5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

We will depart at approximately 4:00 AM in the morning for a two-hour trip to Mollepata village for a quick breakfast. Our transportation will include cozy blankets in case you need to take a nap after breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue for another hour until we reach the trailhead in Challacancha.

Before we start our hike, you will meet the porters and cooks who are part of our team and do a final check of your luggage. Then, we will begin our relatively easy three-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will find our first campsite. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful glaciers and a deep valley. You will also see an Inca canal that runs alongside most of the trail and is still used by local farmers today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 miles long.

When we arrive at Soraypampa, you will have time to settle into our cozy igloo-style Sky Camp and enjoy lunch with our chefs. You’ll be amazed by their talent in the midst of the mountains. After lunch, we will start our afternoon hike to Humantay Lake.

When we return to camp, you will have time to enjoy dinner while watching the sunset behind the mountains. It’s hard to describe the energy of the mountains, but inner peace is as close as you can get to describing it. You’ll be able to gaze at the stars.

• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Hike
• Distance: 10 km (5-6 hours)
• Initial Elevation: 3,800 m / 3,800 ft / 12,467 ft
• Maximum Elevation: 4,200 m
• Camp Elevation: 3,900 m
• Overnight: Sky Camp
• Meals included: Lunch and dinner

The impressive Abra Salkantay and descent to the tropical forest. You will wake up to the first rays of the day and see Apu Salkantay while enjoying a energizing coca tea. Then, you will take a nutritious breakfast before setting out on the 7 km hike for approximately three hours to the highest point on the route, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It’s a challenging climb along the “Snake’s Path,” so named for its winding route.

Upon reaching the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys, as well as a stunning view of the Salkantay mountain, located right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), considered one of the highest peaks in the Cusco region and known as an Apu.

You will also be able to observe the mountains: Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After taking in the views and resting, you will begin your descent (7 km / 4.35 miles) to our lunch spot at Huayracmachay (3,850 m). This section of the trail is rocky and steep, but you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding valley.

After lunch, you will enter the edge of the tropical forest, also known as the “cloud forest.” Along the way, you’ll appreciate the tropical vegetation and witness how the Andes give way to Amazonian environment quickly.

After a long day of hiking, you’ll be happy to arrive at Collpapampa for an overnight stay. Finally, we’ll serve a hearty dinner before resting in our exclusive Mountain Sky View.

• Difficulty: Challenging Hike
• Distance: 22 km (10 hours)
• Initial Elevation: 3,900 m
• Maximum Elevation: 4,630 m
• Camp Elevation: 2,950 m
• Accommodation: Sky View
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today, we’ll start our day at 6:00 AM with a nutritious breakfast. Then, we’ll begin our 5-hour hike through the stunning Santa Teresa Valley to reach La Playa. Along the trail, you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the recent and lush landscape surrounded by rivers, wild orchids, and many coffee, banana, and avocado plantations; you’ll also be able to taste guava.

We’ll pass through a small village called Collpapampa and continue to the base of the mountains to cross over to the other side of the valley. On this tropical stretch, we’ll see waterfalls, birds, fruit-bearing trees, flora, and fauna.

When we arrive at La Playa, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, then follow a one-hour drive to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where our campsite is located. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, perfect for coffee lovers. Even if you’re not a fan of a cup of coffee, the scent in the air is delicious.

This is the main agricultural industry in the tropical forest that exports products to the United States, Asia, and all of Europe. You’ll also visit avocado and orange plantations.

After dinner, of course, you’ll spend the night at one of our exclusive campsites, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with Mother Nature.

• Difficulty: Moderate Hiking
• Distance: 18 km (5-6 hours)
• Initial Altitude: 2,950 m
• Maximum Altitude: 2,950 m
• Accommodation Altitude: 2,000 m
• Overnight: Jungle Domes
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After a good breakfast, you’ll be eager to lace up your hiking boots for your last day of trekking. In the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the original and world-famous Inca Trail.

After hiking for two hours and taking in the breathtaking views of the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach the Llactapata Valley. After ascending the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site located opposite Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca complex you’ll see on the hike, from here you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

Then, you’ll descend the hill for an hour and a half and have the opportunity to see, along the way, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which will heighten your anticipation for making tomorrow more exciting. We’ll make a stop to lunch in Aobamba before continuing on for another half-hour hike to Hydroelectric.

Upon arriving at Hydroelectric, you have some options:

If you’re tired after all that hiking, you can opt to take a train to Aguas Calientes (not included).

If you want to take advantage of the last stretch of the hike, you can take the flat path along the riverbank, which takes about three hours. The hike will be another opportunity to enjoy the hot jungle environment.

Along the way, you’ll see an ancient rock used by the Incas as a sundial, which worked in conjunction with the Intihuatana stone at Machu Picchu’s sundial.

It was used to measure and read the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of the agricultural season for the Incas. Then, you’ll arrive at the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Dinner and night at a comfortable hotel.

• Difficulty: Challenging
• Distance of Hike: 25 km (8-9 hours)
• Initial Altitude: 2,000 m
• Maximum Altitude: 2,800 m
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m
• Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast

The Salkantay Trek is considered challenging. The most demanding section is Day 2, when the route climbs to Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. Travelers should be comfortable hiking several hours per day and should acclimatize before starting the trek.

The highest point is Salkantay Pass at approximately 4,630 m / 15,190 ft, reached on Day 2.

Yes. Humantay Lake is visited on Day 1 after reaching Soraypampa.

Yes. The trekking section reaches Aguas Calientes on Day 4, and Day 5 includes the scheduled guided visit to Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

The Salkantay route itself does not use the same limited permit system as the Classic Inca Trail. However, a Machu Picchu entrance ticket is required and is subject to availability.

The program includes one night at Sky Camp, one at Mountain Sky View, one at Jungle Domes and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes.

Yes. Prior acclimatization in Cusco or another high-altitude destination is strongly recommended because the route reaches more than 4,600 m.

The Salkantay Trek focuses more on high-mountain scenery, Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass and cloud-forest landscapes. The Classic Inca Trail follows the protected historical Inca road network and includes multiple archaeological sites before reaching Machu Picchu.