Salkantay Trek 5 days to Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
CUSCO – SOYROCOCHA - HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAYPAMPA
1 stop
1
Salkantay Trail
Your adventure begins at 4:30 a.m. with a private pickup from your hotel. We will head to Mollepata for a strategic technical stop to pick up any last-minute supplies. Afterward, we continue to Soraypampa (12,795 ft), where our professional chef will welcome you with a gourmet, high-energy breakfast at the foot of the glaciers. We then begin the hike to Humantay Lake (13,780 ft). Following 30 minutes of gradual terrain and an hour of steady climbing, you will reach the turquoise waters. Your expert guide will share insights into the site's geology and sacred Andean significance. After descending, we return to Soraypampa for a three-course lunch and a revitalizing 30-minute nap in private tents a key comfort detail for better oxygenation. In the afternoon, we trek two hours to our exclusive campsite at Salkantaypampa (13,451 ft). This location offers stunning, head-on views of Mount Salkantay. Upon arrival, our crew will have your tents ready.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
SALKANTAYPAMPA - SOYROCOCHA - WAYRACMACHAY - COLLPAPAMPA
1 stop
2
Salkantay Trail
Your day begins with hot coca tea delivered to your tent, followed by a high-energy breakfast. We will then start the technical ascent along the legendary "Trail of the 7 Snakes," climbing toward the expedition’s zenith: the Salkantay Pass (15,190 ft). At this sacred summit, you will take part in a traditional ceremony to honor the mountain spirits while surrounded by breathtaking views of hanging glaciers. After conquering the pass, we descend to Wayracmachay for a rejuvenating gourmet lunch. This rest is vital before experiencing one of the world's most dramatic ecological shifts: entering the cloud forest. You will feel the air become warmer and oxygen-rich as the rugged rock and snow give way to a vibrant jungle sanctuary filled with wild orchids and giant ferns. Finally, we arrive at our campsite in Collpapampa (9,514 ft). Under the tropical night sky, you will enjoy a restorative dinner prepared by our chef, falling asleep to the symphony of the high jungle.
9 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
COLLPAPAMPA - LA PLAYA - LUCMABAMBA
1 stop
3
Salkantay Trail
Today features a revitalizing 5-to-6-hour descent through the tropical cloud forest. We’ll hike alongside the Santa Teresa River, surrounded by vibrant plantations of passion fruit, bananas, and avocados. To maximize your rest, we head directly to our exclusive campsite in Lucmabamba (6,561 ft). Here, you’ll enjoy a fresh gourmet lunch and have the entire afternoon to relax or nap in your tent without further travel. Later, you’ll enjoy a genuine cultural immersion at a local organic coffee farm. As part of our Sustainable Tourism mission, you’ll participate in the artisanal process from harvesting to roasting culminating in a private tasting of world-class coffee alongside the local families we support.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
LUCMABAMBA - LLACTAPATA – HYDROELECTRIC PLANT – AGUAS CALIENTE
1 stop
4
Salkantay Trail
The day begins with a three-hour ascent along a perfectly preserved section of the Original Inca Trail. Walking in the footsteps of Inca royalty, surrounded by dense vegetation and endemic birds, offers a deep mystical connection to history. Our route leads to the Llactapata Archaeological Site (9,317 ft), a strategic highlight exclusive to Ali Perú Treks. From this vantage point, you will enjoy an exclusive panoramic view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from across the valley. This rare perspective is a privilege few travelers experience and serves as the perfect prelude to your official visit. After descending to Hydroelectric, we share a final gourmet lunch with our team of chefs and porters—a special moment of gratitude for those who made this expedition possible. The journey concludes with a three-hour hike through the high-jungle microclimate to Aguas Calientes (6,692 ft), where we check into a comfortable hotel to prepare for the grand finale.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO
1 stop
5
Salkantay Trail
Today will be a wonderful day to visit Machu Picchu: have an early breakfast before taking one of the first buses to Machu Picchu (starting at 5:30 a.m.). You will only need to carry your backpack with everything you need to Machu Picchu. The hotel will store your luggage for you while you are in Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Picchu takes approximately 25 minutes. Once in Machu Picchu your guide will take you directly to the best place to watch the sunrise and take pictures. Your local guide will show you the main sectors of the citadel for a total of 2 hours. During this guided tour, you will learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire, we recommend you return to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before your train departs. The return train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo our staff will be waiting for you, to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket included

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

Tags