5day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa Sky Lodge Dome

We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. to drive for about 2 and half hours to Mollepata where we stop to have breakfast and after we will keep driving to challacancha where we start hiking and as Soon as we are at challacancha the cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff and we start hiking the first 25 minutes will be a little bit uphill to get the Water Channel where we will have a nice place with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our Salkantay trek towards Soraypampa our first Salkantay Trekking camping spot (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) we will be very close to the second highest Salkantay snowcapped mountain of Cusco. Then after Lunch we will go to Humantay Lake and explore around and we will walk down to our best campsite of soraypampa.

1ST DAY: Total distance: 15 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,800 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (approx.)

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huaracmachay – Chaullay Domes.

After having our Salkantay Trekking breakfast we start walking about 5:30 am ,because this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get the highest point of the Salkantay Trekking (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here. After a rest, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, where we will have lunch. We hike again after lunch in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach our second Salkantay Trekking camping spot of chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft).

2ND DAY: Total distance: 19 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,650 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 2,750 m (approx.)

Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Domes

After breakfast, at 6.30am, we start walking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of little brooks to reach La Playa walking about 6 hours. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits ,plants and as soon as we are at la playa we will have lunch and then we will rest and camp at la Playa.
(Optional: in the afternoon there is a chance to go to the hot spring of colcalmayo ist has an extra cost that you can see once you are there)

3RD DAY: Total distance: 16 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m (approx.)
Campsite altitude: 1,600 m (approx.)

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes Hotel 3***

We will have breakfast at 8am and leave our camping spot of Lucmabamba. We walk up on a original Inca Trail to Llactapata site where you will get a chance to see Machupicchu far away (one of the most beautiful place to see Machupicchu) then We continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana etc. until we reach the hydroelectric station. And after the lunch we keep walking about two and half hours along the train road till reaching Aguas Calientes town where we will spend the night in a hotel. In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the thermal springs in the town (entrance 15 soles) a real treat after finishing the Salkantay Trekking.

4TH DAY: Total distance: 12 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 1,600 m (approx.)
Hostel (Aguas Calientes) altitude: 1,900 m (approx.)

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Salkantay trekking important day, We wake up early morning about 4 am to then to 4:30 to have the breakfast and leave to walk up to Machupicchu which takes one and half hours up to machupicchu but there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves 5:30 to Machupicchu (25-minutes long) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun is rising. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your Guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huaynapicchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. After enjoying Machu Picchu you have to go down to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then bus back Cusco.
Those who return by bus they will have to walk back from Machupicchu to Hidroelectrica to take the bus back (you must be between 2:30pm to 3:00pm).

5TH DAY: Total distance: 4 km (approx.)
Estimated walking time: 1- 2 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (approx.)