Just finished 4 days with Yuri & Jose, they were both amazing, super helpful and attentive.
Thank you to the kitchen staff as well!
Definitely a challenge, but in the end it all worth it!
Our own guides, our own Sky Star Domes, our own zipline, and a team that takes care of every detail.
We are a local tour operator based in Cusco, running our own departures to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail, the Inca Jungle Trail, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, the Sacred Valley and the Manu Amazon.
On our Cusco tours, the guides, cooks, drivers and muleteers who travel with you are part of our own team, hired locally and paid directly by us. That is why we can take full responsibility for how your trip runs.
On the Salkantay Trek, you sleep in our own Sky Star Domes with 360° views of the Andes. Two nights in the domes are guaranteed on our 4- and 5-day itineraries, and the 5-day trek adds a night in our panoramic cabins.
We run daily departures, keep groups small and set fair prices for the local market. We are not the cheapest, and we don’t try to be: very low prices usually mean underpaid muleteers and porters. What you pay covers a well-equipped, well-staffed trip and fair wages for the people who make it happen.
Book online anytime or message us on WhatsApp +51 974 217 700. Our office is at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, one block from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

Real feedback and ratings from guests who explored Machu Picchu and Peru with our team.
Discover the majestic Salkantay Mountain on an unforgettable journey along ancient trails to Machu Picchu. Sleep under the stars in our exclusive Sky Star Domes, with panoramic 360° views of the Andes — two nights included on our 4- and 5-day treks.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Complete Route to Machu Picchu with 2 Nights in Sky Star Domes The Salkantay…
View Tour ›Walk in the footsteps of the Incas on the world's most famous trek. The Inca Trail follows original stone paths through cloud forests and remarkable archaeological sites such as Wiñay Wayna, leading you to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for your first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu.
The Classic Inca Trail Inca Trail 4 Days: The Original Path to Machu Picchu, All-Inclusive The Inca Trail 4 Days is the most famous…
View Tour ›Traveling with us is more than visiting a destination. We take care of every detail, from your first message to your last day in Peru.
Our travel advisors help you choose the right tour for your interests, fitness level and travel dates, and answer every question quickly on WhatsApp.
Professional local guides lead the way and bring Inca history, culture and traditions to life. Every challenging step is rewarded with spectacular views of the Andes.
Your guided visit helps you truly understand the Inca citadel, with free time afterward to explore at your own pace and take in the moment.
Planning more than one adventure? Combine two or more tours and enjoy special prices.
Ask our travel advisorsReach Machu Picchu the easy way. Board the train in Ollantaytambo and ride along the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley, surrounded by mountains, green valleys and changing Andean landscapes. Choose a full-day tour, a 2-day trip, or combine car and train to save on your journey.
Car In, Train Out Machu Picchu by Car and Train 2 Days: The Affordable Route to the Inca...
Machu Picchu in One Day Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train: The Easiest Way to See the...
The Best of Cusco in 2 Days Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour: Inca Sites, Andean Culture and...
Reach Machu Picchu the adventurous way. Ride downhill from the Abra Málaga pass, raft the Urubamba River, fly over the valley on a zipline and hike original Inca paths through the high jungle. Spend a night in our Sky Star Domes in Lucmabamba, surrounded by coffee farms and mountain views.
The Adventure Route to Machu Picchu Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days: Biking, Rafting, Zipline and Inca Paths The...
The Adventure Route to Machu Picchu Inca Jungle Trail 3 Days: Biking, Rafting, Zipline and Machu Picchu The...
Journey from the Andes into the Peruvian Amazon, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Explore Manu National Park, reached overland from Cusco, or the Tambopata National Reserve near Puerto Maldonado. Spot macaws, monkeys, caimans and giant river otters as you navigate jungle rivers and hike through the rainforest.
Make the most of your time in Cusco with our full-day tours. Hike to the colors of Rainbow Mountain and Palcoyo, the turquoise water of Humantay Lake and the seven lakes of Ausangate, or explore the Sacred Valley, Moray and the Maras salt pans. Daily departures with hotel pickup and local guides.
