Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days
Activity Level : Challenging
Overview
Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular alternatives to the Inca Trail, offering breathtaking mountain scenery, diverse ecosystems, and a rewarding approach to Machu Picchu. 4 days across high Andean passes, walk through cloud forests, and follow ancient paths once used by the Incas.
What to Expect
- A challenging yet rewarding adventure on remote mountain trails combined with cultural immersion.
- Daily hikes of 6-8 hours, from towering peaks to cloud forests.
- Campsites and a hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
Main Challenges
- High altitude: 4650 m (15367 ft) at the Apacheta Pass.
- Long days hiking on the trails.
- Fastly changing weather, due to the several ecosystems and geographical situation.
Highlights
- Stunning views of Apu Salkantay, one of the sacred peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
- A stop at Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacier melt lake.
- Crossing several mountain passes, pushing the limits of body and mind.
- Descending into the cloud forest, a unique ecosystem between the Andes and the Amazon.
- The best guided tour in Machu Pichu to wrap up the adventure.
Who Is This Trek For?
Ideal for travelers looking for adventures deep in the backcountry, for those looking to avoid the crowds and a closer experience to local rural communities and nature. If you are ready for long days in the heights of the Andes, physically and mentally decided to push your limits. The reward in Machu Picchu will be waiting for you.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Sorococcha
Time to start our journey to Machu Picchu across the Andes!
Cusco-Soraypampa.
We will start our journey, with an early morning pick up at 4:30am, from Cusco. Then, our van will take us on a 3-hour scenic drive to Soraypampa. This shuttle will be an opportunity to see rural towns and a glimpse into the local lifestyle.
On arrival at Soraypampa, we will enjoy an energizing breakfast before starting the first lap of the day. The best part of this stop will be the background, with Apu Humantay and Apu Salkantay snowcapped peaks standing impressive.
Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pampa.
Our first challenge will take us to Humantay Lake, a glacier fed lake in the base of Apu Humantay. This first hike, will be a loop back to the trailhead, taking us 2.5 to 3 hours.
From there, we will continue to Salkantay Pampa. At this stop we will have our lunch and recharge for the upcoming segment.
Sorococcha.
At the base of Apu Salkantay lays Sorococcha, our last stop of the day and our first campsite. Upon arrival, our tents will be ready and our team will welcome us with hot beverages and appetizers. After settling in the tents, we will gather for our dinner and some stargazing.
First day’s key highlights:
- Maximum altitude of 4,400 m (14,517 ft) at our Soroccocha campsite.
- Level of difficulty is moderate, suitable for enthusiastic trekkers.
- The highlight includes a 2.5-hour hike to the stunning Humantay Lake.
Day 2 Sorococha – The Pass -Huayracmachay – Chaullay – Lucmabamba
The second day is here and our team will wake you up with a hot beverage to your tent. This second day will have in the mix: the highest point of the trek, cultural insights and our first experiences in the cloud forest.
Apacheta Pass.
Before heading back to the trail, we will enjoy our breakfast, making sure to have enough fuel in the tank for the day. The first goal of the day: the Apacheta Pass, will be at about 1 hour hiking and will take us to 4650m (15367ft).
From this mountain pass we will enjoy the views of Huayanay, Humantay and Salkantay, 3 snowcapped peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Plus, the views are completed by staggering valleys, lakes and streams in between the peaks.
Trek to Lucmabamba our Second Campsite.
After enjoying the views and our accomplishment, we will start descending. It will take us about 2 hours to get to Huayracmachay, for a reenergizing lunch. Then, we will continue for another 3 hours to the community of Challway.
Along this segment of the trail, we will experience the change in vegetation and temperature, as we adventure lower. We will be getting deeper in the cloud forest, a transition ecosystem between the Andes and the Amazon. To conclude this segment, we will stop in Lucmabamba, where our second campsite will be ready and waiting for us.
Second day’s key highlights:
- Maximum altitude at the Apacheta Pass with an altitude of 4,650 m (15,367 ft).
- Level of difficulty moderate to challenging, with both ascents and descents.
- A dramatic transition from the Andean highlands to the Amazon.
Day 3 Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
Our third day of the trek comes with a mix of Inca History and stunning landscapes. We will continue on the Salkancay trail with direction to Machu Picchu.
