5 Day Salkantay Trek Peru & Rainbow Mountain Sky Lodge Dome

We pick you up from your hotel Between 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 am to drive for about 2 hours to Mollepata where we stop to have breakfast. Then we keep driving for 1 hour to Challacancha where start our Salkantay trek. As soon as we are at Challacancha while you get ready to walk. The cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff and we start hiking the first 3 hours will be a little bit uphill to get to Soraypampa where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! After Lunch, We will begin our Hike up to Humantay Lake, and then back to Soraypampa our first Salkantay Trek camping spot (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) we will be very close to the second highest Salkantay snow-capped – mountain of Cusco.
1ST DAY: Total distance: 15 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 7- 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,800 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (approx.)

After having our Salkantay Trek early breakfast we start walking at about 6:00 am because this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible.

There is a possibility of snow here. After a rest, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, where we will have lunch. We hike again after lunch in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach  Chaullay Where we take our Local transportation for 1 hour to Get to our La Playa Loreta Coffe Campsite.

The reason we stay at this campsite is that the next day we will climb up to a mountain where you will find one of the most beautiful Inca trail sites which is known as Llactapata. You will also see Machu Picchu City from this point.

2ND DAY: Total distance: 19 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,650 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 2,750 m (approx.)

We will have breakfast at 6:00 am and leave our camping spot of La Playa Loreta. We walk upon the original Inca Trail to the Llactapata site where you will get a chance to see Machupicchu far away (one of the most beautiful places to see Machupicchu) then We continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana, etc. until we reach the hydroelectric station for Lunch.

And after lunch, we keep walking for about two and half hours till reaching Aguas Calientes town where we will spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the thermal springs in the town (entrance 10 soles) a real treat after finishing the Salkantay Trek.

Please note: (For those who don’t want to hike via this trail. There is a chance to take a bus to Santa Teresa and do an adventure sport of zip lining and Canopy and then transfer to the hydroelectric station for Lunch and meet the group.) This has an extra Price of US$40 per person.
3RD DAY: Total distance: 15 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 1,600 m (approx.)
Hotel (aguas calientes) altitude: 1,900 m (aprox.)

Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel. Your original passport will be verified here with your Machu Picchu ticket, so be sure to bring your physical passport.

As you enter the citadel, you will see the golden rays of the morning sun reflecting off the walls of Machu Picchu, while the blanket of clouds will reveal the citadel to you. We will give you a brief introduction to the Inca empire.

We will visit different highlights of the citadel, including the ceremonial site, the agricultural sector, the remains of the royal quarters, and more.

After the guided tour, you will have time to enjoy the views of the Inca citadel. If you have booked an additional hike to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu mountain, or another, our guide will indicate the corresponding starting point.

Once you have fully enjoyed the view, we will leave the citadel and walk to Aguas Calientes. Here you will have free time to have lunch or walk around the town.

Later, we will board a train to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you at the train station and transfer you back to your accommodation in Cusco.

Day 4 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 4 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 1- 2 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (approx.)

We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead at Quesiuno (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 3 hours long. Once we reach the Inkintuyoc bridge, we will have a fueling continental breakfast.

We then start off on our hike, following a lovely stream. You will be immediately surprised by literally herds of alpacas and llamas. We will have consistent views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and interact with the local residents. We will stop for a deluxe box lunch along the trail.

Back on the trail, we encounter more of the traditional elements of this trek. This includes potato fields and unique fauna. We have the prospect of seeing chinchillas and vicunas. Vicunas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru. Many red mountains are also a highlight of this portion of the hike.

After a total hike of approximately 5 hours, we finally reach our destination, what we came to see….the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After getting over the shock of their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.

At this point, it is time to go back down. We hike downhill the way we came. The hike will take 4 to 5 hours. Our private van will be waiting for us when we return. We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. The approximate arrival time is between 5 and 6 PM.

Meals: Continental Breakfast / Box lunch
Lowest Elevation: 4,326 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance to walk: 15 km / 9 ¼ miles
Approximate walking time: 5 to 6 hours up; 4 to 5 hours down
Level of Difficulty: Challenging