Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days /4 Nights

Overview

The famous Salkantay Trek, recognized as one of the 20 best treks in the world by National Geographic, offers an adventure to anyone eager to explore hidden places without limitations on space or permits. This trek connects to the Machu Picchu sanctuary, taking you through snowcapped mountains, jungle, and lush subtropical forests.

Located northwest of Cusco in the Cordillera Vilcabamba in southern Peru, the trek reveals breathtaking landscapes. Our trek is the perfect alternative for those who couldn’t secure permits for the Inca Trail and for adventurers seeking something unique.

Highlights

  • Salcantay trek
  • Departures: Previous Booking
  • Season: All Year Round
  • Service: Private-shared

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

Pick up from hotel at 05:00 am . then we will drive to Mollepata a small town that is 2hrs away from Cuzco, where we will have a free time of 30 minutes for breakfast and toilets, after that we will continue our trip to challacancha for another 30 minutes where will be  the beginning of our trek and the place where we are going to meet our horsemen Those who are responsible to arrange all the staff.

Then we will start the trek passing throughout the flat section with a view of beautiful mountains and valleys until reaching our campsite and place for lunch, after a good lunch we will all have a deserved nap of about 1 hour all after that will hike up to humantay lake and spend the whole afternoon there ,Finally we will be back to the campsite a place with a amazing view specially at night because of the sky and its constellations.

Day 02: Sorayapampa – Salcantay – Challhuay

After a good early Breakfast. We will leave to the highest point of the trek (4,650 masl-15255 ft )Where we will have spectacular view of the mountains such as salkantay ,humantay and pumasillo then we will have time  to get our family pictures along with some members of the group, all after that we will walk down to huayracpampa our lunch place of the day, in the afternoon we will walk down to get our campsite (2900 m.a.s.l. – 9,514 ft) and see its local flora and fauna.

Day 03: Challhuay – la playa.

After a good breakfast. we will start our trek to la playa through the beautiful high jungle landscape where we will able to find different kind of fruits such as passion fruit, banana, avocado, wild strawberries and oranges along with some native trees to finally arrive to our lunch spot and campsite  ( la playa) which is a small town that offers so many things.

after our lunch we will have chances to go to the  Santa Teresa town a beautiful place with hot springs and zip-lining  adventures  good for anyone who likes  to relax.

Dasy 04: La playa – LLaqtapata - Aguas Calientes town.

Today is the final stretch of the trek before we reach Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The main focus of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata sat on the mountainside high above. Following an original Inca Trail we'll arrive to Llactapata  early in morning and  enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu that we get from there.

 

After a tour of Llactapata in which we'll learn about the Inca people and their culture we'll head  down the mountainside to the Hydroelectric Station from where we'll walk to Aguas Calientes and reach late in the afternoon to hour hotel.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will wake up very early to ovoid the crowd and enjoy the site before anyone else, we will take  bus to machupicchu, then explore the whole Inca place along with our guide for about 3 hours which will be plenty of time to understand the history and meaning of this sacred  religious place, all after that we will be back to aguas to calientes  town and finally take train back to cusco.

What is Included

Included

  • Professional guide.
  • Private transportation to challacancha ( trailhead )
  • Entrance fee to salkantay trek
  • professional tour guide
  • Meals: 4 breakfasts / 4 lunches / 4 dinners.
  • Cook and cooking equipment
  • first aid kit
  • horses (to carry tents, food / cooking equipment).
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
  • Bus ticket  up to machupicchu
  • pick and drop off at the hotel

Not Included

  • Services not specified in the program, extras and tips.
  • Lunch and dinner on the last day.
  • Transportation and entrance fee to the hot springs
  • Bus ticket down to aguas calientes town
  • sleeping bag (if you don not have yet, you can rent at the office)

What to Bring

  • Comfortable backpack for the hike, T- shirts, shorts, warm clothes and Raincoat
  • Hiking boots
  • Sweater or jacket
  • Flashlight with extra batteries.
  • Camera, with extra batteries.
  • Sun hat.
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent.
  • Snacks: energy bars, chocolates etc.
  • Walking stick

Frequently Asked Questions

The trek is moderately challenging, suitable for anyone with basic fitness. It involves hiking through various terrains, including mountains and jungle.

Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek doesn’t require a permit, making it a great alternative for those who couldn't secure Inca Trail permits.

The best months for the Salkantay Trek are from April to October, which is the dry season in the Andes, offering clear skies and more comfortable temperatures.

The Salkantay Trek typically takes 5 days and 4 nights, covering a variety of landscapes before reaching Machu Picchu.

Essentials include sturdy trekking shoes, warm clothing, a rain poncho, water, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the stunning views along the trek.

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