The Salkantay Trek: A Spectacular Journey to Machu Picchu
This route is one of the most breathtaking adventures in the Peruvian Andes, a unique experience that connects us with the majesty of nature and the rich culture of the Andean world. Along the way, we will witness stunning landscapes: imposing glaciers, sacred mountains, the magical Humantay Lake, and lush vegetation typical of the cloud forest. All of this makes the Salkantay one of the most beautiful and diverse trails in Peru.
Highlights:
Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including a picnic lunch in the route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, on open roads, some steep ascending trails
Highlights: Humantay Lake trek
“Smooth trekking day” Acclimatization day.
Overnight at Soraypampa Lodge del Cielo “Sky Lodge” at 3,869 masl/12,690 ft.
About Our Lodge del Cielo base in Soraypampa: Our camp is located at 10 minutes walking from the village of Soraypampa, this gives us a huge advantage to have a 360 panoramic view of the Humantay lake glacier, also it is a perfect place, away from the crowd and where we can appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Andean Valley and enjoy the company of our pretty Alpacas.
Note: On the evening before this day there will be a briefing with your guide in Cusco. After an early breakfast at your hotel, our pick up time can vary and will be confirm only on the day of your briefing your Cusco hotel by Inka Trail Expeditions Perú guide and vehicle “Pick up time can vary and will be confirmed only on the day of your briefing”.
We pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a short break before ascending to Soraypampa.
Here in Soraypampa our first campsite is going to be ”Lodge del Cielo”. After Lunch time, our excursion takes us to Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers far above on the slopes of the impressive Mt. Humantay. Our 4-hour walk is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth and those brave enough, can go for a swim! Performed by our local Tour Guide, in full view of the awe-inspiring Mt. Salkantay, tops off this unique experience. Return to the Lodge.
Walk and Terrain: Walk, on mostly steep trails, and some open slopes.
Overnight at Challway camp site at 2,870 masl/9,414 ft.
Today very early in the morning at 4:00 am we will wake up with a very hot wake up té, at 4:30 am after a nice breakfast and at around 5:00 am we will be starting our trek to climb the Salkantay Pass “we will take advantage to walk in a fresh early morning and before the sun comes out, the characteristic heat of the Andes.
We continue our journey towards Machu Picchu, walking up the White River valley and circling Humantay Peak across Salkantay Peak. The highest point of the ride is the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 masl (15,213 ft). At the pass we stop to take a nice view of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, with the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will keep our eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we descend towards the “Wayracmachay”: (‘the cave where the wind lives’) where we are going to enjoy a delicious lunch, later on we will continue 03 hours trek downhill until we reach our Campsite in the route dinner and overnight at the Challway campsite.
Trekking Time: Approximately 10 hours (including picnic lunch in the route) our style is just walk slow, enjoy the scenery, and talk with our tour guide. A local man can make this trail in just 3 hours. But we are going to do it in 10 hours including the Lunch time.
A Little of History:
The name Salkantay or Salcantay is coming from the Inca´s word Salqa, a Quechua word meaning wild, uncivilized, savage, or invincible, and was recorded as early as 1583. The name is often translated as "Savage Mountain".
Directly to the north of Salkantay lies Machu Picchu, which is at the end of a ridge that extends down from this mountain. Viewed from Machu Picchu's main sundial, the Southern Cross is above Salcantay’s summit when at its highest point in the sky during the rainy season. The Incas associated this alignment with concepts of rain and fertility, and considered Salkantay to be one of the principal deities controlling weather and fertility in the region west of Cusco.
A short 30-minute walk through an avocado orchard brings us to our “Sky Lodge” in Lucmabamba. Dinner and overnight at our Sky lodge
Trekking Time: Approximately 5 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails
Overnight at Lucmabamba Sky Lodge “Lodge del Cielo” at 2,062 masl/6,765 ft.
This day we walk along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. We pass through banana, passion fruit, avocado orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee from this region is considered as the best organic coffees in the world.
Our ride will take us to fascinating place named “Llactapata Inca Trail”, where we say goodbye to our horses and equestrian staff.
About Our Lodge del Cielo base in Lucmabamba: Our camp is located at Lucmabamba, it is a perfect place, away from the crowed groups and where we be in touch with a local family.
At this time their economic activity is based in the Coffee plantations and is our responsibility to help them and also, we can learn a little bit more about the coffee.
Optional: If you request a Private Service, we can have a Local Coffee Experience
Responsible Tourist Development for the inka Community, "Heir of Machu Picchu"
The Coffee of the Inka´s
Perú is quickly building a global reputation for producing traditionally cultivated, shade grown, high quality coffee beans.
