Salkantay trek 5 days to Machupicchu all included 5 Days | 4 Nights

Itinerary

Cusco – Mollepata | Soraypampa

Our guide will pick you up along with the transportation at 4:00 a.m. from your hotel, and we will drive approximately 2 hours to the train station to board our train bound for kilometre 104 (Chachabamba) of the railway, from which we will begin our hike. We will visit the first archaeological centre called Chachabamba (2,200 m.a.s.l.). After exploring the site, we will continue along the route to Wiñaywayna (2,650 m.a.s.l.), where we will also have our guided tour. We will continue our hike to Machu Picchu, reaching the classic photo spot, passing by Intipunku (Sun Gate), from which we can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Machu Picchu. We will have dinner and spend the night at the hostel. Afterwards, we will descend by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night and, before resting, receive information for the following day.

Soraypampa – Abra Salkantay | Chaullay

On this day, we will face a great challenge: we will ascend to the Salkantay pass.

To start, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast. We will then begin our uphill hike towards the localities of Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha. After 4 hours of hiking, we will reach the Salkantay pass (4,632 m / 15,197 ft.).

The Salkantay pass is the highest point situated between the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay mountains. After a well-deserved rest, we will continue descending to Wayracpampa, where our team will be waiting with lunch.

After enjoying lunch, we will begin our descent into the cloud forest and observe the change in climate and vegetation, descending to Chaullay (4,045 m / 13,271 ft.), where our camp will be located. Here, we will have tea time and dinner. This marks the end of the longest and toughest day of the 22-kilometre hike on average. It is the toughest day of all.

Chaullay – Playa Sahuayaco | Lucmabamba

We will wake up very early to have breakfast and start our hike. This day will be unforgettable because along the way we will see a large amount of flora and fauna. The path is flat, with parts ascending no more than 100 metres and the rest descending.

We will start from the campsite, walking for 40 minutes to the town of Collpa (2,850 m / 9,350 ft.), from where we will observe the beginning of the Santa Teresa valley.

After a few kilometres of hiking, the path will lead us along the forest edge to Playa Sahuayaco (2,200 m / 7,218 ft.), where we will have lunch.

After lunch, we will descend just 2.5 kilometres to the town of Lucmabamba (2,062 m / 6,765 ft.), where we will dine and camp surrounded by beautiful mountainous vegetation.

Lucmabamba – Llactapata | Aguas Calientes

On this penultimate day, we will wake up very early to have breakfast and continue our hike.

As we begin our hike, we will enjoy beautiful landscapes filled with fields where coffee, bananas, avocados, pineapples, and some coca leaf crops—the sacred leaf of the Incas—are cultivated.

We will ascend to Llactapata (2,840 m / 9,317 ft.), an Inca archaeological site where you can observe Machu Picchu and the entire surrounding valley. This site was formerly used by the Inca culture as a resting place and also as a temple.

After our visit, we will descend to the Aobamba Valley until we reach the Hydro Electric station (1,550 m / 5,085 ft.). There, we will rest, have lunch, and continue with the final hike to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,087 ft.).

In Aguas Calientes, we will dine and rest at a tourist accommodation. Tourists who wish can relax in the town’s thermal baths (not included in the tour).

Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu – Cusco

This day will be solely dedicated to visiting Machu Picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft.). We will have breakfast very early at the tourist accommodation. Then, we will ascend by bus to Machu Picchu. There, we will have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours and then sufficient time to explore on our own.

After your visit to Machu Picchu, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes. In the town, there are many restaurants to choose from (not included in the tour). Afterwards, you will need to go to the train station (be there at least 30 minutes early) and board the train. The train will take you to the Ollantaytambo station, where transportation will be waiting for you by name to take you to the city of Cusco, where the tour concludes.

Includes / Does Not Include

Includes:

Day 1:

• Hotel pickup
• Tourist transportation, Cusco – Challabamba (3 hrs. 30 min.)
• Specialised professional guide
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation at Camp

Day 2:

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Specialised professional guide
• Accommodation at camp

Day 3:

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Specialised professional guide
• Accommodation at camp

Day 4:

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Specialised professional guide
• Accommodation at Basic Accommodation (private bathroom, hot shower)

Day 5:

• Meals: Breakfast snack
• Specialised professional guide
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Train transfer, Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Bus transfer, Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Plaza San Francisco)

Does Not Include:

• Trekking poles.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuypicchu Mountain. ($75)
• Second day meals.

More Information

What to Bring:

• Trekking poles
• Trekking trousers.
• Light clothing for the day, warm clothing for the night.
• Sunscreen.
• Sunglasses.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Passport used to book your entry.
• A water bottle.
• A comfortable backpack.
• Personal medications.
• Cap to protect from the sun.

Recommendations

• Minimum 2 days of acclimatisation in Cusco.
• Not recommended for adults aged 70 years.
• Not recommended for children under 1 to 5 years old.
• Not recommended for pregnant women.
• Not recommended for individuals with disabilities.
• Extra money for your meals and others.
• If you are planning to travel to Cusco between May and September, you should book your entry in advance as spaces fill up during these months.
• We recommend that once you have purchased your entry, there are no refunds.
• If your passport is being renewed and you do not have it to book, you can book with your old passport and later we can update the passport number.
• If you wish to book an extra ticket, you must pay an additional cost.