Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in 4 days - Private service

The 4-day Salkantay Trek is one of Peru's most breathtaking adventures, a scenic route connecting high-altitude landscapes with the majestic archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Along the way, travelers witness an astonishing variety of ecosystems: from towering glaciers and snow-capped peaks, such as the majestic Nevado Salkantay, to lush cloud forests and the unforgettable Humantay Lake, with its turquoise waters surrounded by sacred summits.

This combination of natural beauty, ancient culture, and physical challenge makes the Salkantay Trek one of the most beautiful and memorable hikes in the world.

Highlights:

• Enjoy the best alternative route to Machu Picchu.
• See the breathtaking Salkantay Glacier and snow-capped mountain peaks in one of the most beautiful landscapes you'll ever see.
• See turquoise lagoons, colorful valleys, waterfalls, crystal-clear mountain 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 culinary experience: authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and cuisine that tells stories.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Maras – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Lodge del Cielo

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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 porters from the local community.

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 taste local products while listening to life stories, mountain anecdotes, and customs passed down from generation to generation.

More than just a meal, this breakfast is an act of gratitude and human connection. A space to appreciate the work of the porters, who represent the strength, humility, and solidarity of the Andean communities. We will then 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 towards 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 the classic fish ceviche, uses fresh, ripe mangoes, grown in lower areas and brought to this community, where they are combined with red onion, yellow chili pepper or limo pepper, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Maras salt and a touch of herbs such as huacatay or Andean mint.

During the preparation:

• You will learn to peel and cut the mango at the exact 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, natural infusions, or local chicha (fermented corn beverage). More than a cooking class, it is a profound connection with the flavors, knowledge, and hospitality of Andean culture.

In the afternoon, after enjoying a comforting lunch, we will begin a hike up to the impressive Humantay Lake, located 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 charged with spiritual energy according to the Andean worldview.

After admiring the surroundings and taking unforgettable photographs, we will begin the 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: Abra Salkantay, 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 (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, hikers 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 trail, of "leaving a mark" without harming, offering instead of taking.

After a break to rest, take photographs, and breathe in the vastness of the landscape, we will begin a gradual descent towards the Wayracmachay area (approximately 3,850 meters above sea level). 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 of the Andes.

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'll hike through mountains covered in cloud forest, with spectacular views of deep valleys, distant waterfalls, and rich Andean biodiversity. After several hours of trekking, we'll 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'll recharge our energy to continue our journey to Machu Picchu the next day.

 

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Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Hydroelectric Plant – Aguas Calientes

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After breakfast, we'll begin our hike at 6:00 a.m., following the ancient Inca Trail as we venture deeper into the lush cloud forest. This will undoubtedly be an unforgettable day, thanks to the beauty of the surroundings and the rich natural environment.

During the trek, we'll traverse tropical landscapes, allowing us to observe a great diversity of flora and fauna, including plantations of coffee, tea, passion fruit, and other local fruits. Thanks to its temperate and humid climate, this area boasts a microclimate ideal for the proliferation of wild orchids, recognized by experts as some of the most beautiful and colorful in the world.

After about 5 hours of hiking, we'll arrive at Sahuayaco Beach, where we'll take local transportation to the Hidroeléctrica train station. There, we'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, we'll resume our hike, this time following the path parallel to the train tracks, a stretch of approximately 10 km surrounded by tropical vegetation, which will eventually lead us to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,040 m above sea level), also known as Machu Picchu Town.

Finally, we're here! Get ready to enjoy dinner and spend the night at our guesthouse.

Overnight stay (complementary).
"Encanto" Guesthouse: A clean, welcoming, and well-located guesthouse.
It features private rooms equipped with TV, Wi-Fi, hot shower, and breakfast included.
Upgrades to higher category hotels are available (extra cost).

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Day 4: Wonderful Machu Picchu

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Very early in the morning, after breakfast (provided by the hotel), we will take the bus for an approximately 30-minute uphill ride to the entrance of the Machu Picchu archaeological site, 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 covers about 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 square, 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 two 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 head 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 on the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu route.

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

• Pre-departure information: You will meet your Salkantay guide and group at our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffel bags that our horses will carry. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trek begins. If you are unable to attend at this time, please let us know so we can arrange another time.
• Tourist transportation: We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and you will travel by private transport to Challacancha, the starting point of the Salkantay Trek.
• Experienced Salkantay adventure tour guide: Your English-speaking, professional, and educated guide will be certified in tourism. They all grew up in this region and have a genuine passion for teaching others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings throughout the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! They will keep you safe, healthy, and comfortable on your trek so you can enjoy your time along the Inca Trail and ensure your safety and happiness.
• Experienced Cultural Tour Guide in Machu Picchu: English-speaking, professional, polite, and certified in tourism. For visiting the sacred city of Machu Picchu.
• Private Campsites: Each campsite is carefully selected for a personalized experience.
  • Night 1: Relax in a soft bed at our Sky Lodge at the Soraypampa campsite under the watchful gaze of the Apus, the sacred mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. Spend as many hours as you like gazing at the stars through your elegant glass roof!
  • Night 2: Enjoy our second night at our Sky Lodge at the Collpapampa campsite. You'll find a comfortable bed and a thick camping mattress at no extra charge. The campsite is surrounded by the sacred mountains.
  • Night 3: The third night is at a hotel (not included), located in the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Hotel prices will vary depending on your expectations and budget. However, we can offer you the option of joining us at our local accommodation, Hotel Encanto Machupicchu, at no extra cost. www.hotel-encanto.com Our hostel in Aguas Calientes features double or triple rooms, private bathrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu!
  • Note: It is unusual for campsites, cabins, or hotels to change after confirmation. However, this may vary depending on government regulations and authorizations, adverse weather conditions, and perhaps the physical condition of our visitors. Inka Trail Expeditions will inform you of any changes in this matter as soon as possible.
• Camping equipment: dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
• Entrance ticket to Lake Salkantay/Humantay
• Entrance ticket to the Inca site of Machu Picchu
• 1 duffel bag: You can put your personal luggage, up to 5 kg / 11.02 lbs., including your sleeping bag. This bag will be carried by our horses.
• Mule/horse load: We will give you a duffel bag at your meeting the night before to fill with the things you will need for the following night and day. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at your overnight campsite. On days 1 and 2, our mules/horses will carry all the camping equipment and your personal luggage allowance (5 kg / 11.02 lbs). On day 3, your luggage will be transported by car or train to your destination until we arrive at Machu Picchu.
• Professional trekking chef: A professional chef specializing in trail cooking, with an assistant, will prepare all your delicious meals along our trek to keep you energized each day. You'll never go hungry!
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus available at no extra cost). Please note: the first breakfast and last lunch are not included.
• Boiled Water: From your first lunch to your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the necessary water. This water will be boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distribution. You must supply your own water bottles. We recommend carrying about 3 liters. We will refill our water bottles at each meal.
• Wake Up to Tea: Every morning at camp, you will wake up to a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so it can warm from the inside out before you start your day.
• Daily Tea Time During the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our afternoon tea with popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't want to miss out!

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag.
• Trekking poles.
• Meals:
  • Day 4 – 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 involves a near-vertical ascent with much more challenging and narrow trails. 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 more demanding than Huayna Picchu, has a wider trail, and is suitable for most people. However, caution is advised regarding altitude sickness and weather conditions.
  • Hiking time to Huayna Picchu (45 min)
  • Hiking time to Machu Picchu Mountain (1.5 h)
• Option: If you feel tired after the hike on day 3, 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.

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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