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Available
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CUSCO
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8
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60
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10 - 18
CAMPSITES AND HOTELS
Overview
The 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the second most popular trek in the Cusco region. During this trek, you will admire snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes such as Humantay Lake and Salkantay Lake, and traverse through the cloud forest and the Peruvian jungle, making it one of the most beautiful and fascinating treks in Peru.
Highlights
Recommended For:
Moderate to Advanced Hikers
Difficulty:
Challenging
Starting Altitude:
3,200m / 10,500 feet
Highest Altitude:
4,650m / 15,200 feet
Hiking Distance:
72 km / 45 miles
Altitude Acclimatization:
Recommended
Itinerary
We will pick you up between 4:30 am and 5:00 am to finally start our hiking adventure. After an approximately 2-hours drive, we will stop in Mollepata for a delicious breakfast, and then continue our journey to Challacancha (3800 m/12457 ft), which is the starting point of our hike. We will hike for about 3 hours towards the Soraypampa base camp, located at 3,900 meters (12,800 ft.) above sea level, and enjoy a nutritious lunch. We will then head towards the famous Humantay lagoon (4,220 m/ 13,850 ft) and admire the incredible views along the 1.5 hour walk. The landscapes are exuberant and full of colors according to the season of the year. You will be able to enjoy the green valleys full of vegetation and incredible sceneries offered by the Humantay and Salkantay Andes mountains, while our local guide will share his knowledge about the history and interesting facts. Besides, you will have enough time to explore this unique place on your own. We will descend to our base camp in Soraypampa where we will enjoy a hot cup of coca tea, and have a freshly prepared dinner by our cooks.
At 5:00 am, we will enjoy a large breakfast to ensure we have plenty of energy for our hike today. Starting our trek from Soraypampa, we will ascend for 3 hours to the highest point, Abra Salkantay, where we will enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped high Andes Mountains, including Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo (4,650 meters / 15,250 feet). Passing through Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, we will discover a beautiful small lake and then begin our descent towards Wacracmachay for 3 hours (3,800 meters / 12,470 feet). There, we will have lunch and continue our descent for 3 more hours until we reach our campsite in Collpapampa. We will have tea and a delicious dinner prepared by our cook. Tonight, we will sleep in our comfortable domes at the campsite.
Hiking Distance: 22 km / 13.47 miles
After a rejuvenating night’s sleep, we start day 3 of our Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu with a delicious breakfast. We begin our 5 ½ hour hike through the Peruvian jungle, navigating many ascents and descents. This part of the trek takes us through the cloud forest, where we will discover several coffee plantations, orchids, and many natural plants used for medicinal purposes. We will arrive at our lunch point to rest a little and take a coffee tour.
We will spend the night in our private jungle domes. Here, you have the option to visit the thermal baths located in Cocalmayo, Santa Teresa (not included). We will return to our campsite at 6:00 pm for tea and a freshly prepared dinner.
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Today, we will enjoy the sunrise in a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, avocado, and coffee. After a nutritious breakfast, we will prepare for the next part of our trekking adventure: hiking along a section of the original Inca Trail! We will ascend along the Inca Trail, enjoying the beautiful views of the Santa Teresa Valley. After a 2.5-hour ascent, we will arrive at the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata. Our local guide will share his knowledge about the history of this place. Additionally, we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. We will descend for lunch and then continue our hike to Hidroeléctrica. You can choose to walk to Aguas Calientes for around 3 hours or opt to board a train for an additional $38.00. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in the village at the foot of the magnificent Wonder of the World. Tonight, we will stay overnight at a hotel.
Hiking Distance: 18 km / 11 miles
This is the day you’ve been waiting for the chance to visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.
We’ll rise early, around 4:30 a.m., to have a packed breakfast. We’ll then start our hike up to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. We’ll descend for 30 minutes to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, where you will need to show your original passport, Machu Picchu tickets, and Student ID if you are a student. After crossing Puente Ruinas, you will climb the stairs for about one hour to reach Machu Picchu’s main gate by 6:00 a.m.
The hotel will hold your bags for you while you are at Machu Picchu, so you only need to bring a small backpack with essentials, as large bags are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. There is also a bus option from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $12 USD.
Once in Machu Picchu, your guide will take you directly to the best panoramic viewpoint for the classic Machu Picchu photo, then guide you through the main sectors of the citadel for a total of 2.5 hours. During this tour, you’ll learn about the history and culture of this amazing Andean paradise.
