Take a hike out of the common with our Salkantay Trek hike to the legendary Machu Picchu. For five days you will explore the most impressive wonders of the Andes: the Salkantay Mountain, Humantay Lake and the challenging trek through the cloud forest. Along the way, marvel at the snowy peaks, picturesque valleys, waterfalls and quaint rural villages.
Unlike most tours, this excursion is truly “wild” and offers an authentic experience through our wilderness camping, as well as enjoying incredible food along the way and a night on a hill in front of to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek is much more than a hike; It is an opportunity to transcend yourself, reconnect with nature and mark an important step in your life. Put on your boots and go for a walk!
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the second most popular hike after the Inca Trail and one of the most surprising destinations in Peru. You will traverse a wide variety of landscapes, not only the highest mountains of Cusco such as Salkantay, but also two stunning Inca sites: Llactapata and Machu Picchu. This combination makes this experience unique.
On the way you will visit the famous Humantay Lake, you will camp at more than 4,000 meters above sea level and you will sleep where there are few people. Then test your limits on the ascent to the Salkantay Pass at more than 4,600 meters, where a magnificent glacial landscape awaits you. You will then make a spectacular transition to the warm climate of the cloud forest. Here you will visit an organic farm and enjoy the best Peruvian coffee. In addition, you can prepare your own Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian dish in harmony with Mother Earth.
On the fourth day you will arrive at the impressive site of Llactapata, camp here and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the distance. After a final night at the hotel, finish the tour with a guided tour of the world wonder of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco aboard the panoramic trains.
Start your Salkantay trek with an early pickup from your hotel door at 4:30 am and drive 3 hours to the trailhead, arriving around 7:30 am You will enjoy the first breakfast prepared by your chef and then meet to the team of porters and drivers to then begin the local expeditions from Salkantay to Peru.
The first part begins with a gentle 3-hour walk to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), following an ancient aqueduct used since the Incas. Lunch is served at Soraypampa, where our chef prepares delicious meals using fresh local products.
After lunch, continue your two-hour hike until you reach the stunning Humantay glacial lake (4,200 m/13,779 ft). Once you reach the lake, you can explore and relax on this spectacular turquoise lake while enjoying the magnificent views. We then continued for another 2 hours to the first camp at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. Along the way you will see a diversity of flora and fauna, such as the Andean goose (the bird of love), deer and vizcachas (which look very similar to rabbits).
The camp is located in Salkantay Pampa (4,150 m / 13,615 ft). This base camp offers unobstructed views of Salkantay Mountain and the night sky. Get ready to dine, stargaze, and sleep under a million stars.
Wake up early with a cup of hot coca coffee or tea in your tent and admire the spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. After breakfast, begin the two-hour climb to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). Once at the top, take time to explore and enjoy the area and even visit a beautiful lake at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. Then there is another three-hour descent to the lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800m/12,467ft). You can also see vizcachas (Lagidium peruanum), a chinchilla found only in Peru.
After a well-deserved lunch, prepare for the last part of the day, another three-hour descent from the highlands, where the air is dry and cold, to the lush cloud forest, where the weather is warm and humid. This is without a doubt one of the fastest changes in temperature and landscape I have ever experienced. The camp is next to the town of Collpapampa.
Enjoy your free time in the city while admiring the views of the mountains you left behind. After breakfast, prepare for the most incredible day of local Peruvian expeditions to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. You walk along narrow paths, follow the river, pass wooden bridges, waterfalls, granadillas and banana plantations until you reach Lucmabamba. (2000 m / 6561 ft) for lunch.
Today’s lunch is unique and the highlight of the Salkantay Trek. After walking for about three hours and traveling the final stretch in a van, prepare to participate in a Barbacoa de Pachamanca, an old and traditional underground stone barbecue. After burying your food, visit the organic coffee plantations and prepare your cup. Cooking takes about 45 minutes; Then sit back and try the various delicacies such as guinea pig (guinea pig) and various potatoes, fruits and vegetables, prepared like a local.
Once nourished and revitalized, prepare for a three-hour climb along the ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata, a small Inca citadel on a mountain at 2,750m, where you’ll get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu from a distance. This place was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and remained lost until recently. You camp right in front of Machu Picchu; When you open your tent, weather permitting, you will be able to watch the sunrise and sunset over Machu Picchu.
