Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days 3 Nights, is the best alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. The route is ideal for those who want to experience the beautiful landscape of the Andes, including the Humantay Lagoon and a campsite right at the foot of the prominent Apu Salkantay.
Experience the scenic wonders of Salkantay Trek on this 4 day hiking adventure to reach Machu Picchu and spend each evening relaxing in roomy and comfortable tent accommodations.
You will have through briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days 3 Nights. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
We will start the day with picking you up at your hotel or hostel at 05:00 am. We’ll drive for around 3 and a half hours, crossing Anta, Mollepata and end up at Challacancha. Through the windows of the bus you can clearly see the white snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Huamantay, the holy Gods of the Incas. But also the spectacular scenery of the higher situated areas and the lower valleys with colorful landscapes.
After two hours driving there will be a quick stop in Mollepata town. At Mollepata there are toilet facilities, souvenirs shops and an optional short breakfast. When this short break is over we will soon continue to Challacancha, which is the start of our trail. There we will meet with our support staff.
The staff will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Then, we will start our trek to Soraypampa (3800 m.a.s.l). The first section of the path is a hike over a few deep valleys. At some parts of the trail the old water channel can still be seen. The channel still supplies water to the farmers in the lower valleys.
The beginning of the trek is 7km (4.35miles) hiking in 3 hours to Soraypampa, where we will have our lunch at the basecamp. After the lunch and a quick nap we continue hiking up to the Humantay Lake (4200 m.a.s.l). This is a 5km (3.1miles) round trip which we will walk in a total of 3 hours. At the Humantay Lake the bottom of the glacier can be seen, and also the most spectacular views of the background with the valley at sunset.
Soraypampa is located in the middle of the glacier valleys and at night the sky is so immensely clear that we can really appreciate the stars, constellations and even shooting stars.
After an early wake up with the first daylight at 05:30 am. and a quick breakfast we soon start hiking up to the highest point the Salkantay Pass (4630 m.a.s.l). The distance is a 7km (4.34miles) tough ascent in 3 hours, between the rocky valley bottom and the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6217 m.a.s.l).
When, we finally reach the top we can and definitely will appreciate the spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. The Salkantay Mountain is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Inca Gods called “Apu”.
After reaching the top of the pass there is a 5km (3.1miles) and 2 hours downhill hike towards the camp for our lunch. The walk downwards is on a serpent shape trail and a rocky gravel path to get to the Huayracmachay lunch spot. In the afternoon we will enter the upper part of the amazon jungle, which is also called “the cloud forest”. This is a 10 km (6.2miles) hike in 3 hours on a wide trail in the thick forests.
This Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days 3 Nights is truly beautiful, there are decorated the hills with colorful sceneries and a lot of wildlife and native plants. The forests are most times of the year warm or have a temperate temperature. When finishing this magnificent hike we finally arrive at Chaullay Village (2900 m.a.s.l), our base camp will be at chaullay.
At 6:00 am. we will start walking our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days 3 Nights to La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. We will be hiking approximately 6 hours. During the hike we’ll see waterfalls, wild orchids, but also coffee, banana and avocado plantations. Here you can taste the famous passion fruit and granadilla fruit.
We will see a village called Colpapampa, also called the “forest cloudy brow” where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks” this bird is the national bird of Peru.
After lunch at La playa, we will catch a local transportation to the Hidroelectrica train station. Here you will have two options:
At 6:30 pm. we will have dinner at a local restaurant. All the expenses in Aguas Calientes are covered by the company.
On our last day, you will get up very early to visit one of the 7 wonders of the World – ¨Machu Picchu¨. At 5:30 am. We will go directly to the line to wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu.
We will arrive at the gate when the sky lights up and ascend to the top of Machu Picchu, while taking in the impressive views of the city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is magnificent; This moment is unforgettable.
Our tour guide will take you on a 2-3 hour guided tour, where we will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience.
If you have booked Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price – must be booked in advance, as it sells out and costs $75 per person).
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.
Hiking to Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu is like any other high altitude trek, so it is essential to be well prepared. As it begins in the dead of night morning, consider to pack the following Items:
Prices are valid from March 2024 through January 2025. All prices quoted are $USD.
Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).