Coffee production came to Perú in the 1700s. After two centuries, the heirloom typical variety still comprises 60 percent of the country's exports. There are more than 110,000 coffee growers in Perú, most of them are indigenous to these landscapes and speak Spanish as a second language.
The 'Flor de Cafe' (Coffee Flower) Rural Community Tourism Association from Lucmabamba - Bayona is located in the Inca Trail (Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Aobamba), with a final destination in Machupicchu, at a height of 2026 m. a.s.l it was a dream of 15 families.
These families found an opportunity to improve their quality of life through touristic activities, sharing their ancient knowledge inviting tourists to live the experience of flavors and knowledge of the Coffee Tour (Ruta del Cafe).
Overnight in Ollantaytambo at 2792 masl / 9160 ft.
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Hiking Level: Moderate to challenging.
After a healthy breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (2,736 m.a.s.l/8,974ft), where we come upon a distant with an spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary, from the southeast view, few travelers ever get a chance to admire the magnificent of the place, we take a short break to explore Llactapata archaeological place, which had been recently restored.
Lunch is served at a scenic viewpoint, looking out to Machu Picchu. After we begin our final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations.
We arrive to Hydroelectric Village “Train station Village”, we continue our walk a side of the rail way until Aguas Calientes also known as Machupicchu Village (approx. 3 hours). Then we take the train to Ollantaytambo, 1.45 hours.
Note - Those who prefer not to hike from Hydroelectric Village to Aguas Calientes can take the train experience, 40 minutes’ trip “price is not included”. They will meet the rest of the group at the train station in Aguas Calientes together. (The guide confirms your preferences the night before.)
About our overnight in Ollantaytambo Village: Hotel in Ollantaytambo will vary according your request and expectations.
A LITTLE OF HISTORY:
Bingham first discovered Llactapata in 1912. "We found evidence that some Inca chieftain had built his home here and had included in the plan ten or a dozen buildings. Bingham locates the site "on top of a ridge between the valleys of the Aobamba and the Salcantay, about 5,000 feet above the estate of Huaquina." "Here we discovered a number of ruins and two or three modern huts. The Indians said that the place was called Llactapata." Bingham did not investigate the ruins thoroughly so they were not studied again for another 70 years.
A mid-2003 study of the site conducted by Hugh Thomson and Gary Ziegler concluded that the location of Llactapata along the Inca trail suggested that it was an important rest stop and roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu. This and subsequent investigations have revealed an extensive complex of structures and features related to and connected with Machu Picchu by a continuation of the Inca Trail leading onward into the Vilcabamba. Llactapata may have been a member of the network of interrelated administrative and ceremonial sites which supported the regional center at Machu Picchu. It probably played an important astronomical function during the solstices and equinoxes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping facilities.
Distance: 11kms/6.8 mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch in route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter on open roads, some steep ascending
Trekking Km 82 “Piscacucho to Wayllabamba”
We will pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo, in our private van in the morning at 10:30am. You will be transferred in 30 minutes to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 11:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves, At the Inca Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card.
At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inca flat terrain. There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite is in Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley with the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month.
During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna.
After waking up at 5 to 5:30am and enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, abra de Warmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft. On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at lower Pacaymayu (3550m/11646ft).
On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an array of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4000m/13,123ft). We arrive at our campsite by 5 pm (high Pacaymayu). Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.
This is the most impressive day so far; keep this in mind as you ascend on day three! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’). Here we reach the third highest point on the Inca trail (3680m/).
The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular! The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue walking down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Incan site of ‘Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna. (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours.
We arrive at camp by lunchtime! Temperatures during the night are about 12º C. A short walk from our campsite is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it´s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.
At around 4:00am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving by 6:00am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu.
At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”. From there we proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets.
You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.
You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.
*** We only take ITEP EcoTravel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.
End of our Services
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.
Get 5% off online all our tours if you book until of April 30th, 2026
5/5 stars
It is one of those experiences that you should not miss in life! The road, history, mountains, silence and an exceptional guide like Henry made this mini holiday a memorable walk. Henry generously gave us a lot of information, told us a lot of history, we were able to talk about everything that...
5/5 stars
I had a great experience on the tour I contracted with them. Henry was an excellent guide! A lot of knowledge about the place, its history. Very friendly and considerate with the needs we had. I would definitely recommend it....
5/5 stars
Thank you Percy for 4 wonderful days with a lot of insights ☀️...
