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Venturing on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we will traverse some of the most awe-inspiring terrains the Andes have to offer. As we journey through Salkantay Trekking routes, we’ll be greeted by the towering Salkantay peak, standing tall at 6,271 meters or 20,574 feet. This path is not only a testament to nature’s grandeur but also an invitation to challenge and rediscover oneself amid the vastness of the Andean landscapes.
As we advance, the changing sceneries will astound us, ranging from glacial peaks to tropical rainforests. These shifts in ecosystems serve as a vivid backdrop to our trek. We can feel the pulsating energy of ancient civilizations that once tread these grounds. By the culmination of our journey, the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu will reward our endeavors, ensuring our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu remains an unforgettable experience.
5 Days | 4 Nights
60.5 km / 37.5 miles.
Easy
4650 msnm
Trekking Nature & Culture
02 Min - 08 Max
The 5 Day Salkantay Classic Trek to Machu Picchu is a popular alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. Although Salkantay Trekking experience offers no visits to any other Inca ruins except Machu Picchu, this high altitude trek is popular for surreal views that captivates the trekkers.
5 Day Salkantay Trek starts high up in the Peruvian Andes and takes you around the mighty Salkantay mountain down through the cloud forests to Hidro Electrica from where you will be traveling to Aguas Calientes town, gateway to Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trekking experience is so rewarding that the National Geographic Travel Magazine recognized this as one of the best 25 treks around the world. The trek is dotted with captivating views of the Andes as you begin the hike.
On the first day of the trek you will be visiting the Andean Jewel, the turquoise waters of Humantay lake which is a popular full day trip from Cusco City.
Towards the end of the experience, you will also be visiting some local farms and plantations in the Cusco Region. You will have the opportunity to interact with local farmers and see how they produce the best coffee which is exported to different continents.
The highest point of the Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the Salkantay Pass at 4630 meters above sea level (15190 ft.). This is a high-altitude experience. We highly recommend that you spend at least 3-4 days in Cusco city before you hike the Salkantay Trek, to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness.
The best time to hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season, between March to November. During the rainy season, the trek is often wet and slippery.
Please note that we require a minimum of two participants for the trip. You can choose any departure day that best fits your schedule. Rest assured, once you’re booked, your departure is 100% guaranteed. For the confirmation and security of your Inca Trail permits, kindly send us the completed booking form along with a 30% deposit, and you’ll be all set for your journey.
Your epic 5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will be picking you up between 0430 and 0500 in the morning and embark on a two hours drive to Mollepata. You can wink a nap in the vehicle so you arrive fresh to start hiking the emblematic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
Mollepata is a remote Andean town at 2803 meters above sea level (9196 ft). We will be stopping for breakfast at a local restaurant here. Our local expert will be sharing some essential tips that would help you for the trek.
After breakfast, we will be driving further to Challacancha to start the trek. Here we will be meeting our support crew, chef and muleteers who will be assisting us.
After ensuring that all the gears are intact, we will begin with a gradual uphill hike to Soraypampa. It nestles at 3900 m/ 12795ft. Soraypampa houses our Signature Skydomes. Quechuas Expeditions is a pioneer in introducing Skydomes on this route.
Our luxurious sky domes are designed to offer seamless comfort during your stay.
The trek from Challacancha starts with a hike through a flat surface with a sight of different Andean glaciers at a distance. We will be hiking through a restored Inca Canal which the locals use even today.
The trek gets a bit steeper as we will get closer to our signature campsite. Our crew will welcome you with a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea. Once you have settled in your respective Skydomes, we will meet for lunch.
We will be serving a freshly cooked meal using ingredients from the Cusco region. Our Andean chefs are renowned for their delectable meals.
After lunch, we will be hiking up the hill to the enigmatic turquoise glacier lake, Lake Humantay. It nestles at 4200 meters above sea level (13780 feet). It is about three kilometers (1.86 miles) from our campsite. The round trip takes around three hours.
However, we do recommend that you trek at your own pace immersing yourself in the beauty of the Andes. Once we get to the shores of Humantay Lake you will have plenty of time to contemplate the view as our guide will be explaining its prominence in the Andean mythology.
Once you have enjoyed it thoroughly, we will be hiking down the hill, back to the campsite where our crew will be serving dinner after witnessing the sunset.
After dinner, you can settle in your Sky Dome and fall asleep under the constellation of stars shining in the dark Andean sky.
Another epic day on the Salkantay Trekking experience. You will be waking up to the golden rays of the rising sun beaming through the walls of your SkyDome through the mighty Salkantay Peak.
We will be serving you a cup of coffee or tea followed by a traditional Andean breakfast. The protein-rich breakfast would energize you to embark on a hike to the highest point of Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Salkantay Pass at 4630 meters above sea level (15190 feet).
