Salkantay High Mountain Trek – 4 Days

Your adventure begins early in the morning. We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. and travel for approximately two hours to Mollepata, where you will have a quick breakfast. Our transportation is equipped with cozy blankets in case you would like to sleep for a few more minutes during the journey.

After breakfast and a short rest, we will continue by vehicle for approximately one more hour until reaching Challacancha, the starting point of the trek.

Before beginning the hike, you will meet the muleteers and cooks who are part of our trekking team. We will also carry out a final check of your luggage to make sure everything is ready for the journey. From Challacancha, we will start a relatively easy three-hour hike to Soraypampa, located at 3,900 m / 12,795 ft, where our first camp will be set up.

During this section of the trek, you will walk through the Andean landscape while observing glaciers and a deep valley. You will also notice an Inca water channel that runs alongside much of the route. This channel continues to be used by local farmers in the area today. This section of the hike covers approximately 7 km / 4.35 miles.

Upon arriving at Soraypampa, you will have some time to settle into your accommodation at the sky-view campsite. You will then enjoy your first lunch, prepared by our chefs. After lunch and some time to rest, we will begin the afternoon hike toward Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.

Humantay Lake is often described as a jewel or gem in the mountains. Once you reach the lake, you can admire its turquoise waters surrounded by the Andean landscape and the snowy mountains in the background.

The round-trip hike to Humantay Lake takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and covers around 3 km / 1.86 miles. Although the distance is relatively short, the high altitude can make the hike physically demanding. For this reason, it is important to walk slowly and maintain a comfortable pace.

After reaching the lake, you will have enough time to rest, enjoy the surrounding scenery, and observe the turquoise waters against the snowy mountain backdrop. This setting allows you to experience the natural environment of the high Andes.

Once we return to the sky-view campsite, you will have time to relax and enjoy dinner while watching the sunset behind the mountains. The peaceful surroundings provide a chance to unwind after the day’s hike.

Later, you will return to your accommodation at the sky-view campsite for the night, where you can rest and observe the constellations in the Andean sky before getting some sleep.

Start your morning at Soraypampa as the first rays of sunlight reach the mountains. You will have the opportunity to see Apu Salkantay while enjoying a cup of coca tea to begin the day. Afterward, you will have a nutritious breakfast before setting out on the next section of the trek.

The morning hike covers approximately 7 km / 4.35 miles and takes around three hours. Your destination is the highest point of the route, the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. The ascent can be challenging, following the winding trail known as the «path of the 7 snakes.»

When you reach the pass, take some time to rest and admire the surrounding valleys. From this point, you will have a view of Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 6,271 m / 20,574 ft. It is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and is regarded as an Apu, or Inca deity. You can also see Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo from this area.

After spending some time at the pass, you will begin the descent toward Huayracmachay, where lunch will be served. This section covers approximately 7 km / 4.35 miles and leads down to an elevation of 3,850 m / 12,631 ft. The trail is rocky and steep in places, while the surrounding valley remains visible along the way.

Following lunch, the trek continues toward the edge of the rainforest, an area also known as the cloud forest. This part of the route covers approximately 9.5 km / 5.9 miles and takes around three and a half hours.

As you continue walking, you will notice the gradual change in the environment. The landscape transitions from the high Andes toward the Amazon, with greener vegetation and a warmer climate. Along this section, you can observe colorful landscapes, native plants, and local fauna while experiencing the changing conditions between the mountain and rainforest environments.

After completing the day’s hike, you will arrive in Collpapampa, where you will spend the night. Before resting, you will enjoy a hearty meal and then settle into our Mountain Sky View Campsite for the evening.

The day begins at 6:00 a.m. with a warm cup of tea and a nourishing breakfast at the campsite. After breakfast, we will begin our hike through the Santa Teresa Valley, following a gently descending trail surrounded by the vegetation of the area.

Along the route, you will be able to observe rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado. Keep an eye on the surrounding vegetation, as you may have the opportunity to spot the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, the national bird of Peru, if conditions are favorable.

When we reach the Granadilla sector, a private vehicle will be waiting to take us to La Playa. This transfer allows us to arrive with enough energy and time to participate in a local coffee experience.

At La Playa, we will walk through the coffee plantations and learn about the cultivation process. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the different stages of preparing the coffee, including roasting, grinding, and brewing your own cup.

After the coffee activity, we will have lunch at the site. Once we finish, we will continue by vehicle toward the Hidroelectrica train station.

From Hidroelectrica, we will continue on foot along the railway tracks, surrounded by lush vegetation and following the route beside the Urubamba River. If you feel tired during this section of the journey, you will also have the option of taking the train to Aguas Calientes. This train service is not included in the program.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, we will accompany you to your hotel so you can check in and settle into your accommodation. You will then have free time to visit the town’s hot springs, giving you an opportunity to relax after the day’s hike.

In the evening, we will meet for dinner at a prestigious restaurant. After dinner, we will return to the hotel so you can rest and prepare for the following day, when you will visit the Machu Picchu citadel.

Today you will visit Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a restful night at our hostel in Aguas Calientes, we will wake up early while it is still dark. Starting the day early allows us to reach the citadel close to its 6:00 a.m. opening time, helping us avoid some of the larger crowds and experience the morning light over the surrounding mountains and stone structures.

From Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus up to the Inca citadel. Once inside the archaeological complex, you will begin an approximately two-hour guided tour. During the visit, your guide will take you through some of the main areas of Machu Picchu, including its houses, temples, terraces, and cultivation fields, among other sections of the site.

As you explore the citadel, you will learn about the construction techniques and organization of the Inca settlement. The ancient culture did not have modern construction tools or materials such as iron or steel. Despite these limitations, the Incas developed a carefully organized community on the side of a mountain, incorporating water channels and aqueducts that supplied water through the city.

The site was later brought to international attention when a Peruvian guide showed it to Hiram Bingham. At that time, Machu Picchu was largely covered by dense vegetation and was in a state of disrepair, making many of its structures difficult to recognize. Since then, the archaeological site has been cleaned, restored, protected, and preserved as an important part of Peru’s cultural heritage.

After the guided tour, you will have the option to take one of the additional hikes to Huayna Picchu Mountain, located at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft, or Machu Picchu Mountain, at 3,000 m / 9,843 ft. Tickets for these additional hikes must be booked in advance. From these mountains, you can look over the Machu Picchu citadel and its surrounding landscape from an elevated viewpoint.

After completing your visit and any additional hike, make sure to return to Aguas Calientes in time for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Your train departure time will depend on availability.

Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco. After the journey, you can settle in and enjoy some well-deserved time to rest following your four-day Salkantay adventure.