Salkantay Trek 5D/4N

This spectacular Andean mountain adventure begins at 5am when we pick you up at the hotel and drive to the trailhead at Soraypampa. Pass through two picturesque indigenous villages called Iscuchaca and Limatambo, have amazing views of stunning valleys and the snow-capped, famous Salkantay Mountain.

Once we reach the trailhead in Soraypampa, have breakfast while admiring the breathtaking views of the mountain glaciers of Humantay (19,356 feet) and Salkantay (20,396 feet). Take a 2.5 hour round-trip hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake. Next, take one and a half hour hike to Salkantay Pampa, where you can look forward to a great lunch in front of the majestic glacier.

Next, we make our way to our first campsite at Soroccocha, situated at the foot of the towering Salkantay Mountain. At camp, we will have afternoon tea to warm up and appetizers waiting for us. The tents will be set up and you can settle in before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Hiking time: Around six hours
• Distance: 6 miles / 9.6 km
• Trekking difficulty level: Moderate

The guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee before you get up for breakfast. After a hearty and delicious breakfast, we continue our Salkantay journey with a climb for about an hour to the trek’s highest point, Apacheta pass at 4,650m / 15,367ft. At the pass, take a well-deserved rest and photos while being amazed at the massive snow-capped mountains of Huayanay, Humantay and Salkantay towering above us and at the lakes and rivers below.

As a side trip, we take 30 minutes to enjoy the exquisite and panoramic, turquoise Salkantay Lake. Next, we continue down to Rayanniyoc for lunch. Then, we trek for a couple of hours to our final stop for the day at our camp near the tiny village of Colpapampa. Hot drinks and appetizers will once again be waiting for you when you arrive.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Hiking time: Approximately eight hours
• Distance: 10 Miles/16km
• Trekking difficulty level: Challenging

This day marks our midway point. We start walking to our next destination, Lucmabamba. On walk this morning, you’ll see a variety of wonders, including birds, fruit plantations with their flowering orchards, cacao and coffee trees. We’ll reach our destination for lunch with plenty of time to relax.

After lunch, we’ll tour a coffee plantation close to the campsite. Here we take a relaxing tour, where we get to learn about the source of Peruvian coffee, which is increasingly popular around the world. We begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans as well picking our own.  Then, we roast and grind them into coffee. Finally, we get to brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience.

Around 3pm, we’ll take local transportation for half an hour to Cocalmayo, where you can bathe in the natural hot springs. We come back to camp relaxed and hungry for our dinner, made with the fruits and vegetables that we picked today.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
• Accommodation: camping facilities
• Hiking: Time: Around five to six hours
• Distance: 8.7 miles/14km
• Trekking difficulty level: Moderate

We resume our journey by travelling along the remote and ancient Inca Trail for three hours to the Puncuyoc Pass. During this journey, you’ll see the spectacular scenes of the fruit plantations and distinct valleys. Our next destination is the Inca Ruins in Llactapata. Enjoy seeing the Citadel of Machu Picchu from across the valley, along with the Aobamba Canyon and the neighboring mountains: Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

Next is a two-hour trek down to the hydroelectric plant. This serves as Cusco’s primary power source, a renewable and ecologically produced electricity. Nearby we have lunch, where we enjoy another hearty and delicious meal.

The last leg of your memorable Salkantay adventure involves a short trek to Aguas Calientes via the National Park of Machu Picchu. Appreciate the lush sub-tropical jungle, full of orchids and epiphytes growing on the trees. Excitement builds as you travel closer to the magnificent Machu Picchu! When we arrive in Aguas Calientes you will have time to check into your hotel before our dinner together at a restaurant in town.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Ferre´Machu Picchu (included)
• 4* Accommodation: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (upgrade)
• Hiking time: Approximately nine hours
• Distance: 9 miles/14.5km
• Trekking difficulty level: moderate

Today is the day, Machu Picchu! After an early breakfast at the hotel, take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu, so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and something not to miss! The guide will give a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the train departure time ,there may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to the hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

• Meal included — breakfast only
• Trekking difficulty level — easy

If you have any questions about preparing for this trek, we encourage you to check out our FAQ page and read the section for Important Information and the Packing Checklist on our website.

After the tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu, this tour will be done without a guide.