Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in 5 days - Private service

The Salkantay Trek is a spectacular adventure that connects us with the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu. Along the way, we will enjoy breathtaking landscapes formed by imposing glaciers, majestic mountains, the stunning Humantay Lagoon, and lush Andean vegetation.

All of this makes this route one of the most beautiful and diverse treks in Peru. We will cross the highest point of the Vilcabamba mountain range, challenging heights that reward us with unforgettable views, until we reach the archaeological site of Llactapata, located directly opposite the enigmatic Machu Picchu Mountain.

From there, the trail will lead us to Aguas Calientes, the town that lies at the foot of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This trek culminates in a unique experience that connects us deeply with nature, culture, and the living history of the Andes.

Highlights:

• Enjoy the best alternative route to Machu Picchu.
• See the breathtaking Apu Salkantay glacier and snow-capped mountain peaks in one of the most beautiful landscapes you'll ever see.
• Enjoy turquoise lagoons, colorful valleys, waterfalls, crystal-clear streams, cloud forests, and unique flora and fauna.
• Explore the magical and mystical Machu Picchu with our expert guide, who will explain the history of the Incas.
• Live an authentic cultural experience: share traditions, learn from local communities, and discover Peru from its heart.
• Connect with the ancestral wisdom of the Andes. Discover the Andean worldview: a way of understanding life in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth).
• Enjoy an exclusive gastronomic experience: authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and cuisine that tells stories.

 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Maras – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Sky Lodges

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Your hotel pickup will be at approximately 4:30 am. We will depart for the village of Maras, arriving around 6:00 am, just in time to enjoy the morning tranquility and the first rays of sunlight on the Andean landscapes.

In Maras, you will not only discover spectacular Andean landscapes and ancient salt mines, but also the warmth and wisdom of its people. We will begin the day with an authentic experience, sharing a delicious traditional breakfast with our local porters.

This special moment is an opportunity to get to know the people who make every adventure in the Andes possible. Around a simple table, yet full of flavor and tradition, you can sample local products while listening to life stories, mountain anecdotes, and customs passed down from generation to generation.

More than a meal, this breakfast is an act of gratitude and human connection. A space to appreciate the work of the porters, who embody the strength, humility, and solidarity of the Andean communities.

Afterward, we will continue in our tourist transport to Challacancha, passing through Mollepata. We will travel through rural landscapes with views of Apu Salkantay and Humantay, sacred mountains for the local communities. From Mollepata, we continue for about 40 more minutes by vehicle to Challacancha, the official starting point of the Salkantay trek.

In Challacancha (3,600 m above sea level), we will meet our muleteers and horses, who will accompany us throughout the trek, carrying our luggage. From here, we will begin an approximately 3-hour hike toward Soraypampa, through an open and majestic landscape, with constant views of Apu Salkantay and the glacial valleys.

Our destination will be the welcoming Lodge del Cielo, located in Soraypampa (3,900 m above sea level), where we'll spend the night surrounded by nature, fresh air, and starry skies. This will be the perfect spot to acclimatize and prepare for the next day's long trek to the Salkantay Pass.

In Soraypampa, a tranquil and majestic natural setting, we'll prepare to enjoy a hearty lunch and replenish our energy. You'll experience an authentic and refreshing activity: preparing traditional mango ceviche, a local recipe that blends native ingredients with the creativity of the farming communities.

You'll actively participate in its preparation. You'll be welcomed with a brief explanation of the dish's history. Mango ceviche, unlike classic fish ceviche, uses fresh, ripe mangoes grown in lower-lying areas and brought to this community, where they are combined with red onion, yellow chili pepper (ají amarillo or limo), freshly squeezed lime juice, Maras salt, and a touch of herbs like huacatay or Andean mint.

During the preparation:
You will learn to peel and cut the mango at the perfect point of ripeness.

You will discover the secrets of Andean seasoning, balancing acidity, spiciness, and sweetness.

You will hear stories and customs related to the use of mango in special celebrations or harvest time.

At the end, you will share the ceviche, accompanied by toasted corn kernels (cancha serrana), herbal teas, or local chicha. More than a cooking class, it's a profound connection with the flavors, knowledge, and hospitality of Andean culture.

