Hike the Salkantay trek 5 days, a trekking route that ends at the wonder of Machu Picchu, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We will see the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Vilcanota mountain range, such as the Humantay and Salkantay (Wild Mountain) snow-capped mountains. We will descend into the cloud forest of the subtropical jungle and where we will realize just how fascinating nature is. We will be astounded by our first view of Machu Picchu and as a preview of what is to come, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Llacatapata. Next to mountains of green vegetation and streams that captivate our eyes and ears, we will arrive at Aguas Calientes, where the adventure is just beginning, since it is time to discover the mind-blowing Inca citadel. Without a doubt, a beautiful trek that you cannot miss.
We will depart at approximately 4:00 AM in the morning for a two-hour trip to Mollepata village for a quick breakfast. Our transportation will include cozy blankets in case you need to take a nap after breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue for another hour until we reach the trailhead in Challacancha.
Before we start our hike, you will meet the porters and cooks who are part of our team and do a final check of your luggage. Then, we will begin our relatively easy three-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will find our first campsite. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful glaciers and a deep valley. You will also see an Inca canal that runs alongside most of the trail and is still used by local farmers today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 miles long.
When we arrive at Soraypampa, you will have time to settle into our cozy igloo-style Sky Camp and enjoy lunch with our chefs. You’ll be amazed by their talent in the midst of the mountains. After lunch, we will start our afternoon hike to Humantay Lake.
When we return to camp, you will have time to enjoy dinner while watching the sunset behind the mountains. It’s hard to describe the energy of the mountains, but inner peace is as close as you can get to describing it. You’ll be able to gaze at the stars.
The impressive Abra Salkantay and descent to the tropical forest. You will wake up to the first rays of the day and see Apu Salkantay while enjoying a energizing coca tea. Then, you will take a nutritious breakfast before setting out on the 7 km hike for approximately three hours to the highest point on the route, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It’s a challenging climb along the “Snake’s Path,” so named for its winding route.
Upon reaching the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys, as well as a stunning view of the Salkantay mountain, located right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), considered one of the highest peaks in the Cusco region and known as an Apu.
You will also be able to observe the mountains: Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After taking in the views and resting, you will begin your descent (7 km / 4.35 miles) to our lunch spot at Huayracmachay (3,850 m). This section of the trail is rocky and steep, but you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding valley.
After lunch, you will enter the edge of the tropical forest, also known as the “cloud forest.” Along the way, you’ll appreciate the tropical vegetation and witness how the Andes give way to Amazonian environment quickly.
After a long day of hiking, you’ll be happy to arrive at Collpapampa for an overnight stay. Finally, we’ll serve a hearty dinner before resting in our exclusive Mountain Sky View.
Difficulty: Challenging Hike
Distance: 22 km (10 hours)
Initial Elevation: 3,900 m
Maximum Elevation: 4,630 m
Camp Elevation: 2,950 m
Accommodation: Sky View
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today, we’ll start our day at 6:00 AM with a nutritious breakfast. Then, we’ll begin our 5-hour hike through the stunning Santa Teresa Valley to reach La Playa. Along the trail, you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the recent and lush landscape surrounded by rivers, wild orchids, and many coffee, banana, and avocado plantations; you’ll also be able to taste guava.
We’ll pass through a small village called Collpapampa and continue to the base of the mountains to cross over to the other side of the valley. On this tropical stretch, we’ll see waterfalls, birds, fruit-bearing trees, flora, and fauna.
When we arrive at La Playa, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, then follow a one-hour drive to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where our campsite is located. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, perfect for coffee lovers. Even if you’re not a fan of a cup of coffee, the scent in the air is delicious.
This is the main agricultural industry in the tropical forest that exports products to the United States, Asia, and all of Europe. You’ll also visit avocado and orange plantations.
After dinner, of course, you’ll spend the night at one of our exclusive campsites, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with Mother Nature.
After a good breakfast, you’ll be eager to lace up your hiking boots for your last day of trekking. In the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the original and world-famous Inca Trail.
After hiking for two hours and taking in the breathtaking views of the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach the Llactapata Valley. After ascending the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site located opposite Machu Picchu.
Llactapata is the first Inca complex you’ll see on the hike, from here you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
Then, you’ll descend the hill for an hour and a half and have the opportunity to see, along the way, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which will heighten your anticipation for making tomorrow more exciting. We’ll make a stop to lunch in Aobamba before continuing on for another half-hour hike to Hydroelectric.
Upon arriving at Hydroelectric, you have some options:
If you’re tired after all that hiking, you can opt to take a train to Aguas Calientes (not included).
