05 DAYS - 04 NIGHTS

SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS

SALKANTAY TOURS

05 DAYS - 04 NIGHTS Duration

01 – 10 PARTICIPANTS Group size

SHARED / PRIVATE Tipo de servicio

CAR - BUS - TRAIN Transporte

Cusco Altitude: 3400 masl | Altitude Machu Picchu: 2430 masl Maximum altitude

Lugares a visitar: SORAYPAMPA - ABRA SALKANTAY - PAMPACAHUANA - MACHU PICCHU

The 5-Day Salkantay Trek is one of those experiences that you enjoy step by step. Along the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu, we’ll pass through constantly changing landscapes: mountains, high-Andean valleys, cloud forests, and high-jungle areas. Each day offers something different to discover.

The adventure will also take us to Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass, two of the most iconic places along this route. Along the way, we’ll stay at campsites surrounded by nature and pass through small communities and landscapes where Andean life remains an important part of the surroundings.

After several days of hiking, we’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes and prepare for the most anticipated moment: the guided visit to Machu Picchu. It’s a challenging route, yes, but also one of the best ways to connect with the breathtaking landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.

Horario de partida: 06:00 AM

Dificultad: HARD

Horario de retorno: 06:30 PM

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Adventure Through Mountains and Nature

The 5-Day Salkantay Trek is an ideal option for travelers looking for a complete trekking experience to Machu Picchu. The route combines mountain hikes, high-altitude landscapes, and different ecosystems that change as we make our way forward.

From Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass to warm valleys and cloud forests, the journey allows you to discover a highly diverse part of the Andes. At the end of the trek, we’ll reach Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the Inca citadel.

Highlights of the 5-Day Salkantay Trek

Humantay Lake: visit one of the most impressive lakes along the route and enjoy its turquoise waters surrounded by mountains.
Salkantay Pass: cross one of the highest points of the trek while taking in breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Different landscapes: travel through high-altitude Andean areas, valleys, cloud forests, and high-jungle landscapes during the five-day journey.
Camping in nature: rest in places away from the city and surrounded by the beautiful landscapes along the route.
Trails and local communities: hike through mountain trails, plantations, and small local communities along the way.
Machu Picchu: finish the adventure with a guided visit to one of the Wonders of the Modern World.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake

We’ll start early from Cusco and head to Soraypampa, traveling through beautiful Andean landscapes. During the day, we’ll hike to Humantay Lake, known for its turquoise waters and impressive mountain surroundings. After the hike, we’ll head to our campsite, where we’ll spend the first night.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay

We’ll begin one of the most challenging days of the trek with the ascent to Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the route. We’ll then begin the descent toward the cloud forest, where the landscape and vegetation will gradually change until we reach Chaullay.

Day 3: Chaullay – Lucmabamba

We’ll continue descending into warmer areas filled with vegetation. Along the way, we’ll pass through valleys, coffee plantations, and small local communities, enjoying the diverse landscapes of the high jungle.

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Aguas Calientes

The route continues along mountain trails and ancient Inca paths as we get closer to Machu Picchu. Finally, we’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have time to rest and get ready for the following day’s visit to the citadel.

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Very early in the morning, we’ll head to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the citadel and learn about its main sectors and history. Afterwards, we’ll have some free time to explore before returning to Aguas Calientes to begin the journey back to Cusco by train and ground transportation.

Why Book with Peru Top Experience?

The Salkantay Trek is more than just a multi-day hike. It’s a journey that requires organization and preparation to enjoy every stage of the route. At Peru Top Experience, we want you to focus on the trail, the landscapes, and the experience while we take care of coordinating the journey.

Trekking experience: we organize adventure experiences and tours in different destinations throughout Peru.
Well-organized itinerary: we plan each stage of the route so you can enjoy the trek in an organized way.
Support throughout the experience: you’ll have the necessary assistance throughout the journey.
Experience in Machu Picchu: you’ll finish the trek with a guided visit to the Inca citadel.
A route full of contrasts: enjoy mountains, lakes, valleys, forests, and high-jungle landscapes all in the same trek.

