Tour overview

Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling adventure of the 5-day Salkantay Trek! This unforgettable journey takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Peruvian Andes, offering a truly immersive experience in nature’s grandeur.

As you embark on this trek, you’ll be surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Each step takes you closer to the majestic Salkantay Mountain, standing tall at 6,271 meters, its presence commanding reverence and awe.

But this trek is not just about the stunning scenery; it’s about the journey itself. You’ll trek through remote Andean villages, encountering the warm hospitality of the locals and learning about their ancient traditions and way of life.

At night, you’ll camp under a blanket of stars, the Milky Way stretching across the sky, a reminder of the vastness of the universe and our place in it. And as you wake up to the crisp mountain air, you’ll feel a sense of freedom and connection to nature that is truly profound.

Join us on the Salkantay Trek and discover the beauty of the Andes in a way that will leave you forever changed.

Recommended For: Moderate to Advanced Hikers
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting Altitude: 3,200m / 10,500ft
Highest Altitude: 4,650m / 15,200ft
Hiking Distance: 66 km / 44 miles
Altitude Acclimatization: is Recommended

ACCOMMODATION

Instead of sleeping in small tents, we set up our spectacular and comfortable campsites just for you. On night 1 (Soraypampa), you stay in our amazing 2 people glass cabins, and on night 2 & 3 (Colpapampa and Playa Sahuayaco) in private 2 people sleeping domes.
Last night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a Standard Hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe hotel with Wi-Fi, take-away breakfast, and a private bathroom with hot water included. You can also upgrade to a higher quality hotel.

MEALS

Meals as indicated in the itinerary (5x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 4x Dinner).
Professional cook and cooking equipment. Dining tent and kitchen tent for the cook to freshly prepare your meals.
Our meals can be accommodated for any dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have certain preferences, so we can plan ahead.
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.
Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

LOCAL GUIDES & TEAM

English/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 12.
Horses and horsemen, who 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 with them, as well as an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.
We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 5kg per person).

THE TOUR INCLUDES

NOT INCLUDED

First breakfast (first day) is normally provided at your hotel before leaving.
Last lunch 5th day at the end of the tour.
Bus Consettur to go up to Machu Picchu and go Down to Aguas calientes (USD 24)
Entrance ticket to Mollepata and Humantay Lagoon (S/ 20)
Transportation service not mentionet in the itinerary
Tips
Personal expenses.
Hiring of down sleeping bag up to -10 °C – 30 USD for the whole trek
Hiring of hiking Poles USD 20 pair
Train back Upgrade to Vistadome
Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu / MachuPicchu Mountain or other types of entrance
Travel insurance

GROUP PRICE USD 350

Why is the price cheaper?

The price is cheaper because we work with partner agencies to form groups of 10 to 22 people on average. By bringing more people together, the logistical costs are much lower, which is the main reason why this trek is economical. If you prefer a more intimate experience and do not wish to travel in a group, we can offer you a private service. Please contact us and let us know that you want to hire the trek as a private service.

⚠️WHAT TO BRING

Original Passports: Bring your original documents for entry to the Inca Trail.
Durable Backpack: Opt for a sturdy and comfortable backpack, large enough to carry your essential belongings.
Appropriate Footwear: A pair of sturdy and comfortable hiking boots to tackle various terrains and weather conditions.
Technical Clothing: Technical clothing and lightweight layers to adapt to temperature changes during the hike.
Waterproof Jacket: A waterproof or windproof jacket to protect you from rain and wind.
Hat or Cap: A hat or cap to protect you from the sun during the hike.
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: Broad-spectrum sunscreen and insect repellent to protect you from the natural elements.
Energy Snacks: Snacks such as dried fruits, energy bars, and nuts to maintain energy during the hike.
Camera or Phone with Extra Charge: A camera or phone to capture unforgettable moments, along with an external battery.
Personal Hygiene Items: Basic hygiene items, including toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Hiking Poles: Hiking poles to aid in balance and reduce strain on the legs.
Sandals or Lightweight Shoes: Lightweight sandals or comfortable shoes to wear in the hotel or town of Aguas Calientes.
Extra Money in Soles: It is advisable to carry extra money in soles (approximately 500 soles) for your extra expenses during the hike or for when you are in the town of Aguas Calientes. If you want to know more, this video will help you (it’s about the classic Inca Trail, but it will serve you): Link to YouTube video

Remember that the weather can vary, so it’s important to be prepared for both sunny and rainy conditions.

