SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU

We’ll pick you up at 5:00 am from your hotel and travel by bus for 3 hours to Soraypampa. After a short breakfast, we’ll hike to Humantay Lake. This is that most companies skip, but we believe this mystical lake is too beautiful to be overlooked. You will see for yourself the enchantment of Humantay.

From here, we descend back to Soraypampa and have lunch. We continue our trip for another 2 ½ to 3 hours towards the Suyrococha campsite. As soon as you arrive your campsite will be set up by your Chaskis (staff) in advance. Hot drinks will be served followed by dinner. You will have a good night’s rest with our REI camping equipment at the bottom of the Salkantay glacier. Be prepared for the second day.

Salkantay Trek Distance Day 1

Meals: B/L/D snacks, hot drinks, and popcorn.
Maximum Altitude: 4,219m/13,845ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3,700m/12,139ft.
Distance Travelled: approximately 10km/6.2miles.
Walking Time: approximately 9 hours.

We will have breakfast at around 5:30 am and begin our 2-hour hike to the highest pass on this trek located at 4650m/15200ft. You will literally feel amongst the clouds at Salkantay pass. The view of the Cordilleras snowcap mountains is absolutely breathtaking. From here you will descend through different microclimates until you reach Huaraqmach’ay for your lunch break.

When the group is finished eating you will continue descending until you reach Collpapampa campsite. You will have free time to relax until dinner is served and afterward a good night’s rest.

Salkantay Trek Distance day 2

Meals: B/L/D snacks, hot drinks, and popcorn
Maximum Altitude: 4,650m/15,255ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft
Distance Travelled: approximately 17km/10.5miles
Walking Time: approximately 11 hours

Early morning tea wakes up call at 5:30 am followed by breakfast. We begin our up-and-down trek through the beautiful cloud forest. Along the way, you will have the chance to see beautiful flora and fauna, colorful birds, butterflies, waterfalls, coffee and banana plantations, and much more while arriving in the high jungle.

You will arrive at La Playa campsite and have lunch. Afterward, we will get on our private transportation and drive for about 1 hour until we reach the Cocalmayo hot Spring you can spend as much as you want afterward and will be back to our campsite in the same transportation following our dinner.

Salkantay Trek Distance Day 3

Meals: B/L/D snacks
Maximum Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,100m/6,889ft
Distance Travelled: approximately 11km/6.8miles
Walking Time: approximately 7 hours

We’ll have breakfast around 7:00 am and then begin our trek to Llactapata Inca Ruins. On the way, you will walk through coffee plantations, visit a local family and taste the world-renowned Peruvian Coffee (coffee lovers you are in for a treat!) You will continue your hike until you reach the balcony view of Machupicchu. After some photos and rest, you will continue on a two-hour downhill hike to the Hydroelectric town. There you will be served lunch.

Once you finish lunch we wait for our train to Aguas Calientes that departs at 3 pm. Aguas Calientes town is where you will spend the night. Enjoy a nice warm shower and prepare to visit the Lost City of the Incas the next day.

Salkantay Trek Distance Day 4

Meals: B/L/D snacks, hot drinks, and popcorn
Maximum Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,100m/6,889ft
Distance Travelled: approximately 15km/9.3miles
Walking Time: approximately 6 hours

To avoid large lines and crowds we highly suggest you have a very early breakfast (5:00 am) at your hotel before taking the earliest bus to Machupicchu. We recommend everyone to try and be the first ones in line because it fills up incredibly quickly. Enjoy the first view of Machupicchu and the sunrise (depending on the weather).

Your tour leader will guide you through this magnificent site for about 3 hours. If you book well in advance and have a Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain ticket, your tour leader will take you to the main entrance where you can explore these sites on your own.

We are excited to be part of your adventure vacation and lead you to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Make sure to book your tour in advance. Don’t miss your adventure!

Your tour leader will specify the time after your guided tour. The train ride back to Ollantaytambo is approximately 2 hours followed by a 2-hour drive to Cusco. We will drop you off at your respective hotels in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel
Maximum Altitude: 2,400m/7,874ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,100m/6,889ft

How Many Days Do You Need in Order to Hike In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular combined routes. Each route varies in length from one to fourteen days, depending on the demand and availability of lodging along the way. All four journeys are one-way trips. You will generally travel back to Cusco using a combination of public and private transportation, depending on which tour company you use to make your trip reservations.

The One-Day Inca Trail Hike (1-day trek)

You can see Machu Picchu in one day if you’re short on time (but be prepared to wake up early!). You’ll take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104, which is a location on the trail. Then, you’ll hike around 15 kilometers (9 miles) through the Sun Gate until you reach the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This option is great if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a small section of the Inca Trail trek all at once.

The Lares Trek (3-day trek)

The Lares Trek, also known as the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail, is a three-day journey into the historical weaver communities on the eastern slopes of Machu Picchu. But don’t expect it to be a trip to the museum.

To glimpse into time-honored villages, you must earn access by obtaining passes that soar to over 15,000 feet and zigzag across Pumahuanca’s peak. On day four of your Lares trek, you may add another stop at Machu Picchu ruins.

Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The trek to Machu Picchu is not for the faint of heart. At 65 kilometers long, this is regarded as one of the most difficult ways to see Machu Picchu. The route starts in Cachora and winds a mile-deep canyon to Choquequirao, or “Cradle of Gold.” The Vilcabamba Trail follows the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, albeit via more isolated towns.

The Salkantay Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The Salkantay Trek is the only Inca Trail option that lets you sleep in a comfy bed and take a hot shower at the end of every day’s hike! Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range but permits nightly rest at fully serviced lodges placed along the route. Machu Picchu is reached by following the trail to an elevation of 15,000 feet.

The Classic Inca Trail Route (3 – 5 day trek)

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four alternatives described in this piece. It begins at kilometer 82 along the route, at the village of Piscacucho. The first day is a moderate hike through the Andean foothills, crossing the Urubamba River and arriving at your campsite in Huayllabamba. On the second day, you’ll ascend what’s known as “Dead Woman’s Pass,” which is the highest point of the Inca Trail Elevation at 4200 meters (13,776 feet). After that, it’s all downhill to the Pacaymayo River campsite.