Classic Salkantay Trek

4 days
T2 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km per day
500 - 1000 m ascent per day

> Explore the Humantay Lake & Salkantay Mountain
> Prepare a Pachamanca Barbecue & visit coffee farms
> Authentic camping experience with comfortable tents
> Return on the panoramic Vistadome train

The Salkantay Trek is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu – after the Inca Trail – and its not difficult to see why. This is the Classic Itinerary of a Peruvian Classic. This route is one of the most varied and most beautiful. We make our way through breathtaking snowcapped mountains and picturesque valleys, passed beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We have created the Ultimate Salkantay trek to give you more time to enjoy these amazing places. The Salcantay Mountain is one of the most beautiful in Peru and is considered sacred by local villagers. We take five unforgettable days to hike alongside the majestic mountains, taking time to enjoy each magical location and feel the energy through meditation, yoga and exercise. As a final treat we will join the Inca Trail for a short section before arriving to Machu Picchu via the stunning Llaqtapata.

Itinerary

Day
1

Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantay Pampa

Duration: 05:20 h
Distance: 13.1 km
Ascent: 920 m
Descent: 410 m
Lowest Point: 3900 m
Highest Point: 4240 m
The TreXperience team will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive you to Soraypampa (3900 m) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. After a delicious breakfast, we will start your Salkantay TreXperience! It’s a couple of hours of walking up to Humantay Lake (4300 m / 13780 ft) after enjoying the beautiful views of this spectacular turquoise water lake, we will continue to our lunch place where the chef will be waiting to serve you lunch using organic products from the area. Along the way, you will see a variety of flora and fauna such as the Andean goose (the love birds), deer and vizcachas (which look a lot like a rabbit). After lunch, we will continue climbing to reach Salkantay Pampa (4100 m/13450 ft). Once at the campsite we will have the tents ready, get ready for your bed, have tea time, dinner, and after we can stargaze before going to sleep.

Salkantay Pampa campsite

Info
Salkantay Pampa campsite
Day
2

Salkantay Pampa – Wayrampunku – Collpapampa

Duration: 07:00 h
Distance: 20.3 km
Ascent: 580 m
Descent: 1910 m
Lowest Point: 2830 m
Highest Point: 4630 m
We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. When exiting your tent, a beautiful scenery consisting of huge plains and snow-capped mountain peaks is waiting for you. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Peru. After breakfast, we will start ascending to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay pass (4630 m /15190 ft), at the summit we will take the time to explore the amazing landscapes including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. From the top, it will be a long downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). After lunch, we will start descending from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in temperature and weather. Along the way, we will see an abundance of different types of flowers, hummingbirds, and orchids until we arrive at Colpapampa located at 2770 meters. This night we will stay next to a small village.

Collpapampa campsite

Info
Collpapampa campsite
Day
3

Collpapampa – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Duration: 05:55 h
Distance: 12.5 km
Ascent: 830 m
Descent: 1040 m
Lowest Point: 1780 m
Highest Point: 2810 m
Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay TreXperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will drive for about 1 hour to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) where we will join an original Inca trail, built in the 15th century. We will walk along part of the ancient, lost Inca trail that was only rediscovered a few years ago. We will hike uphill for approximately 3 hours until we reach Llaqtapata; another extraordinary Inca ruins located right in front of Machu Picchu. Here we will take some time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the site as you learn more about the Inca history. It is then a relatively easy downhill trek to our lunch spot. After lunch, you will take the train or hike (optional) to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 5 pm. Here we will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.

Aguas Calientes

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Aguas Calientes
See entire itinerary

Included

  • Guides

    A well-trained English-speaking guide is included in the price. The guides all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to sharing their history and culture with visitors. The guides are friendly and professional and will make sure you don't miss anything.

  • Camping during the trek

    During the trek, you will be staying on campsites. Your camp will be set up for you.

  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes

    On the night before your Machu Picchu visit, you will sleep in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. This too will be taken care of.

  • Satellite phones

    Guides are equipped with satellite phones and can organise anything on the fly.

  • Taxes and fees

    All tourist taxes and permit fees applicable are included in the listed price.

  • First aid

    Your guide has received training in first aid from a physician. Mandatory training sessions are conducted every year. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. You will be escorted off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and taken to a clinic for treatment.

  • Food and water

    Food and water are included and will be provided as per the itinerary. Water is boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distributing. You must bring your water bottles and or camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L worth per day. You will be able to restock your water supplies at each meal.

  • Getting to and from

    Getting to and from the start/end point of this trekking is included, as per the itinerary.

  • Gear

    All (camping) equipment will be provided, built up, and taken down again. This is included in your trekking package. Please note that a sleeping bag and air mattress are not included but are available for rent.

  • Duffel

    You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

  • Porters

    A personal porter will carry most of your belongings using a duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will have access to your duffel bag in the mornings and evenings.

  • Trekking Briefing

    The night before your trek, you will come to the local office for a briefing. The entire itinerary will be explained and the final logistics for the Salkantay Trek will be taken care of.

  • Permits

    Permits for both your Salkantay Trek trek and for the entry to Machu Picchu are included and will be taken care of.

Excluded

  • Accommodation in Cusco including breakfast

    Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.

  • Rentals

    Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent: Sleeping Bag: USD 20, Inflatable Air Mattress: USD 15, Trekking Poles (Pair): USD 15.

  • Huayna Picchu

    Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is USD 75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.

  • Travel Insurance Including Repatriation

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. It is important that your travel insurance also covers adventures at a high altitude. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before you travel to Peru.

  • Tipping

    Tips for guides, cook and porters are not included. You decide what you want to tip, but be generous.

FAQ

  • How Hard Is The Salkantay Trail?

  • When Should I Do The Salkantay Trekking?

  • How High is The Salkantay Pass by Salkantay Mountain?

How to Book

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