Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu | CUSCO, PERU

Overview 

Challenge yourself to one of South America’s greatest hikes on a breathtaking journey through the Andes. Cross mighty mountains, pass gleaming glaciers and trek through Peruvian jungle to reach the magnificent Machu Picchu.

Over four days you will trek 70 km and ascend to an altitude of over 4,600 m. You will witness spectacular scenery, including the glistening blue Humantay Lagoon, snow-capped Salkantay Mountain and jungle-cloaked gorges carved by rushing rivers. On the fifth day you will explore Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Along the way, you’ll be well fed with delicious, fresh meals and enjoy restful nights in unique accommodation. You will spend your first night in a glass cabaña under the stars, sleep in a Hobbit House and camp on a mountain overlooking ancient Inca ruins.

This Salkantay Trek follows a unique itinerary so you can experience the most exciting way to access Machu Picchu on an exhilarating and beautiful journey!

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Itinerary

Please note that a briefing is held at 6pm two days before the start of the trek and transfer to the first campsite is included the day before the trek begins, departing Cusco at 3pm.

Day 1: Soraypampa Campsite – Humantay Lagoon – Salkantay Pass – Wayracpunko (22 km hiking) 
After spending the night in glass cabañas, wake early (4-4.30am) ready to start the first day of hiking. Day 1 is the longest day of the trek. The beginning of the route is a 1.5-hour uphill hike to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon where you can enjoy the stunning mountain scenery and tranquillity of the lake before any other hikers arrive.

You’ll return to the starting point then continue onto Soyroccocha, around a 3-hour hike on gradually ascending terrain. On the way, you can enjoy views of the Salkantay Pampa and beautiful vistas of snowy mountain peaks.

After lunch, you will continue for an hour to reach Salkantay Pass, which is 4,650 metres above sea level and the highest point of the trek. Enjoy a well-earned rest and hot drink at the top as you soak in the views.

The final section of the day is a 3-hour downhill hike to the Wayracmachay campsite. Your tent will be set up awaiting your arrival and hot drinks and dinner will be served to the group.

Day 2: Wayracmachay – Chaullay – Ccollpapampa Loreta (Hobbit House) (22 km hiking)
Enjoy a hot drink with your early wake-up call before a healthy breakfast. Hiking starts around 7am when you will set out on a 4-hour downhill hike towards Ccollpapampa. On this section of the trek, you will notice the changes in climate and landscape as the views change from cold glaciers to warm jungle. Enjoy the flora and fauna, including orchids, begonia flowers and hummingbirds. 

After lunch, the hike continues downhill for another 4 hours until you reach your accommodation for the night. There will be time to walk around the ecological garden to see some of the local crops growing, such as coffee, chilies, avocados and pineapples. 

Enjoy dinner overlooking the Salkantay River before retiring for the evening to your very own Hobbit House! Take a hot shower or a soak in the outdoor hot jacuzzi.

Day 3: Loreta – La Playa Sahuayaku – Lucmabamba Coffee Farm – Llactapata (12 km hiking)
Day 3 is the shortest hiking day but it is full of beautiful sights and exciting experiences. After exploring the tropical forest, you will visit a local coffee farm where you can learn about the history of coffee in the region. You can also sample some freshly-brewed coffee and enjoy a cooking class at the farm as well as a delicious lunch.

As you continue the trek, you will be walking in the footsteps of the Incas as you hike along a section of the Inca Trail for around 2.5 hours. The route offers amazing views over the Santa Teresa Valley.

When you reach Llactapata, you can enjoy your first views of Machu Picchu, including the archaeological site, Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain. You’ll also have time to explore the Llactapata Inca ruins site.

The final section of the day is a short, 15-minute downhill hike to a campsite owned by a local family where you can enjoy the sunset over Machu Picchu before dinner.

Day 4: Llactapata Lookout – Waterfalls At Hidroelectrica – Mandor Hiram Bingham Farm – Aguas Calientes (14 km hiking)
Another early day (5.30-6am) begins with a wake-up call and a hot drink. The hike starts with a downhill section with amazing views over Machu Picchu. After around 2 hours you will reach the Hydroelectric Station, which harnesses the power of a 300 m waterfall and produces electricity for the Cusco region.