After the guided tour, you will have time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may choose to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 hours) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3 hours). These hikes must be booked in advance, as they sell out quickly and cost $60 per person. Your guide will show you where to begin the hike. The amount of time you spend at Machu Picchu will depend on your choice of return transportation to Cusco (train or car).
INCLUSIONS
📦 What Is Included?
🛏️ Accommodation
- Instead of sleeping in small tents, we provide spectacular and comfortable campsites with Domes and Cabins.
- Night 1 (Soraypampa): Stay in our amazing glass cabins designed for two people.
- Night 2 and 3 (Colpapampa and Lucmabamba): Enjoy the comfort of private domes for two people.
- Last night in Aguas Calientes: Accommodation in a 2-star hotel with Wi-Fi, takeaway breakfast, and a private bathroom with hot water. You can also upgrade to a higher-quality hotel.
🍽️ Meals
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners).
- Professional cook and cooking equipment. Dining tent and kitchen tent for the cook to prepare your meals fresh.
- Meals can be accommodated for dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have certain preferences.
- A hot cup of Coca Tea every morning.
- Boiled water provided for coffee and tea to accompany your meals at the campsites.
🚗 Transportation
- Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of your trek.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (Regocijo Square).
👥 Local Guides & Team
- English/Spanish speaking professional guide.
- Horses and horsemen to carry camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
- All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit and an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.
- We provide duffel bags for your personal items (up to 5 kg per person).
📝 Additional
- Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide at our office to go over all the details of your tour. The briefing will be between 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00 the day before departure.
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and Salkantay Trek included.
❌ What Is Not Included?
🍴 Meals
- Lunch and dinner on the last day.
- No water for treks included. Please carry enough water with you. You can buy more water bottles along the trekking route.
🎒 Optional Activities
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain for $60.00 per person. Please let us know in advance to check availability.
- Entry to the Aguas Calientes hot springs.
📝 Other
- Trekking poles available for rent for $20.00 per person.
- Additional horses for luggage exceeding the 5 kg per person limit.
- Tips for your guide, cook, and staff.
- Shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu ($12.00 per person).
- National or international flights.
- Travel insurance.
- Sleeping bags ($15.00 per person).
- Other activities not mentioned in this itinerary.
TWO DIFFERENT WAYS TO RETURN TO CUSCO
SALKANTAY BY TRAIN
Choosing this option allows you to spend more time exploring Machu Picchu, as the train departs around 2:55 pm. If you plan to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we highly recommend this option to give you the extra time you’ll need.
The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo, our staff will meet you at the station exit and drive you back to Cusco. The car ride to Cusco will take about 2 hours, with arrival near the main square around 7:00 pm.
SALKANTAY BY CAR
Opting for this route gives you less time to explore Machu Picchu. If you plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you’ll be pressed for time.
To choose this option, you must leave Machu Picchu before 10:30 am and walk for 3 hours along the train tracks back to Hidroeléctrica, as there is no road for cars. You will meet the car in Hidroeléctrica between 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm. This is a longer journey, taking approximately 7 to 8 hours to reach Cusco, with an estimated arrival time between 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
If you’re considering this option and plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we recommend staying one more night in Aguas Calientes and returning to Cusco by car on the 6th day to fully enjoy your experience.
If you are a student, you could get a discount of $20 USD on the Machu Picchu ticket, as long as you meet the requirements set by the Peruvian government. This discount is non-negotiable.
To apply, send us a photo of both sides of your student ID and another of your passport after making the reservation. The student ID must be original, issued by your university, and meet the following requirements:
- PVC material
- University information
- Photo and full name
- Valid expiration date, for one year only
- Must match the year you visit Machu Picchu
- Issued by a recognized university
You must also bring your original student ID for the control at the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Please check if your student card includes the following requirements:
Example of a student card meeting all the requirements.
On the 4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, you’ll experience many of the same breathtaking landscapes as the 5-Day Trek. The key difference is that on Day 3, instead of staying at the Lucmabamba campsite, we go directly to Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes. This makes Day 3 more challenging, as it includes a 3-hour hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes. On Day 4, you’ll visit the Machu Picchu site.