DAY 01: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA

Our experience begins with the pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 04:30 am to go in our tourist transport to the town of Mollepata, where we will enjoy our full breakfast and then continue our trip in the same transport until we reach Callacancha ( 3600 masl / 11,811 masl) which is the starting point of the walk that we will have towards the town of Soraypampa (3900 masl / 12,795 feet), our walk lasts approximately 3 hours in which we will be able to appreciate the flora and fauna of the Peruvian Andes, upon arrival we will take a break and enjoy our lunch. After a rest we will visit the beautiful Humantay lagoon (4200 masl / 11 840 feet) and finally we will return to this point to enjoy dinner and rest comfortably.

Walking duration: 07 hrs / 11 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Max Altitude: 4200 masl / 11 840 feet
Campground elevation: 3900 masl / 12 795 feet

DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA – ABRA SALKANTAY- CHAULLAY

In the morning our team offers us a mate when we wake up and after a varied breakfast our experience begins, the first part is the steepest since we will ascend the path passing through the Salkantaypampa sector (4150 masl / 13 615 feet), then We reach the highest point of the trek, the Abra Salkantay (4,600 masl / 15,091 feet). We will enjoy the view of 2 snow-capped mountains, after a rest we will continue our walk through a cloud forest towards the next point where we will have lunch and finally we will continue along the road to reach our campsites today which will be the Chaullay sector (2900 masl / 9514 feet ) where we will enjoy our dinner.

Walking duration: 09 hrs / 15 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 4600 masl / 15,091 feet
Camp altitude: 2900 masl / 9514 feet

DAY 03: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA

This day is quite special since we will gain the best of the trip, after breakfast we continue our trip, first we will arrive to the Beach sector and then to Lucmabamba (2450 masl / 8038 feet) where we will enjoy our lunch, in the afternoon we will have a Tourist transport that will take us to the town of Santa Teresa (1550 masl / 5085 feet) where our camp will be organized today. Here we have the option of reaching the thermal baths of Cocalmayo (1511 masl / 4957 feet) which are about 5 minutes away and where we can rest and relax from the trip we had. Finally we return to our camp to have dinner and rest.

Walking duration: 05 hrs / 10 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 2450 masl / 8038 feet
Camp altitude: 1550 masl / 5085 feet

DAY 04: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC PLANT – AGUAS CALIENTES

After a good breakfast in the morning we get ready again to continue the trip, we will proceed to follow a path that will take us to the sector of the Hydroelectric plant (1890 masl / 6200 feet) here we will enjoy our lunch and then we will continue the walk to Next to the railway going deeper into the sanctuary, the tour lasts approximately 3 hours until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes (2040 masl / 6692 feet) where we will go to the hotel that we have designated to rest comfortably.

Walking duration: 08 hrs / 14 km
Accommodation: Hotel Room (Request the type of room)
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 feet
Camp altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 feet

DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

In the morning we will go to the bus station to be able to board it, continue our trip and finally we have arrived at our destination, after passing a small control the fun part of the trip begins, touring the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Upon entering, the ascent to the upper part begins to reach the key point of the trip from the beginning and this is the watchman’s house from where we can take the most important classic photo of the trip. After free time to enjoy the panorama, we continue our tour to visit other main places such as the main square, the sundial, the royal quarters, the Intihuatana, the temple of the 3 windows and the condor, among other important places. This visit as such lasts 2 hours on a regular basis, however we extend it in a better way so that you can enjoy the time and have a total of approximately 3 hours.
At the end we return to Aguas Calientes by the same path to enjoy a well-deserved lunch (own expense), then around 2:00 p.m. we must return to the train station and board it to reach Ollantaytambo again where the tourist bus awaits us. In order to finally return to the city of Cusco, we will arrive at Av. el Sol that leaves us quite close to the main square so that we can go to dinner calmly or enjoy the city at night.

