Salkantay Trek (4 Days 3 Nights)

We will begin the day by picking up passengers from their respective accommodations at approximately 4:00 a.m. After a two-hour journey, we will arrive at the village of Mollepata, where there will be a short 30-45 minute stop for breakfast.

We will continue to Challacancha, which will be the starting point of the hike (8 km/3.5 hours) to our Sky Camp (transparent igloos) located in Soraypampa. After lunch at the Sky Camp, we will continue the hike (2 km ascent/2 hours) to the turquoise Humantay Lagoon. After visiting the lagoon, we will return to the Sky Camp, where dinner awaits. This will be the best opportunity to observe the night sky from your beds.

• Total hiking distance: 12 km (approx.)
• Hiking hours: 6.5 hours (approx.)
• Altitude of Challacancha: 3,700 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Soraypampa: 3,900 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Humantay Lagoon: 4,200 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Meals included: Lunch and dinner, along with snacks and afternoon tea time.

We will wake up at 5:30 a.m., enjoy breakfast, and begin the hike to the highest point of the entire route: Salkantay Pass (4,650 m.a.s.l.) through a rocky and steep trail (7 km/3 hours). This stretch will require passengers’ physical endurance, as well as good acclimatization. At this point, there will be a short break while admiring incredible views of the snow-capped Salkantay. Afterwards, we will descend to Wayraqmachay, where we will have lunch, and then resume the hike for 2.5 hours until we reach Chaullay, where we will spend the night at the Andean Huts campsite.

• Total hiking distance: 17 km (approx.)
• Hiking hours: 10.5 hours (approx.)
• Altitude of Soraypampa: 3,900 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of Salkantay Pass: 4,650 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of Wayraqmachay: 3,900 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of Chaullay: 2,900 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Difficulty level: Challenging
• Meals included: Lunch and dinner, along with snacks and afternoon tea time.

At approximately 6:00 a.m., we will begin our journey (17 km/6 hours approximately) towards the small settlement of La Playa. Along the way, we will enjoy the lush landscape: rivers, waterfalls, passion fruit, and granadilla. We will also pass through the village of Collpapampa, also known as the summit of the cloud forest. After lunch at La Playa, passengers will be transported by vehicle to Hidroelectrica. From there, passengers will continue with a 3-hour hike along the train tracks towards the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in accommodation.

• Total hiking distance: 17 km (approx.)
• Hiking hours: 6.5 hours (approx.)
• Altitude of Chaullay: 2,900 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of La Playa: 2,064 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of Hidroelectrica: 1,890 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,060 m.a.s.l. (approx.)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Meals included: lunch and dinner, along with snacks and afternoon tea time.

After a restful night’s sleep at the accommodation, we will wake up very early to head to the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu with the intention of arriving before the majority of tourists. After the tour, passengers can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain; for this, tickets must be reserved in advance. The time it takes to climb up and down either of these mountains is approximately 3 hours. A less demanding option, for which no extra ticket is needed, is the hike to the Sun Gate. This journey takes 2 or 2.5 hours, round trip. Another interesting option is to walk to the Inca Bridge. You can enjoy the citadel of Machu Picchu for over 7 hours before returning to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Finally, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo (a 2-hour journey), where transportation to Cusco will be waiting to take passengers to their respective hotels.