We will be hiking through the iconic “Trail of the seven snakes”. The route is named after the seven switchbacks that take you to the summit. This section of the trek is somewhat challenging because of the altitude. We will take it real slow so you can catch up with your breath and relish the views of the Andean peaks.
Salkantay Peak is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region and is one of the sacred entities in Andean mythology. Locals refer to it as “Apus” which means Father in Quechua. Even today they perform several sacred rituals including K’intu, seeking blessings using three Coca Leaves. Our guide will be sharing them with you.
We will have plenty of time at the summit to contemplate the view of Humantay, Taucarhuay, and Pumasillo peaks. Once you have had your fill of the view and feel ready to continue the hike, we will be hiking down the hill for another 7kms. (4.35 miles) to our lunch camp in Huacarmachay (3850 meters/ 12631 feet). Our lunch camp is located in a valley snuggled by snow-cappedkm views.
Our crew will be serving a freshly cooked Andean meal here.
After lunch, we will be leaving the Andes and entering the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. We will be covering the 8 kms (4.97 miles) stretch in three hours at a normal pace.
You will be witnessing a drastic change in the topography as we will be hiking down the hill. It would get slightly warmer. Our tour guide will explain about different plant, animal and bird species, most native to the region.
Once we reach our campsite in Chaullay (2900 meters / 9514 ft.) our crew will assist you to your respective Sky Dome where you will be spending the night. We will be meeting for dinner.
Our crew will be waking you up with a knock at the door of your Skydome at 0600 AM. After a cup of morning coffee, we will be serving breakfast.
The third day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience is relatively easier. We will be hiking through Santa Teresa Valley, home to different farms. We will begin the trek after crossing the Lluscamayo river towards La Playa for about six hours.
The route is dotted with several waterfalls. The region is home to avocado, banana and coffee farms. Often trekkers have spotted the emblematic Andean Cock of the Rock here. It is the Peruvian National Bird.
We will be stopping for lunch at our campsite in La Playa. Our crew will be serving lunch.
After lunch, we will be visiting some farms here where we will give you a guided tour. Optionally you can spend the evening soaking in the natural hot springs of Ccocalmayo.
We will be serving dinner later in the evening before you get back to your respective Sky Domes for a sound sleep.
At 0800 AM, we will be serving breakfast. After breakfast, we will begin the hike through the section of the Original Inca Trail with a sight of Machu Picchu in the distance. This is the most beautiful spot to see Machu Picchu from.
We will be hiking up the hill to allure one of the most beautiful Inca complexes, Llactapata. It nestles at 2700m / 8858 ft. You will have a much closer sight of Machu Picchu complex from here.
This is the first Inca archaeological site that you will be visiting on Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Our local expert will give you a guided tour of the complex, soaking you in the history an Andean culture.
We will be walking down the hill for an hour and a half with the sight of Machu Picchu peak in the distance. We will be stopping for lunch in Hidro Electrica (1800 meters / 5096 ft). The place is named after the artificial waterfall here which is used to generate electricity.
If you prefer hiking, which we highly recommend, you will also have the opportunity to see Intihuatana. It is a sundial rock that the Incas used to read the winter solstice. This rock worked together with the stone in Machu Picchu citadel which you will be visiting on the following day.
Once in Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night. We will be meeting later in the evening for dinner.
Aguas Calientes, as the name suggests, is home to hot springs. You can spend the evening taking a refreshing dip in the thermal waters here.
Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will be taking a 25-minute bus ride up the hill to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel. Your original passport will be verified here against your Machu Picchu ticket so make sure to carry the passport.
As you enter the citadel, you will witness the golden rays of the morning sun beaming on the walls of Machu Picchu as the blanket of clouds would unveil the citadel to you. We will be giving you a brief introduction of the Inca empire.
We will be visiting different prominent sites of the citadel. This includes the ceremonial site, farming sector, remains of the royal quarters, and more.
After the guided tour, you will have some time to soak in the views of the Inca citadel. If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu peak, our guide will be guiding you to the respective trailhead.
Alternatively, you can hike to the Sungate. You won’t need to pay an entrance fee. Sungate or Inti Punku is the point of entrance to the citadel for those hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It offers a panoramic view of Machu Picchu citadel.
Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the sight, we will be exiting the citadel and Walking back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have some free time here for lunch or to walk around the town.
Later in the evening, we will be boarding an Ollantaytambo-bound train. Our representative will meet you at the train station and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 10:00 PM.
