Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru (5 days)
Spend 5 days with the certified guides from Peruvian Mountains Expeditions as they lead you on this gloriously fun and epic trip along the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, an unheralded and underrated route with fewer crowds and more time to admire the amazingly diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
Private
Andes
8 Days
Apr - Dec
Intermediate
Beginner
Highlights
- Hike along the Salkantay Trek to the world-famous Machu Picchu!
- Admire the awesome surroundings of the citadel, including at sunrise
- Visit ancient Incan sites and learn about their history and culture
- Witness the wide array of flora and fauna that inhabits the area
- Sweeping and dramatic views out over the landscape, scenery and terrain
Description
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and recognizable places on earth, and I will guide you as we spend 5 action-packed and memorable days traipsing and travailing along the Salkantay Trek in order to reach it, with the awe-inspiring views and scenery, as well as the fascinating history and culture of the area providing memories to last a lifetime.
The Salkantay Trek is widely considered to be the second-best trail to tackle in order to reach Machu Picchu, with far fewer people creating a more relaxing vibe, and the opportunity to spend more time taking in and admiring the surrounding scenery.
Our trip begins when we meet in Cusco on day 1, where all relevant safety and general information will be dispensed.
Day 2 is devoted to visiting the Sacred Valley, where we will learn about the Incan culture and lifestyle that still heavily influences life there today.
Day 3 is when the trekking begins, as we head towards Cruzpata (3200m), a part of the trek that exposes us to a spectacular array of flora and fauna, as well as an unobstructed view out over to the Humantay Peak (5902m).
Day 4 takes us up and over the highest point of the trek at the Rio Blanco Valley, with views of the snow-capped peaks of the nearby mountains in every direction.
Days 5 and 6 are spent hiking along and above the Salkantay River en route to Hidroelectrica and then Aguas Calientes.
Day 7 is the focal point and undoubted highlight of the trip, as we get up bright and early in order to get to Machu Picchu in time for sunrise. We spend a few hours walking around the site, which despite its fame and exposure, is still a truly special and beautiful experience.
Our trip ends back in Cusco, weary yet satisfied at the sights and sounds we have experienced.
This is a bucket-list item that never ceases to amaze – book now for a truly memorable and special adventure.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Mules and horses
- Tents
- Cooking utensils
Price details
- Price is per person. Minimum of 2 people required. Price does not include: sleeping bag, lunch on the last day, optional train from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu, flights to and from Lima and Cusco, meals in town, tips.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive – Cuzco – Transfer Hotel
Arrive in Cusco Peru (elev. 10,000’) transfer to the hotel. After you settle in, relax at the hotel or take a tour of the ruins around the city. Before dinner we will have a welcome briefing and gear check to make sure everyone is prepared for our adventure. That evening we will have a guided walk through Cusco on the way to dinner and enjoy the evening lights and energy of this amazing city.
Day 2: Tours to Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley Tour: Today we will load our tour bus and head out for the day. Our local tour guide will tell us about the sacred valley along the way. We will spend the day exploring the towns, markets and ruins scattered about the valley. This is a very colorful way to start to learn about the history and local culture of the Incas and Peruvian lifestyle.
Day 3: Cuzco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
The Salkantay trek, salkantay machu picchu trek program starts with the transfer from your hotel in cusco. It starts at 05:00 by bus, and drive to Mollepata (only town in salkantay hike) approximately 2 hours and a half drive, site where salkantay trek starts. After breakfast the trek starts by ascending walking towards Cruzpata (3200 masl) along a slight climb there is appreciated various plants, native birds, and a communitarian irrigation canal. Sayllapata is the place for lunch a nice look out im this salkantay trek, after lunch we depart around 2:00 p.m in the direction to Soraypampa by a climbing trail with many level variations the salkantay trek, shows little settlements, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl), the salkantay trek in this part takes about 4 hours where Salkantay mount is possible to see. Notice this is the only cold camp site of the salkantay trek, salkantay to machu picchu.
Day 4: Soraypampa – Abra Salkantay 4,650m - Andenes
Today we will trek over a 15,000’ mountain pass. This is the highest point of our journey. After an early start we hike up the Rio Blanco Valley. At the pass we stop to take in the views of the snow-capped peaks of the Valcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of the Salkantay towering above us.
This day the views are stunning. We will work our way up and take a break on the pass. Afterwards we will enjoy a hot lunch the descend down to our camp at 12,600’ Hiking time 4 – 6 hours. Total excursion time 5 -7 hours. Hiking level moderate to challenging: 15,000’ mountain pass. Horseback support available for anyone who needs assistance.
Day 5: Andenes – Santa Teresa or Hot Spring
Following our long day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast. We then begin our hike downhill above the Salkantay River.
* Hiking time 3-4 hours. Hiking level moderate.
Day 6: Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we re-start our salkantay hike at early morning at around 06.00 hrs if we decide the panoramic walking option means we will have our salkantay hike hard section, about 3.5 hrs of extreme trek takes us to summit llactapata, an inca site, in this part the salkantay hike gives opportunity to see from a far way the view of machu picchu, then a large switch-back trail takes down to river bank, in about 7 hours total walking we get hydroelectric, place for lunch and take local trail to arrive in aguas calientes at around 8.00 pm, the other option of the salkantay hike in this day is to take a minivan and drive to hydro electric, place to start walking by a trail next to train tracks, it is an easy and nice walk for about 3 hours, still possibility to see machu picchu form the back site, early arrival to aguas calientes and take shower and relax for the last final day. It can be full day walk or half day walk of the Salkantay.
Day 7: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cuzco
Wake up at around 4.30 am and bus ride to machu picchu (no more salkantay hike). For a tranquil morning hours in machu pichu, where a complete guided tour is waiting for, the visit to the Inca citadel will take approximately 2 hours. Note that we are the only one of the few companies who uses the same tour guide for machu micchu, while other companies for the salkantay hike – salkantay machu picchu they contact different tour guide coz their hiking guides are not authorized professional salkantay hike guides. After guiding, if you got the ticket for huayna picchu Mountain you can climb up, to experience an spectacular view of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surrounds it, visit the temple of the moon, or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes from where we take the train back to Cusco. Where finally our salkantay hike ends.
Day 8: Cuzco – Fly Lima – At Home
This morning we will enjoy a hot breakfast. Last minute gift shopping is available in Cusco, We will then prepare to catch there flight home in the morning or afternoon.
Details
More info
Early season conditions will include seasonal snow cover on the glaciers, while later in the season conditions become icy and the wind increases.
About the guide
Peruvian
Tour Operator
Peruvian Mountains was founded in 2007 by Rodolfo Reyes Oropeza, a professional certified mountain guide. We offer trekking adventures, expeditions and guided climbs along professional IFMGA-certified mountain guides.
We want you to enjoy a safe, unforgettable experience in the Peruvian Andes, climbing the stunning mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, Cordillera Huayhuash and discovering Cusco and our unique cultural treasures, like Machu Picchu. Our high-quality service extends to Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina.
Languages
English
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