The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular alternative routes to reach the ancient Inca city. This 5-day path takes you through diverse ecosystems, from Andean glaciers to tropical cloud forest, culminating in one of the wonders of the world: Machu Picchu.
The journey begins at the dazzling Humantay lake, and then ascends to 4,700 meters next to the majestic Apu Salkantay, you will feel like you can touch the sky with your hands.
As you descend, you will witness how the landscape dramatically transforms: permafrost gives way to lush cloud forests, and further down, you´ll find yourself surrounded by fragrant aromatic coffee plantations and fruit orchards, where you can taste authentic, freshly harvested Peruvian coffee.
The adventure is enriched by a rejuvenating stop at the hot thermal springs of Santa Teresa, a natural oasis that will revitalize your body and spirit. The trip culminates with a journey along the ancient and little-traveled Llactapata trail, which will provide you with the first unforgettable views of Machu Picchu.
From there, you will only have a short walk to reach your final destination: the mythical Inca citadel, one of the wonders of the world that awaits you to reveal its ancient secrets.
overview
DAY 1 CUSCO – MOLLEPAT- CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA
5:00 AM Pick up at your hotel
Meals: Lunch and Dinner (optional breakfast in Mollepata)
Estimated walking time: 6 hrs.
Difficulty: Moderate
Climate: Cold to Moderate
Sleep in Soraypampa
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – COLLPAPAMPA
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated walking time: 8 hrs.
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Climate: Warm and cold with mosquitoes
Sleep in Chaullay
DAY 3: COLLPAPAMPA – WIÑAYPOCO – LUCMABAMBA
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated walking time: 6hrs.
Difficulty: Moderate to Easy
Weather: Warm
Sleep in Lucmabamba
DAY 4: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA INCA SITE – AGUAS CALIENTES VILLAGE
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated walking time: 6hrs.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Weather: Warm with mosquitoes
Sleep in Aguas Calientes
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES VILLAGE – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Meals: Breakfast
Estimated walking time: 2hrs.
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Warm
Transportation back to Cusco.
itinerary
ITINERARY:
Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA- CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA
We begin our adventure at 5:00 AM from Cusco, traveling to Challacancha (3,400m), with a stop in the picturesque town of Mollepata (3,000m). In Challacancha, we will meet with our team of muleteers and trekking staff to begin the hike.
The trail gives us spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Humantay (5,217m) and Salkantay (6,264m). After a 3-hour hike, we arrive at Soraypampa (3,700m), where we will enjoy a lunch prepared by our mountain chef and set up camp.
The afternoon has a special experience in store for us: the ascent to the Humantay Lagoon (4,220m), a turquoise mirror of water at the foot of the imposing snow-capped mountain of the same name ;
*Transport time: 4 hours.
*Hiking time: 2-3 hours.
*Climate: cold.
Additional option: During the route to Soray Pampa (3900m/12795ft), we suggest taking a 2-hour detour to visit the impressive Humantay Lake (4220m/13845ft) and contemplate the majesty of the snow-capped peak of Humantay.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – COLLPAPAMPA
After breakfast, we begin the ascent to the highest point of our adventure: the Salkantay Pass (4,600m). From this privileged height, we will contemplate the majesty of the snowy Salkantay (6,264m) in all its splendor. Then, our path gradually descends, revealing how the Andean landscape transforms into tropical forest.
The night awaits us in Collpapampa (3,350m), where we will camp surrounded by exuberant vegetation in a warm and tropical environment.
*Walking time: 10 – 11 hours
*Climate: Warm with mosquitoes.
DAY 3: COLLPAPAMPA – WIÑAYPOCO – LUCMABAMBA (DISCOVERING COFFEE PARADISE)
The day begins with a descent through a lush forest, home to colourful orchids and bromeliads. Our route passes through the communities of Wiñaypoco (2,650m), Granadilla (2,100m) and Lucmabamba (2,000m), where the mountains give way to thriving coffee, cocoa and fruit tree plantations.
The afternoon offers us a unique experience: immersion in coffee culture with a local family. You will discover the fascinating process of coffee, from its cultivation to the final cup.
You will learn how the plants take between 3 and 4 years to bear their first fruits, and why the harvest is traditionally done by hand, preserving ancestral techniques on these steep Andean slopes. The day ends at our camp in Lucmabamba, where you can share more moments with the local community and delve into the secrets of one of the most prestigious coffees in the world.
*Hiking time: 7 hours.
*Climate: Warm during the day with mosquitoes.
