Salkantay trek is one of the most famous tours we have in Cusco, it is the second most famous trek after the classic Inca Trail, because a long this route you can experience the most beautiful and great ecosystems of our region, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the abrupt changes in temperature and climate because throughout this route we will find mountains, glaciers, great rivers, rainforest and even hot springs, very changing landscapes. We will make you feel like living a dream trip, an experience that you will never be able to live again because at the end of the tour you will have the spectacular visit to the city of Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Expedition: 4 Days of Adventure in the Peruvian Andes
About this activity:
Distance:
59 kilometers
Duration:
4 days & 3 nights
Depart:
From Cusco hotel or Sacred Valley hotel
Destination:
Machu Picchu
Considered:
Moderate to Challenge
Type:
Adventure & hiking
Tour details:
Full Itinerary: Salkantay Expedition: 4 Days of Adventure in the Peruvian Andes
Day 0: BRIEFING AND WELCOME MEETING
Today is a very important day because you will receive the necessary information for your trekking trip, such as what to bring, how far our tour is, what places you will see, etc. Schedule is usually at 17:00hrs.
Day 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAGOON - SOYROCCOCCHA
Your pick up will be around 4:30 a.m. to transfer you from your hotel to Mollepata where we will make a stop to enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting the day, we will continue after 2 more hours to the village of Soraypampa. The day’s hike will begin with a steady climb of 1.5 hours to the famous Humantay Lake. These turquoise waters make you hypnotized and want to take lots of pictures. Then we will start our way back to the starting point to continue to the lunch place and camp in Soyrococha, it will be approximately 3 hours of gradual ascent. When you arrive at the camp, our Natourandes staff will have everything ready for you to have lunch and rest.
Weather permitting, you will enjoy uninterrupted views of the sky.
- Accommodations: Tents
- Walking distance: 16km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: SOYROCCOCCHA - SALKANTAY PASS - WAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY
The next day after a well-deserved rest very close to snowy Salkantay, we will enjoy a hot and cozy breakfast. The next sector will continue for approximately 1 hour until we reach the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters above sea level. This is the highest point of the trek. Here we will have wonderful views of the snow-capped mountain and it is possible to take beautiful pictures of the Salkantay glacier.
From the Salkantay Pass, we will have a downhill to our campsite called Chaullay but halfway we will stop for lunch and have a well-deserved revitalizing rest. In the village called Chaullay you will have the opportunity to enjoy hot showers by paying a few soles to the owners of the place.Â
- Accommodations: Tents
- Walking distance: 20km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: CHAULLAY – GRANADILLAS – LA PLAYA SAHUAYAKU- SANTA TERESA HYDROELECTRIC– AGUAS CALIENTES
Along the Salkantay trail we will see the most scenic change of the entire route and you will notice the microclimate changes in the fauna and flora. From the cold views of the glaciers to the warm, colorful flowers (orchids) and green surroundings of the rainforest. There will be many different species of orchids to see, as well as ferns, begonia flowers and even hummingbirds.
After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will organize with your guide a relaxing visit to the hot springs called Cocalmayo in the village of Santa Teresa around 2 hours, for this we will hire a local transport, which will be in charge of the afternoon tour. After this will have around 2.5hours walk from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hotel. Once we get Aguas calientes we will have a delicious dinner and then a revitalizing rest.
- Accommodations: Casa de Luz (3 – star Hotel)
- Walking distance: 22km
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: from Playa Sahuayaku to Hydroelectric
- Hot springs tour
- Additional notes: We offer optional Zipline activity, 100% recommended it is not included in the tour.
Day 4: TOUR IN MACHUPICCHU
At 5:30 hrs. we will go by bus to Machu Picchu to the upper part of the site, through the Circuit N°2 your guide will give you all the information about Machu Picchu. We will show you the most requested place from where you can see the sunrise and take pictures. Then, your guide will lead you through the main sectors of the citadel for a total of 3.00 hours. At the end of the tour, you will have some time to yourself or, if you organized an extra hike, Huayna Picchu Mountain* or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will show you where to start this hike.
For your return to the town of Aguas Calientes we recommend you to be at least 2 hours before the departure of your train. Your guide will explain about your train schedule before your return. The return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo, our representative will be waiting for you to the right of the exit door of the station with a sign with your name on it to locate you.
The car ride to Cusco will be approximately 2 hours and will have you dropped off at your hotel in Cusco or straight to Cusco airport.
OPTIONS:Â *Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain are both additional hikes available once inside Machu Picchu. Either extra hike may be hikes after your guided tour of Machu Picchu and must be arranged ahead of time. Both hikes are subject to availability and at an extra cost of USD $75 per person.
- Accommodation: –
- Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)
- Entrance Tickets: Included
- Additional notes: We suggest take early flights to Lima after 19:00hrs.
