Salkantay Machu Picchu 04 Days, is a breathtaking trek that takes adventurers through the stunning landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. This challenging yet rewarding journey offers hikers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region while also experiencing the rich culture and history of Peru.
The Salkantay Machu Picchu Trail is a 74-kilometer trek that begins in Mollepata and ends at the iconic Machu Picchu. Hikers will traverse high mountain passes, lush cloud forests, and remote Andean villages along the way. The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, which stands at an impressive 6,271 meters.
Hiking the Salkantay Machu Picchu Trail, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will challenge and inspire you. The trail offers a mix of rugged terrain, high-altitude hiking, and stunning scenery, making it a must-do for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to interact with local communities, learn about traditional Andean culture, and witness some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.
Overview
The Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative to the Inca Trail for reaching Machu Picchu. Known for its stunning scenery and diverse landscapes, the trek typically spans 4 to 5 days. Here’s an overview of the 4-day version:
Cusco – Soraypampa.
- Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
- Elevation: Starting at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) and ascending to 4,600 meters (15,092 feet)
- Highlights:
- Pickup from Cusco and drive to Mollepata for breakfast.
- Hike to Soraypampa with views of Humantay Lake and Salkantay Mountain.
- Optional visit to Humantay Lake.
- Overnight at Soraypampa campsite.
Soraypampa to Chaullay via Salkantay Pass.
- Distance: 22 km (13.7 miles)
- Elevation: Starting at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), reaching the highest point at 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) at Salkantay Pass, and descending to 2,900 meters (9,514 feet)
- Highlights:
- Early start to conquer the challenging Salkantay Pass.
- Stunning views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers.
- Descend into the cloud forest.
- Overnight at Chaullay campsite.
Chaullay to Hidroeléctrica.
- Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
- Elevation: Starting at 2,900 meters (9,514 feet) and descending to 2,000 meters (6,561 feet)
- Highlights:
- Hike through the lush cloud forest, passing coffee plantations and tropical fruit trees.
- Optional visit to hot springs in Cocalmayo
- Continue to Lucmabamba and then to Hidroeléctrica.
- Overnight at Aguas Calientes Town.
Machu Picchu – Cusco.
- Distance: Varies depending on the route taken to Machu Picchu.
- Elevation: Around 2,430 meters (7,972 feet)
- Highlights:
- Early morning visit to Machu Picchu.
- Guided tour of the ancient citadel.
- Optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views.
- Return to Aguas Calientes for the train back to Cusco.
General Tips:
- Acclimatization: Spend a few days in Cusco, before the trek to acclimate to the altitude.
- Packing: Pack layers for varying temperatures, rain gear, and sturdy hiking boots.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated and bring snacks for energy.Permits and Guides: Book through a reputable tour operator to handle permits and logistics.
The Salkantay Trek offers an unforgettable adventure through some of Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes, culminating in the iconic Machu Picchu.
Itinerary
DAY 01: MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA.
We will pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus for approximately 02 hours to Mollepata (2700 masl). Here we will have breakfast (optional), use the restrooms and do some last-minute shopping. Then we will continue for another hour to Challacancha, where we will begin our approximately 2-hour hike along a beautiful trail that will take us to Soraypampa (campsite at 3800 masl). Here we will have lunch with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 5720 masl and Salkantay; 6271 masl), in the afternoon, we will visit Humantay Lagoon, very close to the campsite. This is the highest campsite on the entire tour, and the temperature during the night drops to approximately 05 degrees, dinner and overnight.
- Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2700 m
- Maximum altitude: 3850 m
- Distance: 11km / 9miles
- Time: 5h approximately
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY.
This wake up very early as it is the most difficult day of this trip will be, our breakfast at 5.30 am and start our hike at 06.00. Am, about 3 hours walk uphill to reach the pass of Salkantay (4650 m) located halfway between two huge mountains; Salkantay Tucarhuay right and left. From the pass, they are amazing views of the snow capped mountains. Snow is possible here.
After a break, we will continue our walk (downhill) through the mountains of rock to Huayracpampa (4.000msnm) for lunch. After lunch we continue to hike, through a cloud forest area with diverse flora and fauna, where the guide will explain it to reach our second camp, Chaullay (3000m).
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2920 m
- Maximum altitude: 4650 m
- Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: challenge
DAY 03: CHAULLAY – AGUAS CALIENTES.
