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After immersing yourself in the rich history of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, join us on the Classic Salkantay Trek to the stunning Machu Picchu. This exceptional alternative route to the Inca citadel will take you through the breathtaking Humantay Lagoon, past the majestic Salkantay Mountain, and into the charming cloud forest, culminating at the edge of the vibrant Peruvian jungle. Each night, you will relax in comfortable accommodations and enjoy some of the most delicious meals, all in the heart of the mountains. Our experienced guides will accompany you every step of the way, sharing their deep knowledge of the history and natural wonders of the region. Experience this journey with comfort and excellent company, surrounded by the beauty of the Andes.
The 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco is the best alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. The 5-day Salkantay Trek starts in the Andes, among snow-covered peaks, and reaches an altitude of 4600 meters (the highest point) before descending into the rainforest.
We also offer 3- and 4-day Salkantay Treks to Machu Picchu, ideal for those with less time who want a glimpse of the experience. However, the 5-day trek offers a complete package. This 5-day Salkantay Trek perfectly combines culture and natural beauty.
You will gain insight into life in the Andes. Along the way, we will also visit some farms and interact with farmers.
Make sure to acclimatize properly before the trek.
Today, the day will start early, and we will pick you up from your hotel around 4:00 a.m. You will travel in our comfortable transportation, with blankets if you wish to sleep a bit more during the journey.
After two hours, we will make a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. Then, we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike. Before we begin our adventure, you will meet the cooks and muleteers, and review your luggage one last time before embarking on the route.
You will begin with a moderate 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will spend our first night. The start of this section is relatively flat, with a slight ascent through a deep glacier valley. You will notice that much of the path follows a restored Inca water channel, which local farmers still use today. This stretch is a total of 7 km / 4.35 miles.
Once at Soraypampa, you will settle into our exclusive Sky Camp for the night. You will have some time to rest after enjoying your first lunch surrounded by mountains. After recharging your energy, we will begin the hike to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,780 ft).
This round-trip journey lasts three hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 miles. It's not far, but it's important to take precautions due to the altitude. Once you reach the lagoon, you will have time to enjoy the fantastic landscape. There are few places in the Andes as impressive as the turquoise waters shining against the Humantay Glacier. You will truly feel like you're in a fairytale.
Upon returning to the camp, you will enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner in the company of a beautiful sunset. The energy in this place is indescribable; you will feel a deep tranquility upon arrival. Afterwards, you will rest in your igloo at Sky Camp. From the glass roof, you will sleep under the stars, constellations, and comets.
In the morning, you will wake up and see Apu Salkantay right in front of you.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In the morning, you will wake up with the first rays of the day and see Apu Salkantay while enjoying an energizing coca tea. Then, you will have a nutritious breakfast before embarking on a 7 km journey for approximately three hours to the highest point of the route, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It is a tough ascent along the “seven serpents road,” named for its winding path.
Once at the top, you will appreciate the most magnificent view of the surrounding valleys, as well as Salkantay Mountain, located right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), which is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and is considered an Apu (Inca god). You will also be able to see the Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains.
After enjoying the views and taking a break, you will begin the descent (7 km / 4.35 miles) to the lunch point in Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This section of the trail is rocky and steep, but offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley.
After a revitalizing lunch, you will enter the border of the tropical forest, also known as the “cloud forest.” This section is 9.5 km / 5.9 miles and will take approximately three and a half hours. Along the way, you will enjoy the greenery of the tropical forest and witness how the environment quickly changes from the Andes to the Amazon. You will see colorful landscapes, unique wildlife, and native plants, as well as feel the climate become much warmer.
After a long day of hiking, you will be happy to reach Collpapampa to spend the night. Finally, we will serve you a hearty meal before resting at our exclusive Mountain Sky View.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Today, we’ll start the day around 6:00 a.m. to have hot tea and breakfast before leaving camp. We’ll then walk through the Santa Teresa valley until we reach our first destination, La Playa.
During the trek, we’ll take a more relaxed pace, with more descents than ascents, as we immerse ourselves in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and various plantations of bananas, coffee, and avocados. We’ll pass through a small village called Collpapampa and then descend through a valley where we’ll observe waterfalls, birds, hot springs, fruit trees, and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Additionally, you might be lucky enough to spot the national bird of Peru, the Andean cock-of-the-rock.
Upon arrival at La Playa, we will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading for approximately an hour to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where our camp is located.
In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, an ideal place for coffee lovers. Even if you’re not a fan of coffee, the aroma in the air is delightful. This is the main agricultural industry of the jungle, exporting products to the United States, Asia, and Europe. You’ll also visit avocado and orange plantations.
After dinner, of course, you’ll settle down for the night in one of our exclusive camps, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can hear the various sounds of nature and feel at peace with Mother Earth.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
After a good breakfast, you’ll be eager to put on your mountain shoes for your final day of hiking. In the morning, you’ll trek a part of the original and world-famous Inca Trail. After a two-hour climb and appreciating some fascinating views of the Santa Teresa valley, you will reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site located in front of Machu Picchu. Llactapata is the first Inca complex you will encounter on the hike; you will learn all about the mysteries of the ancient culture and the extraordinary site. Even from here, you can catch a glimpse of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
Our guide will explain the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want, as a souvenir to share your fantastic experiences with friends and family back home. Then, you will walk downhill for an hour and a half, where you will have the chance to see the Machu Picchu citadel along the way, which will increase your excitement for tomorrow’s adventure.
We will stop for lunch at Aobamba before continuing for a half-hour walk to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft). One of the most impressive sights on this section is the 250-meter artificial waterfall, which generates electricity for all of Cusco.
Once at Hidroeléctrica, you have a couple of options:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Today is the day you've been waiting for since you started your journey. You will finally visit one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Machu Picchu. You will need to wake up early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the place with the morning light.
Once at the Inca citadel, you will enjoy a guided tour of about two hours through the most significant areas of this incredible ancient site. You will discover houses, temples, terraces, farming fields, among others. You will be amazed by the Inca's engineering intelligence, which was far ahead of its time and remains a mystery in many aspects.
The Incas did not have the tools we use today, but they were still able to build and organize their community on the side of a mountain and even create a water system with aqueducts and channels.
Fun fact: when a Peruvian guide showed this place to Hiram Bingham, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in dense vegetation and in a state of deterioration. Since then, it has been cleaned and restored; today, it is protected and cherished by people from all corners of the world.
Make sure to return to Machu Picchu Pueblo for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Our private transport will pick you up at the next station and take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Finally, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved rest, but your heart will continue to beat to the rhythm of the Andes for many weeks, months, and years.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Salkantay is the name of a mountain located in the northwest of Cusco. The highest peak of the mountain range rises to 6,271 meters above sea level. Salkantay means “Wild Mountain” and is a unique and surprisingly beautiful peak that provides a great focal point for this route.
The hike along the Salkantay Trail usually lasts 5 days and is popular among hikers who want to combine a quieter, less traveled route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
One of the reasons the Salkantay Trek is so popular is due to its incredible diversity of views and ecosystems. The Salkantay Trek is among the 25 best treks in the world. The hike is dominated by Mount Salkantay, which reaches 20,500 feet in height and takes you through the beautiful Mollepata Valley, passing Salkantay at an altitude of over 15,000 feet. The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is only slightly more difficult than the Inca Trail, and horses are used to transport food and equipment.