Once again, our morning will start with a hot beverage to our tent, followed with a hearty breakfast.
Puncuyoc Pass.
After our meal, our guide will lead us on a 3-hour hike along a portion of the Inca Trail to Puncuyoc Pass. On our way up, we will enjoy the views of the stunning valleys, filled with exuberant foliage and some fruit plantations in the slopes.
Llactapata Inca Ruins.
Once at Llactapata Inca Ruins, we will enjoy for the first time the view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Plus, our guide will share some key information to understand the history and relevance of this place.
Hydroelectric Plant to Aguas Calientes.
We will start the last leg of the day, heading down to Hidroelectrica on a 2-hour descent. There we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. After the lunch, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the town in the base of Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will check into our hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at our own pace. In the evening we will gather for a celebratory dinner in a local restaurant.
Third day’s key highlights:
- Level of difficulty moderate uphill hiking with easier downhill and train travel.
- Exploration of the Llactapata Inca Ruins with views of Machu Picchu.
- Maximum altitude Puncuyoc Pass at 2,700 m (8,858 ft).
- A half-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes.
Day 4 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Machu Picchu exploration.
Finally! our time to explore Machu Picchu has arrived.
This day we will start early, again, to get on time to the Citadel to enjoy the sunrise. Our guide will take us on a 2-hour guided tour around Machu Picchu, sharing with us all his knowledge about the buildings, plazas, temples and different rooms.
After, if you booked ahead, there will be time to hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. This will be on your own, but if you want a guide for these extras, you can book it as an add-on.
After our exploration if the Hidden Inca City, we will go back to Aguas Calientes. There, you will have time for lunch (not included), souvenir shopping, visiting the local Hot Springs or just rest.
Back to Cusco.
Our way back to Cusco will start with the 2:55pm or 3:20pm train to Ollantaytambo. This train ride takes us along the Urubamba canyon, where we will have the chance to spot Wiñay Wayna high in the slopes.
Once at Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting for us, ready to drive us back. We will drop you at your hotel around 7pm, wrapping up an adventure of a lifetime.
Fourth day’s key highlights:
- Level of difficulty: Easy: focused on exploration & sightseeing
- Lowest altitude: 2040 m (6690 ft): Aguas Calientes
- Highest altitude: 2430 m (7972 ft): Machu Picchu
- Distance covered: Minimal walking in Machu Picchu.
What’s included?
Included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Tents for camping nights.
- Hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals and Drinks
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Guided Tours
- Professional bilingual guide(s).
- Entrance Fees
- Camping Equipment
- Additional Activities
- First Aid and Safety
Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Meals in Cities
- Personal Trekking Gear:
- Sleeping bags $15.
- Trekking poles $10.
- Hiking boots and other personal clothing.
- Additional Activities and Entrance Fees:
- Extra hikes such as Huayna Picchu (69$) or Machu Picchu Mountain (69$), which require separate entrance tickets.
- Entrance fees to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes ($4).
- Transportation:
- Any transportation not specified in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
- Visa Fees.
- Clothing
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
- Warm jacket (down or similar for cold nights).
- Hiking pants and casual pants for evenings.
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts.
- Thermal underwear.
- Sun hat and woolen hat for cold nights.
- Gloves, especially for the higher, colder altitudes.
- Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof and broken-in).
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for camp.
- Backpack and Daypack
- Backpack (if not using porter service).
- Lightweight daypack for personal items.
- Hydration and Snacks: minimum 2 liters.
- Health and Personal Items
- Personal medication.
- High SPF sunscreen, lip balm with SPF.
- Insect repellent.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper and small shovel (if needed for nature calls).
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap).
- Accessories
- Trekking poles (optional but recommended).
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.
- Camera with extra batteries and memory card.
- Portable power bank.
- Lightweight, quick-dry towel.
- Documents
Frequently asked questions
Why choose our tour services
Small groups
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Philosophy & values
We are experts in the field of making dreams come true! With a unique experience in all of Cusco, wherever you want to go, we can take you there
Locally based guides
At Hotel Andenes del Inca, we have experienced tour guides. And they are all locals, which means they know the area you are exploring like the back of their hand.
