Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: 5 Days, 4 Nights

5 days
About this activity
Day 1: Cusco–Mollepata–Soraypampa
Your adventure begins at your hotel around 5am, from where you will be picked up and travel by local bus or car to Mollepata (2,800 m/9,186 ft). This morning you will walk approximately 3 hours appreciating the diversity of the flora and fauna along the way, before you stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at the quiet site of Sayllapata. In the afternoon you have a relaxing 3 hour hike before you arrive at the first camp site of Soraypampa (3,800 m/12,467 ft). In the early evening you have a nice dinner and get settled for the first night.
Day 2: Soraypampa–Seven Snakes Pass–Challhuay
This is a tougher day, because you have to climb to Seven Snakes Pass (4,600 m/15,000 ft), the highest part of the trek. From there you'll get a spectacular view of Salkantay, a stunning snow-capped mountain (6,271 m/20,574 ft). The hike will bring you to the campsite of Challhuay where you will have a nice dinner and spend the night. From there, the climate begins to take a semitropical change, because of the cloud forest.
Day 3: Challhuay–La Playa–Santa Teresa
The day begins at 6am with a breakfast so you can get energy for the hike to La Playa. At La Playa you stop for lunch. After lunch, you will have an easy downhill hike through the jungle of Ceja de Selva. In this area, you will be able to see coca, coffee and several native fruit plantation. Later in the afternoon you have a two-hour bus ride downhill to the village of Santa Teresa. There, you will have dinner and spend the night in tents.
Day 4: Santa Teresa–Aguas Calientes
The journey continues on day four with an hour-long bus ride after a nice breakfast. Thereafter you walk for two hours to get to the Hydroelectric station for lunch, next to the Urubamba River. Then you continue on a three-hour walk towards the town of Aguas Calientes. From there, you will check into a hostel, dine, and rest up before the next day in Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Machu Picchu–Cusco
On the final and most exciting day of your adventure, you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu, which includes an English-speaking guide. You'll arrive at Machu Picchu early in the morning. When you finally arrive, you will enjoy the beauty and the magic of Machu Picchu. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own.
You can expect to arrive back in Cusco by 10pm. From there we will provide you a transfer back to your hostel. Time of arrival into Cusco might change depending on availability of trains.
Included
  • Pick up from hotel in Cusco and drop off
  • Bilingual Tour Guide
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
  • Transfer from Cusco to Mollepata
  • Transfer from La Playa to Santa Teresa
  • Transfer from Santa Teresa to Hidroelectric Station
  • Transfer from Train Station in Ollantaytambo to Cusco
  • 3 night accommodation in camping premium
  • 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes Hotel
  • Spacious personal tent
  • Inflatable mattress
  • Hot water everyday
  • Meals: 4 breakfasts - 4 lunches - 4 dinners
  • Teatime and snacks everyday
  • Horsemen with packhorses or mules (carry 8 kg of your personal belongings)
  • Dining and toilet tent
  • First aid kid and emergency oxygen bottle
Not included
  • Following equipments can be rented in our office in Cusco:
  • Sleeping bag, $25
  • Pair of Walking sticks, $15
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age is 10 years
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • What you need to bring
  • Original Passport
  • Travel Insurance
  • Sleeping Bag (can be rented in our office in Cusco)
  • Pair of Walking Sticks (can be rented in our office in Cusco)
  • Walking Boots
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Sun Hat and Gloves
  • Sun Protection (SPF 35 or higher)
  • Insect Repellent
  • Re-usable Water Container
  • Water for the First Day
  • Toiletries (including toilet paper)
  • Personal Medication
  • Camera
  • Headlamp
  • Cash in Local Currency (Peruvian Soles)
Features
Tourism
95% Cultural
60% Sport
50% Aquatic
35%