Description
Our Salkantay 5-day trek takes you to the turqouise waters of the picture perfect Humantay lake, the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and its sister mountains, the jaw-dropping jungle trails leading to Llactapata, and finally the one and only Machu Picchu. Join us now on one of the most popular hiking tours in the whole world!
Itinerary
Early pick up in your hotel, enjoy a breakfast in Mollepata and then start your trek in Soraypampa (3900 m / 12,800 ft), where we will meet our horsemen and horses who will carry all the camping equipment while we begin our hike to the Humantay lake (4200 m / 13,779 ft).
After the visit to the Humantay lake we will return to Soraypampa where our cook will be waiting for us with lunch, then you’ll go to our basecamp Salkantaypampa from where we can enjoy the beautiful views of the snowy peak of Salkantay, an afternoon tea and a delicious dinner.
Wake up to a cup of coca tea and enjoy breakfast with fantastic mountain views. Then, we embark on a 3-hour hike or horse ride to reach the highest point of the Salkantay Pass at 4600 m (15,091 ft). From there, we trek downhill towards Wayrac Machaq for lunch. We will continue through the high jungle, where you’ll see large trees with their branches extending over streams, all adorned with bromeliads and orchids on our way to our second campsite.
Wake up early and have breakfast before we begin a 3-hour hike through the cloud forest offering fantastic sceneries like rivers and waterfalls. After lunch, another 3 hours will bring us to the Lucmabamba campsite where you can experience ziplining and/or relaxing in hot springs (both optional and transport/fees not included, indicate in advance). Upon returning to the camp, you can participate in activities related to coffee plantations and its processing.
Wake up to an excellent breakfast and begin the hike towards Llactapata, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the landscape and get a first glimpse Machu Picchu. Then, you will hike downhill to Hidroeléctrica for lunch before continuing walking for another 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Town. This night, you will stay in a hotel.
After breakfast, we head towards the citadel of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the different sectors lasting about 2 hours. You’ll then have some free time to enjoy the citadel before descending by bus to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our van will take you to Cusco.
Note: If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you must book at least three months in advance due to limited availability. This activity is optional (US $70).
Included / Excluded
- Pre-tour briefing at our office
- Pick-up from your hotel – transport to Soraypampa
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (vegetarian options available)
- Entrance ticket to the Mollepata - Salkantay route
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu - Circuit 1
- Professional bilingual guide
- Chef and assistants
- Spacious dining tent and kitchen
- Sleeping bag
- 3 nights of camping
- 1 night of accommodation in Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes)
- Bus round trip Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Train return Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
- Transport Ollantaytambo - Cusco
- Roundtrip bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Personal care items
- Tips for the guide and porters
- Breakfast on the first day, and lunch on the last
- Walking poles
- Entrance and transport to/from Cocalmayo hot springs
- Machu Picchu Mountain / Huayna Picchu – (US $70, book at least 3 months in advance)
What to Bring?
- Strong walking shoes for trekking
- Light backpack (20L)
- Cash, preferably small bills
- Hat or cap
- Long and short-sleeved shirts
- Long and short pants
- Raincoat, thick sweater, jacket, plastic bags
- Scarf, gloves, and hat for cold weather
- Eco-friendly water bottle (canteen)
- Sunglasses, Toilet paper, and flashlight
- Camera and cell phone chargers
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Medical or personal items