5-Day Salkantay to Machu Picchu Hike Adventure

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Day 1 : Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa
1 stop
1
Mollepata
Your adventure begins early in the morning with a scenic tour from Cusco to the charming village of Mollepata. After a short stop, we continue to Soraypampa (3900 m / 12 795 ft), the starting point of your hike. Surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, this stunning landscape sets the tone for the journey ahead. From Soraypampa, we gradually ascend for about 1.5 to 2 hours until we reach the stunning Humantay Lake (4200 m), a turquoise gem nestled at the base of the majestic Humantay Mountain. Here you will have time to explore, take pictures and enjoy the peaceful energy of this sacred Andean lagoon. Afterwards, we descend back to Soraypampa, where your camp awaits, which offers spectacular views of the Humantay and Salkantay mountains. In the evening, under a star-studded sky, you will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the team before resting for the next day’s adventure.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Day 2 : Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay
1 stop
2
We wake up early with a hot coke tea and an energizing breakfast to start the most challenging, but also the most rewarding day of the hike. From Soraypampa, we gradually ascend through stunning valleys and Andean landscapes until we reach the Salkantay Pass (4650 m), the highest point on the entire route. At the top, you will be surrounded by stunning views of the majestic Salkantay mountain (6271 m), considered sacred by the Incas. Here we will take some time to celebrate the achievement, take pictures and connect with amazing natural beauty. Afterwards, we will begin the descent, watching the landscape change from snowy peaks to lush green valleys. We will stop at Huayracmachay for lunch before continuing the descent until we reach Chaullay (2900 m), where the highlands meet the edge of the cloud forest. Dinner and night in the camp, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata
1 stop
3
Banos Termales de Cocalmayo
Enjoy a break in the village while admiring the view of the mountains. After breakfast, you will prepare for the most beautiful day of this experience in the legendary city of Machu Picchu. Today you will walk along narrow paths along the river, past wooden bridges, small waterfalls and banana plantations until you reach the coastal village (2000 m / 6561 ft). Lunch today will be at the same place we'll spend the night. After lunch, we will continue to an organic farm, where you can taste the best coffee in the area. This area is characterized by coffee growing, where you can participate in the coffee making process. From the beans to the exquisite drink. After this beautiful experience, we will have time to relax visiting the Cocalmayo hot springs, which are optional and not included in the package, but can be arranged with your guide.
9 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
La Playa – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
1 stop
4
This day will be quite demanding, as we will walk about 24 km from the beach to Aguas Calientes. The first 3 hours will be of pure ascent, with magnificent views from which you can see the sunrise, until you reach the place called Llactapata, from where you can see Machu Picchu. This view will be unique as you can be closer to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu after an arduous hike. You will also find Inca buildings in this area. The three-hour trail is considered part of the original Inca trail from Machu Picchu to the Amazon. Your guide will tell you more about the area. After the visit, you will descend to the Aho Bamba Valley, where you will have lunch at the home of a family, which always means financial support for the local population. After lunch, you will continue the walk to the hydroelectric power plant. The route from this place to Aguas Calientes runs alongside the train track and borders all Machu Picchu.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Day 5: Exploring Machu Picchu – Cusco
1 stop
5
This Day you will visit one of the seven wonders of the world, a city abandoned for unknown reasons during the 16th century by the great Inca Empire. We will start early, have breakfast at the hotel and take the first buses to reach Machu Picchu at dawn. Once there, an expert guide will take you to the most important places of the citadel: temples, palaces, squares and enclosures, while revealing the mysteries hidden in this spectacular Inca city, nestled on top of a mountain. The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours. If you have tickets, you can climb Huayna Picchu or the mountain (Machu Picchu mountain). After finishing with the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, collect your belongings from the hotel and take the expedition train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, the Guiding Cusco team will take you back to Cusco on board your private transportation. You will arrive at the hotel around 7:30 p.m.
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Tags