In the afternoon, after enjoying a comforting lunch in Soraypampa, we'll begin a hike up to the breathtaking Humantay Lake, nestled at the foot of the imposing snow-capped mountain of the same name. This natural jewel with its turquoise waters is one of the most photographed landscapes on the route and a place imbued with spiritual energy according to the Andean worldview.

After admiring the surroundings and taking unforgettable photos, we'll begin our descent back to Soraypampa, where a magical night awaits us under a starry sky, surrounded by mountains, in our comfortable Sky Lodge.

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Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayraqmachay – Chaullay

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After breakfast, we will begin the most challenging but also the most rewarding day of the trek. We will start our hike crossing the breathtaking landscape of Pampa Salkantay, surrounded by majestic mountains and high-altitude scenery that inspire respect and awe.

As we ascend the left flank of the imposing Salkantay Glacier, the air becomes purer and the connection with nature deeper. Around midday, we will reach the highest point of the trek: Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 meters above sea level (15,190 feet). From here, we can contemplate in all its splendor the mountain range surrounding Apu Salkantay, with its glaciers, ravines, and valleys sculpted by time.

This is a special moment to connect with the power of the Andes and feel the spiritual energy of the Apus, sacred protectors of these lands. At this point, we will leave our apachetas (stone cairns). According to the Andean worldview, placing a stone on the apacheta is a gesture of respect and gratitude to the apus (mountain spirits) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). By doing so, travelers ask for protection, strength to continue their journey, or leave a symbolic thought for those who have passed on. It is also a way of becoming part of the path, of "leaving a mark" without harming, offering instead of taking.

There, a well-deserved hot lunch and time to rest await us, surrounded by a more temperate environment, a sign that we are approaching the cloud forest.

After our well-deserved rest in Wayracmachay, we will continue our gradual descent towards the cloud forest, noticing how the landscape transforms: the air becomes more humid, the vegetation denser, and the surroundings teem with life. We will hike among mountains covered in cloud forest, with spectacular views of deep valleys, distant waterfalls, and rich Andean biodiversity.

After several hours of hiking, we will finally reach our second campsite, located in Chaullay (approx. 2,900 m a.s.l.), a small spot surrounded by lush nature and a warmer climate. After a long and challenging day of adventure, it will be time to enjoy a comforting dinner and rest under the starry sky, surrounded by the sounds of the high jungle. Here, we will regain our energy to continue our journey to Machu Picchu the following day.

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Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Lucbamba – Coccalmayo

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After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike at 6:00 a.m. along the ancient Inca Trail network.

This day promises to be an unforgettable experience as we delve into the lush cloud forest. Along the way, we will appreciate the area's rich biodiversity, highlighting crops such as coffee, tea, and passion fruit. The temperate and humid climate has created a unique microclimate, ideal for the blooming of a wide variety of orchids. These flowers, with their vibrant colors and exotic shapes, have been recognized by experts as some of the most beautiful in the world.

For greater comfort, it is recommended to take a car for the section from Loreta to Lucmabamba, as the road can be dusty and affect the hiking experience.

OPTIONAL: (Not included)

• Zip line
• Coffee tour
• Car ride to Cocalmayo from Lucmabamba

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Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

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Very early, right after breakfast, we'll begin an approximately 3-hour hike from Lucmabamba to Llaqtapata Mountain, an ancient Inca archaeological site that offers a unique and panoramic view of the Machu Picchu citadel. This will be the perfect opportunity to connect with the history and majesty of the Andean landscape.

After exploring Llaqtapata, we'll descend for about 3 hours to the Hidroeléctrica train station, where we'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we'll continue our hike from Hidroeléctrica to the town of Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately 3 hours. This section is mostly alongside the train tracks, on a gravel path surrounded by nature.

Finally, we'll arrive in Aguas Calientes, where you'll stay in comfortable accommodations. The guide will coordinate with you the time and place for dinner, as well as the meeting point to pick up your travel bags at the train station.

Note: If you prefer not to hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, you can take the train (approximately a 40-minute journey). This service has an additional cost not included in the program. The guide will confirm your decision the night before and coordinate your rejoining the group in town.

Overnight stay (complementary).

"Encanto" Lodging: A clean, welcoming, and well-located guesthouse.

It features private rooms equipped with TV, Wi-Fi, hot shower, and breakfast included.

Upgrade to higher-category hotels (extra cost).

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Day 5: The big day! Wonderful Machu Picchu

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Very early in the morning, after breakfast (provided by the hotel), we will take the bus that will take us on an approximately 30-minute ascent to the entrance of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world.