We need at least 02 of you and Leave any day you suit. All Departures 100% Guaranteed If You’re Booked, You are Going !!! To Confirm and Secure the Inca Trail Permits. Send us the filled-out booking form as well as a deposit of 30% and you are ready to go…
Salkantay Trek Peru Availability And Permits 2024 – 2025: Daily Departures All Departures are 100% Guaranteed. If You’re Booked, You are Going, We won’t cancel your Trip !!!
(You will be joined into a formed group of people who come from different countries/Nationalities): From 02 Persons to 08 Persons (Maximum)
If you are a group of 02 we depart (No matter if you have paid as GROUP SERVICE). We NEVER pass our people onto another operator as most agencies do here in Cusco
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential.
Traveler2024-02-28Salkantay survivors We did the 5 days-salkantay trek to Machupicchu uin the rain season february, everything was awe-some, food, landscapes, tour services, the amazing guide Fernando, this guys Is actually amazing i recommend to him to every-bodySpencer O2024-02-285 Day Salkantay Hike to Machu Picchu It was a great time. Really enjoyed the experience with friends, something to cherish for the rest of my life. If you go I highly recommend you ask for Fernando. He was our guide for the entire trip. Extremely knowledgeable and made the experience that much more memorable. He started the trip as a guide and by the end became a friend, the time you spend on the trek, you really want someone who fits with your group and I can't imagine a better person who could fit better in anyone's group. As well, the trek itself was difficult but very enjoyable, something to push yourself to your limits. Every day was extremely rewarding, not to mention the hot springs was well worth it.Ted2024-02-24Best Peru Experience Had an amazing trip. Fernando the tour guide was the highlight, and made our experience fantastic. I would recommend the trip simply for the quality of the guide.Tyrell T2024-01-27Spectacular hike We had the opportunity to do the Inca trail to Machu Picchu with (QUECHUA EXPEDITIONS). Fantastic and absolutely recommended. They offer a very interesting package both for the price and for the service. Our guide Fernando Illapa taught us a lot about Inca history and the Andean way of life. He and our cook were very attentive and cordial throughout the experience. Our food was amazing and the camping equipment in perfect condition.D r2024-01-27an unforgettable experience It was a wonderful experience. From the beginning Wayra gave us all the information, always attentive and answering all our questions. During the trip we had Fernando Illapa as our guide. We must say that he is a great professional, thoroughly knowledgeable about the path and with a great sense of humor and a lot of patience, which made everything easier in the most demanding moments of the Inca trail. The accompanying team is very organized and I must say that the food exceeded our expectations. Dishes that could well be served in a restaurant and extremely abundant. We did the road with my husband and there were very difficult sections of great physical demand, but the impressive landscapes and discovering archaeological sites along the way make it worth it. We were also fortunate to have excellent travel companions. An unforgettable experience with the help of a professional team that paid attention to all the details.Agnieszka Z2024-01-25A must in Peru The whole experience was amazing! The trek can be tough but it’s doable even for not super fit people. The views are breathtaking! Thanks a lot to our super nice guide Jose and amazing chef Armando who made the whole tour even better.T D2024-01-18we would do it again The trip and itinerary that they organized for us was incredible! Very organized, excellent guide named Fernando Illapa, who made us feel at home. Very attentive, smiling and charismatic. Everything was a dream trip. We visited the mountain of seven colors, we did the 4-day Inca trail, we went to the Puerta del Sol, to MachuPicchu, wayna picchu, to the hot springs of Machupicchu town, gampling; Anyway, we did everything and it was an unforgettable trip.Zach S2024-01-18Una muy buena experiencia, gracias Hay muchas opciones de trekking para el Camino Inka, ¡pero no busques más que aquí! Cada persona en la organización es amable, profesional y servicial. ¡Nuestro guía, Fernando, fue fantástico! Fue informativo, paciente y nos guió de manera experta a lo largo del hermoso Camino Inka a Machu Picchu sin un solo problema. ¡Tener un guía que hable perfecto inglés y español es extremadamente necesario y tiene la experiencia para hacer que tu experiencia sea inolvidable!Zach S2024-01-18What an otherworldly experience. We had an amazing experiencies with a great team in the inka trail, in Cusco there are many trekking options for the Inka Trail, but look no further than here! Every person in the organization is friendly, professional and helpful. Our guide, Fernando, was fantastic! He was patient and expertly guided us along the beautiful Inka Trail to Machu Picchu without a single problem. Having a guide who speaks perfect English and Spanish is extremely necessary and has the experience to make your experience unforgettable!Rachel Z2024-01-13INCREDIBLE!! This tour company is truly the best. They took amazing care of us ensuring that we had everything we needed and made sure to help provide what we forgot to bring. The guide - Fernando - was so kind and knowledgeable. If you’re looking to hike to Machu Picchu this is the place to book!!! I can’t recommend them enough we had and amazing time.
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