Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Pre trip information at your hotel the day before the tour departure.

Highest pass: 4626 m – 15177 ft above sea level
Trip grading: Hard, 2 or 3 day acclimatization previous hiking is highly recommended.
Hiking time per day: 7 to 8 hours between 15 to 20 km a day.

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Andenes

This day starts early – be ready to go at 5 AM! We will pick you up at the hotel and begin your trek. It will start with a 6-hour bus ride towards Soraypampa, the starting point. Catch up on some sleep, but also look at the beautiful countryside as we travel. The first few hours of our hike will consist of a steep ascent towards the highest point of the trek, the Apacheta pass (4626 meters – 15177 feet above sea level). Here, you will be able to see the most perfect view of the Salkantay Mountain, located at 6,271 meters. You’ll also be able to see the Queuña, a one of a kind tree that has adapted to this environment. You will not see it anywhere else. After looking around, you will continue your trek to the first camp, Andenes. You will experience a variation of climate, so be prepared.

Meals: Lunch, snacks and dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Trek difficulty: Hard.
Accommodation: Camping Tents at 3850 meters – 12631 feet above sea level.
Hiking distance: 13 km – 8 miles
Highest altitude: 4626 meters – 15177 feet feet above sea level.

Day 2: Andenes – Playa Sahuayaco

On Day 2, you will enjoy an energizing breakfast and then take on your second day of hiking. You will likely find that this day is much easier than the first, but no less interesting. You will see small rivers and ravines as well as beautiful views of the Andes alongside this trail. A relaxing waterfall where we rest is a crowd favorite for pictures. Every step that you take will bring a change in your surroundings, so always be prepared for those photos. You will see many different birds, including the Peruvian national bird in the warmer areas. A breakfast, lunch and dinner are included here.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Trek difficulty: Easy.
Accommodation: camping in tents at 2400 meters – 7864 feet above sea level..
Hiking distance: 20 km – 8 miles
Highest altitude:  3850 meters – 12631 feet above sea level.

Day 3: Sahuayaco – Aguas Calientes

The third day of hiking will begin with another healthy breakfast that will help you have energy for the big day ahead. If you have physical limitations here, you may want to talk to your guide – you need to be in great physical shape but there are public transportation options where you can meet up with the rest of the group.

If you do decide that you can take the trip, you will notice that there is quite a change in scenery as you walk. You will see the coffee plantations, banana trees, oranges and avocados on your Salkantay hiking experience, which will eventually lead to the entrance of a trail that will take us to Patallacta about three hours later.

You will want to do some exploring around Patallacta, where you will see some beautiful sights, including a view of the Machu Picchu complex. Two hours of following a descending path later, you will arrive at Machu Picchu Hydroelectric where we will meet with those who couldn’t not physically make the hike. Here, we will have lunch and relax and then hike for a few more hours before the final destination: Aguas Calientes. This is the end of the Salkantay hike and you will now move to Machu Picchu.

For those that are tired, you can purchase a train ticket for $35 that will take you from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes in about 20 to 30 minutes. In Aguas Calientes, you will check into a lovely hostel for a nice evening. The hostel provides room with private bathrooms and showers. During the evening you’ll also be briefed about hiking Machu Picchu by your guide.

Meals: Breakfast, snacks and lunch.
Trek difficulty: Hard.
Accommodation: Hotel at 2040 meters – 6692 feet above sea level.
Hiking distance: 20 km – 8 miles
Highest altitude:  2700 meters – 12631 feet above sea level.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

On this last day (the most important day), you will want to start early so that you can explore Machu Picchu without the thousands of tourists that will be there by late morning. By arriving early, you will be able to climb Huayna Picchu, which will give you the best experience.

While at Machu Picchu, your tour guide will give you a two-hour guided expedition around the impressive complex. You will have plenty of time to ask questions, take photos, and just experience the beauty.

Machu Picchu is so popular for tourists and it is large, so you will be able to experience. This destination is big enough because it once had thousands of people living and working here. Most archeologists say that Machu Picchu was used as a royal residence in the height of the empire. They assume that Inca Pachacutec (one of the most important kings during the Inca Empire) built it as a monument to his own reign. The speculations surrounding the exact reason for the existence of this place make Machu Picchu the highlight of the Salkantay trek and you’re sure to be totally amazed with this place.

To end of your tour of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, you’ll meet up with the rest of your tour group and take a bus back to Aguas Calientes. Depending on the trains service, you’ll be transported back to your hotel in Cusco by the afternoon or evening. If the train stops at Ollantaytambo, there will be a bus waiting to take the group back to Cusco. Breakfast is included at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Trek difficulty: Moderate, if hiking to Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu its hard.
Hiking distance: 20 km – 8 miles
Highest altitude:  2700 meters – 12631 feet above sea level.

*Extend your vacation and choose our well rated and fun rafting adventures activities near Salkantay. You will definitely love where we will take you!

What’s included?

• Machu Picchu Tour: Entrance fees to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (if available), bus ticket to or from Aguas Calientes
• Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
• Transport: Private bus from Cusco to the starting point of Salkantay trek, train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Accommodation: 3 nights camping, 1 night in hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Trekking: English speaking guide, horses as porters, extra horse in case of emergency, horsemen to look after the horses
• Camping gear: Double-occupancy tents, kitchen, dinner and toilet tents, first aid kit, mattress to sleep on, oxygen cylinder
• *Salkantay Trek options
  Personal porter: If you wish, you can hire an extra horse for $25 USD to help you carry up your personal items such as raincoat, sleeping bag, etc. The rules and regulations to enter Machu Picchu are constantly changing, please inform yourself before making any bookings

What’s not included?

Sleeping bag (may rent for $25 USD per trip), lunch on the last day, entrance fees to the hot springs, tips and entrance fees to the Salkantay trek, bus ticket from or to Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on day 4.

*Altitude sickness is the most frequent problem for travelers while hiking Machu Picchu, and we highly recommend adjusting to the altitude before start your Salkantay trek.

What to bring

Sleeping bag rated for -15 degrees (you can rent this for $25 USD per person), mosquito repellent, hiking shoes or trainers, hat, socks, warm clothes, gloves, woolen hat to cover the ears, raincoat, sunblock with SPF 40, flashlight, water bottle, personal medical kit and other items that you consider important during the Salkantay trek.

Salkantay Trek – prices and hotels

All the nights sleeping in a hotels are included in the tour price and they are rated as 3-star hotels rated with 4 to 5 points in TripAdvisor.

If you are a solo traveler and wish to share a room with a stranger, we will try to assign a same-sex roommate if there is one is available. However, if there are 5 in the group and no extra person to share, we will cover the extra expenses of the room rate.

Private single rooms come at an additional cost U$ 70. Hotel categories may however be upgraded to 4 or 5 stars, please contact us for price and for more information.