SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU


4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS


The impressive Salkantay trek combines the beauty of the subtropical valleys of the Vilcabamba mountain range with the imposing snowy peaks. After three days of walking through breathtaking landscapes the trek ends with a spectacular view of the city of Machu Picchu.

The trek starts in an area known as Soraypampa about 3900 masl. From here we will reach the Salkantay pass (4650 masl) and then descend to the village of Playa Sahuayaco (2100 masl) which is located in the Santa Teresa Valley. Later we climb again to reach the Llactapata pass where we visit an Inca settlement and from there it is possible to see Machu Picchu. Next we go down into the valley of Aobamba where at the Hidroelectrica train station our hike ends. From here we take a train to Aguas Calientes where we stay overnight. The next day we will visit Machu Picchu. All along the trek we can see the snowy mountains of Salkantay, Umantay, Pumasillo and Coriwayrachina. Here the landscape is prediminantly of the high Andean tundra. While we make our descent towards the Santa Teresa valley the landscape dramatically changes from the Andeand highlands to the high jungle. The best time to take the Salkantay trek is from April to November, during the dry season.


Day 1 Cusco-Andenes (14.8 km)

Our tour starts early in the morning (05:00 am) when our private transportation will pick you up at your hotel. After a 4 hour-journey we will reach the small village of Soraypampa (3900 masl) where we will enjoy our first views of the snowy Huamantay (5917 masl) and Salkantay (6270masl). The first three hours of the walk will be going uphill to get to the Wayrajmachay pass (4650 masl). From here there is a spectacular view over the Vilcabamba mountain range. After reaching this demanding pass, we begin our long descent that will take us to our first camp site in the Villa de Andenes (3500 masl). On the first day we will see different types of landscapes as we are descending from the Andes to the high jungle. All of these landscapes have their own particular flora and fauna.


ruina pumamarka


Day 2 Andenes-Playa (18 km)

We begin our second day at dawn (06:00 am) and descend gradually to the valley of Santa Teresa, following the course of the river of the same name. Along the way we will see subtropical vegetation, waterfalls, beautiful flowers such as orchids and birds like parrots, Andean guans or hummingbirds hovering above the water. We will also see coffee, avocado and passion fruit plantations, as well as various towns and villages. As this is a subtropical valley the temperature on this day will be hot and our hike will end in the village of Playa Sahuayaco (2100 masl), one of the most important villages in the area.


Day 3 Playa- Aguas Calientes (13 km)

On our last day we will be ascending to the Llactapata mountain (2700 masl). As we are following a recently restored part of the Inca trail, we can consider ourselves lucky to walk along this path that will take us to an Inca settlement. Here an Inca ritual platform is located, known as ushno, from where we can see Machu Picchu in the distance. Later we will descend towards the Urubamba valley, heading to the train station called Hidroelectrica, and take the tourist train to Aguas Calientes (2100 masl). Here we spend the night in a hotel.


Day 4 Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Cusco

MVery early in the morning we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu, where we start a guided tour of 3 hours and will visit the different sectors of this city: the house of the guards, the agricultural zone, the urban area, the temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the workshop area, the square of temples among other places. After the tour everyone will have enough free time to walk around individually and take photos or film the site. In the afternoon we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where we take the train to Poroy station located close to Cusco city. Here our private transportation will wait for the group and take you back to your hotel in Cusco


ruina pumamarka


What is Included?:


  • Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the starting point of the trek.

  • At the end of the trek transfer back to the hotel in Cusco

  • Accommodation in tents for two, individual tents can be arranged upon request

  • Roll-up mattresses

  • Dining tent, toilet tent, table and chairs, kitchen equipment

  • English speaking guide, specialized in first aid and CPR

  • Support staff consisting of a cook and carriers for handling pack animals

  • Five meals a day breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and hot drinks. Special diets - in case of allergies or vegetarian order can be prepared well in advance without any on additional cost

  • Boiled and filtered water throughout the trek, you can fill your bottles after every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  • First aid kit including oxygen bottle

  • Mules to transport equipment and food

  • A horse in case of emergencies

What is not included?


  • Meals in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu

  • Tips for the staff.

  • Accomodation in Aguas Calientes, all guests need to pay for his/her accommodation, however upon request our team can present a number of quality choices you can choose from.

  • Any other activity or unexpected event must be paid by the guest himself. In case of medical emergency the guest needs to cover the costs of medical transportation from the mountain to the hospital. Our company is well-prepared to deal with such events in a fast and professional way.

  • Sleeping bags

What to take?


  • Trekking Boots - rain poncho or waterproof jacket

  • Sufficient clothing for the entire trip including warm clothing

  • Sandals for use in the camps

  • Sleeping bag

  • Torch/Flash light with batteries

  • Camera with charger

  • Hat or cap - Sunscreen - Insect repellent

  • Anti-bacterial gel

  • Water bottle

  • Walking sticks/canes