Salkantay Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights

Today begins early, as you will be picked up from your accommodation at approximately 4:30 a.m. You will travel in comfortable transportation with blankets, allowing you to get some additional rest during the journey. After about 2 hours, you will make a short stop in Mollepata, where you can have breakfast if you wish. You will then continue to Challacancha, the point where the hike begins.

Before setting out, you will meet the cooks and horsemen who will accompany the group and complete a final check of your equipment. You will then begin a 3-hour moderate hike to Soraypampa, located at 3,900 m / 12,795 ft, where you will spend your first night. The initial part of the route is relatively flat, followed by a gradual uphill section through a deep valley surrounded by glaciers. Along the way, you will notice that much of the trail follows a restored Inca water channel, which is still used by local farmers today. This section covers approximately 7 km / 4.35 mi.

Once you arrive at Soraypampa, you will settle into our Sky Camp, where you will spend the night. After your first lunch in the mountains, you will have some time to rest. Once you are ready, you will begin the hike toward Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.

The round trip to the lake takes approximately 3 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 mi. Although the distance is relatively short, the high altitude means you should maintain a slow and steady pace. When you reach the lake, you will have time to enjoy the surrounding scenery and observe the turquoise waters against the Humantay glacier.

After returning to camp, you will have a well-deserved dinner while watching the sunset in the mountains. The peaceful atmosphere of the area is something you can experience firsthand as you take time to relax after the day’s hike.

Later, you will head to your Sky Camp igloo for the night. Through the glass roof, you can look up at the stars, constellations, and comets before resting. In the morning, you will wake up with views of Apu Salkantay overlooking the surrounding landscape.

In the morning, you will wake up with the first rays of sunlight and have views of Apu Salkantay while enjoying a cup of energizing coca tea. Afterward, you will have a nutritious breakfast before beginning the 7 km hike to the highest point of the route, the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. The hike takes approximately 3 hours and includes a difficult ascent known as the “Path of the 7 Snakes”, named for its winding trail.

At the top of the pass, you will have views of the surrounding valleys and Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 6,271 m / 20,574 ft. It is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and is considered an Apu, or Inca God. From this area, you can also see Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After taking some time to enjoy the scenery and rest, you will begin the 7 km / 4.35 mi descent toward Huayracmachay, located at 3,850 m / 12,631 ft, where lunch will be served. This part of the trail is rocky and steep, with views across the surrounding valley.

After lunch, you will continue toward the edge of the rainforest, also known as the cloud forest. This section covers 9.5 km / 5.9 mi and takes approximately 3 and a half hours. As you continue along the trail, you will see the vegetation become increasingly green and observe the transition from the Andes to the Amazon. The changing environment includes colorful landscapes, native plants, and local wildlife, along with a noticeable change to a warmer climate.

After a full day of hiking, you will arrive at Collpapampa, where you will spend the night. Before settling in for the evening, you will enjoy a hearty meal and then rest at our Mountain Sky View Campsite.

Today begins at 6:00 a.m. with a hot cup of tea and a nourishing breakfast at camp. After breakfast, you will begin a scenic hike through the Santa Teresa Valley, following a gently descending trail surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and plantations of bananas, coffee, and avocados. Keep an eye out along the route, as you may have the opportunity to spot the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird.

When you reach Zona Propiedad, our private vehicle will be waiting to take you to La Playa. This transfer allows you to arrive with more energy and have time to participate in an authentic coffee experience. During the activity, you will visit the coffee fields, learn about the cultivation process, and then roast, grind, and brew your own cup of coffee.

After the coffee experience, you will continue by private transportation to Lucmabamba, located at 2,000 m / 6,562 ft. Upon arrival, you will have lunch and settle into our Super Jungle Domes. During the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the surrounding area or, if you wish, visit the nearby Cocalmayo hot springs. This activity is not included in the package.

In the evening, you will return to Lucmabamba for dinner before spending the night at your lodge. You will rest surrounded by the natural sounds of the forest, providing a quiet setting after the day’s activities. The evening concludes at your lodge, where you can relax and prepare for the next day of the trek.

After breakfast, you will get ready for the last day of trekking. This morning, part of the route follows an original section of the Inca Trail. The hike begins with an approximately 2-hour uphill climb, offering views across the Santa Teresa Valley as you make your way toward Llactapata, located at 2,700 m / 8,858 ft. This Inca archaeological site is situated directly across from Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca archaeological site you will visit during the trek. Here, your guide will explain the history and mysteries associated with this ancient culture and archaeological complex. From the site, you will also have your first view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. You will have time to take photographs while your guide shares information about the Incas and the history of the area.

After visiting Llactapata, you will continue with an approximately 1 hour and 30-minute downhill walk. Along the way, you will have additional views of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You will then stop for lunch in Aobamba before continuing for another 30 minutes to Hidroelectrica, located at 1,800 m / 5,906 ft. One of the notable features along this section is a 250-meter-tall artificial waterfall, which generates electricity for the entire city of Cusco.

Once you arrive at Hidroelectrica, you will have two options. If you are tired after the day’s trekking, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes. This train is not included. Alternatively, you can continue the final section of the trek by taking the relatively flat path alongside the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes. This walk takes approximately 3 hours and gives you another opportunity to experience the warm jungle environment along the route.

During the walk, you will see Intihuatana, an ancient stone that the Incas used as a sundial. It worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu. These structures were used to measure and observe the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of the farming season for the Incas.

From there, you will continue along the train tracks leading to Aguas Calientes. Once you arrive in the town, you will have dinner at a restaurant and spend the night at a comfortable hotel.

Note: During the rainy season, the hike along the Llactapata Trail is not 100% guaranteed due to safety considerations. Frequent heavy rainfall can make this trail very dangerous.

Today, you will finally visit Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will need to wake up early so you can arrive before the busiest hours and experience the archaeological site during the early morning light.

Once inside the Inca citadel, you will take part in an approximately two-hour guided tour covering some of the site’s main sectors. Along the route, you will see houses, temples, terraces, crop fields, and other structures. Your guide will explain the engineering and construction methods used by the Incas, many of which continue to raise questions about how they were achieved.

The Incas did not have access to the modern tools and equipment used today, yet they were able to build and organize a community on the side of a mountain. They also developed a water system with aqueducts and canals that supported the settlement.

Bonus Fact: When a Peruvian guide first showed Hiram Bingham the site, Machu Picchu was difficult to recognize because it was covered by dense vegetation and had fallen into disrepair. Since then, the archaeological site has been cleaned and restored and is now protected and valued by visitors from around the world.

After your visit, make sure to return to Aguas Calientes in time for lunch before boarding your train to Ollantaytambo. The train is scheduled to depart at approximately 2:55 p.m., subject to availability. Once you arrive at the next station, our private bus will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving at approximately 8:00 p.m..

Once you arrive in Cusco, you can take some time to rest after completing the trek and visiting Machu Picchu. The journey through the Andes, the Inca Trail, and the archaeological sites will remain part of your travel memories long after the trip ends.