The Classic Salkantay Trek 5 Days
846 Ratings
- Audio Guide
- Live Guide
- Group Tour
- Pickup Service
- E-Ticket
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of Peru's most famous hikes and boasts the best alternative route to the Inca Trail. On this 5-Day adventure, you will experience the wildest range of eco-systems. Watch towering snow-capped peaks like Humantay, make a dramatic transition to venture into the Cloud Forest, and pass a section of the Inca Path. If you want to be off the main route to Machu Picchu, close to remote towns, and Peru’s hypnotic nature, this Salkantay Trek is for you. • Join a small-group trek with the Kings of the Salkantay Trail • See Humantay Lake and beat the Salkantay Pass • Spend three nights in exclusive accommodations in the middle of the mountains • Visit an organic coffee farm in the High-jungle valleys • Explore the World best UNESCO site: Machu Picchu
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Salkantay Trekking
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
After an early wake-up, you’ll head to Mollepata to enjoy an optional breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, where you’ll begin today’s exciting hike. The morning’s walk will take around 3 hours and lead you to Soraypampa, your first accommodation where you’ll stay in our unique Sky Camp. After an energizing lunch and a rest, make your way up to the stunning jewel in the mountain, Humantay Lake. This is a 3 hour round trip before you head down for a tasty dinner and well-deserved sleep.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 2 Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Chaullay - Andean Huts
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Today is the toughest day, but you’ll be rewarded greatly with fantastic views and the most wonderful scenery. After breakfast, you’ll be heading uphill for 3 hours to the Salkantay Pass, where you’ll spend some time taking photos of the incredible landscape and recuperating your energy. Next, you’ll head downhill to the lunch spot through the cloud forest before continuing on your way to the edge of the jungle amidst exotic scenery to get to your Andean Huts, where you’ll spend the night in Chaullay.
Duration: 10 hour
Day 3 Chaullay - Colpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Jungle Domes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
The adventure continues by hiking through the jungle of the Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll observe a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado. You’ll get to our Jungle Domes camp at lunchtime for a rest before you get to enjoy a free afternoon to explore your surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm. You’ll get a good night’s rest this evening, listening to the sounds of nature all around.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 4 Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Today things are getting more exciting as you hike along a part of the original Inca Trail. You’ll be walking up for 2 hours to an Inca archaeological site called Llactapata. You’ll learn all about the history as well as get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu! You’ll walk downhill to lunch before making your way to Hidroeléctrica. From here, you can continue to walk to Aguas Calientes for around 3 hours or opt to board a train for US$ 34.00 extra. Tonight you’ll be dining in a restaurant and sleeping in a hotel before the big day tomorrow.
Duration: 9 hour
Day 5 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
This day is to crown your journey at one of the World's Seven Wonders, Machu Picchu. To beat the crowds, we'll kick off to the Citadel quite early and get in for the initial first lookover. You'll enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the site and learn everything there's to know about it, including a visit to the most critical nooks and sectors. If you book any additional hikes to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains, there's plenty more time to explore at your peace. You'll later return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and catch your train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can rest and reflect on this unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Duration: 4 hour
Day 1 Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
After an early wake-up, you’ll head to Mollepata to enjoy an optional breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, where you’ll begin today’s exciting hike. The morning’s walk will take around 3 hours and lead you to Soraypampa, your first accommodation where you’ll stay in our unique Sky Camp. After an energizing lunch and a rest, make your way up to the stunning jewel in the mountain, Humantay Lake. This is a 3 hour round trip before you head down for a tasty dinner and well-deserved sleep.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 2 Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Chaullay - Andean Huts
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Today is the toughest day, but you’ll be rewarded greatly with fantastic views and the most wonderful scenery. After breakfast, you’ll be heading uphill for 3 hours to the Salkantay Pass, where you’ll spend some time taking photos of the incredible landscape and recuperating your energy. Next, you’ll head downhill to the lunch spot through the cloud forest before continuing on your way to the edge of the jungle amidst exotic scenery to get to your Andean Huts, where you’ll spend the night in Chaullay.
Duration: 10 hour
Day 3 Chaullay - Colpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Jungle Domes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
The adventure continues by hiking through the jungle of the Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll observe a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado. You’ll get to our Jungle Domes camp at lunchtime for a rest before you get to enjoy a free afternoon to explore your surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm. You’ll get a good night’s rest this evening, listening to the sounds of nature all around.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 4 Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Today things are getting more exciting as you hike along a part of the original Inca Trail. You’ll be walking up for 2 hours to an Inca archaeological site called Llactapata. You’ll learn all about the history as well as get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu! You’ll walk downhill to lunch before making your way to Hidroeléctrica. From here, you can continue to walk to Aguas Calientes for around 3 hours or opt to board a train for US$ 34.00 extra. Tonight you’ll be dining in a restaurant and sleeping in a hotel before the big day tomorrow.
Duration: 9 hour
Day 5 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
This day is to crown your journey at one of the World's Seven Wonders, Machu Picchu. To beat the crowds, we'll kick off to the Citadel quite early and get in for the initial first lookover. You'll enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the site and learn everything there's to know about it, including a visit to the most critical nooks and sectors. If you book any additional hikes to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains, there's plenty more time to explore at your peace. You'll later return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and catch your train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can rest and reflect on this unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Duration: 4 hour
