Hiking the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu & 7 days in Cusco

8 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 3:32

   3 Monkeys Coffee

   ☕ Cafe · Centro Histórico

   Called possibly the best coffee ever and a must-visit in Cusco.

2. 3:48

   Awana Kancha

   🚡 Activity · Taray

   Visitors can hand-feed the animals, and the gift shop sells colourful woven goods such as scarves.

3. 5:46

   Salkantay Trek

   🥾 Hike · Mollepata

   The 5-day classic route covered about 11, 22, 17 and 26 km on its four hiking days; day two is the hardest.

4. 8:26

   Humantay Lake

   🥾 Hike · Soraypampa

   About 1.5 km of straight uphill from camp at 3,900 m; best done as an afternoon side hike on day one.

5. 10:52

   Salkantay Pass

   🥾 Hike · Soraypampa

   Reached around 9 a.m. after 7 km uphill; coca leaves help with the altitude, and it is much colder at the top.

6. 22:24

   Machu Picchu

   🏛️ Historic site · Machu Picchu

   Circuit 2 is described as the best route through the site; buses up start running around 5:30 a.m.

7. 23:17

   Aguas Calientes

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Machu Picchu Pueblo · brief mention

   A handy stop for lunch and shopping before the train back to Cusco.

8. 24:23

   Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

   🚆 Day trip · Pitumarca