A link to reset your password has been sent to your email
Already have an account? Log in
Proceeding confirms you accept Tripaneer’s terms & privacy policy.
We have sent you an email to validate your email address. Once you have followed the link provided, you can access all Tripaneer websites.
Didn't receive an email? Resend
Check your email for the confirmation email. It will have a link to reset your password.
Didn't receive an email? Resend
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a spectacular Andean hike, with high peaks, snow-capped mountains, and tropical valleys. Get ready to complete one of the most spectacular treks that get to Machu Picchu. Considered one of the best 25 treks in the world according to National Geographic Magazine, the Salkantay trek offers a variety of Peru ecosystems; from the Andes, high pass, and azure lagoons to the high jungle, tropical forests, and even dense jungle.
If you want better accommodations like 3, 4, or 5-star hotels, just let Inkas Destination know to quote.
The Inca and pre-Inca people named this mountain Apu Salkantay ("Savage mountain"). It is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range. If you love adventure and you are thinking of doing a trekking route to Machu Picchu away from everything and in contact with nature (Pacha Mama), this is your ideal route. You will learn all about Inca culture, and nature, and most importantly you will arrive at Machu Picchu and will enjoy a guided tour, do not miss out on this salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
Some days before the tour, the Inkas Destination team will contact you via E-mail or WhatsApp and will coordinate the meeting time at your hotel to provide you the all tour details and answer all your questions.
The tour starts from your accommodation in Cuzco at 04:30 a.m. and ends in the center of Cuzco at about 7:00 p.m.
The guide will pick you up at your accommodation in Cuzco Center from 4:30 a.m. When the whole group is gathered, you will drive for 2 hours to Mollepata (2800 m. – 9116 ft.) where you have the opportunity to have an energetic breakfast, and then continue driving 40 minutes to the small village of Challacancha (3600 m. – 13680 ft.) where you meet your muleteers and mules, in this place begins the 4-hour walk to the first camp of Soraypampa (3900 m. – 12792 ft), lunch.
After a delicious lunch, the hike to Lake Humantay begins (4200 m. – 13776 ft). It is 1 hour and 30 minutes uphill walk and you'll spend the same time down to the camp, have dinner, and overnight.
At the Mollepata stop, you will separate your stuff and you may send 5Kl. by horse. You will also pay for access to Humantay Lake. This ticket costs 20 soles which is not included in the tour.
You will wake up early morning at 5 a.m. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll then begin a roughly 3.5-hour hike to Salkantay Pass (4650 m. – 15091 ft.). You’ll stop to catch your breath at the top and bask in the glaciated presence of Salkantay (6271 m. – 20574 ft.) and other snow-capped peaks like Humantay and Tucarhuay, possibly even seeing avalanches careening down them.
After the guide's explanation and spending some time taking in this beautiful landscape, you will start your descent until your lunch point Wayracmachay (3900 m. – 12792 ft.). Then, continue walking down to the high jungle, passing through the Vilcabamba mountain range. You will finish the second day of the trek at the Colpapampa (2800 m. – 9184 ft.) campsite, where the vegetation and wildlife will be more abundant. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you will begin your walk at 6 a.m. through the high Jungle of Santa Teresa Valley (1500 m. – 4920 ft.), with more downs than ups as you soak in the lush landscape on rivers, small streams, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations including banana, coffee, and avocado.
After 5 hours of hiking, you will stop in Playa Sawayaco (1900 m. – 6232 ft.). You will have a tasty lunch before heading to the Lucmabamba campsite (2000 m. – 6562 ft.). In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the area. dinner and overnight.
This day is optional to visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo which is not included in the price, but the guide can coordinate with the group to visit this beautiful place. It does not include transportation and entrance to the thermal baths.
After breakfast, this morning you will be able to walk along a bit of the original Inca trail after a 2.5-hour uphill hike and fascinating views, you will reach Llactapata (2800 m. – 8858 ft.), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu. The guide will explain to you about the place.
Afterward, you will walk for 2 hours downhill until you reach Hidroeléctrica (1,900 m – 6,270 ft). You will have a nutritious lunch and rest. then you will continue on foot for about 3 hours. Following the train line, you will finally reach the Aguas Calientes (1915 m. – 6396 ft.) aka Machu Picchu town. Dinner and overnight.
Once in Hidroelecrica, you have 2 options: 1) To continue with the normal itinerary enjoying the last stretch of the trek, enjoy the flat hike alongside the train track to Machu Picchu town about 3 hours or 2) if you are tired out after the trekking, you can opt to board a train to Aguas Calientes (34 USD).
In Hidroeléctrica, you will receive the 5Kl stuff that you have to carry during this section of the walk, but if it is very uncomfortable or very heavy you may send it by train (coordinate with the guide). This is not free, it has an extra cost that depends on the weight of the luggage.
At 4 a.m., you will start your last day, walking up to Machu Picchu (2400 m. – 3872 ft.) for around 1.5 hours. At the entrance of this Inca citadel, you will register and show your ticket to start your 2-hour guided tour. He will show you the most important parts of Machu Picchu citadel.
After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore by yourself. At the end, you will return to Aguas Calientes (1515 m. – 4969 ft.). Pick up your stuff and then go to the train station to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where a bus awaits to return you to Cusco. End of service.
The package includes most of the meals, except the first breakfast and last lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included.
The tour can cater to special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc. If you are vegetarian or gluten-free simply let Inkas Destination know and advise them of your specifications.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
160 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 20 per person
Please book your flight to arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Airport transfer is not included in the price.
If you arrive by bus, contact Inkas Destination and they can organize the transfer service for you. In the case that you won't take the transfer service, the guide will visit you at your hotel to provide you with all tour details.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
We respect your privacy. We will not publish or share your email address in any way.
Please go to your inbox and click the confirmation link we just emailed you.