A breathtaking 4-day journey through Andean peaks and cloud forests.
Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 4 days Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Andes with our 4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, an ideal choice for adventurers with limited time but eager to experience the best of the Salkantay Trail. This condensed itinerary showcases the highlights of the 5-Day Salkantay Trek, taking you on a journey through diverse landscapes, from majestic mountains to stunning lagoons and glaciers.
Our 4-Day Salkantay Trek follows the same path as the 5-Day journey for the first three days, culminating at the Santa Teresa camp around 1:00 pm on Day 3. After a rejuvenating lunch, you will continue by car to the hydroelectric station, followed by a picturesque 3-hour hike along the train tracks to the charming town of Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your accommodation, where you will join a group that began their trek a day earlier. Together, you will enjoy dinner and embark on a guided tour of Machu Picchu on the final day.
Occasionally, we have enough participants to form exclusive 4-Day Trek groups, allowing you to journey solely with fellow adventurers and guides on the same itinerary.
Embark on a captivating journey as we pick you up from your respective hotels or locations in Cusco around 5:15 am, setting off on a two-hour drive to the charming village of Mollepata. Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious breakfast before paying the 20 soles entrance fee to the local municipality (not included in the tour cost).
fulfilled with tasty food, we’ll continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek. The guide will give you the final instructions for your trek, put your bag on and start walking!
From here we will walk for about three moderate hours to Soraypampa. You will pass by through Inca Channels and admire the mountain views. Once at the Soraypampa trailhead, have a delicious and hearty lunch while enjoying the spectacular views of the Humantay Mountain (5,900m/19,356ft) and Salkantay Mountain (6,217m/ 20,396ft) glaciers. You will be installed in our exclusive panoramic domes and have some free time after lunch to relax before our next hike!
By early afternoon, we take a 2.5 hour round-trip hike up to visit Humantay Lake, take in the beautiful, crystalline-blue waters of the Lake. Be mesmerized by the beauty of such an incredible creation of nature, then hike back down to have a “happy hour” with hot drinks, popcorn and some cookies!
Followed by this hot drinks, enjoy a hearty dinner in our dining room, have a brief explanation for the following day and rest in our million-star campsite!
Trekking Details:
On the second day of the trek, brace yourself for the most challenging segment, as you cover 20 kilometers and reach the trek’s highest point at an altitude of 4,630 meters above sea level. Your day begins with a gentle wake up call at 5:00 am, as our cooks serve you a cup of hot coca tea, pack your belongings and prepare for a hearty breakfast at around 5:45 am.
Embark on a 3 to 4-hour uphill hike at a steady, manageable pace towards the trek’s highest point, situated at 4,630 meters. Upon arrival, marvel at the breathtaking mountain vistas, take photographs, learn about the revered mountain gods, and partake in a traditional Andean ritual to honor the Apus mountain god.
Following this memorable experience, commence a 2 hour downhill hike before pausing for a well-deserved, mouthwatering lunch. Continue your descent for another 3 hours to reach the second camp, Chaullay, nestled at an altitude of 2,900 meters and marking the entrance to the Peruvian Amazon. Here, you will be provided with camping equipment, hot tea, and a delicious dinner.
At Chaullay, take advantage of the optional hot shower for 10 soles, offered by locals, and purchase refreshing drinks such as beer, soda, and water to enhance your camping experience.
Trekking Details:
After another hot drink enjoyed in your comfy dome, you will be treated to the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. From here, we take a local transportation to Lucmabamba, then we walk in the footsteps of the Inca, along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, be amazed at the incredible views of deep valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located right across the valley front Machu Picchu. There, we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains, Huayna Picchu mt, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon. From there, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco. Nearby, we will enjoy lunch before we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner and go to our hotel.
Today is the pinnacle of your Salkantay Trek, as you will be fully immersed in the fabled Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will take one of the first buses to the Machu Picchu Citadel. When we arrive, your guide will assist in the entry to the complex (ticket + passport required), and then the fun begins.
Important Tip: Be mindful to book this tour in advance, we strongly recommend 4-5 months so we can get you the most booked route, Circuit 2, which is by far the best for views, and where you’ll be able to enjoy a fully guided tour of the best parts of Machu Picchu!
Your guide will take you first to the upper part of the citadel where it offers the well-known postcard view of Machu Picchu; this is the best place for photographs and videos while you take in the vista of dreamy Peru before the bulk of tourists arrive.
After soaking all of that in we will continue on to the guided tour of the best highlights of the 7 Wonders, where your expert guide will provide us with lots of interesting details about the architecture, history, spirituality and engineering abilities of the Incas.
If you booked the Huayna Picchu Mountain add-on (must be booked beforehand), your guide will direct you to the optional 2-hour hike portion after your guided tour of Machu Picchu. The climb is steep but provides an amazing reality of Machu Picchu from above, and the views of the surrounding mountains and the valley.
Once your time at Machu Picchu is completed, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you will have some free time to explore Aguas Calientes town and/or shop for souvenirs or enjoy a local lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (we typically will use the 2:55 PM service, but this will be dependent on availability). You will want to be at the station 30 minutes before your rolling departure time.
Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo your private driver will meet you at the train station, and we will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of 7:30
To fully prepare for the 4-Day Salkantay Trek, ensure you have personal trekking gear and a sleeping bag. If you don’t have a sleeping bag, you can rent one from us, along with trekking poles if desired. We provide the rest of the necessary equipment.
Note: 69 Explorers provides a duffle bag for up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings, which will be carried by horses during the trek. Carry your small backpack with daily essentials, while the rest of your belongings go in the duffle bag. Access the duffle bags at each campsite.
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. However, the trek is available year-round. Keep in mind that the rainy season, which occurs from November to March, may make the trek more challenging due to wet and muddy conditions.
The Salkantay Trek is considered a moderately difficult trek. The highest altitude reached is 4,650 meters (15,255 feet) at the Salkantay Pass. The trek involves several hours of walking each day, with some steep inclines and declines. It is essential to be in good physical shape and adequately acclimatized to the altitude before starting the trek.
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, you do not need a permit to do the Salkantay Trek. However, you still need to pay an entrance fee to the local municipality.
During the first two nights of the trek, you will stay in campsites with basic facilities, such as Cabines, Igloos On the third night, you will stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you will have access to private rooms and bathrooms.
Meals during the trek typically include breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request at no extra charge. It is essential to inform the trek organizers of any dietary restrictions or allergies before the trek begins.
Yes, you can rent trekking equipment such as sleeping bags and trekking poles from the trek organizers. The prices are usually around $10 USD for a sleeping bag and $10 USD for a pair of trekking poles for the entire trek.
While it is possible to hike the Salkantay Trek without a guide, it is strongly recommended to join a guided tour. A guided tour ensures that you have a knowledgeable guide who can provide information about the trail, navigate the route, and assist with any emergencies. Additionally, the trek organizers will arrange transportation, permits, and meals, making the experience more convenient and enjoyable.
Tipping is not mandatory but is customary in Peru. As a general guideline, you can consider tipping the trekking staff (guide, cook, and porters) around 10% of the trek cost. It is essential to bring enough cash in Peruvian Soles for tipping, as ATMs are not available during the trek.
The ancient Inca Trail 4 Days, originally part of the Inca Road system interconnecting the Inca Empire. This classic trek hike through diverse scenery. The Salkantay Trek, on the other hand, is more strenuous and famous for its mountain scenery.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days
Small groups (Max 8 people)
Operated by: SAM Travel
Peru
USD per person
Secure Booking Process
