Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

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

Discover one of the most breathtaking routes to Machu Picchu with the Salkantay Trek, a perfect alternative to the Inca Trail. This 5-day adventure takes you from the snowy peaks of the Andes to the lush cloud forests of the high jungle, offering an unforgettable mix of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and physical challenge.

Hike past the majestic Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m), explore hidden Inca sites, and relax in thermal springs under the stars. Each day offers a new and stunning landscape—from alpine lakes and towering glaciers to tropical valleys rich in orchids, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. Along the way, enjoy delicious meals, comfortable domes and cabins, and expert guidance from local professionals.

What's Included

First aid kit.
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners and 5 snacks. snacks
A cook to prepare all meals.
Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Picchu.
Transportation (Cusco Soraypampa and Ollantaytambo Cusco).
Train (Aguas Calientes Ollantaytambo).
Hotel pick up.
Andean ceremony, offering to mother earth.
Luxury dome with private bathroom and hot shower. 1 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Kitchen equipment: dining tent, kitchen with table and chairs. chairs.
First breakfast and last dinner.
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag.
Cold drinks.

Meeting and pickup

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

Pick-up will be from your hotel in Cusco, provided it is within the city limits. For accommodations located outside this area (such as in the Sacred Valley or rural zones), we can coordinate a central meeting point in Cusco. Please be ready in your hotel lobby at the scheduled time.

OR
Meeting point

For travelers who do not require hotel pick-up, we will meet at a designated location in Cusco (or Urubamba/Ollantaytambo, depending on the briefing details). The exact meeting point and time will be provided in advance during your pre-departure briefing.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa

    1 stop
  • 1

    We’ll begin our adventure early in the morning with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a 2-hour drive to Mollepata, where you can enjoy a traditional Andean breakfast (not included). We’ll then continue to Challacancha, the starting point of our 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,800 m), our first campsite. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch with stunning views of Humantay and Salkantay. Soraypampa is the highest and coldest camp of the trek, offering a unique natural setting. In the afternoon, an optional hike to the turquoise Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m) is available for those seeking an extra adventure. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Crystal domes and huts Max Altitude: 3,850 m Min Altitude: 2,850 m Distance: Approx. 14 km

    7 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 2

    Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayraqpunku - Chaullay

    1 stop
  • 2

    We’ll start the day early with a hearty breakfast at 5:30 a.m., preparing for the most demanding section of the trek: the ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,200 ft), the highest point of our journey. Surrounded by the majestic snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and Tucarhuay, we’ll enjoy stunning Andean views—possibly even encountering snow. After taking in the panoramic scenery from the summit, we begin our descent into the lush cloud forest, where we’ll stop at Huayraqpunku for a well-earned lunch. In the afternoon, the trail leads us into the warmer high jungle until we reach our campsite at Chaullay (3,000 m) or Colpapampa, nestled in the tranquil Andean forest. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Crystal domes and huts Max Altitude: 4,650 m Min Altitude: 2,850 m Distance: Approx. 14 km

    7 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 3

    Chaullay - La Playa (Coffee Plantation) - Optional: Hot Springs in Santa Teresa

    1 stop
  • 3

    We’ll start the day with a nutritious breakfast at 6:30 a.m. before heading into the lush high jungle. The morning hike lasts about 4 hours, taking us across the Lluskamayo River and several streams, with views of waterfalls, tropical plantations, and vibrant Andean flora—a beautiful transition from the Andes to the Amazon. Upon reaching La Playa, we’ll settle into our Geodesic Domes, located on an authentic coffee farm. Here, you’ll enjoy a hands-on coffee experience, from harvesting to roasting and tasting organic Peruvian coffee. For extra relaxation, there’s an optional trip (1-hour each way, 50 soles) to Santa Teresa’s Cocalmayo hot springs—natural pools nestled in the mountains, perfect for unwinding after a day’s hike. Walking Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles Starting Elevation: 2750 m / 9022 ft Campsite Elevation: 2400 m / 7874 ft Difficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + snacks and tea Accommodation: Mountain capsules Adventure: Absolutely!

    7 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 4

    La Playa - Llaqtapata - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes

    1 stop
  • 4

    We’ll start the day with breakfast at 6:30 a.m., ready for an exciting trek featuring breathtaking views and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Our route takes us along a section of the original Inca Trail, passing through local villages where we’ll observe Andean life and harvest tropical fruits. At Llaqtapata, a seldom-visited archaeological site, we’ll enjoy a stunning view of Machu Picchu with Salkantay in the background. After descending to Hidroeléctrica for lunch, we’ll continue on foot for about 2.5 hours along the railway, surrounded by jungle vegetation, until reaching Aguas Calientes. There, we’ll check in at our hostel. Optional: visit the local hot springs (entrance fee: 10 soles) to unwind after an epic day. Walking Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles Starting Elevation: 2450 m / 8038 ft Campsite Elevation: 2000 m / 6561 ft Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + snacks and tea Accommodation: Hostel Adventure: Moderate–High

    5 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 5

    Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

    1 stop
  • 5
    Machu Picchu

    We’ll start early, waking up around 4:00 a.m. for breakfast before heading to Machu Picchu. You can either hike for about 1.5 hours or take the first bus (25-minute ride) to the entrance. At sunrise, we’ll enter the iconic citadel and enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring its history, mysteries, and architecture. After the tour, you'll have free time or the option to climb Huayna Picchu (advance booking required), a challenging hike with breathtaking views. Afterwards, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will bring us back to Cusco, arriving between 6:30 and 10:00 p.m., depending on your train schedule. Activity Overview: Machu Picchu tour with optional hike Difficulty: Tour: easy | Huayna Picchu hike: strenuous Total Duration: 2–3 hour hike | Machu Picchu at 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

    5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Uros Expeditions Travel Peru

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Multi-day Tours
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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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