Salkantay Trek 5D/4N - Adventure Hike to Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco – Humantay – Soraypampa
1 stop
1
Humantay Lake
Pickup at 4:00 AM. After a 2 hour drive we stop in Mollepata for breakfast, then continue to the trailhead where the Humantay and Salkantay peaks tower above you. We hike 4 hours to Soraypampa for lunch. Then a 1.5 hour trek to Humantay Lagoon. We arrive at the perfect time. No crowds. Just turquoise water surrounded by glaciers. We hike down to camp in time for sunset over the mountains. With luck you'll spot condors soaring overhead. Your tents and bags will be ready. Happy hour awaits with hot chocolate, coffee, and popcorn, followed by a freshly prepared dinner. If the skies are clear your guide will introduce you to the Inca constellations. A perfect end to day one.
9 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Challway campsite
1 stop
2
Salkantay Trail
Your crew wakes you with a hot drink. Open your tent to the first sunlight hitting the mountain peaks. By 6:30 AM we begin a 3 hour climb to Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek. We arrive before anyone else. The views are extraordinary. From here it's all downhill. A 2 hour descent to our lunch spot. After lunch, a 4 hour walk to Challway. This is where the landscape transforms. Snow capped mountains fade behind you as cloud forest takes over. The trail follows a river the entire way. Keep your eyes open for hummingbirds. They're everywhere along this stretch. Your tents and belongings will be ready at camp. Dinner is prepared by your private chef. A well earned meal after an unforgettable day.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Challway – Coffee Activity – Llactapata.
1 stop
3
Mirador de Llactapata
After breakfast, we drive to Lucmabamba. Butterflies, coffee plantations, and tropical fruits surround you. This is the jungle side of Peru most visitors never see. We visit a local coffee farm where you pick, roast, and brew your own cup of high altitude jungle coffee. One of the finest in Peru. After a home cooked lunch, we hike 4 hours to Llactapata. Uphill but at low altitude. Challenging but doable. Then the moment that makes it all worth it. You arrive and there it is. Your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. From a viewpoint only a handful of travelers ever experience. A 10 minute walk down brings you to camp. The only campsite with a direct view of Machu Picchu. You fall asleep looking at the citadel you'll explore tomorrow.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Llactapata – Hidroeléctrica – Machu Picchu Town.
1 stop
4
Aguas Calientes
An early start with hot coca tea. Your chef prepares the final breakfast of the trek. Before we set off, a farewell ceremony with the full crew. This is your moment to thank the team that made the journey possible. Then the hike begins. Two hours downhill with Machu Picchu in your sights the entire way. The views are stunning and they only get better as you descend. At the hydroelectric station the trail flattens out. We follow the railroad for 2 hours through lush jungle to Mandor Pampa, where lunch is served alongside the Urubamba River. After lunch, a short 20 minute walk to Mandor Waterfall. A hidden gem most trekkers never visit. Cool mist, jungle sounds, and a perfect place to pause. Then 2 more hours to Aguas Calientes. Your guide walks you to your hotel. A hot shower never felt so good. That evening, one final dinner together at one of the best restaurants in town. The perfect way to close out the expedition before tomorrow's main event. Machu Picchu.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Machu Picchu (7th World Wonder) – Return to Cusco.
1 stop
5
Machu Picchu
The day you've been building toward. After 4 days of trekking, Machu Picchu. A 25 minute bus ride takes you to the entrance. Your private guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours. No rushing. Plenty of time for photos, panoramic views, and quiet moments to take it all in. Want to push further? You can add an extra hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu for even more dramatic views. Availability is limited and confirmed at the time of booking. If we secure a spot your guide will show you the trail. After the tour, head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) before boarding your 2:30 PM train to Ollantaytambo. Our team will be waiting at the station with your private transfer to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Four days of trekking. One incredible destination. This is the moment that makes every step worth it.
6 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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