Salkantay Trail

Salkantay Trail

$720 / per person

4 Days / 3 Nights

This Salkantay trek is a spectacular adventure that connects us with Machu Picchu. The views consist of glaciers, mountains, the Humantay lagoon, and abundant vegetation, making this one of the most beautiful treks. Inka Trail Expeditions Peru offers an experiential journey, an authentic way to connect adventure with nature. Our goal is to stray from conventional paths, avoid superficial tourist activities, and embrace an immersive cultural environment. Enjoy the comfort of our service, our innovative cuisine, the warmth of our people, and the daily retreat to a Shangri-La where you can restore your mind and body. This is a once-in-a-lifetime physical, cultural, and spiritual journey that will take you through the magnificent Sacred Walk of Salkantay to the legendary Machu Picchu. We will cross the highest snow-capped mountain in the Vilcabamba mountain range until we reach Llactapata, located behind Machu Picchu Mountain. This path will finally take us to Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In this way, we will culminate an unbeatable adventure that will allow us to connect with nature, culture, and history.

1 Tour
13+ Age
Popular

Destino

  • Salkantay

  • Machu Picchu

Includes

  • Pre-trip orientation: Meeting with guide and delivery of canvas bags

  • Transportation: Pickup, private transfers, and train to Ollantaytambo

  • Tour guides: Certified, professional, and experienced

  • Emergency kit: Oxygen tank and first aid

  • Accommodation: 2 nights in lodges and 1 in Aguas Calientes

  • Camping equipment: Tents, tables, chairs, and utensils

  • Entrance ticket: Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu Sanctuary

  • Professional chef: Delicious meals, vegan options, and more

  • Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, snacks, water

  • Mule loads: Transportation of luggage up to 5 kg/person

  • Consettur bus: Ascent and descent to Machu Picchu

Excludes

  • Sleeping bag and walking sticks

  • Breakfast in Mollepata (day 1)

  • Lunch and dinner in Cusco (day 4)

  • Hydroelectric Train - Aguas Calientes (optional)

  • Personal equipment and travel insurance

  • Entrance fees to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

  • Additional costs due to disasters or delays beyond our control

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Tour Plan

1

Day 1: Pick-up at the hotel will be at approximately 4:00 a.m.

Pick-up at the hotel will be at approximately 4:00 a.m. From there, we will travel in our private transport for approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to Mollepata. After a light breakfast, we will continue by car to Challacancha, where we will meet our mule driver and horses. From this point, we will begin our hike to our Lodge del Cielo, located in Soraypampa. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will ascend to visit the beautiful Humantay Lake. After enjoying the visit, we will descend again to Soraypampa, where we will spend the first night under a starry sky at our Lodge del Cielo. About our Lodge del Cielo in Soraypampa: Our camp is located just a 10-minute walk from the village of Soraypampa, giving us a 360-degree panoramic view of the Humantay Lake. This is a perfect place, away from the crowds, where we can enjoy the landscapes of the Andean valley and share the company of our beautiful alpacas. Additional information: Pre-trip meeting: The afternoon before this day, there will be an informational meeting with your guide in Cusco. Pick-up after breakfast: Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco will be at 6:00 a.m. Details of the day: Meals: Lunch and dinner. Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Accommodation: Glamping camp with hot showers. Overnight stay: Sky del Cielo in Soraypampa. Accommodation: Double (2 people of the same gender). Initial elevation: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft. Maximum elevation: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft. Camp altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft. Walking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles. Walking time: Approximately 5 to 6 hours. Weather: It can be quite cold, wintry, or rainy at Abra Salkantay.