Once at the checkpoint, we will begin a guided tour of Circuit 2A (subject to availability), one of the most comprehensive tours, which allows you to explore approximately 80% of the sanctuary, including at least 17 highlights, such as the upper and lower platforms, the Intihuatana (sundial), the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and much more. On this tour, you will enjoy the classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu, ideal for memorable photographs.

The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours, during which the guide will share historical, cultural, and spiritual information about the Inca citadel.

At the end of the tour, in coordination with your guide, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Please note that lunch is not included on this day, so you will have free time to choose where to eat before boarding the return train.

We will go to the train station to board the return service to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (depending on availability and the assigned train schedule). Upon your arrival at the station, our transportation will be waiting to take you comfortably back to your hotel in Cusco, thus completing this extraordinary experience along the Salkantay Trek and to Machu Picchu.

NOTE: PLEASE CHECK THE AVAILABILITY OF ENTRANCE TOURS WITHIN THE MACHU PICCHU CITADEL WITH YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE.

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End of our Services

INCLUDES

• Quality and safe service.
• Pre-departure briefing and preparation assistance. You must come to the office the night before your trip for the briefing.
• Highly qualified and experienced professional guide (English – Spanish).
• First aid kit and oxygen cylinder. All our guides are trained in first aid, rescue, and evacuation. Each guide carries basic emergency care equipment and an oxygen cylinder.
• Private camping equipment: We have accommodations at our campsites. All our equipment, such as tables, chairs, cooking equipment, etc., is transported by our muleteers.
• We will provide you with a duffel bag before your departure (1 day prior). The maximum luggage allowance is 5 kg / 11.02 lb (per person).
• 24/7 customer support.
• Rain ponchos.
• Overnight accommodation:
  • Lodge Del Cielo in Soraypampa
  • Cabin in Chaullay
  • Dome in Lucmabamba
  • Accommodation in Aguas Calientes (additional).
• Professional cook.
  • Our cooks prepare the finest meals in the mountains. If you have dietary restrictions (options: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.), please indicate this when booking and also at the information meeting with the guide.
• Meals:
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners.
  • We will refill your empty water bottles daily (we recommend a 2-liter capacity).
  • We will wake you up with tea each morning (only at the campsites).
  • Tea time. In the afternoon, before dinner, the cooks will provide a table with snacks.
  • Snacks for trekking days.
• Hygiene products: We will provide you with a towel and eco-friendly soap for frequent handwashing.
• Transportation:
  • Day 1 - Pick-up from your hotel to Maras (breakfast included in Maras).
  • Day 5 - Transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (PeruRail Expedition service).
• Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station.
• Transportation of your belongings:
  • On the first day, your belongings will be transported by mules with a weight limit of 5 kg / 11.02 lb (per person).
  • On the third day, your backpack will be transported by car and train.
• Entrance fees:
  • Entrance to Humantay Lagoon.
  • Entrance to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
  • Consettur buses to the Inca city of Machu Picchu (round trip).

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag.
• Trekking poles.
• Meals:
  • Day 5 – Lunch and Dinner in Cusco.
• Train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (If the passenger's condition is poor after the trek, we recommend taking this train).
• Personal equipment.
• Travel insurance.
• Additional entrance fees (Huayna Picchu – Machu Picchu Mountain). Both mountains are quite high, but with very different characteristics. Huayna Picchu reaches 2,720 m / 8,924 ft, but has a nearly vertical climb with much more extreme and narrow paths. On the other hand, Machu Picchu Mountain reaches 3,000 m / 9,843 ft, almost 650 meters above the citadel. The path to the summit of this mountain is less demanding than Huayna Picchu, has a wider trail, and is suitable for most people. However, caution should be exercised regarding altitude sickness and weather conditions.
  • Huayna Picchu hike (45 min).
  • Machu Picchu Mountain hike (1.5 hr).
• Option: If you feel tired after the hike on day 2, you have the option of taking a train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes.
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control, such as natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, itinerary changes due to passenger health issues (illness or other health problems), pandemics, changes in government policies, political instability, strikes, etc., may apply.

RESERVATIONS

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org or by WhatsApp (+51) 970 506 205 and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

"Inka Trail Expeditions Perú is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”

NOTE: Inka Trail Expeditions Perú, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.

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