Salkantay Trek Peru | 5-day tour with Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek (5 Days / 6 Nights)

Majestic landscapes

Destination I Vilcabamba mountain range

Inquire Now

Retracing Inca footsteps

Destination I Machu Picchu

Inquire Now

Magnificent flora

Destination I Andean valleys

Inquire Now

Andean towns

Destination I Aguas Calientes

Inquire Now

OVERVIEW

The 5-day Salkantay Trek tour is a less famous but equally beautiful alternative to the Inca Trail. During the 4 days of hiking, you pass different ecosystems like Andean valleys and cloud forests. On the 5th day you visit the mystical Machu Picchu citadel. The tour starts and ends in Cusco and during the journey you reach a maximum altitude of 15,233 ft / 4,643 m above sea level.

Apu Salkantay (20,551 ft / 6,264 m) is a sacred mountain that is part of the Vilcabamba Cordillera. It is located to the south of the Machu Picchu and was an important reference point for the astrological observations of the Incas, especially during the solstices.

Key Features:

Pristine landscapes
Machu Picchu

ITINERARY

Day 0 – Cuzco

Day 1 – Cuzco -> Mollepata -> Soraypampa

Your adventure starts with an early morning pick up from your hotel in Cuzco. You drive to the small town of Mollepata, passing the Anta Pampa or Yawar Pampa (Blood Pampa) and stopping at Limatambo to visit the Tarawasi archeological site.
After approximately 3 hours, you arrive to Mollepata and have some time to relax and prepare for the hike. At 9:30 am you start hiking to Silcakancha where lunch awaits you.
In the afternoon, you continue your hike through valleys and mountains. On the way, you can admire snowcapped mountains like the Humantay (17,956 ft / 5,473 m), the Salkantay and the Tucarhuay (19,390 ft / 5,910 m). After some time, you reach lush green landscapes and finally arrive at Soraypampa where you spend the first night at 12,200 ft (3,700 m) above sea level.
If you feel up to it, you can join the optional hike to Lake Humantay which takes approximately 2 hours.
Dinner and accommodation in tents.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Maximum altitude: 14,715 ft / 4,485 m
Minimum altitude: 10,722 ft / 3,268 m
Distance traveled: 3.11 miles / 5 km
Approx. hiking time: 6 hours

Day 2 – Soraypampa -> Colpapampa

Today you get up a little later to avoid the chilling morning temperatures. After breakfast, you hike up to the Salkantay Pass where you build stone cairns. The ascent takes approximately 2 hours and is the toughest part of the Salkantay Trek. Afterwards, you descend towards Wayracmachay (12,900 ft / 3,932 m) and then continue down the Humantay Canyon. You arrive at the Colpapampa Camp after approximately 5 hours.
Dinner and accommodation in tents.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Maximum altitude: 15,256 ft / 4,650 m
Minimum altitude: 9,318 ft / 2,840 m
Distance traveled: 6.84 miles / 11 km
Approx. hiking time: 7 hours

Day 3 – Colpapampa -> Playa Santa Teresa

This day will be unforgettable because you experience how the landscapes and the nature around you change completely. You hike from the snowcapped mountains to Interandean areas with a unique flora and fauna. You pass near the Andean community of Arranyanniyoc and start your descent towards the jungle, hiking through the cloud forest and valleys with small thermal pools that originate from the Santa Teresa River. Thanks to the hot and humid climate, you can observe a variety of orchids.
Arriving at La Playa, the horses that accompanied you will leave you and return to Mollepata. You continue with your guide to Santa Teresa. You will be happy to spend the night at this small town that lies at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level and has a pleasant warm climate.
After a short rest, you visit the hot springs to enjoy a well-earned hot bath. Dinner and accommodation in tents.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Maximum altitude: 9,317 ft / 2,840 m
Minimum altitude: 4,921 ft / 1,500 m
Distance traveled: 6.21 miles / 10 km
Approx. hiking time: 5 hours

Day 4 – Playa Santa Teresa -> Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, you leave the Santa Teresa Camp and cross the bridge to follow the trail along the river until you reach the old hydroelectric center where you have lunch. During the hike, you pass different coca and banana plantations. After a short rest, you depart for the last part of your trekking adventure and arrive to the town of Aguas Calientes after approximately 3 hours.
Your guide accompanies you to your hotel in Aguas Calientes where you can relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft / 2,040 m).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Maximum altitude: 9,186 ft / 2,800 m
Minimum altitude: 6,234 ft / 1,900 m
Distance traveled: 5.59 miles / 9 km
Approx. hiking time: 6 hours

Day 5 – Machu Picchu -> Cuzco

After an early breakfast, you take a bus to the “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu. If you want, you can hike up Machu Picchu Mountain, from where you have a spectacular view of the ruins and might even see Apu Salkantay.
You join a guided tour to explore the different areas of the citadel including the main plaza, the circular tower, the sacred sundial, the royal quarters, the temple with the three windows and various burial grounds. After the tour is finished, you can wander around Machu Picchu and take pictures at your leisure.
You spent approximately 4 hours at Machu Picchu before you have to return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo. A bus will wait for you at the train station and take you to Cuzco.
Accommodation in Cuzco (11,151 ft / 3,399 m).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

RATES

Rates per Person
Single Accommodation	Double/Triple Accommodation
US $	US $

Rates apply for a minimum of two passengers. Please confirm prices for solo travelers and groups.

Rates Include:

Transportation from Cuzco to Mollepata
Bilingual guide (English/Spanish) during the trek
Camping gear

Tents, camping mat
Kitchen equipment
Chairs, tables
Ecological latrine
First aid kit, oxygen

Cook, assistant, muleteer during the trek
Working animal that carries the camping gear
All meals during the trek (from lunch on the 1st day to lunch on the 4th day)
Snacks and tea during the trek
1 Night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (day 4)

Breakfast and dinner included

2 Nights in a hotel in Cuzco (day 0 and day 5)

Breakfast included

Visit to Machu Picchu

Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes
Entrance fee
Guided tour (English/Spanish)
Entrance fee for Machu Picchu Mountain
Lunch at the nearby lodge

Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco by car/bus
Personal assistance

Rates Do Not Include:

Important Notes:

Salkantay Trek (5 Days / 6 Nights)

OVERVIEW

Key Features:

ITINERARY

Day 0 – Cuzco

Day 1 – Cuzco -> Mollepata -> Soraypampa

Day 2 – Soraypampa -> Colpapampa

Day 3 – Colpapampa -> Playa Santa Teresa

Day 4 – Playa Santa Teresa -> Aguas Calientes

Day 5 – Machu Picchu -> Cuzco

PHOTOS

RATES

Rates Include:

Rates Do Not Include:

Important Notes:

Escape to Peru

Two Cultures