Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days / 4 nights

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu

About the Tour

Salkantay is the name of the second highest mountain in the Vilcabamba mountain range. This trek is part of one of the Inca Trails leading to Machu Picchu, covering a total of 70 km over 5 days. The most striking feature is undoubtedly the dramatic geographical changes: during the first two days, the route crosses the Puna zone, passing over a mountain pass at 4,600 meters above sea level; starting from day 3, the trek descends from the Andes into the Amazon region, entering the altitudinal zone of the Humid Forest or High Jungle.

This trek is surrounded by breathtaking nature, featuring stunning snow-capped peaks, lagoons, and, of course, vegetation that gradually changes along the route until reaching Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

Day 01 | Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

The Pacha driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel at around 5:00 am. We will drive for almost 3 hours to Anta – Mollepata. During the trip, you’ll be able to admire the snow-capped white mountains of Salkantay and Veronica: the Apus (holy gods) of the Incas. You will also enjoy spectacular views of the highlands and colorful low valleys.

Our first stop will be in the town of Mollepata, where we will have breakfast. Then the journey continues to Challacancha, the starting point of our hike. There, we will meet our support team, organize all the equipment, horses, and mules, and have an introductory meeting.

At approximately 9:30 am, we will begin our hike toward Soraypampa (3,900 meters above sea level). The first part of the trail is paved with stone paths. Along the way, we will see the ancient water canal that still supplies water to the local residents.

This first stretch covers 9 km and takes about 3 hours to reach Soraypampa, where we will have lunch. This will also serve as our base camp.

After lunch and a good rest, we will continue the hike to Humantay Lagoon (4,200 meters above sea level). This is a 5 km round-trip hike that will take about 3 hours. Once we arrive at the lake, we can admire the Humantay glacier and the stunning sunset. Soraypampa is located amidst glacial valleys, making it a perfect spot to appreciate the constellations under the dark Andean night sky.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 3,850 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,850 meters above sea level
Distance Covered: 14 km

Day 02 | Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayraccmachay - Chaullay

We start the day very early, at 5:00 am. After quickly packing and enjoying a quick breakfast, we immediately begin hiking toward the highest point of the Salkantay trail—Salkantay Pass at 4,620 meters (15,255 feet). The distance is 7 km, which we should complete in about 4 hours.

During the ascent through the rocky valley, we’ll be able to admire the incredible Salkantay mountain and may even spot chinchillas along the trail. Salkantay mountain reaches up to 6,217 meters (20,341 feet).

Once we reach the summit of the trail, we’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and the imposing snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo.

Salkantay is considered the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the main Inca gods known as “Apu Salkantay.” Hiking down to its base is the most challenging part of the entire trek.

The next 3 hours will be dedicated to descending along the “Snake Trail,” a rocky and gravel path leading to Huayracmachay, where we will stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will reach the upper part of the rainforest, also called the “cloud forest.” We will cover 9 km in about 3 hours until we arrive at Challway Village (2,900 meters / 9,514 feet), our base camp.

During the second half of the day’s descent, we will pass through dense forest adorned with colorful orchids and native plants. Most of the year, the climate here is warm and pleasant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4,650 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level
Distance Covered: 21 km

Day 03 | Chaullay - Collpapampa - Lucmabamba

We will start again very early at 5:30 am. After breakfast, we will begin walking directly toward the Playa, trekking through dense jungle and following the banks of the Salkantay River along a gradual trail.

Along the route, we will stop at several small family settlements to enjoy local fruits and vegetables such as passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya.

If we’re lucky, we may also spot the famous bird known as the “Cock-of-the-rock.”

The trail distance is 16 km, with an estimated hiking time of 7 hours to reach Lucmabamba, our base camp. Lucmabamba is a small town surrounded by coffee plantations and offers basic facilities such as bathrooms, electricity, shops, and souvenirs. It will also serve as our lunch stop.

In the afternoon, there is an option to take a one-hour drive to the hot springs, which is highly recommended after the challenging mountain trek. After enjoying the hot springs, it’s about an hour’s drive back to camp, where you can relax during happy hour and enjoy dinner before bedtime.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,100 meters above sea level
Distance Covered: 16 km

Day 04 | Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hydroelectric Plant - Aguas Calientes

First, we’ll have a brief explanation about the coffee we’ll be tasting, followed by a chance to sample the organic coffees offered.

We need to start early to avoid the midday heat. During the hike, we will pass through coffee plantations and an artisanal coffee mill on the way to Llactapata. Here, we follow a wide, well-preserved, and original Inca trail that once extended all the way to Quito, now the capital of Ecuador.

Following the trail along the ridge, we’ll see a variety of butterflies, citronella plants, orchids, rocky streams, and stunning views of the Santa Teresa Valley. From the pass, we’ll get our first breathtaking distant views of Machu Picchu.

From the pass, it’s a short walk to Llactapata. Still covered by vines, jungle vegetation, and trees, we’ll explore the site before descending to the Aobamba River and then to the Hydroelectric Plant, where we will have our last lunch.

From there, we will continue walking along the train tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes. Once in town, we will check into our hotel, go out for dinner, and then rest for the following day’s guided visit to Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Maximum Altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level
Minimum Altitude: 2,040 meters above sea level
Distance Covered: 24 km

Day 05 | Visit to Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

The fifth day is the most anticipated: the visit to the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu. We will wake up early to have breakfast and take the bus that will take us to the entrance of the site.

The guide will share all the historical information and theories that have been developed about the purpose of its construction. Of course, many questions remain unanswered, so it will be a pleasure to hear your thoughts and share together the different ideas about the mystery of this magical place.

The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours. For those who have booked the Huayna Picchu hike, the guide will inform you when it’s time to start that route.

After the visit, you will need to head back to the bus station to descend to Aguas Calientes. Once there, you will wait for your return train to Ollantaytambo. At Ollantaytambo, you will meet the driver who will take you by van back to the city of Cusco or to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, depending on where you will spend the night.

The tour includes

Briefing: The day before the trek begins, you will meet with the guide for a detailed briefing about the tour.
Professional Guides: All our guides are certified and bilingual.
Private Transportation: You will travel comfortably in private transport from Cusco to Mollepata, and likewise from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco.
Hotel: Accommodation in a hotel in Aguas Calientes on day 4.
Meals: Meals are included from the day we leave Cusco until the return; except breakfast on day 1, and lunch and dinner on day 5, as you will already be returning to the city.
Porters: Our team will carry your heavy luggage. Passengers only need to carry a small backpack with daily essentials and warm clothing during the hike.
Camping: We provide professional equipment to make your experience as comfortable as possible in the Andes. Sleeping tents are provided, but sleeping bags and mats are not included (they can be rented).