Salkantay SKY Trek 4 days

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 wake you up at 6:00 AM for a nutritious breakfast. Then, we’ll start our five-hour hike through the impressive Santa Teresa valley until we reach La Playa. Along the trail, you’ll be able to appreciate the recent and lush landscape surrounded by rivers, wild orchids, and many coffee, banana, and avocado plantations; you’ll also have the opportunity to taste passionfruit.

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. In this tropical stretch, we’ll see waterfalls, birds, fruit-bearing trees, flora, and fauna.

When we arrive at La Playa, it will be time for our last lunch prepared by our talented chefs while we relax and watch a coffee demonstration. After taking a moment to rest, we’ll embark on our private transportation that will take us to the train station in Hydroelectric, from there, we’ll hike surrounded by lush vegetation and linked by the Urubamba River. However, you have the option to take the train to Aguas Calientes if you feel exhausted at this point. Amidst the tropical paradise, you’ll see beautiful plantations, as well as a vast variety of birds, including the forest chicken. After three hours of hiking, we’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes, from there, we’ll take you to your hotel to relax in your comfortable room with private bathroom, hot shower, WiFi, breakfast, and luggage storage. In the evening, we’ll meet up for dinner at a prestigious restaurant before returning to the hotel.

• Difficulty: Challenging Hike 
• Distance: 27 km (8-9 hours) 
• Initial Elevation: 2,950 m 
• Maximum Elevation: 2,950 m Aguas Calientes 
• Elevation: 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 2h 30m 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