Optional: For those who wish to relax their muscles after trekking, we recommend a visit to the Santa Teresa hot springs. If you are interested, check with your guide to coordinate transportation from Lucmabamba (service not included).
DAY 4: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA INCA SITE – MACHU PICCHU VILLAGE
Today’s adventure takes us along a stretch of the authentic Inca Trail to Llactapata (2,650m), an archaeological site that gives us the first spectacular views of Machu Picchu mountain and the imposing Vilcanota Canyon. The trail, surrounded by lush vegetation, connects us with the legacy of the Inca culture.
From here, we descend to the Hydroelectric Station (1,950m) for a well-deserved rest, before continuing our way to Machu Picchu Pueblo (2,050m), where we will spend the night in a hotel.
*Climate: warm with some insects.
*Walking time: 8-9 hours.
*Hotel: In Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO – MACHU PICCHU
We will begin our adventure early, leaving the hotel at 5:30 am to take a tourist bus that will take us to Machu Picchu (2400 m / 7874 ft). Around 6:00 am, we will be entering the majestic Inca citadel, just in time to contemplate how the first rays of the sun illuminate this impressive archaeological site.
During the guided tour, the guide will provide details about the various sectors of Machu Picchu, exploring places such as the Main Plaza, the Intihuatana (sundial), the Temple of the Sun and the agricultural terraces, as well as sharing information about the urban organization and ceremonial relevance of this site, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Optional: After the tour, you will have free time to continue exploring Machu Picchu or climb Wayna Picchu (2750 m / 9022 ft) on your own, discovering these places at your own pace.
The train departure from Aguas Calientes is scheduled for approximately 16:20 hrs towards the city of Cusco. During this time, you can enjoy lunch at one of the charming restaurants in the area or relax in the local hot springs to close the day with a rejuvenating experience.
Included
INCLUDES
- High-quality service
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English; other languages only if previously requested).
- Professional cook and assistant.
- Horses and mules to carry up to 7 kg of a client’s personal belongings/luggage.
- Emergency horse.
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Transportation
- Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to Mollepata/Marcoccasa (Day 1)
- Transporation of your personal belongings/lugagge from Lucmabamba to the “hidroeléctrica” trainstation (Day 4)
- Train ticket from “hidroeléctrica” trainstation to Aguas Calientes (Day 4)
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Day 5)
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Day 5)
- Bus ticket from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (Day 5)
- Accommodation
- In campsites with high-quality camping equipment (professional tent: Doite Top 4, for 2 people), mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, hygiene services)
- 2-star Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance Tickets
- Entrance Ticket to Salkantay National Park
- Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
- Meals: 5 x Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks (If you are vegetarian, please notify us in advance)
- Cooked Water is provided, but you need to bring your own bottle or buy water on the way
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in the Aguas Calientes village.
- Lunch and Dinner after Machu Picchu on the last day
- Sleeping bag (if you don’t have one, we offer high-quality rental sleeping bags 10° for $5.00 per day).
- Tourist Train from the Hydroelectric train station to Aguas Calientes village (Walking time in the rainforest for approximately 2 hours).
- Consettur bus ticket to return after the visit from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes village (We recommend doing this by foot, as it is a beautiful walk to end the visit, it takes about 1 hr. Alternatively there is the possibility of buying a ticket and it costs $ 12.00 per person.
Important Information for your Trek:
Luggage Transport:
*Days 1-3 (Challacancha to Collapapampa):
*Muleteers and mules will transport all camping equipment.
*Personal luggage (maximum 7kg per person).
Day 4: All luggage will be transported by vehicle to the Hydroelectric Power Station Access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
*Advance reservation required
*Additional cost: US$65.00
*We guarantee entry (effective as of July 18, 2011).
Altitude Preparation:
*Arrive at least 48 hours before the start of the trek.
*Contact us immediately upon arrival in Cusco.
We will organize a meeting prior to departure Gratuities:
*Tips for guides and cooks are appreciated
*Donations welcome:
*Clothing.
*School supplies for staff children.
WHAT TO BRING
- Backpack
- Rain poncho -> keep in mind that the weather can be very cold and humid; in this case, wet clothes do not have the time to dry
- Sleeping bag
- Clothes for hot and cold weather (e.g. short and long sleeve shirts, trekking pants, Wool or cotton socks, warm jacket, etc.)
- Trekking shoes
- Swimsuit and Sandals for Hotsprings
- Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
- Insect repellent, hand sanitizer gel, toilet paper
- Water bottle or water purifying tablets
- Camera (waterproof or wrapped in a plastic bag), flashlight, and extra batteries
- Additional snacks: Cereal bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.
