Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Your trekking adventure begins with an early pick-up from your hotel at 4:00 AM. From there, it’s approximately a 3-hour drive to the starting point at Soraypampa, which sits at an elevation of 3,450 meters. Upon arrival, our talented chef will prepare a delicious breakfast to fuel you for the day ahead.

After enjoying your breakfast, it’s time to prepare for the hike. Make sure you have sunscreen, a sun hat, and sufficient water. The first destination on your trek will be Humantay Lagoon, which is about a 2-hour uphill walk. The lagoon is situated at an elevation of 4,300 meters and is surrounded by stunning glacier peaks. During the winter season, you can expect breathtaking views of the area.

Our guide will provide you with informative insights about the region. Once you’ve taken in the beauty of Humantay Lagoon, you’ll hike back for about 1 hour to the lunch spot, where our chef will be waiting to serve you a delicious meal.

After lunch and a short break, you’ll continue along the Salkantay path for approximately 2.5 hours until you reach Salkantay Pampa, where you’ll spend the night at an elevation of 3,800 meters. Our team will set up the tents, and you’ll have some time to relax and take in the magnificent views of Salkantay Glacier. Happy hour will be followed by dinner at 7:00 PM. The night may be cold, so be sure to pack warm clothing for your comfort.

• Accommodation: Camping 
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 12km

Your day begins with a wake-up call at 4:45 AM, and you’ll be greeted with a hot cup of coca tea delivered to your tent. This early start allows you to be among the first to reach the Salkantay Pass (4,600 meters). After sipping your tea, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast, and we’ll provide you with water for your containers and snacks.

Then, it’s time to hit the trail. The hike to Salkantay Pass will take approximately 2.5 hours, and it offers some of the most stunning views of the Salkantay Glacier and the surrounding landscapes. Take your time to soak in the beauty and capture some incredible photographs.

After enjoying the pass, you’ll continue on the trail, which now leads downhill, eventually leading you into the cloud forest. This downhill section will take about 2 hours, and you’ll arrive at Huayracmachay. Here, our chef will be ready to serve you a delicious lunch along with refreshing drinks. Following lunch, you’ll have another 3 hours of hiking until you reach your second campsite, Colpapampa (2,450 meters). This campsite is located in a small jungle community and is at a lower elevation, characterized by a humid and hot climate, as well as the presence of mosquitoes.

• Accommodation: Camping in tent
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 15km

The next day of your expedition begins with another early wake-up call. After breakfast, you’ll start your hike, which will last approximately 4 hours as you follow the valley. This part of the trail often goes along the car road, and along the way, you may have the chance to see orchids, various bird species, and agricultural areas. Local people in this region cultivate fruits and, most notably, coffee, which is known for being one of the best in Cusco.

After walking for about 4 hours, you’ll reunite with your chef, who will prepare a delicious lunch for you. Following lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a coffee farm area, where a local family will teach you about the coffee production process that results in some of the finest coffee in Cusco. If you’re interested, you can purchase a small pack of their coffee, typically priced between 30 to 50 soles.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the famous Cocalmayo hot springs in the region. You’ll take a minivan from your campsite, which is approximately a 1-hour drive. Here, you can relax and enjoy the soothing hot springs. Afterward, you’ll return to the campsite for dinner and a restful night’s sleep.

• Accommodation: Camping in tent
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 13km

On this day, you will begin an important part of the journey by walking along the famous Inca Trail that connects Machu Picchu to the jungle. The hike is a gradual ascent that takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes and leads to the Llactapata Inca site. This site, in front of Machu Picchu, offers breathtaking, unique views of the area.

After visiting Llactapata, you’ll continue downhill for about 2 hours until you reach the hydroelectric station. Your chef will be waiting there to prepare lunch. This meal marks your last lunch with the trekking team, a moment to say goodbye and thank them for their hard work.

After lunch, you’ll say goodbye to the chef and porters and begin the final leg of your journey. It takes about 3 hours to walk along the railway tracks until you reach Aguas Calientes. Along this part of the trail, you can see beautiful orchids, the Mandor waterfall, various bird species, and experience the rich flora and fauna of Machu Picchu National Park.

Finally, you will reach Aguas Calientes town, situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. Your guide will accompany you to your hotel, where you can take a well-deserved shower and rest.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Meals: B-L-D
• Ticket: all included.
• Walking distance: 14km

Today is the highlight of your trip. After an early breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you and take you to the bus station. You’ll catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. When you arrive, your guide will bring you to the upper part of the site, where you might see the sunrise, depending on the season, and take some amazing photos of Machu Picchu. You’ll have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the beauty and wonder of this incredible place.

After sunrise and taking photos, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of Machu Picchu. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and covers the main areas and palaces. Your guide will share interesting facts about the site's history and culture.

If you have a ticket to climb Huayna Picchu, the well-known mountain above Machu Picchu, you can start your hike now. The round trip usually takes about two hours. Tickets are limited each day, so be sure to book ahead of time.

When your visit to Machu Picchu is finished, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. There, you can have your last lunch with the group (lunch is not included). In the afternoon, you’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in Cusco. You should arrive around 8:00 PM.

• Accommodation: book on your own.
• Meals: only breakfast at the hotel.
• Ticket: all included.