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Cusco
Overview Salkantay Trek 3 days
Reservation Recommendation:
It is recommended to book 2 to 3 months in advance to secure the best circuit available. If the circuits are sold out, the only option will be to purchase a ticket in Aguas Calientes, subject to availability.
The circuits correspond to the entrance to Machu Picchu, so booking in advance is essential to guarantee your visit.
Highlights Salkantay Pass & Humantay Lake
Itinerary Salkantay Trek 3 days
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 2:30 am at the first day of the Salkantay Trek 3 days. Together with the group, we will travel for 4 hours, passing through Anta and Mollepata, until we reach our starting point at Soraypampa (3,900 m/12,795 ft), where we will enjoy a nutritious breakfast to begin our walk through beautiful landscapes. After 4 hours of ascent, we will reach the highest point, which is the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m, where we will have a magnificent view of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. Afterward, we will descend for approximately 2 hours to reach our lunch spot, where we will have time to rest before beginning our 3-hour descent. This part of the trail is surrounded by lush jungle. Upon arrival at the Collpapampa campsite, we will have tea and a delicious dinner prepared by our cook. Tonight, we will sleep in our comfortable domes at the camp.
Hiking Distance: 22 km/13.5 miles
We will have breakfast at 6:00 am and shortly after begin hiking for approximately 5 and a half hours through the jungle. 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 in Lucmabamba to rest for a bit, and then take our transportation to Hidroeléctrica. From there, we will walk for 3 more hours to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes, we will spend the night in a hotel and have our final dinner together at a local restaurant.
Hiking Distance: 16 km/10 miles, after lunch: 11 km/7 miles
Today is the day to visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! The day will start early, at 4:30 a.m., with a packed breakfast before beginning the approximately 1.5-hour walk to the citadel. Then, we will descend 30 minutes to the Ruins Bridge to show your access documents, and afterward, we’ll climb stairs for an hour to reach the main entrance of Machu Picchu by 6:00 a.m.
Remember that the hotel will store your luggage, and you’ll only need a small backpack, as large backpacks are not allowed inside the site. You can also opt for a bus from Aguas Calientes for $12 USD.
Once there, your guide will take you to the main viewpoint for the classic photo and then guide you through the most important areas for 2.5 hours, explaining the history and culture of Machu Picchu. After the tour, you will have time to explore on your own, and if you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 hours) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3 hours), although these hikes must be reserved in advance and have a cost of $60 USD.
The time at Machu Picchu will depend on your return transport to Cusco, either by train or car.
Inclusions Salkantay Trek 3 days
📦 What is included in the Salkantay Trek 3 days?
🛏️ Accommodation
- Enjoy spectacular and comfortable campsites designed just for you. Your first night in Colpapampa includes a cozy private dome for two — the perfect way to relax after a day of adventure.
- For the second night, you’ll be accommodated in a 2-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. This hotel will be clean, safe, and equipped with Wi-Fi, a take-away breakfast, and a private bathroom with hot water. Upgrades to higher-quality hotels are also available upon request.
🍽️ Meals
- Meals as specified in the itinerary: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, and 2 Dinners.
- Professional cook and cooking equipment provided. We have a dining tent and a kitchen tent where your meals will be prepared fresh.
- We can accommodate dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan diets. Please inform us in advance of your preferences so we can plan accordingly.
- Enjoy a hot cup of Coca Tea each morning.
- Boiled water will be provided for coffee and tea at the campsites to accompany your meals.
🚗 Transportation
- Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the start of your trek.
- Transportation from Lucmabamba to Hidroeléctrica.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, with drop-off at Plaza Regocijo.
👥 Local Guides & Team
- Professional English/Spanish-speaking guide.
- Horses and riders to transport camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
- All trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit and an extra oxygen bottle for emergencies.
- Duffle bags will be provided during the briefing for your personal belongings (up to 5 kg per person).
📝 Additional
- Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide at our office to review all the details of your tour. The briefing will take place between 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00 at our Cusco office, the day before departure.
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and the Salkantay Trek are included.
❌ What is not included in the Salkantay Trek 3 days?
🍴 Meals
- Lunch and dinner on the last day.
- No boiled water for treks included. Please carry enough water with you. Additional bottles can be purchased along the trek.
🎒 Equipment
- Sleeping bags. Available for rent if you do not have one ($15.00 per person).
- Trekking poles. Available for rent for $20.00 per person.
- Additional horses for carrying luggage exceeding the 5 kg per person limit.
🎟️ Optional Activities
- Entry to Waynapicchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. You can choose to add one of them to your trekking itinerary for $60.00 per person. Please let us know in advance to check availability.
- Entry to the Aguas Calientes hot springs.
📝 Other (optional) costs for the Salkantay Trek 3 days
- Tips for your guide, cook, and staff.
- Shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- National or international flights.
- Travel insurance.
- 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 14:55, 15:20, 16:22, 18:20, 21:50, depending on our availability. 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.
FAQs Salkantay Trek 3 days
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.
- 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)
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 3, 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.
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 is optional, in addition to the main visit to Machu Picchu. These mountains offer privileged views of the Inca city. If you wish to visit one of them, you must check its availability via email, and if available, choose which one to hike when making your reservation. The additional cost to access these mountains is 60 USD.
Huayna Picchu Mountain: This is the famous mountain that appears in the classic photos of Machu Picchu. It houses the Temple of the Moon and offers spectacular views. The hike to the summit takes approximately 45 minutes, and the entire visit lasts about 2 hours.
Machu Picchu Mountain: This is the alternative mountain to Huayna Picchu Mountain. It is an additional hike within Machu Picchu that offers a much higher view of the ruins and a panoramic view of the entire valley. The access has an additional cost of 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.
You can find the weather forecast here, but most of the time it is not very accurate.
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.
¿Necesito experiencia en senderismo para completar el Salkantay Trek de 3 días?
Se recomienda tener experiencia previa en caminatas, pero no es obligatorio. Nuestro guías están capacitados para asistir a excursionistas de todos los niveles, asegurando que nadie se quede atrás. Lo más importante es aclimatarse a la altitud antes del 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 for the Salkantay Trek 3 days 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.
Packing list Salkantay Trek 3 days
🧳 Personal Gear
👕 Clothing
☀️ Additional Items
Map Salkantay Trek 3 days
