Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Salkantay Trek is the second best option for those travelers who want to go to Machu Picchu, offering a totally full of natural scenes tour, passing through the foothills of the majestic Salkantay snow mountain, colorful villages where Spanish is the second language, and where the Andean people still maintains traditions that date back to ancient times. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay tour will take less visited places and with very little presence of tourists, allowing truly come into contact with the Andean world and interact with people.
If that’s still not enough to get your blood pumping, what better way to end the ultimate trip than with a visit to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. You’ll enjoy a 2 hour guided for the most important inca sites such us Sun Temple, Sacred rock, Main plazas and shrines. In the afternoon you will board a train trip to the city of Ollantaytambo, during this trip you can enjoy the Andean landscapes at sunset and the mythical Vilcanota river. In general, this tour encompasses the best landscapes of Peru, which goes from the inter-Andean valley, the mountains with their snowy peaks, and the cloud forests. Come and enjoy the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the imposing snowfall of Salkantay that is imposing in your sight surrounded by the nature that surrounds it.
- Marvel at the beautiful colors that Humantay Lagoon possesses.
- Immerse yourself in the history, tradition, customs of the villages where you can reach and with the guidance of the guide.
- Discover the powers that coca leaf, a mystical side by reading coca to see what fate holds and a medicinal side.
- Experience the incomparable flavors of Peruvian cuisine, by tasting exquisite dishes prepared by our expert chefs.
- 4 days of hiking accompanied by fabulous trails, Inca buildings and at the end of the adventure the great Machu Picchu.
Inclusions of this tour
CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA
You’ll be up nice and early today to be ready for us to pick up around 4 a.m, You’ll travel in our comfy transportation with blankets to enjoy a bit more sleep on the drive. After 2 hours, we’ll enjoy a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. We’ll then continue on to Challacancha, where we’ll start our hike.
First, you’ll meet the cooks and horseman, as well as do a last equipment check. Then, we’ll be on our way. You’ll start with a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 masl/ 12,795 fasl), where we’ll be spending our first night. The first section is relatively flat with a slight bit of uphill through  a deep valley of glaciers. You’ll notice that a lot of the trail follows a  restored Inca water channel, wich local farmers still make use of today.
Once you get Soraypampa, you’ll get settled in at our exclusive Andean Huts, where you will sleep this night. You’ll have a bit of time to rest after enjoying your first lunch in the mountains. Feeling refreshed, it’ll be time to start the hike up to the incredible Humantay Lake (4,200 masl / 13,780 fasl). This round trip takes 3 hours. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. Back at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious and well deserved dinner with a beautiful sunset. Then you’ll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets.
Salkantay Andean Huts
SORAYPAMPA - WAYRAMACHAY – CHAULLAY
You’ll be woken up today at the first signs of daylight with an energizing cup of coca tea to get you going. Enjoy a nourishing breakfast before we set off on our trek to the highest point of the route; the Salkantay Pass (4,630 masl/ 15,190 fasl). You’ll be walking 7 km / 4.32 miles over 3 hours. It’s a difficult ascent up the trail of the 7 snakes, rightly named due to its winding path.
Once you reach the top, you’ll appreciate the most magnificent  view over the surrounding valleys as well as Salkantay Mountain (6,271 masl/20,574 fasl) sitting right next you; wich is the second highest in the Cusco. You can also observe Humantay, Tarcahuay and Pumasillo mountains. After you’ve taken in the views, you’ll start a walk downhill to the lunch spot in Wayraqmachay. Finally we will continue our trek down the valley with wonderful views, this section of the trail is rocky and gravely. Along the way you get some magical tropical forest and witness that changes quickly from the Andes to the Amazon. The clime this day becomes much warmer, with unique scenary and native plants.
Today we will camp in Chaullay ( 2,900 masl/ 9,514 fasl). You’ll be served a hearty meal in your Andean hut, and taking a peaceful night sleeping in the small village.
Salkantay Andean Huts
CHAULLAY - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES
After the breakfast, we will down to the village of la Playa. We will walk through the valley of Santa Teresa. You’ll enjoy a more leisurely walk with downs in the lush forest and rivers, waterfalls, orchids and many plantations of tropical fruits.
The path through which you walk will provide you with beautiful views, sometimes you can interact with the peasants of the area, who will explain the production process of their organic coffee, avocados, passion fruit , etc. You will also be able to learn more about the valuable product of the coca leaf, which was a leaf highly appreciated by the Incas and the oldest cultures of Peru. At noon we will arrive at the town of Lucmabamba (2,000 masl / 6,562 fasl) where we will have the lunch and rest, then we take the transportation towards Hidroeléctrica. Later we continue our trek and reach the modern town of Aguas Calientes around 16:30 hrs. In Aguas Calientes, our walkers will be staying at a hostel, and then will be able to get out and explore this picturesque town, which offers apart from its hot springs, many bars, cafes, Internet kiosks, etc. Overnight in the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Hostel in Aguas Calientes
AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO
This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First, before passing the control, those who wish to use the toilets will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. On this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main gate, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will see the temple of the sun, but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.
Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the room of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can have a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Price $ USD 720 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
A unique adventure in Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
What to Bring for this tour
Essential Trip Information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip InformationInca Trail Tours
Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu 1 Day
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Why Inca Trail Expeditions
We make sure you get a true taste of your destination. We want to create experiences that give you a deeper perspective
Our friendly reservations team have first-hand experience of our holidays and will help you at every stage of your booking. They are available seven days a week to answer your questions.
Inca Trail Expeditions is a 100% local Tour Operator , with more than 18 years of experience.
Discover the most impressive landscapes of the Andes, travel to the Amazon rainforest, enjoy authentic cultural experiences with the best guides in Peru.
Explore the best Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu in small Groups.
Our much-loved National Escorts, whose knowledge and dedication have won us the best reputation in the industry, will make your holiday with us truly extraordinary.