Vinicunca and the Red Valley Rainbow Mountain Tour: Hike to 5,100 m in One Day from Cusco The...
The Turquoise Lake of the Andes Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco: The Turquoise Lake at 4,220 m Our...
The Relaxed Alternative to Vinicunca Palcoyo Tour Full Day: Three Rainbow Mountains and the Stone Forest The Palcoyo...
Seven Glacial Lakes Beneath Ausangate Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour: Turquoise Lakes, Glaciers and Hot Springs The Ausangate 7...
A Hidden Gem of the Andes Pallay Punchu Tour: Striped Peaks Like an Andean Textile The Pallay Punchu...
Ride the Andes, Skip the Long Climb Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour from Cusco: Ride to Vinicunca by Quad...
Five Sites in One Day Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco: Inca Sites, Andean Culture and Living Towns Our...
Half Day in the Sacred Valley Maras and Moray Tour: Inca Terraces and Andean Salt Pools The Moray...
Afternoon Departure · 1:00 to 6:00 PM City Tour in Cusco: Five Inca Sites in One Afternoon The...
Three Eras of History in Half a Day Cusco South Valley Tour: Wari, Inca and Colonial Heritage The...
Quad Bike Sacred Valley Adventure Maras Moray ATV Tour: Quad Biking to Moray and the Maras Salt Pools...
Andean Flavors in Half a Day Cusco Food Tour: Market, Cooking Class and Andean Lunch The Cusco Food...
We are a 100% Cusco-based company committed to creating authentic, safe and unforgettable travel experiences. Direct operations, expert local guides, and fair, transparent travel created by true locals.
Machu Picchu Team is a 100% Cusco-based company with our office in the historic center. Our deep regional knowledge allows us to offer attention to detail, personalized guidance and genuine care for every traveler.
We directly operate every experience we offer. When you book with us, you travel with our own team, not through middlemen or third-party agencies. Only a limited number of companies in Cusco are true direct operators.
We are one of the very few operators that include two nights in our exclusive Sky Star Domes on our 4- and 5-day Salkantay treks, combining 360° panoramic Andean views with cozy dome accommodations and our own private zipline.
Our licensed guides know the history, culture, geography and traditions of every destination we visit. They speak fluent English and lead every journey with clear, attentive and inspiring guidance.
Peruvian cuisine is recognized as one of the finest in the world. Our trail menus are carefully planned to showcase its richness, variety and authentic flavors, freshly prepared with local ingredients by our mountain chefs.
As a direct tour operator in Cusco, our prices are fair and competitive. Every tour has a clear Included and Not Included list, with no middleman commissions and no last-minute surprises.
We offer fair, competitive wages and top-quality gear to our team, valuing the dedication of guides, cooks, porters, drivers and muleteers who are the heart of every trek, while actively respecting local communities.
Backed by more than 2,800 reviews on Google and Tripadvisor, our bilingual travel advisors answer every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and booked travelers have a 24/7 emergency line during their trip.
Humantay Lake
Sky Star Domes
Salkantay Zipline
Salkantay PeakBoth iconic routes lead to Machu Picchu, but they offer very different experiences. Compare altitudes, landscapes, accommodations and logistics to choose your ideal Andean journey.
Adventure & Comfort
The Historic Classic Explore all practical differences at a glance before confirming your booking.
