Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu Tour
Come along and test your limits on this Salkantay Trek expedition - a memorable journey where you'll have the chance to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Peru. Explore the legendary Machu Picchu along with a variety of landscapes, including alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, tropical forests, and amazing Inca ruins.
Group
5 Days
Jan, Mar - Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Explore Machu Picchu, the mystical ruins of Llactapata and more iconic sites in Peru
- Trek through a variety of Peruvian ecosystems, from deserts and jungles to high alpine passes and azure lagoons.
- Experience luxury camping in our glass cabanas and Hobbit Houses with hot outdoor jacuzzis
Description
Salkantay Trek: Experience the Best of Peru
Considered to be one of the best treks in the world, the Salkantay Trek offers something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner looking for an unforgettable adventure, the Salkantay Trek is sure to exceed your expectations.
Begin your journey as you arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions office in Cusco, where you'll be transfered to the Glass Cabañas in Soraypampa. Here you'll enjoy a delicious dinner and stargaze in the mesmerizing peruvian sky before embarking on your trekking journey the next morning.
Wake up early and begin your trek to Humantay Lake, a stunning alpine lake with turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains in the background. Then continue onto Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek, and enjoy the views. Afterward, you'll descend to the evening's campsite, Wayracmachay.
On the second day of yor trekking adventure, you'll discover breathtaking waterfalls and flowing rivers as you arrive to Ccollpapampa. Immerse yourself in another tropical forest microclimate, where locals cultivate coffee, papayas, and avocados. Continue hiking to the Hobbit Houses, set up on the hillside from the Salkantay River. Then you'll have ample time to explore the ecological garden and rest and soak in the outdoor jacuzzi.
Learn about the region's coffee history and taste freshly-brewed coffee and explore the tropical forest and visit a local organic coffee farm. Then, hike to the ancient Inca ruins of Llactapata and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Wake up early and hike downhill for 2 hours to the Hydroelectrical Station, where you can admire the 300-meter-high waterfall. Continue to Intiwatana and hike along the train tracks for 3 hours to the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Start your day at Machu Picchu early and beat the crowds. Catch one of the first buses up to the citadel at 5:30 a.m. and watch the sunrise over the ancient ruins. After sunrise, enjoy a guided tour of the main sectors of Machu Picchu. Learn about the history and culture of the Incas, and see some of the most iconic landmarks of the citadel, such as the Sun Gate and the Temple of the Sun. Then, you will have some time to explore on your own. Wander around the ruins at your own pace, take more photos, or simply relax and enjoy the incredible views.
Prepare for this challenging yet rewarding trek that will give you the chance to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Peru.
Book your trek today and experience the best of Peru!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Personal porters
- Tents
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking poles
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA (GLASS CABINS) – HUMANTAY LAKE
- Maximum altitude: 4,200 m - Camp altitude: 3,800 m - Distance: 13 km - Hiking time: 6–7 hours
Your adventure begins between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will drive toward the picturesque town of Mollepata, passing traditional Andean villages such as Anta and Limatambo, with beautiful views of valleys and the Andean mountain range. After approximately 2 hours, we arrive in Mollepata for a local breakfast. Then we continue one more hour to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek. Here, you will have time to prepare before beginning the hike. The first section is a gradual ascent, ideal for acclimatization. After 1.5 hours of hiking, we reach Soraypampa, home to our exclusive Glass Cabins, offering spectacular glacier views. Here, you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, we begin the hike to the famous Humantay Lake (about 1.5 hours). The path starts gently and becomes steeper near the lake. At the top, you will admire the turquoise waters framed by Humantay Mountain (5,960 m)—a truly magical landscape. We return to Soraypampa around 4:00 p.m., with free time to rest. In the evening, you will participate in a Peruvian cooking class, followed by a delicious dinner. Your first night will be spent in a cozy Glass Cabin under a star-filled sky.
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS:
- Turquoise Humantay Lake - Glacier viewpoints - Unique Glass Cabin lodging
Accommodation: Glass Cabins – Soraypampa (3,800 m)
Day 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – WAYRACMACHAY (GLASS DOMES)
- Maximum altitude: 4,630 m - Camp altitude: 3,800 m - Distance: 14 km - Hiking time: 7–8 hours
This is the most demanding and spectacular day of the trek. We begin with an early breakfast at 5:30 a.m. in Soraypampa. We start the hike with a moderate 2-hour ascent to Salkantay Pampa (4,100 m), an excellent viewpoint to appreciate the majesty of Salkantay Mountain. We continue climbing for about 1 more hour on a zigzagging trail until reaching Soyrococha, located directly below the Salkantay peak. Here, our chef will be waiting with a comforting hot lunch surrounded by glaciers. After lunch, we take on the final 1-hour ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m), the highest point of the trek. Here, we hold a short gratitude ceremony to Pachamama, surrounded by breathtaking snowy peaks. From the pass, we begin the descent. The first 2.5 hours take us from alpine landscapes back into the valley. Our final destination is Wayracmachay (3,800 m), where our comfortable Glass Domes await. Enjoy a hot dinner and a clear night sky ideal for stargazing.