After breakfast, at 6: 30 am, we started the walk and continue, along the upper forest across the river from Lluskamayo and a variety of small streams to reach the beach stop for lunch. After lunch we have included a local transport to continue to the city of Santa Teresa camping through fields of tropical fruits and plants in the area to reach beach town where we have lunch and then board a local transport to the hydroelectric plant Machu Picchu, here we have two options to continue to Aguas Calientes (train service U $ .38 optional) or walk (10 km -02 hours approx) walk this stretch is recommended because it is very nice and, you can see the citadel Machu Picchu Inca at the top of the mountain and a very beautiful along the way landscape. Once arriving to Aguas Calientes, we have the accommodation at Hostal chosen. Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
- Facilities Accommodation Hostel
- Minimum height: 1,500 m
- Maximum altitude: 3000m
- Distance: 12 km / 5 miles
- Time: About 7h.
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 04: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We will have breakfast at the hotel and then go to the bus station and can board the first bus in the direction of the city, approximately 25 minutes by a zigzag path to reach the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. The guide will offer a visit (about 2 hours) and after that, you have free time to explore the city and if you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2720m). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
To return to Aguas Calientes have 2 options, walking or bus (optional) where you will meet your guide back for lunch and receive his train ticket to return to the city of Cusco. Finish Our Salkantay Machu Picchu Trek.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum height: 2.440m
- Difficulty: Easy.
The train service that includes all the tours (the Expedition to Ollanta) and bus to Cusco. * If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes you have to tell us in advance to arrange your hotel and change the return train service.
CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU.
Inclusions
OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:
- Professional, bilingual guide
- Collection hotel
- Return transportation (bus to the start of the route and tourist train to Ollanta)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu + Huaynapicchu / Machu Picchu
- 4 snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn), 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners (breakfast on day 1 and dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included)
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Cook
- 2 person Huts
- Sleeping mats
- Horsemen and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 07 kilos of belongings of the tourists)
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Bottled oxygen.
- First aid box
- Vegetarian diet available.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Breakfast first day
- Lunch last day
- Personal expenses
- Tips Guide and service staff
** Train included in all tours is (Expedition Ollanta service) will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earlier train you could take is the 14: 30.pm and being the last train at 18: 30. Salkantay Expeditions, arrange transportation to Cusco (by taxi or bus).
Note: train schedules are subject to depending on Peru rail on schedule and availability changes. The train can be changed to Vista dome (bigger than the expedition train windows) with an increase in price.
Should Bring
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:
- Original passport and student card
- Insurance card is essential
- Sleeping bag.
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Coat
- Hat and gloves comfortable pants shirts
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen factor 70
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Personal medication
- Camera and battery.
- Flashlight with extra batteries
OPTIONAL TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Cane
- Plasters and bandages
- Flips flops
- Extra money
- Swimsuit for hot springs in Santa Teresa / Aguas Calientes – not included in price.
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Sleeping Bag (U$:20)
- Walking Stick (U$.15)
- Small day backpack (U$.30)
IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day
Acomodation
Our Camps and Their Location.
The best camps on the Salkantay Trek stand out for their comfort, impressive views and services that make the experience unforgettable
Tips for choosing camps:
- Reliable operators: Make sure you book with companies that have good recommendations.
- Altitude and acclimatization: Prioritize camps at lower altitude if you are not used to the altitude.
- Comfort: If you are looking for more comfort, opt for premium services with huts or domes.
Our camp with an impressive view of the Salkantay mountain, here you can connect your mind with nature, in this camp you can enjoy all the comfort that nature offers you
- Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Maximum altitude: 3850 m
- Time: 5h approximately
- Difficulty: Moderate
Our second camp, located on the side of the bridle path, very close to the local community, here we will have many amenities, we will also be able to enjoy the local community.
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2920 m
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: challenge
the most touristic town in Peru, Aguas Calientes, the closest place to the wonder of the world, here we will have our accommodation with all the basic needs to spend a pleasant night.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel facilities
- Maximum height: 2.000.m
- Difficulty: Easy.
Price
Prices: Season 2025
Group Service
- U$. 500 Per Person (Group Service)
Private Service
- U$: 600 Per Person ( Minimum 02 People)
Group versus Private: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
For your information, to access the Tourist Friend discount, you must indicate this at the time of booking. After this, it’s impossible to obtain a discount, as many tickets are purchased in advance.
- Student Discount (only with active card): US$.20
- Under 18 years Discount: US$.20
Group Size – Salkantay Trek: Our groups average 4 to 10 people. We organize our groups based on each traveler’s preferences, whether as a couple, with friends, or traveling alone, bringing together clients from all over the world. We aim to make this experience personal, safe, and fun so that the memories are unforgettable and new friends are made.
Please check our Booking Policies for this trip. **Visit our Booking Pólices