Walking duration: 03 hrs / 2 km
Difficulty: easy
Maximum altitude: 2745 masl / 9005 feet

Briefing / Informative talk prior to the trip
Pick up from the hotel for the start of the experience
Tourist transport: Cusco – Soraypampa
Support team: Porters, muleteers and authorized mules.
Support Group Leader: Experienced Cook
Camping equipment: Camping tent (suitable for the trip), thick foam mats, dining tent, kitchen equipment, eating utensils
Clean towel every morning and hot water for hygiene
Boiled water to fill the canteens
Tea time during the tour
Professional licensed tour guide
Safety equipment: Radio transmitter
First aid kit and oxygen cylinder
Full food during our tour: 04 breakfasts, 04 lunches and 04 dinners
Variety of diet according to your request (Vegetarian, food restriction)
Entrance ticket to Salkantay
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Consettur bus ticket: Up and down
Tourist train ticket: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (*Expedition/Voyager)
Tourist transport: Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Bimodal service)

*The train service is according to the availability we have for the date of your trip, we can also offer you an Upgrade to a better category, for this you only have to consider the additional information.

Air flight (National or International)
Special entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu (additional cost USD $80.00 dollars)
Train ticket: Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes (additional cost USD $35.00 dollars)
Sleeping bag (You can include it for $25.00 dollars)
Pair of walking poles (You can include them for $15.00 dollars)
Saddle horse (Can carry one person – $150.00 dollars)
Accommodation service in Cusco

This experience must be planned well in advance so that it can be enjoyed without any inconvenience.
When confirming the service you must choose the travel date carefully since there is no option to change due to the modality of the entrance ticket, nor is it transferable to a third person or refundable under any circumstances.
The spaces of the Inca Trail are very limited, so it is extremely important to have an advance reservation of at least 4 to 6 months in advance, the preparation is meticulous and detailed.

ADDITIONAL

HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN: Spaces are just as special and limited ($80.00 dollars)
PAIR OF CANES: They will help during the walk for the support points ($15.00 dollars)
SLEEPING BAG: Lighten the weight in our luggage from home ($25.00 dollars)
ADDITIONAL PORTER: You can carry the personal luggage that we designate ($150.00 dollars - 7kg)
TRAIN SERVICE (HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES): This facilitates access to the town ($35.00 dollars)
VISTADOME SERVICE: If we are looking for a more complete experience, this is the ideal option. The Vistadome service has a panoramic view on the section of the train journey that is a fact that we will enjoy 200%.
Additional price:
- Only return: $40.00 dollars per participant.
- LUNCH SERVICE: We can add this service as well and schedule it for after the guided tour in Machu Picchu. It has a price of $10.00 dollars per person (Tourist Menu).

Tickets issued by the agency (entrance ticket, buses, trains and others).
Identity document (ID or Passport).
Day pack and personal equipment:
- Hat and sunglasses.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Light clothing during the day
- Warm clothes for the night.
- Water in canteen
Cash for personal purchases.
Photographic camera
Rain poncho (Recommended for rainy season).

Do I need to have previous experience or physical preparation?

Yes, this travel option is different from the Inca Trail due to the demands it has and the environment. It is a fairly cold and icy climate, so all participants must be well prepared physically and mentally, the route is mainly extensive. The best way to prepare for the trip is to establish some routines that can be daily or weekly in terms of walks that help strengthen our resistance in the legs.

How should I prepare my luggage for this experience?

The Salkantay adventure leads us directly to Machu Picchu through the alternate route that exists between both places, little by little we enter and the microclimates change little by little until we reach what we currently know as the jungle eyebrow for this reason the heat is something imminent, light clothing is always the most recommended, to this we must add only 1 or 2 warm clothes for the nights. Finally, personal items such as power banks, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, rain poncho and others are also important for the trip.

Can I do the Salkantay on my own?

Yes it is possible but it is not at all recommended since this adventure requires meticulous planning well in advance, not to mention also the details of income, support equipment, camping equipment and other extremely important points.

Will we have access to showers along the way?

During the tour we will find that in the camps there are places to shower, however, only with cold water. If we want hot water, we must pay an additional fee on the spot, which is like a support for the community itself.