Regarding your requested departure date, Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, and any day during that week, I regret to inform you that the Classic Inca Trail permits are sold out for all of August, September, and until the last available dates of October.
This applies not only to Ultimate Trekking, but to all travel agencies, as every operator works with the same official availability provided by the Ministry of Culture. Once the permits are sold out, no agency is able to obtain additional spaces.
However, we can offer you excellent alternative treks for your travel dates. The best option would be the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, one of the most beautiful alternative routes to Machu Picchu, with spectacular mountain landscapes, the famous Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, local culture, cloud forest, and a final guided visit to Machu Picchu.
Option 1: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 4 Days / 3 Nights
This trek is ideal if you want to experience the best of the Andes in less time. The route combines high mountain landscapes, adventure, local culture, a premium camping experience, Pachamanca, a coffee experience, Machu Picchu, and return by panoramic train.
Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Salka Glamp
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive to the starting point of the trek. You will hike to the beautiful Humantay Lake, one of the most impressive turquoise lakes in the Andes.
After enjoying the lake and the surrounding mountain views, you will continue toward our exclusive Salka Glamp campsite, located near Salkantay Mountain. This will be your first night surrounded by incredible Andean scenery.
Day 2: Salka Glamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa
After breakfast, you will begin the most challenging and rewarding part of the trek: the hike to the Salkantay Pass, located at approximately 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
From the pass, you will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. Afterward, you will descend toward the cloud forest and spend the night in comfortable Andean cabins in Collpapampa.
Day 3: Collpapampa – Coffee Experience – Pachamanca – Aguas Calientes
On this day, you will descend through warmer landscapes and visit local coffee farms, where you will learn about the traditional coffee-making process and prepare your own cup of coffee.
You will also enjoy a traditional Pachamanca, a special Andean meal cooked underground with hot stones, fresh ingredients, and local herbs.
Later, you will continue to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you will spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
Early in the morning, you will visit Machu Picchu with your professional guide. The tour includes the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, with Circuit 2 included by default when available. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best available alternative, which may be Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.
After the guided visit, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take the panoramic Vistadome or 360° train back, followed by transportation to your hotel in Cusco.
The 4-day Salkantay Trek includes:
• Pre-departure briefing one day before the tour.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
• All transportation during the tour.
• Professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• Return on the panoramic Vistadome train.
• Entrance fees for the Salkantay route.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Mules to transport camping equipment and the allowed duffel weight.
• Experienced trekking chef.
• 1 night at Salka Glamp.
• 1 night in Andean cabins in Collpapampa.
• 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• All meals during the trek, except lunch on the last day.
• Daily water and snacks.
• Pachamanca and local coffee experience.
• Duffel bag for up to 7 kg / 15 lb of personal belongings.
• First aid kit, satellite phones, and oxygen.
• Pillow, sleeping mat, rain poncho, and hand towels.
The 4-day Salkantay Trek does not include:
• Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, and trekking poles.
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips.
• Personal expenses.
Option 2: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 Days / 4 Nights
This is a more complete version of the Salkantay Trek. It is perfect if you would like a better-paced experience with more time to enjoy the landscapes, cloud forest, local culture, and the special campsite at Llactapata with a distant view of Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Salka Glamp
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive to the trailhead. You will hike to the famous Humantay Lake, surrounded by stunning glacier mountains.
After visiting the lake, you will continue to our exclusive Salka Glamp campsite, located near Salkantay Mountain, where you will spend the first night.
Day 2: Salka Glamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa
You will cross the impressive Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at approximately 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. After enjoying the mountain views, you will descend toward the cloud forest and spend the night in comfortable Andean cabins in Collpapampa.
Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata
This day takes you through the cloud forest, coffee farms, waterfalls, and small local communities. You will enjoy a traditional Pachamanca and a local coffee experience.
Afterward, you will continue toward Llactapata, where you will camp with a special distant view of Machu Picchu.
Day 4: Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
You will wake up with coffee and views toward Machu Picchu in the distance. Then, you will descend to Hidroelectrica and continue walking along the train tracks toward Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
Early in the morning, you will visit Machu Picchu with your professional guide. The entrance ticket is included, with Circuit 2 included by default when available. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best available alternative, which may be Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.
After the guided visit, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take the panoramic Vistadome or 360° train back, followed by transportation to your hotel in Cusco.
The 5-day Salkantay Trek includes:
• Safety briefing one day before the tour.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
• All transportation during the tour.
• Professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• Return on the panoramic Vistadome train.
• Round-trip bus to Machu Picchu.
• Entrance fees for the Salkantay route.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Horsemen and mules to transport camping equipment and the allowed duffel weight.
• Experienced trekking chef.
• 1 night at Salka Glamp.
• 1 night in Andean cabins in Collpapampa.
• 1 night in comfortable tents in Llactapata with a distant view of Machu Picchu.
• 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• All meals during the trek, except lunch on the last day.
• Daily water and snacks.
• Pachamanca and coffee experience on Day 3.
The 5-day Salkantay Trek does not include:
• Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, and trekking poles. These can be rented with us.
• Lunch on the last day.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips.
• Personal expenses.
Both options are excellent alternatives to the Classic Inca Trail and are available for your travel dates. They offer incredible landscapes, local experiences, professional guides, and the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu with a trusted local operator.
