Salkantay – Machu Picchu
Duration
Difficulty
Moderate
Group
Máx. 12 pers.
Destination point
Cusco - Salkantay
Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu: Hiking, Adventure & Culture
Embark on an exhilarating 4-day trek through the Salkantay, combining hiking, camping, adventure, culture and history. Starting at 2,900 metres and reaching an altitude of 4,650 metres, this route covers 52 kilometres. Be prepared for a chilly first night, with temperatures hovering around 0°C. The difficulty of the trek varies depending on your fitness level, and it offers an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage on the way to Machu Picchu.
Cusco – Soraypampa
We will collect you from your hotel at 4.30 am and drive through the picturesque villages of Izcuchaca and Limatambo to Mollepata for breakfast. From there, we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of our trek. Our trek will take us to our camp at Soraypampa (3,900 metres), with a stop for lunch and a briefing. We will then walk to Lake Humantay (4,220 metres), enjoying stunning views and doing some acclimatisation exercises. The day’s trek will take around six hours in total.
Soraypampa – Chaullay
After a hearty breakfast at around 6.00 am, we’ll begin our ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,650 metres). We’ll pass through breathtaking scenery and arrive at Huayracmachay for lunch. After lunch, we’ll descend through a lush area of high-altitude rainforest, admiring a variety of orchids and a magnificent waterfall, with Mount Salkantay as a backdrop. After seven hours’ walking, we’ll set up camp at Chaullay, where a delicious dinner awaits us.
Chaullay – Sahuayaco Beach – Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric Power Station – Aguas Calientes
We’ll start the day with breakfast and then head out on an excursion to Sahuayaco Beach, taking in the jungle scenery and the local plantations. After lunch, we’ll take local transport to Santa Teresa and then travel by car to Hidroeléctrica. From there, we’ll walk along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes. After checking into the hotel and freshening up, we’ll have dinner in the evening and get some rest.
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning, at around 4.30 am, we’ll set off on our walk to Machu Picchu. You can choose to walk up to watch the sunrise or take the bus. Once at the ruins, a guided tour will take you on a two-hour exploration of the Inca city, followed by free time to visit other parts of the citadel, such as the Inca Bridge and the Gate of the Sun. After the tour, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes, take the train to Ollantaytambo and travel back to Cusco.
Inclusions and recommendations
included
- Information at your hotel the night before the tour.
- Hotel pick-up.
- Transportation from Cusco to Challacancha.
- Professional guide.
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
- Horse to transport a maximum of 8 kg of personal belongings per person.
- Horses (equipment and food included).
- Camping equipment (tents and mattresses).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu.
- 1 night accommodation at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Expedition-class train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Not included
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Lunch on the last day.
- Bottled water or refreshments during the tour.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Round-trip bus tickets to Machu Picchu.
- Sleeping bag.
- Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes.
- Salkantay entrance fee (S/. 10.00 Peruvian soles).
- Entrance to the hot springs (S/. 10.00 Peruvian soles).
Recommendations
- Backpack
- Warm clothing for the night
- Hiking boots
- Rain gear
- Flashlight
- Hat
- T-shirts
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Plastic rain poncho
- Water purification tablets
- First-aid kit
- Water bottle
- Passport
- Student ID, if applicable
- Extra cash in Peruvian soles and US dollars
- Trekking poles
- Camera
- Batteries