The 5 days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco is the best alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. 5 Days Salkantay Trek starts in the Andes, amidst the snow capped peaks and goes up to 4600 meters (highest point) before descending to the tropical forest.
We also have Three Days and Four Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, ideal for those with less time wanting to get a glimpse of the experience. However, the five days trek is a complete package. This 5 Days Salkantay Trek perfectly combines culture and natural beauty.
You will get an insight of the life in the Andes. On our way, we will also be visiting some farms and interact with the farmers.
Make sure that you are properly acclimatised before the trek.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
06:30 AM
We will start the 5 days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu by picking you up from your hotel in Cusco between 0400 and 0430 in the morning. Then we will be driving you to Mollepata town. The journey would take around two hours and thirty minutes. At Mollepata, we will stop for breakfast.
After breakfast, we will be continuing our trip to Challacancha. From here, you will be trekking to Sorayapampa Sky Lodge. (duration: 3:30 hours approx. / 8 km).
Total distance: Approx. 12 km
Duration of Trek: Approx. 6.5 hours.
Challacancha Altitude: Approx. 3,700 m.s.n.m
Humantay Lagoon Altitude: Approx. 4,200 m.s.n.m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Meals included: Lunch, snack, afternoon tea time and dinner
You will be woken up at 0530 in the morning. We will be serving you breakfast before starting our day. The second days Salkantay Trek will be to the highest point of the 5 days Salkantay Trek to Abra Salkantay. Abra Salkantay pass is at 4650 meters. The distance from our campsite to Abra Salkantay is seven kilometres which could be covered in four hours.
The trek path will be through rocky and steep terrain in the middle of the valley. On this section of the trek, you will be rewarded with sight of Apu Salkantay peak.
Once at Abra Salkantay pass, you will have a fantastic view of the valley below sandwiched in the snow capped peaks.
We will start descending from here to Huayracmachay where lunch will be served.
After lunch, we will be trekking for another two and a half hours to our camp site in Chaullay.
Total distance: Approx. 17km
Trek Duration : Approx. 10 hours and 30 minutes
Soraypampa Altitude: Approx. 3,900 m.s.n.m
Salkantay Abra Altitude: Approx. 4,650 m.s.n.m
Huayracmachay Altitude: Approx 3,900 m.s.n.m
Chaullay Altitude: Approx 2,900 m.s.n.m
Difficulty Level: Hard
Food included: Breakfast, lunch, snack, etc.
Accommodation: Camp
At 0600 in the morning after breakfast, we will start trekking through the cloud forest. You will be walking through the trail rimmed with typical plants. On this section of the trek, you will get to see many farms like Avocado, Granadilla (Tropical fruit) and passion fruit.
On the next section of the trek, you will get to see beautiful landscapes. Here you will be trekking along some small water falls, wild orchids plantations.
We will then reach a small village called La Playa where we will stop for lunch. After having lunch, you will be having a guided tour of the nearby coffee farm. Later that day you can rejuvinate by taking a dip in Cocalmayo hot springs.
Total distance: Approx. 20km
Trek Duration: Approx. 6 Hours and 30 Minutes
Chaullay Altitude: Approx 2,900 m.a.s.l.
La Playa Altitude: Approx 2,064 m.s.n.m
Lucmabamba Altitude: Approx 2,000 m.s.n.m
Difficulty level: Easy
Food included: Breakfast, lunch, snack
Accommodation: Camp
After having breakfast in the campsite, we will start our two hours trek to Llactapata. Llactapata is a part of the Inca Trail. Once we reach Llactapata archeological site, our local guide will give you a guided tour. You will also get a panoramic view of the Urubamba valley below and Machu Picchu at a distance.
From here, we will be descending to Hydroelectric plant for lunch. After lunch, you will be hiking to Aguas Calientes town along the railway tracks. This is the same route that the renowned American professor, Hiram Bingham took while he rediscovered Machu Picchu.
Total distance: Approx 29km
Trek Duration: Approx. 9 hours
Llactapata Altitude: Approx. 2,800m.s.n.m
Hydroelectric Altitude: Approx. 1,890 m.s.n.m
Aguas Calientes Altitude: Approx 2,060 m.s.n.m
Difficulty level: Moderate or challenging
Meals included: Lunch, snack, afternoon tea time and dinner
Accommodation: Lodging
complete guided tour for two hours. If you have booked to hike upto Huyana Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, please advise us so we can organise the schedule accordingly.
At a designated time, you will be taking the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Once in Ollantaytambo, our representative will meet you and organise your transfer back to Cusco. You will be reaching Cusco at around 10:00 PM.