2

Day 2: After breakfast, we will begin the most challenging part of the hike

After breakfast, we will begin the most challenging part of the hike, traveling through the area known as Pampa Salkantay. Then, we will take the left side of the imposing Salkantay glacier. Around noon, we will reach the highest point of the route, located at 4,630 m (15,190 ft) above sea level. From this point, we will be able to admire the majesty of the area, its mountain range, glaciers, and ravines, and experience the magic of the Andes. After a short break, we will begin the slow descent to Wayracmachay, where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch and rest. After the break, we will continue descending and enter the jungle, where we will have indescribable views of the surroundings. Finally, we will continue to our second Lodge del Cielo, located in Collpapampa. Here we will enjoy a comforting dinner and spend the second night. Hike and Terrain: For the most part, we will hike on steep trails and some open slopes. About our Lodge del Cielo in Collpapampa: Our camp is located a 10-minute walk from the village of Chaullay. Although Chaullay is a very busy campsite, our camp in Collpapampa offers a great advantage in being away from the crowds, giving us a 360-degree panoramic view of the Salkantay Valley. This is a perfect place to learn more about local families and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. Details of the day: Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Difficulty: Challenging. Overnight: Lodge del Cielo in Collpapampa. Accommodation: Campsite. Accommodation: Double (2 people of the same gender). Starting elevation: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft. Maximum elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. Camp altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft. Walking distance: 22 km / 13.67 miles. Walking time: approximately 9-10 hours. Weather: It can be quite cold, wintry, or rainy at Abra Salkantay.

3

Day 3: After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike at 6:00 a.m.

After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike at 6:00 a.m. along the Inca Trail. This will be an unforgettable day, as we will travel through the jungle, appreciating the flora and fauna of the region. Along the way, we will pass coffee, tea, and passion fruit plantations and numerous trees. The climate in this area is temperate and humid, which has created an ideal microclimate for the production of orchids, considered by experts to be some of the most beautiful in the world due to their variety and colors. During the hike, we will consider possible difficulties at the Granadillas crossing. Our tour includes approximately 5 hours of hiking until we reach Playa Sahuayaco, where we will continue on to the hydroelectric station. Here we will have lunch and take a short break. After lunch, we will resume the hike to Playa Sahuayaco, from where we will take transportation to Aguas Calientes (alternatively, we can continue the hike along the railroad tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes). Once there, we will enjoy dinner and settle into our accommodations. About our night in the town of Machu Picchu: Accommodation in Aguas Calientes will be tailored to your request and expectations, providing you with comfort for rest after a day full of adventure. Details of the day: Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Difficulty: Challenging. Overnight: Accommodation in Aguas Calientes. Accommodation: Double (2 people of the same sex). Initial elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft. Maximum elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft. Altitude of accommodation: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft. Walking distance: 27 km / 16.78 miles. Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours. Weather: It can be hot or rainy in the jungle.

4

Day 4: Very early in the morning, immediately after breakfast at the lodge

Very early in the morning, immediately after breakfast at the lodge, we will take a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The uphill journey will take approximately 30 minutes, until we reach the access point and entrance control of Machu Picchu. Here, we will take a guided tour of the urban and agricultural areas, exploring iconic sites such as the towers, ceremonial plazas, the sacred fountain, the Intihuatana or solar clock, and the terraces from which you can contemplate the Inca's domains. After a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, you will have free time to take photographs. Then, in coordination with the guide, we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes. Details of the guided tour: The Inca city of Machu Picchu opens its doors at 6:00 a.m. We will be there between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Once we have entered with our tickets, we will go up to the best vantage point to take a photograph from 'La Casa del Guardián' (The Guardian's House). Afterwards, our guide will provide detailed and comprehensive information about the Inca city for approximately 1 hour. Important information: Tour regulations: According to Machu Picchu regulations, it is not permitted to return along the same paths already traveled. There are clear signs indicating the routes, so we recommend enjoying every moment at each Inca site. Re-entry restriction: Once you leave the Inca city, you cannot return unless you purchase a new entrance ticket. Return to Cusco: After the visit, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Finally, we will drop you off at your respective hotel. Details of the day: Meals: Breakfast. Initial elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft. Elevation at Machu Picchu: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft. Elevation at Huayna Picchu: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft. Elevation at Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft. Walking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles. Walking time: 5 hours. Weather: It can be hot and rainy.

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