Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N
6 Ratings
- Live Guide
- Instant Confirmation
- Pickup Service
- Private Tour
- E-Ticket
The Salkantay trail is the most popular alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. As well as being considerably less crowded, it also offers a more challenging hike over a greater distance. This extra challenge is rewarded with climbs to some of the most spectacular mountain vistas, trekking through an exciting variety of different landscapes, visits to iconic Inca ruins and the experience of camping in some of the most remote but beautiful locations in the Andes. Using the vast experience of our professional guides, we have created this brand new itinerary that reaches areas of the trail far less trodden than many others, whilst still including all of the highlights of other more standard Salkantay treks. We believe that taking the path less travelled really adds to the unique and unforgettable experience of a trek in the Andes.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: VICUNA ADVENTURES PERU I.S.R.L.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – SOYROCOCHA
Stop At: Centro Historico De Cusco
We will pick you up very early from your hotel in one of our private vehicles to transport you 4 hours from Cusco to the trail head. On the way, we will see quiet Andean villages and also visit the Killarumiyuc site where the Incas constructed their calendar. After our visit, we will have breakfast and then continue to the Limatambo Valley. We will briefly stop in the Mollepata village to see the streets and relax for a few minutes before continuing to Soraypampa (trail head).
Duration: 5 hour
Day 2 SOYROCOCHA – COLLPAPAMPA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Our second day begins with a steep ascent to the high pass where we will rest to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. After one and a half hours we will reach the highest pass at 14,989 feet (4,570 meters). Here, we will have a stunning view of the sacred mountains and lakes of Salkantay and Umantay. We will also be able to see a pile of stones that grows daily due to each passing traveler adding one as he or she passes. When a tourist adds to this pile, he or she thanks the Apus (mountain spirits) for a safe trip. We then descend to a site called Andenes at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) before continuing to Umantay (pyramid-shaped peak). Arriving in Huayracpampa we will have a delicious lunch prepared by our team. After resting, we will enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromeliads and other flowers, as well as hummingbirds. We will then continue our descent through the bamboo groves and after 4 hours heading downhill, we will arrive at the village of Collpapampa where we will have dinner and camp for the night.
Duration: 8 hour
Day 3 COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
We continue our trek down into the valley towards the forest that contains groves of bamboo and great bird watching opportunities. We will then walk to our camp site, the beach village. From there, we will set up camp, have lunch and have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. There is a school where many tourists like to play soccer with local children.
Duration: 7 hour
Day 4 LLACTAPATA – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
In the early morning we begin our climb to the Llactapata Pass at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters). Llactapata is an Inca construction that is located behind Machu Picchu. From here you will be able to see your first views of the Machu Picchu, and we will also spend some time on the Classic Inca trail. From Llactapata we descend through thick vegetation, tall trees, and incredible bird diversity. After we reach the hydroelectric site at KM82, we take a local train to Aguas Calientes village where we will spend the night.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 5 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
After an early morning breakfast at 5:00 am, we will take the first bus to Machu Picchu where we will arrive at the Citadel and be among the very first visitors to the site that day. We will be able to enjoy the magic and the beauty of its buildings, landscapes surrounded by mountains, valleys, rivers, and magical landscapes with minimal interference from other tourists as we will be there before people arriving from the classic Inca trail and tourists arriving by train. Your guide, an expert in the history and legends of Machu Picchu will give a 2-hour tour of the site, and then you will have a free time to explore more . You can even take the opportunity to climb Huaynapicchu mountain. We take the bus to Aguas clients in the afternoon to board the train back to Cusco.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 1 CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – SOYROCOCHA
Stop At: Centro Historico De Cusco
We will pick you up very early from your hotel in one of our private vehicles to transport you 4 hours from Cusco to the trail head. On the way, we will see quiet Andean villages and also visit the Killarumiyuc site where the Incas constructed their calendar. After our visit, we will have breakfast and then continue to the Limatambo Valley. We will briefly stop in the Mollepata village to see the streets and relax for a few minutes before continuing to Soraypampa (trail head).
Duration: 5 hour
Day 2 SOYROCOCHA – COLLPAPAMPA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
Our second day begins with a steep ascent to the high pass where we will rest to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. After one and a half hours we will reach the highest pass at 14,989 feet (4,570 meters). Here, we will have a stunning view of the sacred mountains and lakes of Salkantay and Umantay. We will also be able to see a pile of stones that grows daily due to each passing traveler adding one as he or she passes. When a tourist adds to this pile, he or she thanks the Apus (mountain spirits) for a safe trip. We then descend to a site called Andenes at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) before continuing to Umantay (pyramid-shaped peak). Arriving in Huayracpampa we will have a delicious lunch prepared by our team. After resting, we will enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromeliads and other flowers, as well as hummingbirds. We will then continue our descent through the bamboo groves and after 4 hours heading downhill, we will arrive at the village of Collpapampa where we will have dinner and camp for the night.
Duration: 8 hour
Day 3 COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
We continue our trek down into the valley towards the forest that contains groves of bamboo and great bird watching opportunities. We will then walk to our camp site, the beach village. From there, we will set up camp, have lunch and have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. There is a school where many tourists like to play soccer with local children.
Duration: 7 hour
Day 4 LLACTAPATA – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
In the early morning we begin our climb to the Llactapata Pass at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters). Llactapata is an Inca construction that is located behind Machu Picchu. From here you will be able to see your first views of the Machu Picchu, and we will also spend some time on the Classic Inca trail. From Llactapata we descend through thick vegetation, tall trees, and incredible bird diversity. After we reach the hydroelectric site at KM82, we take a local train to Aguas Calientes village where we will spend the night.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 5 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
Stop At: Salkantay Trail
After an early morning breakfast at 5:00 am, we will take the first bus to Machu Picchu where we will arrive at the Citadel and be among the very first visitors to the site that day. We will be able to enjoy the magic and the beauty of its buildings, landscapes surrounded by mountains, valleys, rivers, and magical landscapes with minimal interference from other tourists as we will be there before people arriving from the classic Inca trail and tourists arriving by train. Your guide, an expert in the history and legends of Machu Picchu will give a 2-hour tour of the site, and then you will have a free time to explore more . You can even take the opportunity to climb Huaynapicchu mountain. We take the bus to Aguas clients in the afternoon to board the train back to Cusco.
Duration: 5 hour
