For those that are looking for an adventure and high altitude mountain landscapes that will challenge most trekkers, the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is your best choice. We have designed a trek with its own distinctive features, an exclusive trek into the diverse landscapes. See incomparable views of the towering snow-hooded mountain peaks of Humantay (5 473m/17 956ft) and Salkantay (6 271m/ 20 574ft). Visit the picturesque deep blue, crystal-clear lagoons that are named after the great mountains that sustain them, Lake Humantay and Lake Salkantay. Encounter Amazon Jungle landscapes with several micro-climates, with their own exotic flora and fauna.
Hike through the Andes Mountains and camp at our private sites which are more remote, less crowded and off the typical trail. Follow the remote foot path up to the forgotten Inca Ruins of Llactapata where you have an extraordinary view of Machu Picchu. For your last morning, visit the famous and mystical World Heritage site of Machu Picchu Citadel! Experience for yourself what sets our alternative treks to Machu Picchu apart from what other tour operators have to offer. All our treks are customized, unique and personalized to suite the individual.
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Sorococcha.
Your Salkantay Trek starts at 4:30am when we pick you up from your hotel and drive in our private van for 3.5 hours to the Soraypampa trailhead. As we travel along the curvy roads in the Andes, you will have views of the villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. At the Soraypampa trailhead, we have our delicious and hearty breakfast while enjoying the spectacular views of the Humantay Mountain (5,900m/ 19,356ft) and Salkantay Mountain (6,217m/ 20,396ft) glaciers.
We then take a 2.5 hours round-trip hike up to visit the turquoise blue Humantay Lake. Where you get to take in the beautiful, crystalline-blue waters of the Humantay Lake. Be mesmerized by the beauty of such an incredible creation of nature, then we hike back down to the starting point to continue with your trek to Salkantay Pampa, where you will enjoy a hot lunch made by our chef.
Next, we make our way to our first campsite at Soroccocha (4,400m / 14,517ft), situated at the foot of the towering Salkantay Mountain. At camp, will have afternoon tea to warm up and appetizers waiting for us. Your tents will already be set up and you can settle in before dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 12kms / 8 miles
- Difficulty: Challenging
Day 2: Sorococha – The Pass -Huayracmachay – Chaullay – Lucmabamba
Your guide will wake you with a hot mug of coffee or tea to enjoy in your sleeping bag before you get up for breakfast. After a tasty breakfast we continue onwards and upwards for one hour, we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). Your will feel truly awed by the spectacular views of these three towering snow-capped mountains: Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay. These peaks are considered sacred by Quechua people and your guide will tell you about how important these Apus are in traditional Andean beliefs. Below you are spectacular rivers of whitewater and small scenic lakes. Then we head down for 2 hours to Huayracmachay for our hot lunch. Then we descend for 3 hours toward the rural community of Chayllay and along the way, you will love the refreshing lush green valleys and spectacular waterfalls. You have crossed over from the dry Andean highlands and are descending towards the warm and humid Amazon!
Then we will take the local transpotation to Lucmabamba where we will camp and get to prepare our own fresh coffe.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 18kms / 11 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
After another hot drink enjoyed in your sleeping bag, you will be treated to the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. From here, we walk in the footsteps of the Inca, along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours uphill to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, you will 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 from Machu Picchu. There, we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains Huayna Picchu, 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 have lunch before we take the train for a half hour to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner and go to our hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 3* Accommodation: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
- Distance: 15kms / 9 miles
- Time: Approximately 9 hours
- Difficulty : Moderate
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu, so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mt will have time to enjoy the hike and views on your own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).
Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. Your train will depart at 2:55pm or 3:20pm.
The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel around 7:00pm depending on traffic.
- Meal included: Breakfast
- Difficulty: Easy
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS?
- Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu
- English speaking, experienced professional guide
- Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Comfortable tents (sleeping 2 people in a 4 person tent)
- All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes.
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
- Celebration dinner in Aguas Calientes (restaurant)
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
- Mules and horses (for camping equipment and personal items)
- Pack horse for 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag etc
- Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
- Pillow and comfortable foam mattress
- Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS?
- Sleeping Bag: $20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress: $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles: $15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent: $30 USD – (Tent for single travelers only)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade: $67 USD per person (Return Only)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of SAM CORPORATIONS
**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