In contrast, the 5-Day Salkantay Trek offers a more relaxed pace. On Day 3, we stay at the Lucmabamba campsite, allowing time to unwind and even visit the Cocalmayo hot springs (this activity is not included). On Day 4, we explore the remarkable archaeological site of Llactapata, walking part of the original Inca Trail, which is not covered in the 4-Day trek. We then continue to Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes, with the visit to Machu Picchu scheduled for Day 5.
- Personal backpack (30-50L) and additional duffel bag for your belongings (max. 5 kg).
- Reusable water bottle
- Small coins (S/1) for bathrooms and other expenses.
- Rain jacket or rain poncho
- Strong footwear (Waterproof trekking boots recommended.)
- Sleeping bag (also available for rent)
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Clothes for the entire trek:
- Two long-sleeve trekking shirts
- Two short-sleeve shirts
- Leggings or trekking pants
- Shorts
- Four pairs of underwear
- Sweatpants for the night
- Three pairs of hiking socks
- A rain poncho
- An insulated jacket
- Gloves
- Beanie
- A hat with a brim
- Hiking boots
- Bathing suit and small towel (if you plan to visit the hot springs)
- Sandals to rest your feet at the campsites
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Additional snacks (we supply you with plenty of food already)
- Original passport (mandatory for entrance to Machu Picchu)
To prepare for the trekking, it is important to spend 2-3 days in a high-altitude location such as Cusco, so that your body can adjust. Even if you have already been at high altitudes, it is recommended to rest for at least one full day in Cusco before the hike. your trek.
Additionally, take care of your body by maintaining a healthy diet, edrinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol. Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea can help relieve altitude sickness.
The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain are additional add-ons that you can choose to purchase besides the Machu Picchu visit that is already included in this trek. You can visit one of these mountains after your Machu Picchu visit to see the Inca Citadel from the top.
Please send us an email asking about availability. Then, if available, you can select which mountain you would like to climb when you make your reservation online. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are an additional 60 USD.
❓ What is Huayna Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu Mountain is home to the Temple of the Moon and is the famous mountain peak seen behind the ruins in all the classic photos of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is an approximately 45-minute climb with more ruins at the top and offers an incredible view of the Machu Picchu ruins. The visit to Huayna Picchu takes approximately 2 hours. Huayna Picchu Mountain is an additional 60 USD.
❓ What is Machu Picchu Mountain?
Machu Picchu Mountain is an additional hike within Machu Picchu that offers a much higher view of the ruins and overlooks the entire valley. Machu Picchu Mountain is an additional 60 USD.
The Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek are two popular options to reach Machu Picchu, but they have different characteristics:
Inca Trail:
- Original and famous Inca path
- Leads directly to Machu Picchu
- More crowded and expensive
- Discovery of Inca ruins
Salkantay Trek:
- Less crowded alternative
- Last night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- More wildlife and mountain landscapes
- Higher altitude, considered more challenging
Congratulations, adventure awaits you! We sent you a confirmation e-mail with more details about your trekking adventure. The day before your departure at 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00, please stop by our office located in Portal Espinar Nro 163 to receive the informative briefing. Our professional guide will tell you everything about your trek and clarify any last questions you may have.
The weather in Salkantay is unpredictable. There are two main seasons:
Rainy season (November-March)
- Temperatures: 15°C/60°F (day), 5°C/40°F (night)
- High probability of rain and wind
Dry season (April-October)
- Temperatures: 20°C/70°F (day), -3°C/26°F (night)
- Sunny and clear weather
Peruvian Amazon Basin (after the second day)
- Humid and warm weather all year round.
Be prepared for extreme temperatures and varying weather conditions.
We offer a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes, such as rice, chicken, beef, salads, potatoes, vegetables, soups, and fruits, freshly prepared by our local chef. We also have excellent vegetarian options and cater to specific dietary requests with proper preparation and good communication.
It is recommended to have previous hiking experience, but it is not mandatory. Our guides are trained to assist hikers of all levels, ensuring that no one is left behind. The most important thing is to acclimate to the altitude before the trekking.
Yes, you can leave extra luggage in our office free of charge. Just let us know if you have any fragile or technological items that require special care, and we’ll ensure they are handled appropriately.
The minimum group size is 10 people and the maximum group size is 18 people. There will be an assistant guide for groups over 15 people.
Please feel free to review our Terms & Conditions and let us know if you have any questions or requests regarding our cancellation policy, which is available on our website.
🧳 Personal Gear
👕 Clothing
☀️ Additional Items
