4-Day Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

4 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

The Salkantay Trek is a really good option to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You can’t miss these unique Andean landscapes, and enjoy wonderful views.

Hiking around amazing lagoons with breathtaking views to the Andean Mountain Range, extraordinary glaciers and mountains, you’ll finally reach the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

According the National Geographic, the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is among the best 25 treks in the world.

This trekking is certainly worth it!

What's Included

Camping equipment
Train Expedition from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Horses to carry camping equipment, and personal staff (6 kilos per person).
Touristic bus from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco
Lunch (Optional[3])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[3])
Dinner
Breakfast (Optional[4])
Breakfast
A short briefing a day before starting the trekking
First Aid Kit and oxygen bottle
Sleeping bag
Huayna Picchu entrance
Travel Insurance
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

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

Pick up from centrally located Cusco city hotels

Itinerary

Duration: 4 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – CAMPSITE

    4 stops
  • 1

    Departing very early in the morning from the hotel located in the city of Cusc, we will take a transport for a 2-hour journey until reach the town of Mollepata, a place to enjoy a short rest and buy what you need.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 2

    The Salkantay trekking continues until reach Challacancha, starting point of a hike of two hours and a half until reach Soraypampa at 3,800 meters above sea level. Here, the campsite is made up of igloos with transparent roofs so you can admire the starry sky during the night.

    3 hours Admission ticket included
  • 3

    After enjoying a lovely picnic, we are going to visit the Humantay Lagoon, starting a trek of one hour and a half one way, and the same time to come back. You can make a mystical offer to the mountains with coca leaves to ask protection during the trip. The Lake Humantay is located at 4,200 meters above sea level, and it has amazing views to the Salkantay peaks. Its clear waters create a unique landscape, and if you are brave you can take a bath here.

    4 hours Admission ticket free
  • 4

    We will back to the campsite at Soraypampa to rest and enjoy the first dinner together, and spend the night. Walking distance: 8.08 miles.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 2

    SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – COLLPAPAMPA

    2 stops
  • 5

    This day you will wake up very early to have breakfast and drink a hot tea, to then start the most challenging day of the entire tour. The hike starts going uphill for 4 hours until reach the highest point known as Salkantay Pass located at 4,650 meters above sea level. Be amazed with amazing landscapes and mountain views surrounded you, and admiring the Vilcanota Mountain Range.

    4 hours Admission ticket included
  • 6

    Later, we are going downhill for 3 hours and a half until reach Wayracmachay to enjoy lunch and have a short rest. The Salkantay trail continues going downhill for about 3 hours until reach Collpapampa. From this point, the Salkantay River becomes Santa Teresa River. Here we are going to spend the night in igloos with transparent roofs to enjoy the starry night again. Walking distance: 16.16 miles.

    7 hours Admission ticket free
  • Day 3

    COLLPAPAMPA - AGUAS CALIENTES

    3 stops
  • 7

    After breakfast, you will start a hike going downhill for 5 hours to the beautiful valley of Santa Teresa along a path full of vegetation. You will pass through fields of banana crops, passion fruit, coffee plantations and avocado orchards. During the trail to Machu Picchu, you will admire local flora and fauna such as condors and different kind of flowers and plants.

    5 hours Admission ticket free
  • 8

    Arriving to “La Playa Village”, you will take a transport that will take you to the train station of hydroelectric plant. From this point, you can take the train ride to Aguas Calientes for 40 minutes (optional) or you can still be hiking along the Urubamba River for 3 more hours.

    4 hours Admission ticket included
  • 9
    Aguas Calientes

    After the check in at the hotel, we are going to have the last group dinner with the tour guide. Walking distance: 9.94 miles.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 4

    AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

    3 stops
  • 10
    Machu Picchu

    This is a special day because you are going to visit Machu Picchu finally. We will wake up very early in the morning to take the bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, and from the best point known as Guardian’s House you will get the most amazing views of this Inca site. Here, we will have guided tour of 1 hour. Machu Picchu means Old Mountain and is a jewel of Inca architecture which was built in the 15th century, and was discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Be amazed with the history of this wonder of the world and World Heritage. After the tour guide at Guardian’s House, you can visit Machu Picchu on your own or continue exploring the rest of this place with the tour guide for more 1 hour. We are going to walk through this mysterious Lost City of the Incas until being near the entrance of Huayna Picchu mountain (optional). You will have plenty time to walk around this place.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 11

    Later in the afternoon, the train will depart the train station of Aguas Calientes to go towards Ollantaytambo.

    2 hours Admission ticket not included
  • 12
    Centro Historico De Cusco

    Our transport will be waiting for you to take you to the city of Cusco, and drop you off at your hotel.

    2 hours Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Trains schedule could vary because of the season and availability
  • Trains allow one small bag no more than 5 kilos on board
Supplied by Tangol

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Hiking Tours
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Historical Tours
Small Group
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Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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