Best Treks and Tours in Peru
5day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
5 Days | 18+ | Starts with 2 people, 15 people max. | Adventure | Available all year |
Tour Overview
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa Sky Lodge Dome
We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. to drive for about 2 and half hours to Mollepata where we stop to have breakfast and after we will keep driving to challacancha where we start hiking and as Soon as we are at challacancha the cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff and we start hiking the first 25 minutes will be a little bit uphill to get the Water Channel where we will have a nice place with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our Salkantay trek towards Soraypampa our first Salkantay Trekking camping spot (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) we will be very close to the second highest Salkantay snowcapped mountain of Cusco. Then after Lunch we will go to Humantay Lake and explore around and we will walk down to our best campsite of soraypampa.
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.)
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huaracmachay – Chaullay Domes.
After having our Salkantay Trekking breakfast we start walking about 5:30 am ,because this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get the highest point of the Salkantay Trekking (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 our second Salkantay Trekking camping spot of chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft).
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.)
Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Domes
After breakfast, at 6.30am, we start walking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of little brooks to reach La Playa walking about 6 hours. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits ,plants and as soon as we are at la playa we will have lunch and then we will rest and camp at la Playa.
(Optional: in the afternoon there is a chance to go to the hot spring of colcalmayo ist has an extra cost that you can see once you are there)
3RD DAY: Total distance: 16 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 1,600 m (approx.)
Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes Hotel 3***
We will have breakfast at 8am and leave our camping spot of Lucmabamba. We walk up on a original Inca Trail to Llactapata site where you will get a chance to see Machupicchu far away (one of the most beautiful place to see Machupicchu) then We continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana etc. until we reach the hydroelectric station. And after the lunch we keep walking about two and half hours along the train road 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 15 soles) a real treat after finishing the Salkantay Trekking.
4TH DAY: Total distance: 12 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 1,600 m (approx.)
Hostel (Aguas Calientes) altitude: 1,900 m (approx.)
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Salkantay trekking important day, We wake up early morning about 4 am to then to 4:30 to have the breakfast and leave to walk up to Machupicchu which takes one and half hours up to machupicchu but there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves 5:30 to Machupicchu (25-minutes long) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun is rising. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your Guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huaynapicchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. After enjoying Machu Picchu you have to go down to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then bus back Cusco.
Those who return by bus they will have to walk back from Machupicchu to Hidroelectrica to take the bus back (you must be between 2:30pm to 3:00pm).
5TH DAY: Total distance: 4 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 1- 2 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (approx.)
Included / Exclude
Private Tourist Transportation from Cusco to Mollepata and Extra 1 hour minutes to Challacancha to get better views and skip the dusty road. (We never share Bus service with other companies as most agencies do here to minimize costs)
English – Spanish speaking guide for 4 days of the Inca Trail and Machupicchu.(All our Guides work for Us only) All of them speak Fluent English.
Second Guide Over 08 people Group(Large Group Service)
1 Nights in Sky lodge Dome at SORAYPAMPA ( Twin bed room, Matrimonial bed room, 3 beds room, 4 beds room Accomodation)
Day 1: Soraypampa Campsite at our Geodesic Sky Lodge Domes.
Day 2: Chaullay Domes
Day 3: La Playa Domes
Day 4: Aguas Calientes Hotel ***
1 Night Accomodation Overnight in Aguas Calientes(Twin bed room with Private bathroom and shower) Night 4
Cook and assistance of the Cook.(We have chosen the best cook/cheffs and all are trained by Terra Quechua Peru every month)
Cooking equipment (We use New cooking equipment and change all every 3 months)
Snacks (Fruits, energy bars)
Daily tea service (Wake up Coca tea and afternoon tea time(Happy hour) with full of popcorn and special snacks made by our cooks)
Dining equipment including portable chairs and tables
Food service in the campsites (4 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu: Buffet style Plenty of food you will never be hungry with us!
Vegetarian and free Gluten menu at no extra cost (Please let us know at the time of booking)
Horseman and Horses.(To carry our camping equipment, food and 6 kilos of your personal stuff like: sleeping bag and mat as well as cothes) We Never overload our Horses(well Animal Welfare). And we will Provide you a Duffel bag(at The Briefing Time) for all your personal stuff to be carried by horses.
Salkantay Trek and Machupicchu entrance fees
One way uphill Consettur Bus to Machupicchu from Aguas Calientes Town
Visit to Machu Picchu on the 5th day (2 hours guide tour to explore the whole inca site)
Return Tourist Expeditions train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.(2 hours ride)Train time is Between 14:30, 14:55 , 15:20, 18:20, 19:00pm. And if you upgrade to Vistadome the train will be at 15:48, 16:22. Cost $50 per person
Private Transportation from the train station of Ollantaytambo to Cusco(2 hours drive) and drop off at the hotel. (we only use our Private Transportation. so you will never wait at the train station till the bus of 30 ppl gets full)First-aid kit (Our Guide will carry while on the Salkantay Trail) Please, note all our Guides are trained every year in first-aid)
Emergency oxygen bottle (Our guide will carry while on the Trail)
Rain waterproof cover for your day backpacks
Pre trek Orientation – briefing A day before we do the Trek. Let us know once you are at the office or by email. Water for Driking: we will supply with filtered and boiled water and your bottles will be filled at each meal time. Please, bring enough water for the 1st day.
Breakfast on the first day
Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
One sleeping bag, walking sticks
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/15.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes
Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US$ 60.00 per person applies
Tour Location