Main Highlights:
- Crossing the imposing Salkantay Pass - Panoramic glacier views - Snow-to-valley ecosystem transition
Accommodation: Glass Domes – Wayracmachay
Day 3: WAYRACMACHAY – RAYANPATA – COLPAPAMPA – LORETA (HOBBIT HOUSE)
- Maximum altitude: 3,800 m - Ending altitude: approx. 2,000 m - Distance: 18 km - Hiking time: 7–8 hours
Today you will experience a complete change of ecosystem. After a hot drink inside your dome and a nutritious breakfast, we begin descending toward the cloud forest. After 2 hours of hiking, we reach Rayanpata, where the climate becomes warmer and more humid, with tropical vegetation and wildflowers. We continue for another 2 hours to Colpapampa (2,950 m), where our chef will prepare a fresh lunch inspired by Amazonian flavors. We then walk 4 more hours into the high jungle, passing waterfalls, orchids, coffee plantations, and rich subtropical vegetation. Finally, we arrive at Loreta, home of our charming Hobbit House ecolodge, surrounded by forest and rivers.
Main Highlights:
- Descent into the cloud forest - Waterfalls, orchids, tropical fauna - Coffee-growing region - Unique Hobbit House stay
Accommodation: Hobbit House – Loreta
Day 4: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Maximum altitude: 2,700 m - Distance: approx. 24 km (including train section) - Hiking time: 6–7 hours
After breakfast surrounded by nature, we take a 30-minute drive to Lucmabamba, where we begin a 4-hour ascent along an original section of the Inca Trail. Along the route we pass coffee, banana, and avocado plantations until arriving at Llactapata (2,700 m), one of the best distant viewpoints of Machu Picchu. Your guide will explain the site and give you time for panoramic photos. We descend for 1.5 hours to Hidroeléctrica, where our chef prepares the last lunch of the trek. This is a perfect moment to thank the trekking team. We then continue walking for about 3 hours along the train tracks, an easy and scenic route full of biodiversity, until reaching Aguas Calientes. You will check into your hotel and rest.
Main Highlights:
- Original Inca Trail - Panoramic Machu Picchu view from Llactapata - Walk along the Urubamba Canyon - Bird and orchid observation
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 5: MACHU PICCHU – RETURN TO CUSCO
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m
Today you visit Machu Picchu, the long-awaited highlight of your entire journey. After an early breakfast, we board one of the first buses to the citadel. Upon arrival, your guide will assist you at the entry checkpoint (passport + ticket required). We begin the visit in the upper area, where you will enjoy the iconic postcard view of Machu Picchu—an unforgettable moment and the perfect opportunity for photos.
Your guided tour continues through the most important sectors:
- Agricultural terraces - Temple of the Sun - Intihuatana (sacred solar stone) Urban and residential zones - Ceremonial and astronomical temples
Your guide will share historical, cultural, and architectural details that reveal the significance and engineering brilliance of the Inca civilization. If you booked the optional Huayna Picchu hike, your guide will escort you to the entrance. This additional climb offers extraordinary bird’s-eye views of the citadel. After the visit, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch, shopping, or simply relaxing. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (typical schedule: 2:55 p.m.). Upon arrival, your private driver will be waiting to bring you back to Cusco, arriving approximately between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m.
Main Highlights:
- Guided visit through Machu Picchu’s most important sectors - Classic panoramic viewpoint - Optional Huayna Picchu hike - Scenic train journey back to Cusco
End of the Salkantay Trek experience
Details
More info
As regards availability, you can choose the best date that fits your traveling schedule since we have daily departures. We only need two people as a minimum to depart and if you are a single traveler, contact us and we will be able to accommodate you with one of our set groups.
About the guide
Alpaca
Tour Operator
We offer quality and personalized tours, no matter the type. Those who choose to take a train to Machu Picchu are treated with the same dedication as those who spend days hiking through the mountains.
We are recognized as the leading tour agency and operator in the Cusco region, and one that contributes greatly to the development of the tourism sector.
Languages
English
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
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Joshua
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
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