After lunch, the hike continues to the Intiwatana (sundial rock) then along a path that follows the train track for approximately 3 hours towards the town of Aguas Calientes. Along the way, you will pass the farm of Melchor Arteag, the farmer who first guided Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu in 1911. 

On arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will enjoy dinner with your group in a restaurant before spending the night in a hotel room.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Return To Cusco
Day 5 is the day to explore Machu Picchu! You can either take a 30-minute bus to the entrance or you can hike up. The route is short (around 1.5 hours from Aguas Calientes) but challenging with lots of steep switchback steps. 

Soak in the stunning views of the archaeological site and surrounding mountains before enjoying a tour of the citadel with your guide. You will have the option to hike up either Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3-4 hours round trip). (Tickets must be booked in advance and cost an additional $75USD per person.)

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will begin your return to Cusco. The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes around 2 hours and offers stunning mountain views. From Ollantaytambo, it’s another 2 hours by car to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

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Accommodation

Alpaca Expeditions’ accommodation is unique and the private campsites are in the best locations. Enjoy a different experience each night, always in a beautiful setting.

Night 1: Glass Cabaña
The night before the trip begins you will stay in a cabaña on a private campsite, located in Soraypampa at 3,800 m.a.s.l. The cabañas feature real beds and a glass roof and oversized windows that provide stunning views of the nearby glaciers and the starry night sky.

Night 2: Tent Camping
After the first day of trekking, you will spend the night in a spacious tent at the Wayracmachay campsite. Tents are shared between two hikers.

Night 3: Hobbit House
Day 2’s trek ends at Ccollpapampa where you will stay in a Hobbit House set on a hillside above the Salkantay River. These unique houses, complete with circular doors and windows, feature hot showers and an outdoor jacuzzi.

Night 4: Tent Camping
On the evening of Day 3, you will camp in tents on a private and spacious campsite. Located close to the Llactapata ruins, this campsite is a great spot to watch the sunset. Best of all, it offers fantastic views over Machu Picchu! (Tents are shared between two hikers.)

Night 5: Hotel Room
After the final day of trekking, you will spend the night in a 3* hotel in Aguas Calientes. With hot water, WiFi and cosy beds, the hotel will be the perfect place to relax after the trek and rest in preparation for exploring Machu Picchu the following day. (Please note that hotel rooms will be shared between 2 or 3 people. If you would like a private room there will be a small additional charge of $30USD.)

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Food

All meals and snacks are included from dinner the night before Day 1 to breakfast on the morning of Day 5. On the trail, nutritious meals are cooked fresh by Alpaca Expeditions’ professionally trained chefs and served buffet style for the group to enjoy together.

A typical lunch may include soup to start followed by chicken or fish, rice, beans, potatoes, vegetables and salad.

Dietary requirements are catered for and vegetarian and vegan options are available. Drinking water refills are available at each mealtime.

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Location

This trek begins and ends in Cusco. Hotel pick-up and drop off are included. Train and car transport back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco is also included.

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How to Get There

Cusco is served by an airport and is just over a 1-hour flight from Peru’s capital, Lima. It’s also possible to reach Cusco by bus from Arequipa (11.5 hours) or Puno (7.5 hours).

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What’s Included

Includes:

• Local English-speaking guide
• Entry ticket to Machu Picchu
• Briefing
• Porters to transport equipment and luggage
• Accommodation for 5 nights
• All meals, snacks and drinking water
• Transport: car transfer to the campsite the night before the trek; train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and car transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco; round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Duffel bag
• Pillow and foam sleeping mat
• Daypack cover and rain poncho
• Access to first-aid kit, first-aid trained guide and satellite phone

Does not include:

• Sleeping bag (available for hire from Alpaca Expeditions for $25USD)
• Inflatable air mattress ($20USD to hire)
• Trekking poles ($20USD to hire)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
• Daypack (please note, only bags 25L or less are allowed into Machu Picchu)
• Flights
• Tips
• Travel insurance

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FAQs

• What is the best month to do the Salkantay Trek? 