If you want to take advantage of the last stretch of the hike, you can take the flat path along the riverbank, which takes about three hours. The hike will be another opportunity to enjoy the hot jungle environment.
Along the way, you’ll see an ancient rock used by the Incas as a sundial, which worked in conjunction with the Intihuatana stone at Machu Picchu’s sundial.
It was used to measure and read the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of the agricultural season for the Incas. Then, you’ll arrive at the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Dinner and night at a comfortable hotel.
In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.
We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight : Hotel in Cusco (at your own expense)
Meals: Breakfast
Service | Travelers | Prices |
---|---|---|
Group | 1 traveler | US$ 731.00 |
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Cusco
Moderate difficulty
Total distance 21 Km
Maximum altitude 4.630 m
Up to 12 people
Daily departures
Cusco
Moderate to high difficulty
Total distance 50km
Maximum altitude 4,630m
Up to 12 people
Daily departures
EXCELLENT Based on 857 reviews Andres Lack2025-01-01Verified Buenísimo! El tour está muy bien organizado, incluye desayuno y comida y el tour a la montaña.Nuestro guía estuvo pendiente de nosotros en todo momento y nos dio tips muy útiles para el ascenso.La vista en la subida y una vez arriba: sin palabras, súper increíble. Aún que el ascenso cuesta mucho trabajo, vale mucho la pena! Vayan, súper tour! Andres Lack2025-01-01Verified Increíble!! Súper recomendado, toman el tour con Wil! Excelente recorrido, el sitio impresionante y siento que le agregó tanto valor el guía Wil Fernández, quien muestra mucho interés, y te hace adentrarte y apasionarte en la historia inka, imaginando como vivían en ese tiempo, complementando todo con historias, imágenes de un libro y vivencias. El tour normalmente dura 2,5 horas. Pero por su pasión, y sus buenas explicaciones en esta ocasión nos hicimos 4 horas - y solo terminamos ahí, porque tuvimos que apurarnos por la necesidad de ir al baño. A demás de gran guía e historiador te toma las mejores fotos. Andres Lack2025-01-01Verified Vale la pena ir - y si vayan, piden a Carmen!! Excelente experiencia, los lugares, las ruinas, la explicación y paisajes. Nuestra guía (Carmen) era la mejor, se notaba su pasión por el trabajo y la historia de su país.Y lo mejor es el lugar a donde paras a comer (14 inkas) antes de llegar a Ollantaytambo - una comida tipo bufet con vista directo al valle sagrado. Fue uno de los mejores tours que hemos tomado! Andres Lack2025-01-01Verified Si vale la pena ir El tour muy completo e interesante. Lo único que no me gustó es que antes de llevarte a las salinas paran en una tienda donde te muestran los tipos de sal y los productos que hacen con esta. Al final los ofrecen mencionándote que es el único lugar donde los puedes comprar. Uno confía los compra y se da cuenta que en las salinas están a un precio más accesible. También menciono que si haces el pago con tarjeta te cobran de más sin avisarte. Andres Lack2025-01-01Verified City tour Cusco es una ciudad en la que llueve, en esta ocasión estaba lloviendo cuando empezamos el tour en coricancha. Por lo que el guía decidió dar el tour solo la parte de adentro sin ver las áreas descubiertas, pero al ir a las ruinas si nos mojamos y tuvimos que usar nuestros ponchos que recomiendan llevar. Coricancha siento yo que es básico como introducción a la cultura inka y su arquitectura. Silvana D2024-12-10Verified Volveré!!! Increíble lugar, se siente una energía única e inexplicable. Es como viajar en el tiempo, gracias a la excelente explicación y data que nos iba contando nuestro guía. Imágenes únicas. Definitivamente, volveré!!! Silvana D2024-12-10Verified Me sorprendió Me encantó!! La gente amorosa y los guías muy bien informados!! Sacamos muchas fotos increíbles! Tengo ganas de volver! Silvana D2024-12-10Verified Me sorprendió todo!! Increíble la atención de la gente, calidad humana y lo tan bien informados que están para hacer los recorridos. Las vistas eran increíbles, y sacamos muchísimas fotos!!! Definitivamente volveré !!!! Geraldine d2024-11-27Verified Genial Bastante exigente el trekking, el camino con muchas piedras y empinado, aún así increíble experiencia la vista a la laguna al llegar vale la pena Geraldine d2024-11-27Verified Increíble El mejor paseo por lejos, machu picchu es mágico y Wilder fue el mejor guía, dinámico y divertido, hizo que la experiencia fuera muy aprovechable, recomiendo!
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