Salkantay Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake

We will start the trek by picking you up from your hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. And we will travel in our tourist transportation. After a 2-hour journey, we will make a brief stop at the Mollepata’s checking point, where each person will need to pay 20 soles to the local municipality (not included in the tour cost). After the stop, we will proceed to a local restaurant where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast. From Mollepata, we will continue driving for another one hour to Challacancha, which will serve as the starting point for our hike.

Once in Challacancha , you will meet the cooks and horsemen, and we will do a final equipment check. Then, we will begin our journey. The initial part will be a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will spend our first night. This section includes a relatively flat terrain with a slight uphill through a deep valley of glaciers. Along the trail, you will notice a restored Inca water channel that is still used by local farmers today. In total, this section covers 7 km / 4.35 miles

Once we reach Soraypampa, you will settle in at our exclusive Camp, where you will spend the night. After enjoying your first lunch in the mountains, you will have some time to rest. Then, we will embark on a hike to the breathtaking Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft).

The round trip to the lake takes approximately 3 hours, covering a distance of 3 km / 1.86 miles. Although not a long distance, it’s important to take it slowly due to the altitude. Once at the lake, you will have time to soak in the stunning scenery. Few places in the Andes match the beauty of the turquoise waters against the backdrop of the Humantay glacier. It will feel like stepping into a fairy tale!

Back at camp, you will enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner, accompanied by a beautiful sunset. The energy and peacefulness of this place are indescribable, and you will experience it firsthand. Later, you can retire to your igloo at the Sky Camp. The glass roof will allow you to gaze at the stars, constellations, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a comet. As you wake up, the majestic Apu Salkantay will be watching over you.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Challhuay

On the second day of the Salkantay trek 5 days you will wake up with the light of the first rays of the day and an energizing coca tea to start the hike. Enjoy a nourishing breakfast before we set off on our trek to the route’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). You’ll be walking 7 km / 4.34 miles over 3 hours. It’s a difficult ascent up the ‘trail of the 7 snakes’ rightly named due to its winding path.

Once you reach the top, you’ll appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys as well as Salkantay Mountain sitting right next to you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), which is the second-highest in the Cusco region and one of the Apus (Inca Gods). You can also observe Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains. After you’ve taken in the views and enjoyed a rest, you’ll start the 7 km / 4.35 miles walk downhill to the lunch spot in Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), from where you can enjoy fantastic views.

This section of the trail is rocky and gravely, and you get some wonderful views down into the valley below. After a re-energizing lunch, you’ll be entering the edge of the Amazon jungle, also known as the ‘cloud forest.’ This part is 8 km / 4.97 miles and takes around 3 hours. Along the way, you get to enjoy a magical tropical forest and witness how quickly and dramatically the landscape changes from the Andes to the Amazon. You’ll spot colorful scenery, unique wildlife, and native plants. You’ll find the climate becomes much warmer here.

After your longest day of hiking, you’ll be pleased to reach our campsite at Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,514 ft). You’ll be served a hearty meal before hitting the hay in your Andean hut for a peaceful night’s sleep in the small village. You’re sure to sleep well tonight!

Day 3: Challhuay – La Playa – Santa Teresa

On the third day of the trek, awaken to the warmth and beauty of the lush jungle. At around 5:30 am, our cooks will serve you a cup of coca tea to help you start your day, followed by a scrumptious breakfast prepared to fuel your adventure.

At 6:30 am, embark on a 5-hour hike through the enchanting Santa Teresa Valley, shaped by the meandering Salkantay River. Your journey will lead you to Lucmabamba, the third campsite and your lunch destination, after 5 hours of trekking.

Throughout the hike, marvel at the thriving plantations of coffee, bananas, avocados, coca, passion fruit, and more. Upon arriving at the campsite, enjoy a delightful lunch before setting off to explore the optional hot springs of Colcampayo in Santa Teresa.

A 1.5-hour car ride will transport you to the Colcampayo hot springs, where you can unwind in the pristine, natural waters for a few hours before returning to camp for tea time, a delicious warm dinner, and a cozy group bonfire. Please note that the hots springs activitie is optional; if you prefer to relax at the campsite, you are more than welcome to do so.

Day 4: Santa Teresa – Llactapata Trek – Hydroelectric Plant – Aguas Calientes

You’ll be eager to put on your hiking boots for your last day of trekking after you’ve filled up on fuel at breakfast. This morning you’ll be able to walk along a bit of the original, world-famous Inca Trail! After a 2 hour uphill climb and fascinating views over the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca site you’ll see on the trek, and you’ll learn all about the mysteries of the ancient culture and the extraordinary site. You even get to have your first exciting glance of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from here. Your guide will fill you in on all the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want to share your fantastic experiences with friends and family back home.

