Salkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from Cusco

5 days • Not CancellablePickup availableInstant confirmationGuided • Operated by IZI PERU • 5.0 from 2 reviews

Why we love it?

The Salkantay Trek is a five-day hiking adventure that leads participants through stunning landscapes to the iconic Machu Picchu. This trek is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a blend of natural beauty and cultural immersion, as it traverses diverse ecosystems and offers breathtaking views of the Salkantay Mountain. Hikers will camp at designated sites and experience the rich flora and fauna of the region, while knowledgeable guides provide insights in both English and Spanish. The journey culminates in Aguas Calientes, providing access to the ancient Inca citadel, making this trek a distinctive alternative to the more crowded Inca Trail.
Salkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from CuscoSalkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from CuscoSalkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from CuscoSalkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from CuscoSalkantay Trek: Five-Day Hike to Machu Picchu from Cusco View all (21)

Inclusions

  • Entrance to Machu Picchu Citadel
  • Guide (EN / ES )
  • Transport Cusco – Salkantay start
  • Transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco
  • Campsites
  • Unique night experience on Mountain Sky Huts / Skydome
  • Hotel at Aguas Caliente
  • 4 breakfast / 4 lunches / 4 dinners
  • Bag of 5kgs of camping equipment carried by horses during the trek

Exclusions

  • Bus Aguas Caliente to Machu Picchu (Consettur)
  • First day breakfast
  • Last day Lunch & Dinner
  • Snacks / Personal Water
  • Personal Sleeping bags (Rental Cost $20)
  • Ingreso a Mollepata - Huamantay Lagoon (20 soles)
  • Return train ticket (Want to skip the last walk? If you're feeling weary on the final day, choose comfort with a scenic train ride back. Just add your train ticket on the booking process)

Itinerary

Day 1
    • Pick up from your hotel in Cusco around 5:00am to drive you until Soraypampa where the 2-hour walk to the Humantay lagoon begins. Once arrived at the lake, free time to visit and explore the place, then descend for 2 hours to the Quiswarniyoc camp to enjoy a lunch.
    • In the afternoon, you will take a walk to the Salkantay viewpoint, from where you can appreciate the sunset.
    • Then back to the camp, where you will have a dinner and spend the night in the MOUNTAIN SKY HUT, exclusive camp
Day 2
    • Wake up at 5am with a coca tea and breakfast, it is time to start hiking up to the highest point of the trek 4630 m.
    • This will take 3 to 4 hours of uphill hiking at a regular to slow pace.
    • After a long break, you will go down 2 hours to Wayracmachay for lunch and continue for 3 hours of downhill hiking to the camp, Chaullayto. which is located at 2,900 meters and marks the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon.
Day 3
    • On the third day, you will wake up around 6am in the beautiful and warm jungle, with a delicious breakfast. 
    • We’ll begin our 5-hour hike along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River, after 5 hours of hiking we arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco. 
    • After the last walk you will have a relaxing time in our campsite.
Day 4
    • This day start by a walk to Lucmabamba where we start the 3-hour uphill hike along the original Inca trail until the Inca ruins of Llactapata and enjoy a view of Machu Picchu. 
    • Afterward, we’ll hike downhill for 2 hours, arriving in Hidroelectrical, where you will have a lunch with much-earned rest. 
    • The final part of the hike is a 3-hour hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. 
    • Once you arrive in the small town, we’ll take you to your hotel where you can shower and rest before our final supper at 7:00 pm in a local restaurant.
Day 5
    • Last early wake up, to get ready for the hike to Machu Picchu.
    • After passing the first checkpoint, we will climb the stairs for about one hour to reach Machu Picchu’s main gate, and begin our 2.5-hour guided tour in the famous Inca site, where you will learn everything about The Lost City of The Incas. 
    • Then explore Machu Picchu on your own and climb one of the mountains if you booked the extra ticket.
    • Then you will start the long return to Cusco, by train or by car, depends on the option you have chosen.

Please Note

  • The availability of tickets for entry to Machu Picchu may affect the availability of this tour. Please get in touch with us for more information The circuit number depends on availability at the date we receive your passport information
  • Please note that a guide is included only for Circuit #2 at Machu Picchu. If Circuit #2 is not available on your desired dates, you have the option to hire a private guide directly at Machu Picchu.
  • Depending on the progress or the weather, the order of activities may change to optimize the smooth running of the day.
  • Depending on the season, some campsites ask to pay little extra for hot water
  • When booking an activity to visit Machu Picchu, we strongly recommend to book your tour in advance to secure your tickets to be purchased online to avoid any inconvenience. The availability of tickets for entry to Machu Picchu may affect the availability of this tour.
  • ---------------------------------Important: Machu Picchu Ticketing Policy:When booking the one-day tour to Machu Picchu, we strongly recommend securing your reservation well in advance online to avoid any inconvenience.
  • 1. How it Works The Peruvian Ministry of Culture offers two purchase methods:In-person Purchase (Last minute): For late bookings, a government quota is sold only on-site in Aguas Calientes on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Online Pre-sale (Advance): Spots are limited. We recommend booking 3–4 months in advance. For Circuit 2 (most requested), 4–6 months is often required. 2. Our Reservation Process Upon receiving your passport information, we immediately check the official platform:If Pre-sale is available: We secure your tickets immediately, prioritizing Circuit 2, then 1, then 3. Note that some Circuit 1 or 3 tickets may only be available with an extra mountain hike (additional cost).
  • If no Pre-sale is available: The purchase must be made in person in Aguas Calientes on Day 4 of your tour. We will must take a transport the day 4 (not included) to arrive early at Aguas Caliente. 3. On-site Purchase Risks If tickets must be bought on-site in Aguas Caliente the day before, please note the following:Sold Out Risk: If daily quotas are reached, an extra night in Aguas Calientes may be required to try again the next morning (not included).
  • Timing & Return: Late entry times may prevent you from catching the standard return bus. In this case, a return train or an additional night will be necessary (not included). We advise planning your Machu Picchu visit well in advance to minimize these risks and ensure a pleasant and stress-free experience.

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable booking

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