Salkantay Trek (5 Days 4 Nights)

We will start the day with the pick-up from your respective hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. approximately. Leaving Cusco, we will head towards the town of Mollepata with a 2 hour and 30 minute journey, then we will make a small stop of 30 to 40 minutes for breakfast. Once breakfast is finished, we will continue towards Challacancha, the starting point of the hike towards Soraypampa SKY LODGE (approximate duration of 3:30 hours / 8 km).

• Total distance: Approx. 12 km.
• Walking hours: Approx. 6.5 hours.
• Challacancha altitude: Approx. 3,700 m.a.s.l.
• Laguna Humantay altitude: Approx. 4,200 m.a.s.l.
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Food included: Lunch, snack, afternoon tea time, and dinner.

After waking up with the first rays of sun at around 5:30 a.m. and having breakfast, we will begin the day’s trek towards the highest point of the entire route (Salkantay Pass), which is approximately 7 km and will take us an average of 4 hours to hike. The ascent will be on rocky and steep terrain in the middle of the valley and the imposing Apu Salkantay, with sections that will test not only our endurance but also our good acclimatization. Once at the top, we will enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Salkantay snow-capped mountains, the second highest mountain in the Cusco region. During a brief break, you will have enough time to rest and appreciate the unique landscape of Salkantay Pass. We will continue descending on rocky terrain until we reach our lunch spot in Huayracmachay. After approximately 2:30 hours, we will walk back to Chaullay, where we will spend the night in a warm climate typical of the area.

• Total trekking distance: Approximately 17 km
• Trekking time: Approximately 10.5 hours
• Altitude of Soraypampa: Approximately 3,900 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Salkantay Pass: Approximately 4,650 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Huayracmachay: Approximately 3,900 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Chaullay: Approximately 2,900 m.a.s.l.
• Difficulty level: Difficult
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast at 6 a.m., we will begin a trek through trails of flora and fauna of cloud forest where you can appreciate the great variety of different fruits such as bananas, avocados, passion fruit and granadillas. Our walk through the valley will be approximately 6 hours/17 km. During the trek, we will continue to appreciate landscapes with small waterfalls, orchids and animals of the area. Our lunch will be at our campsite called La Playa. During your free afternoon, you have the option to enjoy a guided tour of one of the coffee plantations and also have the option to take a refreshing bath in the thermal waters of Cocalmayo.

• Total trekking distance: Approximately 20 km
• Trekking time: Approximately 6.5 hours
• Altitude of Chaullay: Approximately 2,900 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of La Playa: Approximately 2,064 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Lucmabamba: Approximately 1,811 m.a.s.l.

After a delicious breakfast, we will start our approximately 2-hour hike to Llactapata on an original Inca trail, which will lead us to a small archaeological center and enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the Urubamba valley and Machu Picchu in the distance. After appreciating the great guided tour, we will descend until we reach the Hydroelectric plant for a delicious lunch and continue our walk along the train tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes in about 3 hours/10 km. On the way, we will visit the so-called Intiwatana, a famous sundial. We will arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo at around 5 pm.

• Total hiking distance: Approx. 12 km
• Hiking time: Approx. 5 hours
• Altitude of Llactapata: Approx. 2,800 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Hydroelectric plant: Approx. 1,890 m.a.s.l.
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes: Approx. 2,060 m.a.s.l.
• Difficulty level: Moderate or challenging
• Meals included: Lunch, snack, afternoon tea, and dinner
• Accommodation: Lodging

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will climb up to the Machu Picchu sanctuary and enjoy a guided tour of the main constructions of the citadel for approximately 2 hours. For those looking for a more physical challenge, we have the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, where you will have a great view of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, you will need to return to the town of Aguas Calientes to collect your belongings from the lodging and take your train back to Ollantaytambo at 6:20 pm, where our return transport to Cusco will be waiting for you at approximately 10:00 pm.