- Original passport and if applicable student card «ISIC» (for the entrance to Machu Picchu)
- Extra money in soles (Peruvian money)
Contact Us
More Information
How hard is the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Trek ranks in its difficulty from moderate to challenging, and is generally considered more challenging than the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The total hiking distance of the Salkantay Trek is approximately 70 km / 43.5 mi. spread out over 5 days.
The difficulty varies between the days, but generally speaking, Day 2 is the hardest one, as you will be ascending the Salkantay pass reaching an altitude of 4,600 m. / 1968,5 ft. above sea level.
On Day 4 you will reach Llactapata at an altitude of 2,650 m. / 8694 ft. which can also be challenging as you might be tired of the preceding days, but we offer the alternative option to instead relax in the Hotsprings of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa (1,830 m. / 6004 ft.) at an additional cost.
However, the Salkantay pass is very high. It can cause altitude sickness if you are not accustomed to such altitudes, which is why we strongly advise everyone to acclimatize beforehand for at least two or more days in the city of Cusco.
How to prepare for the Salkantay trek? Acclimate and altitude sickness
The Salkantay Trek is a moderate to challenging trek, which is especially due to the maximum altitude of 4,600 m. / 1968,5 ft. above sea level. In order to avoid any serious complications, we advise everyone to acclimate for at least two or more days in the city of Cusco. For this purpose, we can offer you various city tours in Cusco out of which we especially recommend the easier ones such as the Cusco City Tour, Maras and Moray Tour, and the Sacred Valley Tour.
Furthermore, we recommend eating healthy, avoiding fatty foods, and drinking a lot of water or Coca-tea. Please avoid drinking alcohol or smoking, especially on the days before the hike.
Nonetheless, altitude sickness can happen even to the fittest, thus here are the most common symptoms so that you can recognize it: headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortened breath, and difficulty with coordination. As long as the symptoms are relatively mild, we recommend using Coca leaves as a way to treat the symptoms. You can chew them or drink them as tea.
In any case, acclimatize your body and take it easy!
How far are the hiking distances each day?
The total hiking distance of the Salkantay Trek is 65 km / 40.4 mi. (excluding the hiking distance in Machu Picchu Sanctuary)
- Day 1:
- Mollepata – Soraypampa – 22km/13,6mi., ascending +1000m. altitude difference
- Day 2:
- Soraypampa – Chaullay – 21km/13mi.; ascending Salkantay pass +750m. altitude difference; hereafter descending to Chaullay -1500m. altitude difference
- Day 3:
- Chaullay – Lucmabamba – 18km/11mi., descending – 800m. altitude difference
- Day 4:
- Lucmabamba – Llactapata – 7km/4,3mi., ascending +900m. altitude difference
- Llactapata – Aguas Calientes – 13km/8mi., descending –1000m. altitude difference
- Day 5:
- Machu Picchu Sanctuary
When is the best time to do the Salkantay Trek?
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is during the dry season from April to November. The most popular months are June, July, and August.
We recommend the dry season as there is less chance of rain and the days are sunnier, even though the nights are colder.
During the rainy season from December to March, there is a lot of heavy rain which can cause landslides that block the roads and trekking ways. February is the worst month, which is why most trekking trails are closed due to the high risk.
In the following chart you can view the average temperature of the region:
| High Temperature °F | Low Temperature °F | |
| Jan | 63 °F | 39 °F |
| Feb | 63 °F | 39 °F |
| Mar | 63 °F | 39 °F |
| Apr | 64 °F | 37 °F |
| May | 64 °F | 32 °F |
| Jun | 64 °F | 28 °F |
| Jul | 63 °F | 27 °F |
| Aug | 64 °F | 30 °F |
| Sep | 64 °F | 34 °F |
| Oct | 66 °F | 37 °F |
| Nov | 66 °F | 37 °F |
| Dec | 64 °F | 39 °F |
How is the climate during the Salkantay Trek?
The climate during the Salkantay Trek highly varies, as it winds through very different terrain at different altitudes.
The only place where the climate can drop below freezing at night is in Soraypampa and the areas surrounding the Salkantay Pass. But don’t worry, we have professional gear specialized for extreme temperatures.
During the dry season from April to November the temperatures in the Salkantay region, are rather stable. On average around 18C° during the day and at night it can drop to -10C°.
During the rainy season from December to March it can rain a lot. Even though the days are on average around 19C° and the nights only drop to 4C°, if you get wet, it will feel much colder.
The other campgrounds are much warmer, due to their proximity to the cloud forest.