End of the services
Additional Information
What to bring - Packing list:
- Sport, moisture-wicking underwear
- Base layers
- Trekking T-Shirts (LS and SS)
- Trekking shorts or pants
- Fleece jacket and windbreaker
- Warm jacket (for nights)
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Gloves
- Walking sticks (available for rent)
- Boots or hiking sandals
- Trekking socks
- Gaiters (optional)
- Day pack
- Water bottle
- Hydration pack
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag liner (available for rent)
- Air mattress (available for rent)
- Inflatable pillow (optional)
- Ear plugs (optional)
- Passport
- Insurance
- Trekking Towel (optional)
- Swimsuit (optional – for hot springs on some treks)
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Baby wipes
- Plastic bags
- Blister care
- General meds
- Snacks
- Toiletries
- Cash
- Camera
- Power bank/battery charger for any electronics like smartphones/cameras
Additional Prices
FAQs Salkantay Expedition: 4 Days of Adventure in the Peruvian Andes
Do I need a Visa to enter Peru?
No, you don’t. Citizens of Canada, United States and Mexico do NOT need a tourist visa in Peru. People who come from Central America and the Caribbean: Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti and Nicaragua need a tourist visa.
When can I book for 2024?
You can book right now with us. And if you are interested in traveling to the Inca Trail, you can secure your permit until October 09, 2023. This is when the Peruvian government opened the system to purchase the permits 2024
Do I have to select two dates to book? Do we all need to be at the same hotel before departure?
Yes, you do. You have to choose 1 travel date and another alternative date in case we do not manage to get spaces to the Inca Trail at the first opportunity. It is not necessary to be in the same hotel, we will inform you about a meeting point on the day of your briefing.
We would like to hike one of the extra mountains at the end of the tour?
If we book the 10-11am slot, could you confirm that we won’t miss out on any other part of the tour without rushing. If you book an additional excursion from 10 to 11am you can do it without any problem, just be sure that your entrance to Machu Picchu should be preferably 6 or 7am to not miss any of the guided tours in Machu Picchu.
How do you act during the strikes? Do the treks run normally?
Normally the strikes take place for 1 or 2 days and usually the trains also stop running. Therefore, we avoid putting our passengers at risk and prefer to give them other options to visit or change the dates of their trip and avoid dangers.
Includes
- Briefing and welcome meeting.
- Hiking gear: four-man tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, chairs, table, foam mat
- Chef, horsemen, and horses
- Drinking water each day (you can fill up your water bottle three times a day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Guided tours with professional guides - English speaking (ask for other languages speakers with the travel agent) - Passionate about sharing historical information, culture and customs of our locality.
- Hotel: This tour 01 night in Aguas Calientes. We can easily add extra nights before or after the tour, if needed. Let your travel agent know if you are interested in extending the tour and we will quote you a price. Rates are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are charged extra. It is always possible to change hotels if you wish. We can also book the trip without hotels, if you prefer to book them on your own.
- Transportation: It is included transportation from Playa Sahuayaku to Santa Teresa – hot springs and to Hydroelectric.
- Tickets: All tickets are included for Humatay Lake and Salkantay trek, entrance to Machu Picchu Circuit N°2, round trip bus tickets to/from Aguas Calientes.
- Train Tickets: Train tickets are in tourist class Peru Rail or Inca Rail, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes it is approximately at 19:00hrs and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo is approximately at 14:55hrs, if you hoping to upgrade to Vistadome or 360° train then is $ 75 one way and $125 round trip.
- Meals: Only the meals specified in the itinerary are included.
Not included
- Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu mountain ticket extra cost 75USD.
- Flights: Flying to Cusco Peru can be tricky. Delays occur often and it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Please be sure to arrive in the city at least two days before your trek start date. LATAM is the most reliable of the airlines, you must be sure that your domestic flights do not cause you to miss any of your tours.
- Gratuities: Tipping is always appreciated and should be based completely on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
- Travel Insurance: This is not required, but always recommended. For those of you who live at sea-level, landing in Cusco Peru will take an adjustment period. Most people need one or two days to adjust. In case you have a hard time adjusting to the altitude.
- Day packs: We recommend having snacks, water, hat, layers of clothing, insect repellent, documents and camera at all times, so you will probably have a small bag.
- Sleeping bag (rentals available)
- Inflatable air mattresses for extra comfort – 3 in /8 cm thick (rentals available)
- Trekking poles (rentals available)
- Last lunch in Machupicchu
Video Salkantay Expedition: 4 Days of Adventure in the Peruvian Andes
from:
$
per person
From $
por persona
You might also like...
- 3 Days
- 2
- Tambopata
Tambopata's Pure Rainforest
From US$445.00 per person
Embark on a transformative 3-day, 2-night odyssey in Tambopata's pure rainforest, where nature's symphony unfolds. Expert-guided adventures, boat excursions and eco-luxury lodges thoughtfully curated for those interested exploration, offer a...