The dry season in Cusco runs from April to October and is generally considered the best time for trekking. However, it can rain at any time of year. 

Whichever month you decide to trek, layers, waterproof clothes and a warm jacket are essential to be prepared for all weather. Even at altitude it can get very warm during the day and evenings are cold in the mountains. Temperatures will also vary throughout the trek as the trail passes through different microclimates. 

This trek runs from March through December. It is not available in January or February. 

• How difficult is the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay Trek is a challenging route that involves hiking at altitude. The highest point is 4,620 m.a.s.l. A good general level of fitness is required and it is advised to spend a couple of days in Cusco before embarking on the trek to acclimatise to the altitude. 

• How long is the Salkantay Trek?

The tour begins the afternoon before the first day of hiking, so the total duration is 5.5 days. The trek covers 70 km over four days. There is no hiking on Day 5 (unless you choose to hike from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu or climb one of the mountains).

• What makes the itinerary unique?

Many tour operators offer the Salkantay Trek, however Alpaca Expeditions’ itinerary is unique. Participants will travel to the first campsite the afternoon before the hike begins. This means that you will have a head start on the trail and be able to visit Humantay Lagoon early in the morning before any other tour groups arrive.

Alpaca Expeditions use private campsites in the best locations along the route, providing guests with more space and privacy than other tour groups enjoy. The glass cabañas and Hobbit Houses add a special touch to your journey and the campsite where you will sleep on Day 3 is in a stunning location overlooking Machu Picchu.

• Does the price of the trek include entry to Machu Picchu?

Yes, your Machu Picchu ticket is included in the trek price.

• How big will the group be?

When you book this trek you will join a group of other hikers. The group size is up to 16 people.

• What is the average age range of people on the trek?
  
  People of all ages are welcome to join the trek. Typically, groups include people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

• What should I bring? 
  • Passport & Immigration Card (you will have received this when you entered Peru)
  • Student ID (if booked as a student)
  • Daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water (you will need to bring enough for the first morning hike, after which water refills will be available at each mealtime)
  • Water reservoir or water bottles with capacity for 2-3 litres
  • Hiking poles (optional but recommended)
  • Hiking boots
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Rain jacket/poncho
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Fleece
  • Warm jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Waterproof gloves 
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • Hiking trousers
  • Underwear
  • Hiking socks x 4 pairs
  • Quickdry towel (a small one is provided but you may prefer something bigger)
  • Headlamp (essential)
  • Sleeping bag (down bags for at least -10ºC are recommended)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toiletpaper
  • Small soap
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Personal medication and first aid kit
  • Power bank (there is nowhere to charge devices on the trail)
  • Plastic bags (for wet clothes and dirty laundry)
  • Camera
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips 

• Do I have to carry my own luggage?

Porters are provided and will carry your duffel bag. You must ensure that your duffel bag weighs no more than 7 kg. This allowance must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you hire one), which together weigh 3.5 kg.

You will need to carry your daypack with anything you may need whilst trekking, including water, raingear and extra layers. Please note that you will not have access to your duffel bag during the day. Any luggage you don’t take on the trek can be left at the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco.

• Where is the start and end point for the tour?

The tour starts and ends in Cusco. The meeting point is the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco, which is centrally located. Hotel drop off is included on the last day.

• I’m vegetarian / vegan / have dietary requirements. Can I be catered for?

Yes! Alpaca Expeditions can cater for dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan options. Please let Alpaca Expeditions know of any dietary restrictions before the start of the trek.

• I’m a student, can I get a discount?

Yes, there is a $25USD discount for students on the Salkantay Trek. Please get in touch with us to request a discount code. To be eligible for the student discount you must have a valid University Student Card at the time of the trek or be 17 years old or younger. You will need to send a copy of your student ID (or passport for those 17 and under) to Alpaca Expeditions upon confirmation of your booking.