You can see all the other inca trail options at: https://incatrailtours.com/tour-type/inca-trail-tours/ See more About Us

DAY 01 CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY

Today, your trekking adventure to Machu Picchu finally starts! Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am. We will drive together with the group to Mollepata (approx. 3 hours), where we will have a nutricious breakfast. We will then drive one more hour to Challacancha (3,380 meters/ 11,090 feet), the starting point of our hike, passing the view point of Hornada Pata where the valley splits into two (Valley of Mollepata and Challacancha). The beginning of the trail will take us through some beautiful valleys. After a three hour hike, we arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3,900 meters/12,800 feet) at approximately 13:30 pm. We will have time to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our cook.

Later, we will finally visit the famous Humantay Lagoon! After 1.5 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the lagoon (4,220 meters/ 13,850 feet) with incredibly blue-green water and the snowy Humantay Mountain peak behind it, making it one of the most impressive places in the Andes Mountains. We will take some time to admire the breathtaking views and then descent to our campsite in Soraypampa. Arriving at approximately 6:00 pm, we will have tea and dinner, and spend the night in our beautiful glass cabanas.

Hiking Distance: 12 km/7.4 miles

DAY 02 SORAYMAPA – SALKANTAY PASS – COLLPAPAMPA

At 5:00 am we will enjoy a large breakfast so that we have a lot of energy for our hike today. Starting our trek from Soraypampa, we will ascent for 3 hours to the highest point of Abra Salkantay, where we enjoy breathtaking views of the snow capped high Andes Mountains of 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 Huarachmachhay for 3 hours (3,800 meters / 12,470 feet). There, we will have lunch and then 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

DAY 03 COLLPAPAMPA – LUCMABAMBA

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 hours hike through the Peruvian jungle, passing over many ascents and descents. This part of the trek marks the cloud forest, where we will discover several coffee plantations, orchids and many natural plants used for medicines. We will arrive at our lunch point to rest a little. 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

DAY 04 LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Today, we will enjoy the sunrise in a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, avocado, and coffee. We will have a nutricious breakfast and get ready for the next part of our trekking adventure: we will finally hike along a part of the original Inca Trail! We will walk up along the Inca Trail, enjoying the beautiful views of the Santa Teresa Valley. After a 2.5 ascent, we will arrive at the Inca archaelogical site of Llactapata. Our local guide will share his knowledge about the history of this place. Besides, we will get the chance to get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. We will go downhill 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 $32.00 extra. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in the village on the bottom of the magnificent Wonder of the World. Tonight, we will be staying at a hotel overnight.

Hiking Distance: 18 km/13.7 miles

DAY 05 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

The grand finale! We will wake up very early this morning for our visit to famous Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. This complex is considered a jewel of the Inca architecture. It is a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by the US researcher Hiram Bingham. We will have a guided tour to see and learn about the Machu Picchu site, a Wonder of the World. After the guided tour, you will have free time to take photos and discover this magical place by yourself.

For those who have previously selected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will do so at your designated time (1st group: 6am to 8am, 2nd group: 9am to 11am).

In the afternoon, we will return to Aguas Calientes. We will have some time for lunch (not included), which is the perfect opportunity to explore the local restaurants. We then take the train to Ollantaytambo, leaving at 14:55 pm. On the way back, we can enjoy the incredible landscape of the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival at the train station, we will be picked up by our transfer staff and dropped off at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.