| Feature / Aspect |
Salkantay Trek
High Alpine & Glaciers
Adventure · Dome Comfort · Flexible |
Classic Inca Trail
Sacred Heritage Route
Original Inca Paving · Sun Gate Arrival |
|---|---|---|
Route Concept |
Glacial peaks, turquoise lakes & cloud forest Scenic wilderness crossing diverse ecological zones, from alpine snow to subtropical coffee plantations. |
Sacred royal Inca pilgrimage trail Deep cultural immersion walking on the authentic 500-year-old stone path connecting ancient ruins to Machu Picchu. |
Distance & Duration |
~70 km (43.5 mi) 5 Days / 4 Nights (also 3 and 4-day options). Longer daily trekking hours (6–8 hrs/day). |
~42 km (26 mi) 4 Days / 3 Nights (also 1 and 2-day short options). Shorter total distance with 5–7 hrs/day. |
Max. Altitude |
4,630 m / 15,190 ft Salkantay Pass, higher and colder, right beneath the glacier of Mount Salkantay (6,271 m). |
4,215 m / 13,829 ft Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusqa), a lower pass reached via steep stone stairs. |
Difficulty & Terrain |
Challenging / High Endurance Natural mountain dirt and gravel paths with gradual switchbacks. Gentler on knees than stone stairs. |
Moderate to Strenuous Thousands of steep, uneven Inca stone steps going up and down. Requires strong knees. |
Citadel Arrival |
Via Aguas Calientes Town On the 5-day trek, you rest in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next morning through the main entrance. |
Exclusive Sun Gate (Inti Punku) The only trek that enters Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate. |
Permits & Advance |
No trail permit quota High flexibility. Bookable weeks or days in advance, depending only on Machu Picchu entrance tickets. |
Limited daily permits About 500 permits per day, including guides and porters. Sells out 4 to 6 months in advance. Non-transferable and non-refundable. |
February Status |
Open Year-Round Operates all 12 months, with weather-adapted logistics and comfortable domes. |
Closed every February Annual closure for trail maintenance and rainy season safety. |
Accommodation |
Sky Star Domes & Cabins Exclusive domes with panoramic 360° star views and 5-inch mattresses, plus a hotel night in Aguas Calientes on the 5-day trek. |
Traditional Camping Tents Official campsites inside the sanctuary, with tents set up by our porters and shared basic facilities. |
Support Logistics |
Mules & Horses + Valley Vehicles Pack animals carry the gear and duffel bags over the pass; road access provides emergency support. |
Local Quechua Porters Pack animals are not allowed on the Inca Trail to protect the ancient stone paths. Our porters carry the gear responsibly. |
Inca Ruins on Trail |
Llactapata Ruins An archaeological site with a direct panoramic view of Machu Picchu across the valley. |
6+ Inca Sites Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and the spectacular Wiñay Wayna along the way. |
Scenery & Nature |
Humantay Lake & Glacial Peaks Turquoise glacial lake, towering Mount Salkantay, coffee and fruit farms, waterfalls and our private zipline. |
High Paramo & Misty Cloud Forest Mountain passes, wild orchids, hummingbirds, ancient stone tunnels and sweeping Vilcanota valley views. |
Best For |
Nature, Adventure & Glamping Lovers Hikers seeking wild alpine landscapes, panoramic domes, great value and flexible booking dates. |
History Lovers & Bucket-List Hikers Travelers who prioritize Inca history, ancient ruins and the iconic Sun Gate arrival. |
Explore Treks | Explore Salkantay Treks → | Explore Inca Trail Treks → |
Both journeys are extraordinary. If you have little time to plan or love dramatic snow-capped peaks with dome comfort, choose Salkantay. If walking into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate on ancient stone stairs is on your bucket list, book the Inca Trail months ahead. Contact our local advisors for real-time permit checks and personal advice.
At Machu Picchu Team, responsible tourism is part of who we are. We work with local people, create real benefits for Andean communities, protect the land we call home and keep innovating to offer our travelers authentic, ethical experiences.
100% LocalWe work directly with professionals from Cusco and the communities along our trails. Our licensed guides, mountain chefs, drivers, porters and muleteers bring years of knowledge to every route.
Community AidEvery year, we reinvest part of our resources directly into high-Andean villages along our trekking routes, providing materials and tools to protect their crops and support local livelihoods.
10,000+ Native Trees We actively protect the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. So far, we have planted over 10,000 native queuña trees, and we continue planting around 2,000 more every year to restore critical Andean watersheds.
Youth SportWe proudly sponsor a youth high-mountain cycling club in Cusco, equipping and training talented young local athletes to compete regionally and pursue their dreams with discipline and pride.
PioneeringFrom our Sky Star Domes and our own mountain zipline on the Salkantay Trek to lesser-known routes like Llactapata and Pallay Punchu, we keep improving every journey.
