OVERVIEW

This amazing trek takes place in the shadow of the sacred Salkantay mountain, one of the highest and most stunning mountains in the Peruvian Andes. Passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally reach Aguas Calientes, the home of Machu Picchu, on the fourth day.

You will then make a memorable visit to the impressive Sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu on the last day of the program. This trek is an exciting alternative for those wanting to do a different trek to the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.

The Salkantay Trek is listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 am and head forwards Challacancha (3400m/11154f), passing the village Mollepata (3000m/9843f). In Challacancha we will meet the horsemen and the rest of the group and start our trek.

We start hiking within a magnificent valley, surrounded by the most important snow-capped mountains such as the Humantay (5217m/17116f) and the Salkantay (6264m/20551f). Our campsite will be at Soraypampa (3700m/12139f).in the afternoon we can visit the Humantay lake which is an extra hike.

Optional: After having lunch in Soraypampa, we strongly recommend hiking to Laguna de Humantay where you are able to discover the beautiful view of Humantay Lake and Humantay snow-covered.

Hiking time from Soraypampa (3900m/12795ft) to Humantay lake (4220m/13845ft). Hiking Time 3 hours.

Climate: cold

Transport time: 4 hours

Hiking time: 2-3 hours

Extra hike to the lagoon: 3 hours.

DAY 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay pass – Collpapampa

After breakfast, we will set off towards the Salkantay pass (4600m/15092f) which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m).

Thereafter, we will descend again and will have time to enjoy the increasing vegetation of the ecosystem. Our camp site will be in Collpapampa (3000m/9842f), in the middle of the tropical forest with hot weather and mosquitoes.

Hiking time: 10 – 11 hours

DAY 3: Collpapampa – Wiñaypoco – Granadilla – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

After an early breakfast, we will descend through a dimmed forest, where the vegetation grows brightly, among this outstanding kindness for instance a great variety of Orchids, Bromeliads, Bomareas and etc.

Also we will meet with some families in Wiñaypoco (2650m / 8694f) and Granadilla (2100m / 6890f), where we will catch our vehicle riding to Hydroelectric where we will have the luch. From there, we’ll continue walking or by train to Aguas Calientes town (this is extra because it’s not included), where we will have an overnight in hostel.

Hiking time: 5-6 hours, during a warm day with mosquitoes.

Transportation time: 1h30, from La Playa to Hydroelectric.

DAY 4: THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY – MACHU PICCHU!

Our great day has finally arrived, after all our efforts put into the hike comes the reward of having the privilege to visit the wonderful citadel of Machu Picchu.

Now is the time to leave the hotel to take our bus at 5:30 in the morning and reach our objective at dawn to Machupicchu, here our guide will share with us his knowledge of lifestyle within the Inca community while showing us the main attractions: such as temples, Altars , residences and laboring sectors of the Inca, after this joyous visit we will be able to understand more about the culture and life of the Incas.

Once all is accomplished we will take our bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will have time to have lunch and say our goodbyes to the town of Aguas Calientes as we hold it in our memories. We will then finally take the train in the afternoon that will take us back to the city of Cusco.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

What’s included:

  • Transport

    • o Private transport from the hotel to the village of Mollepata (Challacancha)
    • o Transport from Granadilla to the hydroelectric station
    • o Bus, from Aguas Calientes to Machu picchu (2 ways)
    • o Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Entrance to the National Park of Salkantay & Machu picchu
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
  • Private camping domes the first night / second night domes/ third day hotel in Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu
  • High quality camping equipment.
  • Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea time/Option vegetarian)
  • Cook and assistant
  • Horsemen and mules
  • Emergency horse
  • First-aid kit and oxygen bottle

What’s not included:

  • First breakfast and last Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the 4th day
  • 2nd bus to go down
  • Sleeping bag (if you don`t have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting one
  • Hiking poles
  • Train from the hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes

Difficulty: Medium
Max Altitude: 4650m

SALKANTAY TREK PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

SALKANTAY TREK PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

CUSTOMISE YOUR TOUR BY ADDING ANY OF THE BELOW EXPERIENCES

ART WORKSHOP IN CUSCO

CUSCO SCENIC BUS TOUR

4 DAYS IN CUSCO

CUSCO WALKING TOUR

PALCCOYO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR

MACHU PICCHU

ICA HUACACHINA

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

CUSTOMISE YOUR TOUR BY ADDING ANY OF THE BELOW EXPERIENCES

SALKANTAY TREK REVIEW

BIANCA – SALKTANTAY TREK

“I was very happy we did the Salkantay trek – everything, from the guided trek, to the accommodation and the food served on site was excellent.
Overall, we were extremely pleased with Into Peru’s staff. It was very easy to reach them at all times.
I am so happy I chose to go to Peru with Into Peru! We have some amazing memories from Peru that will always stay with us. Thank you ever so much! I will definitely recommend Into Peru to all my friends and colleagues who intend on travelling there.”

If you would like to make changes to this tour or build your own tour from scratch, you can use the below tour creator form to begin creating your bespoke tour, completely tailored to you:
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