4 days
Duration
Moderate
Difficulty
Salkantay
Location
12 Pax
Group size
Every day
Availability
SALKANTAY 4/ DAYS 3 NIGHTS
The Salkantay to Machu Picchu Tour is an excellent alternative for those who prefer to avoid the more touristy routes, such as the Inca Trail. This exciting hike goes along the base of the majestic Salkantay snow-capped mountain, crossing a diverse landscape from a cold and arid climate in the first stage to a warmer and more humid area in the second. The difficulty of the route is moderate to high, so it is recommended that you be in good physical shape. For proper acclimatization, it is advisable to arrive in Cusco at least two days before starting the Salkantay, located in the Cordillera Vilcabamba of Cusco, Peru, which is the heart of this alternative route to Machu Picchu. During the trek, you cross a remote and ancient mountain range with spectacular views that include turquoise lagoons, imposing snow-capped peaks such as the Apu Salkantay and Humantay, rivers, and subtropical areas full of flora and fauna.
TRIP SUMMARY
Day 1: Cusco-Mollepata-Soraypampa-Laguna Humantay-Quiswarniyoc
Day 2: Quiswarniyoc-Nevado Salkantay-Chaullay
Day 3: Chaullay-Lucmabamba-Hydroelectric Plant-Aguas Calientes
Day 4: Aguas Calientes-Machupicchu-Cusco
- Briefing one day before the tour
- Baggage Storage
- Hotel pick-up
- Transportation
- Muleteers
- Professional Guides
- Cooks
- 2 nights camping with comfortable equipment
- Food with vegan or vegetarian options
- Entrance to the Salkantay Trail and Machu Picchu.
- CONSETTUR bus downstream
- Tourist train Aguas Calientes-Cusco
- First aid
- Duffel bag to carry your belongings
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Camping equipment
- All Taxes and Reservation Fees
- Sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, or trekking poles (can be rented with us).
- Sleeping bag: $ 20
- Inflatable mattress: $ 20
- Walking poles (1 pair): $ 20
- Lunch on the last day after the tour to Machu Picchu
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain (optional)
- Travel Insurance
- Valid passport
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Personal care products
- Mountain shoes
- Lightweight footwear
- Walking socks
- Shorts
- neckerchief
- Sunglasses
- Cap
- Waterproof jacket
- Thermal pants
- Thermal jacket
- Long sleeve jacket
- Medium backpack for hiking
- Waterproof rain poncho
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Flashlight
- Water
- Camera
- Sleeping bag
- Walking poles
- Cash for purchases (soles recommendation)
- External battery
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu begins in Cusco, where transportation will pick up the group between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to depart for Mollepata, a journey of approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, you will enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant. Afterward, you will continue by van to Soraypampa for approximately one hour. In Soraypampa, the group will meet the muleteers and horses, and the belongings will be handed over for the transfer. The hike starts from Soraypampa at 3,900 meters altitude and ascends to the 4,200 meters of the Humantay lagoon, taking about 2 hours in total.
At the lagoon, you will have time to admire the views and take pictures. The stay usually lasts about an hour, depending on the weather. Afterwards, you will.
You will start the descent to Quiswarniyoc camp, which includes a 1-hour downhill hike followed by 45 minutes of flat terrain. Upon arrival at the camp around 2:00 p.m., a lunch prepared by the cooking team will be served. Afterward, the group will have free time to rest or explore the surroundings, enjoying the views of Salkantay.
At 6:00 p.m., a hot dinner will be served, and then the guide will provide important information about the next day, including the ascent to the trail’s highest point.
The day begins at 5:00 a.m. with coca tea, served by the kitchen team to help with acclimatization. After waking up, you will have about 30 minutes to prepare and pack. Breakfast is served at approximately 5:30 a.m., and then you will begin your hike to the Salkantay Pass, the trek’s highest point.
The hike from Quiswarniyoc to the Salkantay Pass, at 4,700 meters above sea level, begins around 6:30 a.m. and lasts between 3 and 3.5 hours, with breaks every hour. The main challenge is adapting to the altitude, but the ascent is manageable with good acclimatization. Upon reaching the pass, you will have 30 to 45 minutes to enjoy the views, take photos, and participate in a local ritual to thank the Apus, the gods of the mountain.
The descent begins with a 2-hour hike to Wayracmachay, where the cooking team will offer a nutritious lunch. After lunch, there will be time to rest, weather permitting. Then, you will descend for It takes 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the camp in Chawllay. The day ends with a delicious dinner prepared by the cooking team.
The day begins with tea and a hearty breakfast at 6:00 a.m. After breakfast, we start the 5-hour trek from Chawllay to Lucmabamba camp through flat terrain in the Santa Teresa Valley. In Lucmabamba, a delicious lunch will be served.
Afterward, we hike for 3 hours to Llactapata, an archaeological site from which you can enjoy a unique view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. After exploring, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the steepest descent of the route.
From Hidroeléctrica, you will walk for 3 hours along the railway to Aguas Calientes, where you can see partial views of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, the guide will take the group to the lodge to rest and prepare for the last dinner in Aguas Calientes.
We get up early, and after breakfast, we head to the bus to start the trip to Machu Picchu. Once inside, you will begin a two-hour guided tour. Afterward, you will have free time to explore and take pictures. If you have booked in advance, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain or walk to the Sun Gate.
When finished, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the train to Ollantaytambo, where tourist transport will take you back to Cusco.
