Salkantay Machupicchu 4D/3N – returning by train

• MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 4630 meters above sea level
• TOTAL HIKING DISTANCE: approximately 62 km
• DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Difficult
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: Mar-Nov

This trek offers an alternative route to the classic Inca Trail, leading you through stunning landscapes and natural beauty, showcasing the flora and fauna of the region. You’ll traverse valleys and mountains before reaching the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Connecting Mollepata, Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote trail where massive snow-capped mountains meet lush tropical jungles.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Laguna Humantay – Soraypampa

We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 and 4:45 am and travel for 3 hours to the trailhead. After breakfast, we’ll embark on a 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,650 m), following an ancient aqueduct that supplies water to lowland farmers. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch prepared by our chef. After a rest, we’ll begin a 2-hour ascent to Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 feet) before returning to Soraypampa for the night.

Day 2: Soraypampa Camp – Salkantay Pass – Wacraymachay – Collpapampa

You’ll be awakened early with a cup of hot coffee or coca tea. After leaving our camp, you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking landscape of vast plains and snow-capped peaks. Following breakfast, we’ll ascend to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 feet). At the summit, we’ll take time to explore and enjoy the stunning views, including a beautiful lagoon at the base of Salkantay mountain. Then, it’s a 3-hour downhill hike to our lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 feet). After lunch, we’ll descend through the mountains into the cloud forest, experiencing a dramatic change in temperature and climate, until we reach Collpapampa at 2,770 meters, where we’ll spend the night near a small village.

Day 3: Collpapampa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of the Salkantay trek! After breakfast, we’ll hike for approximately 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,600 feet). There, we’ll participate in a cooking demonstration, where you can learn to prepare traditional Peruvian dishes. After lunch, we’ll visit an organic coffee farm to learn about coffee harvesting and how to prepare your own espresso from coffee beans. Then, we’ll take transportation for an hour to Hydroelectric and hike for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. We’ll arrive around 5 pm, dine at a local restaurant, and spend the night.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Puente Ruinas – Machu Picchu

On our final day, you’ll need to rise early to prepare for the highlight of the trip, majestic Machu Picchu. First, we’ll travel for about 20 minutes to Puente Ruinas, pass the first checkpoint, then begin our ascent for about 1 hour and 15 minutes (450 meters ascent) along a trail that leads directly to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy incredible views of the city along the way. Your guide will provide a comprehensive 2 to 3-hour tour of the city before leaving you at Machu Picchu or allowing you to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (tickets must be booked in advance). Your guide will explain how to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), then take the train and bus back to Cusco. Our team will greet you upon your train’s arrival and safely escort you to your hotel.

Important Information:

You can skip the last day’s hike by taking a bus directly to Machu Picchu (ticket not included), depending on conditions.