What to bring?
- Backpack
- Sleeping bag
- Rain poncho -> keep in mind that the weather can be very cold and humid; in this case, wet clothes do not have the time to dry
- Water bottle or water purifying tablets
- Clothes for hot and cold weather (e.g. short and long sleeve shirts, trekking pants, Wool or cotton socks, warm jacket, etc.)
- Trekking shoes
- Swimsuit and Sandals for Hotsprings
- Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
- Insect repellent, hand sanitizer gel, toilet paper
- Camera (waterproof or wrapped in a plastic bag), flashlight, and extra batteries
- Additional snacks: Cereal bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.
- Original passport and if applicable student card «ISIC» (for the entrance to Machu Picchu)
- Extra money in soles (Peruvian money)
Is drinking water provided during the Trek?
Yes, we provide you with boiled water that is safe to drink during every Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. However, please remember to bring a water bottle so that we can fill your bottle and you can carry your drinking water during the hike.
Nevertheless, if you need extra drinking water at any stage during the hike, occasionally there are shops where you can buy water and snacks.
Nevertheless, if you need extra drinking water at any stage during the hike, occasionally there are shops where you can buy water and snacks.
Nevertheless, if you need extra drinking water at any stage during the hike, occasionally there are shops where you can buy water and snacks.
Distances of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 days:
Total distance: approximately 72 km.
Important notes:
*Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the specific route.
*Hiking times are estimated and depend on the pace of the group.
*Prior physical preparation is recommended due to the distances and slopes.
Breakdown by day:
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa
*Hiking distance: 12 km.
*Approximate time: 6-7 hours.
*Maximum altitude: 3,900 m (Soraypampa).
Day 2: soraypampa – salkantay pass – huayracmachay – chaullay
*Hiking distance: 22 km.
*Approximate time: 8-9 hours.
*Maximum altitude: 4,630 m (Salkantay Pass).
Day 3: Chaullay – Colpapampa – La Playa.
*Hiking distance: 16 km.
*Approximate time: 6-7 hours
*Average altitude: 2,800 m
Day 4: La Playa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
*Hiking distance: 16 km.
*Approximate time: 6-7 hours.
*Average altitude: 2,000 m.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
*Hiking distance: 6 km (includes exploration of Machu Picchu)
*Approximate time: 4-5 hours in Machu Picchu
*Height: 2,430 m (Machu Picchu)
About the Difficulty:
How difficult is the trek?
*Moderate to challenging level
*Highest point: Salkantay Pass (4,630m)
*Good physical condition is recommended
*Previous trekking experience is not mandatory
About altitude
How to prevent altitude sickness?
*Acclimatize for at least 2 days in Cusco.
*Stay hydrated.
*Avoid alcohol before and during the trek.
*Walk at a moderate pace.
Is oxygen available during the trek?
*Guides carry an oxygen bottle for emergencies
About Luggage
What should I bring?
*Small daypack.
*Warm, waterproof clothing.
*Trekking boots
*Sleeping bag (also available for rent)
How much luggage can I bring?
*Maximum 7kg per person on mules
*Must carry personal day pack
About Food
What meals are included?
*3 meals a day during the trek
*Snacks and water during hikes
Can you cater to special diets?
*Vegetarians.
*Vegans.Celiacs (please notify in advance).
About Accommodation
Where do we sleep?
*3 nights in camps – 2 nights in domes and 1 night in lodge
*1 night in hostel/hotel in Aguas Calientes village.
Additional Services
Can we rent equipment?
*Yes, trekking poles.
*And sleeping bags.
*Emergencies and Safety.
Is there communication during the trek?
*Limited cell phone signal
*Guides with emergency radio
What happens if I get sick?
*Established evacuation protocols
*First aid kit.
*Certified first aid guides.
Altitude map
Price
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We have price alternatives that accommodate all budgets, prices per person, expressed in US Dollars.
Make your quotes and reservations by email [email protected], you can also communicate with one of our sales executives at the telephones detailed below, we will be happy to assist you.
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 969 787 221
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 986 994 218
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
To start the reservation process, please send us the following information:
- Name and surname:
- Passport number:
- Nationality:
- Date of Birth:
- Phone:
- Very important – We need the address and information about the hotel that you are staying at, in the city of Cusco, to be able to pick you up at the time when the tour starts.
To confirm reservations it is required to pay 50% in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.
PAYMENT METHODS
- IZIPAY
- PAYPAL
- WESTER UNION
- MONEYGRAM
- TRANSFER TO OUR BANK ACCOUNT PERU
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