Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights

ITINERARY

DAY 01: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAYPAMPA

We will pick you up at your hotel (3,450 meters above sea level) around 05:00 AM to begin your 5-day Salkantay trek. We will drive for nearly 3 hours to Mollepata. During the bus ride, you can observe the snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Veronica. You will also enjoy spectacular views of both the upper and lower valleys with colorful landscapes. After approximately 3.5 hours of driving, we will arrive at Soraypampa (4,000 meters), the starting point of our hike. Here there are toilet facilities and breakfast prepared by our staff. We will meet our support team and organize the equipment, horses, and mules. At approximately 9:30 AM, we will begin our hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 meters). The first part of the trail is flat, then becomes an uphill climb to the lake. We will explore the lake for about 30 minutes. Afterward, we return to Soraypampa for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue hiking up to Salkantaypampa (4,150 meters), located between glacier valleys. At night, the dark sky makes this an excellent spot for stargazing and observing constellations.

• Minimum Altitude: 3,450 meters (11,319 ft)
• Campsite Altitude: 4,150 meters (13,615 ft)
• Hiking Distance: 10 km approx. (6.21 miles)
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 02: SALKANTAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY

Wake-up call at 5:00 AM with coca tea brought to your tent. After breakfast, we begin hiking to the highest point of the Salkantay trail (4,620 meters). We will hike 5 km in about 3 hours through a rocky valley. On the way, admire the majestic Salkantay peak (6,217 meters) and possibly spot chinchillas. Once at the summit, enjoy incredible views of the surrounding snowy mountains. Hiking to this point is the most challenging part of the trek, but incredibly rewarding. We then descend for 3 hours on a winding gravel trail to Huayracmachay for lunch. In the afternoon, we enter the cloud forest and hike 9 km in 3 hours to reach Chaullay (2,900 meters), our campsite. Along the way, you'll observe lush vegetation, orchids, and other native flora.

• Maximum Altitude: 4,650 meters (15,256 ft)
• Minimum Altitude: 2,900 meters (9,515 ft)
• Hiking Distance: 21 km approx. (13.04 miles)
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 03: CHAULLAY – COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA

At 5:00 AM, we wake you with coca tea. After breakfast, we begin our hike toward La Playa, following the Salkantay River through thick jungle. We pass by several family hamlets and enjoy local fruits such as passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya. Keep your eyes open for the Cock-of-the-Rock, hummingbirds, and parrots. We will hike 16 km in about 7 hours to reach Lucmabamba (2,100 meters), our campsite. Lucmabamba is a small village with coffee plantations and basic amenities. In the afternoon, you’ll experience the coffee-making process: harvesting, peeling, roasting, grinding, and brewing your own espresso. Optional: Visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, 30 minutes away by bus.

• Maximum Altitude: 2,900 meters (9,515 ft)
• Minimum Altitude: 2,100 meters (6,890 ft)
• Hiking Distance: 16 km approx. (9.95 miles)
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 04: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

We wake up early to enjoy a different landscape and avoid the midday heat. We hike past coffee plantations and a local mill toward Llactapata (2,700 meters). We follow an original Inca Trail that connects to the jungle lowlands. You may spot butterflies, citronella plants, and enjoy views of Machu Picchu from the pass. We explore the Llactapata archaeological site, still partly covered by jungle vegetation. We then descend to the Aobamba River and continue to Hidroeléctrica for lunch. In the afternoon, we take the train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 meters). Tonight, we sleep in a comfortable hotel instead of camping. Free time to explore the town, visit the market, or enjoy local restaurants.

• Maximum Altitude: 2,700 meters (8,858 ft)
• Minimum Altitude: 2,040 meters (6,693 ft)
• Hiking Distance: 24 km approx. (15 miles)
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Machu Picchu is an archaeological site built by the ninth Inca emperor, Pachacutec. Thanks to the surrounding vegetation, the site remained hidden and well preserved for centuries. You will have a guided visit with an expert to explore and admire this incredible place. Important: According to current regulations, visitors must follow a one-way pre-determined route. Once the tour starts, exiting and re-entering is not allowed. Personal exploration is not permitted after the guided tour.

• Meals: Breakfast