local women’s cooperative.
Along the trek, we pass by many small villages, from sparsely populated highland farms to bustling communities filled with orchards, coffee plantations, and the ever-present canchas de fútbol (soccer fields). We have the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation, where we can explore the entire process—picking the beans, splitting the shells, roasting the dried coffee beans in a ceramic pot over a wood-fired stove, and using a hand-cranked grinder as the ground coffee beans release their smoky aroma. We will be rewarded for our efforts with a rich cup of Peruvian coffee, accompanied by a locally produced coffee liqueur.
Reaching Aguas Calientes and Exploring Its Vibrant Culture
On the last day of our trek, we descend to the hydroelectric train station where we catch a train to Aguas Calientes, a bustling city nestled along the mighty Urubamba River. Our hotel is exquisite, located near vibrant markets, and is decorated with city artwork featuring the Chakana (Andean cross) and the Inka trilogy of the condor, the puma, and the snake. While the town offers local markets and shopping opportunities, the five-star hotel where we stay will provide an array of immersive experiences—from bird watching to hot springs to twilight tours.
The Grand Finale: Visiting Machu Picchu with Expert Guides
The crowning jewel of our trip is our visit to Machu Picchu. It will magically transport us to the meticulously crafted Inca stonework of a lost city. Here we can imagine the lives of the people who once lived there among the temples, plazas, and terraces. There is no question that this is, and should be, a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than 3,300 people visit this location each day during the high season. Still, you will be impressed with how well-coordinated the visit is as our local guide expertly leads us through, providing a rich history of what we are experiencing.
When you leave this trip, the lives of the Peruvian and Inca people—past and present—will vividly stay with you for years to come, as will the camaraderie and friendships that will be built with one another along the way.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
If this journey through Peru has sparked your sense of wonder, imagine what it’s like to experience it in person, hiking beneath snow-capped peaks, sipping fresh coffee on a mountainside, and standing in awe at Machu Picchu. Our Trekking to Machu Picchu adventure brings it all to life. Join us and see why this trip is so much more than a destination—it’s a shared story you’ll carry with you forever.
