Salkantay Trek: 5 Day Highlights Adventure

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Mollepata - Laguna Humantay - Soraypampa
1 stop
1
Humantay Lake
We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. to begin the bus journey to Soraypampa (approximately 4 hours). Along the way, we will pass by Inca ruins before arriving in Mollepata, where we will enjoy breakfast at a rustic restaurant. We then continue to the starting point of the trek, where the mountain guide will gather the group and perform a traditional offering to the Apus (sacred mountain deities) using the famous kintu, three coca leaves, following an ancestral ritual to honor Pachamama and ask for permission to enter sacred spaces on our journey to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. After a 3 hour trek, we will arrive in Soraypampa at the base camp, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch at 12:00 p.m. with stunning views of the Salkantay and Humantay glaciers. In the afternoon, at around 1:00 p.m., we will visit the Humantay Lagoon, a magical turquoise lake nestled at the foot of the snowy peak. This visit involves a round-trip hike of approximately 3 hours.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Wayramachay – Chaullay
1 stop
2
On this second day, you will cover 22 km on a challenging yet rewarding hike that traverses a variety of landscapes, including snow capped peaks, highlands, cloud forests, and jungle. The day begins at 4:30 a.m. with a warm cup of tea, followed by breakfast at 5:00 a.m. At 5:30 a.m., the 3 hour ascent to the highest point of the route: the Salkantay Pass - begins. After reaching the summit, a 2 hour descent leads to lunch in Wayra Machay. The journey then continues through the cloud forest, where you can enjoy the lush flora, diverse wildlife, and the sounds of nature, before arriving at the campsite around 5:00 p.m.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Chaullay - Lucmabamba
1 stop
3
The third day begins at 8:00 a.m. with a traditional breakfast and a spectacular sunrise over the Salkantay Canyon. The morning is relaxed, featuring a 6 hour hike through the jungle, surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, birds, and orchids, until arriving in Lucmabamba. There, to reach the suspended mountain capsules, you will cross a 200 meter Tibetan bridge, an adrenaline filled experience. After enjoying lunch along the trail, the afternoon continues with a Coffee Tour at a local farm. Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m., and you will spend the night in the hanging shelters nestled in the heart of the jungle.
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Lucmabamba – Llaqtapata - Hidroelectrónica - Aguas Calientes
1 stop
4
The fourth day begins with breakfast inside a suspended capsule, followed by a 2.5 hour uphill hike to the Llactapata archaeological site, part of the ancient Inca trail network, Qhapaq Ñan. From this viewpoint, you will enjoy the first unique and breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Afterward, a 2 hour descent takes you to Hidroeléctrica, passing through local communities along the way, where lunch will be served. In the afternoon, the journey continues with a 3 hour walk to Aguas Calientes, following the train tracks at the base of the Machu Picchu mountain. In the evening, your guide will organize the entry tickets and details for the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight accommodation is provided at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Admission ticket free
Day 5
Machu Picchu
1 stop
5
Machu Picchu
The fifth day begins very early to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu. You will then enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the Inca citadel, exploring its architecture, history, and deep connection to Andean cosmology. Surrounded by a lush mountain jungle, the sanctuary reveals its terraces, stone walls, and masterfully carved structures. After the visit, you will descend to Aguas Calientes to board the transport back to the city of Cusco.
4 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

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