The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu tour 5-day, 4-night is an exciting trekking adventure that takes travelers through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Peruvian Andes. During this tour, travelers hike through impressive mountains, pass through beautiful green valleys, cross crystal clear rivers and experience local culture.The highlight of this hike is reaching Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Travelers will have the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins and learn about the history and culture of the Inca people. Also, on the way to Machu Picchu, travelers will have the opportunity to interact with the local inhabitants and learn about their customs and traditions.
Overview
This tour is ideal for those looking for a challenging and rewarding trekking experience. Travelers will hike between 5 and 7 hours a day and camp in high-quality campsites amid some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Andes. Expert local guides will be in charge of guiding travelers and providing them with a safe and comfortable experience in nature.
Itinerary
We pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus for approx. 2 hours to Mollepata, where we will have breakfast, this first breakfast must be ordered at a local restaurant in Mollepata. After that, we take the private transport again to Challacancha for about 40 more minutes of travel, where our walk will begin.
The 3 hours trek will take us to Soraypampa where we will have lunch with panoramic views of our Domes and the beautiful Humantay (4,120 m / 13,500 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,575 ft) snow-capped mountains. We will begin our trek towards Soraypampa, our first camp (3,800 m / 11,750 ft, the highest and coldest camp of the trip) admiring the beautiful landscape on the way as an optional visit we will go to the Humantay lagoon which is located 1:30 minutes walking from Soraypampa.
We will have breakfast around 5:30 am. and we will start our trek towards the highest pass of this trek (4,650 m / 15,200 ft) located midway between 2 huge mountains, Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From this pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible, there is a possibility of seeing snow here.
After a break, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a spectacular cloud forest towards Huayraqpunku, where we will have lunch. We then hike again after lunch heading towards the beginning of the jungle until we reach our second camp, Chaullay or Colpapampa (3,000 m / 9,800 ft).
After breakfast, at 6.30 am, we start the day’s hike through the high jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of streams to reach Playa walking approx. 4 hours, where we will camp in Geodesic Domes in a coffee plantation where we will learn about the coffee process so we will harvest, roast and grind the coffee as part of this trek.
Today we will pass through valleys and we will have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits, plants and as soon as we are at the beach place where we will spend the night, on the other hand, the horses will return to Mollepata. From here there is something optional to do so we can take a local bus to drive one hour to santa teresa where we can enjoy the natural hot springs (bus fees and entrance fees to the hot springs are not included on this tour and are optional).
After breakfast, at 6.30 am, we will try to arrive as early as possible in Llaqtapata, we walk a part of the original Inca trail and get some experience of the natives who live here in the area. Have the opportunity to harvest various fruits and have one of the best views of the Urubamba Valley. See the Salkantay mountain in the background and have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, after arriving at Hidroelectrica where we will have lunch, then continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana we will be walking approx. 2:30 minutes along the train track until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs of the town (entrance 10 soles) a real pleasure after finishing the walk.
We get up early in the morning around 4am. then to have breakfast and go to Machu Picchu, which takes 1:30 minutes walking, but there is another option to take the first bus that leaves at 5:30 am. towards Machu Picchu (it lasts 25 minutes) to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun rises.
Your guide will give you a 2-hour tour, and then you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2,720m. / 8,890ft) It takes 1:45 minutes to reach the top (optional and see availability). Then you will take the train around 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm or 6:20 pm depending on the availability of the train, so you will arrive in Ollantaytambo after 2 hours of travel, so a private transport that will take you from return to Cusco.
Includes
The tour includes
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish - English).
- Pick up from the hotel.
- Transportation (Cusco - Soraypampa and Ollantaytambo - *Cusco).
- Train (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo).
- Andean ceremony of the first day, offering to mother earth.
- Horsemen and mules to transport equipment, food and personal luggage (7 kilos per person).
- A cook to prepare all meals.
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and 4 snacks.
- Kitchen equipment: dining tent, kitchen with table and chairs.
- domes with private bathroom and hot shower.
- 1 night accommodation in Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Tickets to Machu Picchu.
- Bus up (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu).
- First aid kit.
Cost Excludes
- First breakfast and last dinner.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking
Salkantay Trek FAQs
No matter which itinerary you choose, the Salkantay trek is far from easy. We don’t consider it to be the hardest trek in the Cusco area but the long days, steep ascents and descents and the high altitude make the salkantay routes a bit difficult.
It is an incredible way of “glamping” under two of the most impressive snow-capped mountains in Cusco, the Humantay and the Salkantay, and with a spectacular view of the sky.
Conditioned like a luxury hotel, the dome has a glass roof that will allow us to count stars while we rest for the trekking that awaits us in the following days.
It is not necessary to have previous trekking experience to do the Salkantay Trek, but it is advisable to be in good physical shape and be prepared for long treks and challenging terrain. If you have no experience, it is advisable to do practice hikes and preparation beforehand.
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is during the dry season in Peru, which generally runs from May to September. During these months, the weather is more stable and there is less chance of rain, which makes the trek easier.
Although everything is included and paid in advance, you must bring extra money. We suggest 300 or 400 Peruvian soles. This is because, in the rural areas of the country, there will not be the option of paying in dollars. In case of emergency, it is always better to bring cash. Some parts of the route can be relatively difficult and you may need a means of transport to help you get to the next section (a car, a horse or a train). The 5-day Salkantay trek also offers some extra activities, such as hot springs. Additional drinks and snacks can also be purchased along the route.
The weather in Cusco is unpredictable. This makes it impossible to tell you exactly what kind of weather to expect on the trek. However, we can say for sure that the first night will be very cold, and it may even go as low as 0°C. Then, as you descend to lower altitude and plunge into the Peruvian jungle, each night will be warmer.
The rainy season in Cusco is usually from late October to March, but there is always a chance of rain. Therefore, we recommend that you bring a raincoat or poncho for protection.
Yes, we have restroom facilities at each of the campsites. You will also find some along the route and at each lunch stop.
The Salkantay pass is the biggest obstacle during the Salkantay trek. The pass has an altitude of 4600 m above sea level. On a typical Salkantay route, you will most likely cross it on the second day. It is essential to take it easy during the trek. If you are prone to altitude sickness, you may suffer from it. Fortunately, once you cross the Salkantay pass, you will descend fairly quickly. This will help you acclimatize and alleviate the worst symptoms of altitude sickness.
Yes, normally the hotels where our passengers stay have free space to leave unnecessary material for the excursion. In case the hotel where you stay does not offer this service, do not worry because you can leave your luggage in our offices. Your luggage will be safe and you will be able to enjoy your new experience 100% and without worries.
Normally, it is not necessary to bring camping equipment, as the tour operators usually provide accommodation along the entire route. However, it is always advisable to check beforehand what equipment is included and what to bring.
-Resistant and comfortable backpack: A trekking backpack with enough capacity to carry your belongings.
-Suitable clothing for trekking: Include layers of clothing to adapt to different weather conditions.
-Trekking shoes: A pair of waterproof and resistant trekking boots, comfortable and previously used to avoid blisters.
-Sleeping equipment: A sleeping bag suitable for low temperatures and a mat or insulating mat for comfort during the night.
-Personal hygiene items: Include toilet paper, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and any other personal items you may need.
-Sun protection: Broad spectrum sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen, sunglasses and hat to protect you from the sun.
-Water bottle and purifier: Bring a reusable water bottle and a purifier or tablets to purify water during the trek.
-Headlamp: A headlamp or flashlight to be able to move around the camp and trails at night.
-Cash: Carry enough cash to pay for additional services, tips and incidentals.