Open your tent and the first thing you will see is Machu Picchu on another mountain in front of you while your trekking team offers you a cup of coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, easy 2-hour descent to the hydroelectric plant. You will have the last brunch with the trekking leader, say goodbye to him and drive the last leg of the local expeditions from Salkantay Peru to Aguas Calientes.
The final part is a three-hour walk along the railroad track, following the Urubamba River upstream. This section of the walk is steeped in history as it stops at the Mandor Botanical Gardens, which was visited by Hiram Bingham, who found a farmer named Arteaga living in the area. He was the first to bring Americans to Machu Picchu in 1911. You will visit the Arteaga farm, which is home to various endemic birds such as the Peruvian Rupicola (known locally as the Cock of the Rock), parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, etc. Orchids. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your hotel, where you can shower and tour the town or the hot springs. You will have dinner at a local restaurant and in the evening you will plan the next and most important day of the Salkantay trek.
Today is the most important day of the Salkantay Trek. It is about visiting one of the new seven wonders of the world, a city abandoned by the great Inca Empire in the 16th century for unknown reasons. Get up early, have breakfast at the hotel and take the first buses to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. Your guide will take you to the most famous temples, palaces and plazas and will explain the secrets of this spectacular Inca city on this impossible peak. The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours and you have time to explore the magical citadel or climb Huayna Picchu or Mountain (Mount Machu Picchu).
After completing the citadel tour or your walk, you will need to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, pick up your belongings at the hotel, and take the exclusive panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo and our private van to Cusco. The Peru Local Expeditions team returns to their hotel around 7:30 p.m.
The Salkantay hike completes the second most popular hike in Peru and the most difficult hike after Machu Picchu. They walk from great heights into the jungle. The terrain varies with unpredictable weather and you need to be prepared.
Please note that you do not need to carry all of your belongings on this hike. You only bring what is essential for the tour and leave the rest of your luggage in Cusco. We provide you with a backpack in which you can store 7 kilos of your belongings, including a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress. The mules carry the canvas bags for the first two days, then our porters take them to the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
You will also have a backpack; You should have this with you when you go hiking with all your important things for the day. We recommend a maximum of about 5 to 8 kilos.
You must do the Salkantay Trek:
have your original passport with you in your backpack and store it in a secure bag. It is best to store it dry in a plastic bag or waterproof item; Rain can occur at any time, even in the driest months. Ziploc bags help you organize everything.
Plastic Ponchos, Peru Local Expeditions provides you with plastic ponchos. Remember that you will still need your raincoats as ponchos are used when it rains heavily. We reuse ponchos; Bring them with your travel bag after the hike.
Sunscreen: You walk in an open space with direct sunlight; Make sure you bring the right sunscreen or buy it in Cusco before you hike. Also bring lip balm.
Toilet paper, bathrooms can be found nearby; They usually charge per floor; You should always have toilet paper with you in your backpack.
Insect repellent, after the second day take a walk in the jungle. You should always carry mosquito repellent and always wear long sleeves.
1 waterproof jacket and 1 warm/winter jacket. Jackets should always be in your backpack; The first two mornings the temperatures will be cold and you will go out with all the layers; Then, while you warm up, start putting on and taking off your backpack.
The average daily walking time is about 8 hours and you will spend a lot of energy; In addition to the meals and snacks we provide, we recommend bringing energy bars, granola bars, chocolate and candy.
Water bottle, you must bring water for the first half day, then we will provide water after the first lunch; However, you need a container of at least 2 liters: camel bags and reusable bottles are sufficient for this.
a flashlight or headlamp in your backpack and walk around the campground at night and use the bathrooms. Headlights work best when you have your hands free.
During the day it is necessary to bring an awning, for the night we recommend bringing something warm. Additionally, it is recommended to use gloves at night and early in the morning.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from the intense Salkantay sun.
As extra money, we recommend bringing around 600 soles ($200 USD) to the Salkantay Trek; Make sure you have some change with you. It’s emergency money and you won’t spend it all. You are expected to use the restrooms, buy souvenirs, drinks or snacks, and leave tips if you think it is good for business.
Personal medications: It is also necessary to carry patches, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness pills and feminine products.
Cameras, cameras and cell phones for photography.
You can’t miss everything Packing list for the Salkantay hike
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