From: $200.00
As one of the most amazing routes to reach the majestic Machu Picchu citadel, the Salkantay trek is a unique experience. The highest point of the trek, the Salkantay pass, will take you to 4600 meters above sea level. As you descend to Challway, you will quickly observe a change in the landscape, from an arid terrain to one that is green and fertile. Finally, you will arrive at Machu Picchu for a visit to the most important archaeological center of South America.
Before booking this trek, kindly reach out via email so we can provide you with a detailed trek price and confirm availability. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
| Salkantay trek | ||
| Group size | Full Price per person | Reservation per person |
| 1 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 2 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 3 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 4 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 5 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 6 | $ 300.00 | $ 200.00 |
The full itinerary
Day 1
Pick-up around 04:30 to 05:00 from your accommodation to go by bus to Mollepata. After a two hour drive, you will stop to have breakfast (not included), then continue to Challacancha, where you will meet our support staff, who will be in charge of loading all the equipment on the horses. Around 09:30 you will start the trek towards Soraypampa (3,900 m.a.s.l.). It will take approximately 4 hours to reach Soraypampa, where you will spend the night in the “Cristal Domes”. After lunch, you will visit the glacial Humantay lake (4200 m.a.s.l.) which is a three-hour round-trip hike from the Sky Domes. A warm and delicious dinner will be waiting for you in the evening.
Day 2
You will have breakfast at 06:00, then begin the hardest day of the Salkantay trek, during which you will be hiking up to the highest point of the trek (4,600 m.a.s.l.). After 6 kilometers uphill through the magnificent scenery of the rocky Andes Mountains and enjoying the view of Salkantay mountain, you will reach Salkantay pass. You will appreciate the spectacular views of the imposing snowy peaks of Salkantay Mountain (6,264 m.a.s.l.) which is the second highest mountain of the Cusco region. After spending 30 minutes at the Salkantay pass, you will start the hike down to Chaullay. Around 13:00 the team will make a stop for lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay, then you will continue the hike to Chaullay. After approximately 3 hours of hiking downhill, you will get to our campsite in Chaullay (2,900 m.a.s.l). At 19:00 you will have dinner to recover energy for the following days.
Day 3
At 06:00 you will start the trek to the small town called “La Playa”, where you will have lunch. The hike will take you all the way down through the Santa Teresa valley. During the hike you will be able to see the Santa Teresa River, waterfalls, wild orchids and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations. After lunch you will hike for 20 minutes to our base camp called “Lucmabamba capsules” at 2,400 m.a.s.l. Here you will be able to explore the tropical forest and make a full visit of an organic coffee farm. If you are a coffee lover, you will enjoy the delicious coffee freshly prepared by the local people. Coffee is the main farming industry in the area. Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, but it wasn’t until the Spanish conquered Cusco that it was brought to this region. You will sleep in the Mountain capsules prepared for you.
We also offer you the option to go to the hot springs of Santa Teresa (30 USD extra) Van transportation and entry ticket included.
Day 4
You will begin today’s hike early in the morning around 06:00 and will have the opportunity to enjoy a small part of the famous Inca trail. After a climb of 2 hours with amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley you will arrive at the Llactapata, an Inca site right in front of Machu Picchu. This will be the first archaeological site you will see on your trip to the mysterious Lost City of the Incas. You will explore this Inca site with the guide, learning about the history of this archaeological site.
After the Llactapata ruins, you will continue the trek with a 2-hour downhill hike. On this part of the trail, you are always able to see Machu Picchu until you arrive at the Hidroelectricas train station to have lunch. You will reach train tracks which lead to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here you will have two options: 1) If you are exhausted, you may take the train to Aguas Calientes (40 USD extra). 2) If you are still eager to hike, we walk from Hidroelectricas to Aguas Calientes for 3 hours along the train track.
Day 5
Today you arrive at the long-awaited finale of the trek, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. You will wake up early after a refreshing night at the hotel to beat the crowds to the top of Machu Picchu and enjoy its serenity in the soft morning light. The Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint is open from 06:00 until 15:00. You will hike up to Machu Picchu and enter the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas. Here you will have a 2-hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city to visit temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, the industrial sector, and the farming fields. Be amazed at the engineering ingenuity of the Incas which was so far ahead of their time and still partially a mystery today. Without having modern tools or even steel and iron to work with, the people who built this city were geniuses in organizing this community in a sustainable and beautiful way on a side of a mountain, even bringing water in canals through its streets for the people to use.
After this tour, you are free to climb up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Be sure to book in advance with Ritisuyo). Each mountain takes approximately 3 hours to hike up and down. You will be able to stay and enjoy this magical city for 3 hours in total, before hiking back down to Aguas Calientes for the train ride at 16:22 hrs or 6:20 pm (subject to availability) to Ollantaytambo. A group minivan will be waiting for you, and we will drop you back at plaza san francisco in cusco. Rest your feet and your body now, but we can assure you your heart will still be soaring for weeks and years to come.