Afterward, you’ll walk downhill for 1:30 hours, where you get another couple of peeks at the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, along the way – only making your anticipation for tomorrow stronger. We stop for lunch in Aobamba before we continue on, for a half-hour, to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft). One of the most impressive sites in this section is the 250-meter-tall artificial waterfall, which generates electricity for the entire city of Cusco.

Once in Hidroelectrica, you have a couple of options: 1) If you’re tired out after all the trekking, you can opt to board a train to Aguas Calientes (US$ 35.00 extra). 2) If you want to enjoy the last stretch of the trek, you can enjoy the flat walk along the side of the tracks to Aguas Calientes, which takes around 3 hours. It’ll be one more chance to enjoy your warm jungle surroundings as you hike.

Along the way, you’ll see Intihuatana, an ancient rock the Incas used as a sundial, which worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu. These were used to measure and read the winter solstice, meaning the beginning of the farming season for the Incas. Next, you’ll reach the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Once in the small town, you’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Note: During the rainy season, the hike up the Llactapata Trail isn’t 100% guaranteed due to safety concerns. When there’s frequent heavy rain, this trail can become very dangerous.

On this intense yet rewarding day, you will cover approximately 22 kilometers over the course of 8 hours of hiking. The trek’s difficulty is considered challenging due to the distance and varied terrain. The lodging altitude in Aguas Calientes is 2,000 meters above sea level, providing a comfortable and relatively cooler environment for resting after the day’s hike.

Expect hot, humid, and tropical weather conditions as you journey through the lush landscapes. At the end of the day, you will be accommodated in a cozy hotel, offering a much-needed opportunity to relax and recharge. Throughout the day, you will be treated to a variety of nutritious and delicious meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to keep your energy levels high and spirits lifted.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Arriving at Machu Picchu’s Main Gate from Aguas Calientes: To reach Machu Picchu’s main gate from Aguas Calientes, you have two options. You can either embark on a scenic 1.5-hour hike or take a convenient bus ride that costs $12. The choice is yours, and you can even decide on the same day you plan to visit Machu Picchu. Regardless of the option you choose, your day will begin bright and early at 4 am with a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
If you choose to WALK from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, your journey will begin at around 4:30 am. You’ll start by walking from your hotel in Aguas Calientes to Puente Ruinas, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Puente Ruinas serves as the first checkpoint, where you’ll need to present your Machu Picchu tickets and original passports to gain entry. Once you’ve passed the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, you’ll embark on an uphill hike to Machu Picchu, climbing approximately 1,700 steps. This ascent typically takes between one hour to one hour and 20 minutes. Upon reaching the main gate of Machu Picchu, you’ll meet up with your group and guide to enter the site and begin your unforgettable exploration of this ancient Inca citadel.
If you opt to take the BUS from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, you’ll need to purchase a bus ticket in town, either the night before or on the same morning. Each one-way bus ticket costs $12. Once you have your ticket, join the queue to board the first buses, which depart from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 am. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you’ll meet up with your group and guide around 6 am to enter the site and begin exploring the remarkable ancient Inca city together.

The tour includes

• Basic Hotel night in an Aguas Calientes
• Weight allowances: 5 kilos per person (to be carried by horses)
• Transportation: pickup from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to starting point of the trek
• English/Spanish speaking professional guide
• Personal pad /Sleeping matras
• Personal tents: two people in each 4 person capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and safekeeping of backpacks and belongings
• Three nights camping
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horses (to carry the tents, sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and 5 kilograms of personal belongings per hiker)
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Two hour guided visit to Machu Picchu
• Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo,
• Transfer Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
• Bus from La Playa Campsite to Santa Teresa
• First aid equipment
• Breakfast to go on Day 5

The tour does not include

• Entrance fee for Humantay lake (20 soles per person)
• Sleeping bags
• Breakfast on the first morning
• Water along the way
• Bus from Santa Teresa to the thermal spring of Cocal Mayu
• Entrance to the thermal spring (15 soles per person)
• Zip Line in Santa Teresa (optional)
• Train ticket from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes (optional)
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (optional)
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the final day
• Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (20 soles)
• Tips for the guide, cooks, and wranglers
• Drinks (soda, mineral water or beer) during the dinner in Aguas Calientes on Day 4
• Tip for the guide, cook, and wranglers

Recomendaciones para este tour

• Original passport
• Sleeping bag
• Insurance card
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• 2-4 t-shirts
• 2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)
• Long underwear for sleeping
• Hand sanitizer
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water and/or water purification tablets
• We strongly recommend to bring your Camel Back and water canteen due to that government of Peru will not allow disposable plastic bottles anymore on the Inca trail and in Machu Picchu.
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and batteries
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Cash in Peruvian nuevo soles