Treks
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Max. Altitude
4,650 m / 15,255 ft
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging
Group Size
Max. 16 people / Min. 10 people
Meals
04 Breakfasts, 04 Lunches, 04 Dinners
Hiking Distance
76 km / 46.22 miles
Tour Overview
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek is an incomparable trek. Considered among the 25 best hikes in the world according to National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine. A destination which places that surprise you and landscapes that leave you breathless for their beauty.
Salkantay Trek has everything you are looking for and maybe even a little more. You will test your physical resistance on a walk towards the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, discovering new routes, history and all the magic of the Andean world.
Day 01
Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa
We leave Cusco at 5:00 am in a private transportation to start a scenic morning bus-ride to our starting point at Challacancha. During the trip you can clearly see the white snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Humantay, the sacred Gods of the Incas. After two hours driving we will stop briefly at the village of Mollepata for brief bathroom breaks and an optional breakfast. When this short break is over we will continue to Challacancha, which is the trailhead.
There we will meet with our support staff. The staff will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. After having had a brief introduction about the route, we will start our trek to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). The first section of the path is a hike over channel that still supplies water to the farmers in the lower valleys. Soraypampa is where we will have our lunch and a quick nap. By the afternoon finally we will visit the famous Humantay Lagoon! After 1.5 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 ft) where you will be stunned to see the turquoise water of the lake. Here you will have the opportunity to relax, enjoy a snack and meditate in the tranquility of this magical place. We will then descend back to Soraypampa where we will spend the night in our beautiful cabins, under the splendor of the Andean sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Elevation at Start of Hike: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Camp site Elevation: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
Day 02
Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa
Today we trek to the highest point of our journey, the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft). The distance is a 7 km (4.3 miles) tough ascent in 3 hours, with the finally reach the top we will appreciate the spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. The Salkantay Mountain is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Inca Gods called “Apu”. After reaching the pass we will continue hiking down through a snake-shaped path until we get to Huayracmachay lunch spot.
In the afternoon, we continue our descent through the spectacular cloud forest, one of the most unique and threatened ecosystems in the world. The scenery will continue to change throughout our hike. We will enter the upper part of the Amazon jungle, which is also called “the eyebrow of the jungle”. The hills are decorated with colorful scenery, wildlife, and native plants. Now your eyes open for hummingbirds and orchids. After admiring the beautiful landscape, we arrive in the rural Andean town of Collpapampa. When finishing this magnificent hike.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Hiking Distance: 23 km / 14.29 miles
Hiking Time: 10 hours
Elevation at Start of Hike: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Camp site Elevation: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
Day 03
Collpapampa – La Playa
Today we will hike through the Santa Teresa River valley, we will be hiking for approximately 4 hours. The terrain undulates over rivers, past waterfalls, and also coffee, banana and avocado plantations. Here also you can taste the famous granadilla (passion fruit).
After our exciting walk to reach our destination La Playa camp site (2,000 m / 6,561 ft). For coffee lovers, will visit an organic coffee plantation that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In La Playa, the fruit and increased humidity are signal that you are close to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Elevation at Start of Hike: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Camp site Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Day 04
La Playa – Llactapata – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Today we come within sight of our goal Machupicchu. We will begin the hike early and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a small part of the famous and highly-acclaimed Inca Trail. After a 2-hour climb we will arrive at the Llactapata Inca site right in front of Machupicchu. We will be able to see not only the ruins of Machupicchu from this spot, but also Huaynapicchu and Machupicchu Mountains.
After Llactapata, we will enjoy lunch in a meadow with a panoramic view. The final descent takes you through lush bamboo forest, until you end the day’s hike at the Hidroelectrica train station. A 45-minute scenic train ride delivers you to your final stop, the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machupicchu. On arrival at Aguas Calientes you will check into your hotel and dinner will be at the finest restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Hiking Distance: 25 km / 15.56 miles
Hiking Time: 9 hours
Elevation at Start of Hike: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Accommodation Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Day 05
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
It is an early start to Machupicchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We take the first bus up to the ruins of Machupicchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, and maybe even climb Huaynapicchu or Inca Bridge.
Afterwards you can come back down to the town for lunch. Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco in a transportation leaving you in your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 4 km / 2.48 miles
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Machu Picchu Elevation: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
What’s Included
- Professional English speaking Mountain Guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing
- Collection from hotel to start of the trek
- Private transportation to start of Trek and return
- Entrance into Salkantay Nature Reserve
- Entrance into Machupicchu
- Expert chef and assistant chef
- All meals, Buffet Style Peruvian Cuisine. We also cater for vegetarians and various dietary requirements.
- 5kg Personal luggage allowance to put on the horses – extra clothes, sleeping bag you just need to carry a small daypack with everything you will need during the day.
- Personal Duffle Bags
- Horses to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
- Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
- Inca Rail or Expedition train ticket Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Hotel on the 3th night of the Trek
Not Included
- Breakfast on the first day
- Day 4 lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Hiking poles (can be rented from us – US$10.00 pair)
- Gratuities
Important Information
Terms and conditions of cancellation of the tour
- We are a company from Cusco, legally recognized by Peruvian law.
- In addition, we are a sustainable tour operator, our focus is to provide a first class service without compromising the working conditions of our workers.
- A professional, licensed trekking tour operator.
- We are proud to be a completely local indigenous company that promotes responsible tourism in the Cusco region.
- Conditions for cancellations. Cancellations made 5 days in advance are free of charge.
- If the client cancels between 3 to 4 days before the trip, he/she will have to pay 50% of the total cost of the trip.
- If the client cancels between one day before the trek, he/she must pay 80% of the total cost of the trip.
- If the client cancels on the day of the trek, he/she must pay 100% of the total cost.
- If after the tour has started, a client cannot participate in the trek or tour (due to sickness, physical problems, etc.) no refund will be given.
- The customer must also pay any additional costs they incur for transportation, lodging and food. The event of a natural disaster that prevents the completion of a service, the client will receive a 50% refund.
- In case of adverse weather conditions that prevent the start of the service, the client will receive a 50% refund.
- The highly unlikely event that your service is not completed due to a failure on the part of the agency you will receive a full refund (including your deposit).
- In the event of illness or injury on one of our treks or tours, we are able to provide emergency first aid and arrange transport to a suitable medical facility. However, we are not responsible for the cost of such transportation services or the cost of medical.
Recommended Packing List
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent
$599
USD per person
US$ 750 per person Group Discounts: 5+ persons: Please enquire…
Private guide & driver
Close your group for only you and your family and friends! Add on $100 per person. • Under 18 years Discount: US$20.00 • Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00