Law 29408In compliance with Peruvian Law No. 29408, we reject and actively prevent any form of sexual exploitation of minors in tourism activities.
Read our Code of Conduct →
Machu Picchu Team is a licensed tour operator registered with the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco (GERCETUR), in accordance with D.S. N° 005-2015-MINCETUR. When you travel with us, your reservation is direct, secure and legally protected.
We never stop improving. Our team keeps exploring new trails and experiences, like the Llactapata Trek and the Pallay Punchu tour, so you can discover unique places beyond the usual routes.

Our team comes from Cusco and the communities along our routes, and many are native Quechua speakers. Their deep connection to the land and its traditions makes every tour more authentic.

We care for every trail we walk. Our team follows responsible practices to reduce waste, respect the paths and protect the plants and wildlife of each route.

Stories, Tips & Insider Guides
Inca Trail Travel Guide
The 1-Day Trek Alternative Through Water Altars and Cloud Forest. For travelers who cannot commit to 4 days of camping or missing out on permits, the Short Inca…
Inca Trail Travel Guide
The Forever Young Agricultural Wonder Near the Sun Gate. Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’) is arguably the most breathtaking archaeological complex on the Inca Trail, rivaling Machu Picchu itself.…
Inca Trail Travel Guide
The Sacred Hydro-Engineering of the Six Fountains. Rising out of the mist at 3,670 meters, Phuyupatamarca lives up to its Quechua name: ‘Town in the Clouds’. Its defining…
Cusco Travel Guide
The Monumental Adobe and Volcanic Columns of South Cusco. Located 118 km south of Cusco in the Vilcanota Valley, Raqch’i boasts the Temple of Wiracocha — the largest…
Cusco Travel Guide
Ancient Remedies, Sacred Roots and Highland Shamanic Botanicals. Tucked away in the eastern wing of Cusco’s bustling San Pedro Market lies the traditional medicine aisle (sección medicina natural).…
Cusco Travel Guide
Walking the Subterranean Canals of Saphy and Tullumayo. Beneath the colonial streets of modern Cusco flows an invisible engineering masterpiece: the vaulted Inca canal systems of the Saphy…
Choquequirao & Hidden Peru
The Ultimate Wilderness Expedition Across the Vilcabamba. Often called the greatest trek in the Andes, the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu traverse connects the two imperial citadels across 115…
Choquequirao & Hidden Peru
The Dense Jungle Capital Where the Last Inca Fell. While Hiram Bingham mistakenly believed Machu Picchu was the ‘Lost City of the Incas,’ historical reality points 100 miles…
Choquequirao & Hidden Peru
The Last Rebel Stronghold of Manco Inca in Vilcabamba. Deep in the remote Vilcabamba valley northwest of Machu Picchu lies Rosaspata-Vitcos and the sacred carved monolith of Yurac…
Amazon Rainforest & Wildlife
The Glowing Micro-World of the Primary Amazon Night. When the sun sets over the primary rainforest of Tambopata, turning off your headlamp reveals an eerie, magical phenomenon: the…
Amazon Rainforest & Wildlife
Dawn Courtship Dances of Peru’s Scarlet National Bird. In the steep, mist-shrouded cloud forests of the Kosñipata Valley along the Manu Road lies the San Pedro lek. Here,…
Amazon Rainforest & Wildlife
Night Boat Safaris on Madre de Dios’s Pristine Oxbow Lagoon. Tucked inside the Tambopata National Reserve, Lake Sandoval is a horseshoe-shaped oxbow lake ringed by towering aguaje palm…
Travel Resources & Planning
Counterfeit Soles, ATM Fees and Ethical Porter Tipping. Navigating currency, ATMs, and tipping in Peru can be a minefield for unprepared travelers. Many foreign ATMs charge excessive hidden…
Travel Resources & Planning
Conquering the Strict Porter Scales at SERNANP Checkpoints. Before stepping onto the Inca Trail at Kilometer 82, every licensed agency must weigh their trekkers’ duffel bags on official…
Travel Resources & Planning
How to Maximize the 16 Archaeological Sites on One Ticket. The Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC) is the mandatory ticket required to visit 16 of the most famous…
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