4-Day Short Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Sky Camp Stay

5.0
(3,610 reviews)
Cusco, Peru

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4 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 5 more

Challenge yourself on this adventurous 4-day trek to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu. Conquer Humantay Lake, the mighty Salkantay Mountain, and go through the wild, rugged Andean mountain range down to the edge of the Cloud Forest. Accommodation is included, including a night at the exclusive Sky Camp, whose igloos are perfect for stargazing.

• Embark on an adventure-filled trek to Machu Picchu
• Small-group tour (maximum 12): A more personalized experience
• Includes meals, accommodations, and entrance fees
• Spend a night stargazing in the Andean mountains

What's Included

Pre-departure briefing
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tourist Class Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (Expedition or The Voyager)
Experienced Mountain Guide
Lunch (Optional[3])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[3])
Dinner
Experienced cooks and porters
Breakfast (Optional[4])
Breakfast
Entrance fees to the Salkantay route and Humantay Lake
One-way bus tickets (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu)
Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (dining room, kitchen, tables, and chairs)
5 kg/11 lb porterage for your personal gear(including a duffle bag)
All Private Transport and transfers during the tour
Water, Tea Time, and daily Snacks on the trail
Cultural immersion at a local coffee farm.
Machu Picchu Entry (Circuit 2 for 3-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
Accommodations (1 night at the Sky Camp, 1 night at the Mountain Sky View, 1 night at a Hotel)
Lunch and Dinner on Day 4
Optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake (Day 1
Optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to Abra Salkantay (Day 2)
Train Transfer from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (Optional)
Huayna Picchu Mountain: Approximately 2-hour hike (round trip). Additional cost: $60 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain: Approximately 3-hour hike (round trip). Additional cost: $60 per person.
Return bus ticket (Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes)
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.
We pick up all travelers from their hotels between 05:00 and 05:30 am.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

    5 stops
  • 1
    Cusco

    Begin your adventure with a pickup from your accommodation at 5:00 a.m. and enjoy a ride to Mollepata

    2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Mollepata

    In Mollepata, you will enjoy an energizing breakfast before heading to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 3

    After about three hours of hiking along an ancient Inca canal, you will arrive at Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), home to our exclusive Sky Camp, where a delicious, freshly prepared lunch awaits you.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Humantay Lake

    In the afternoon, ascend to the stunning Humantay Lake, whose turquoise waters reflect the sacred glaciers.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 5

    Enjoy the scenery before returning to camp for dinner and rest under a starry sky.

    10 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 2

    Sky Camp - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa

    4 stops
  • 6

    Wake up with a cup of coca tea and enjoy an energy-packed breakfast before beginning the ascent to Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the trek.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 7

    At the summit, take in the views of the imposing Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo mountains, considered sacred apus by the ancient Incas. After enjoying the views, descend to Huayracmachay for a revitalizing lunch.

    4 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 8

    Then continue through the cloud forest, where the landscape transforms from snowy to tropical. Admire the lush vegetation before arriving at Collpapampa.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 9

    In Collpapampa, a hearty dinner and a restful night await you at our exclusive Mountain Sky View Camp.

    10 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 3

    Collpapampa - La Playa - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes

    4 stops
  • 10

    Wake up at 6:00 a.m. and enjoy a nutritious breakfast before setting off on a five-hour hike through the Santa Teresa Valley. During the hike, you will enjoy lush scenery with rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations. If you are lucky, you may see the cock-of-the-rock, Peru's national bird.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 11
    Lucmabamba Coffee Experience

    Upon arrival in Granadilla, a private vehicle will be waiting to take you to La Playa to visit an organic coffee farm and learn about the entire process, from harvesting to export-ready beans. After this enriching experience, we will enjoy a delicious lunch and continue our journey to the train station in Hidroelectrica.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 12

    From there, you will walk along a beautiful stretch surrounded by vegetation until you reach Aguas Calientes.

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 13
    Aguas Calientes

    Once in Aguas Calientes, settle into your hotel, relax in your free time in the hot springs, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before resting.

    11 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

    4 stops
  • 14
    Aguas Calientes

    Today we wake up very early for a light breakfast and board the first buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to arrive before the crowds and enjoy the sunrise over the ancient Inca ruins.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 15
    Machu Picchu

    During a two-hour guided tour, you will explore temples, terraces, and sacred enclosures. If you wish, you can take an additional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance reservation required).

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 16
    Ollantaytambo

    Afterwards, you will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.

    3 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 17
    Cusco

    There, our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
Supplied by Salkantay Trekking
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