The 4-day Salkantay trek is the second most popular trek after Machu Picchu. Included among the 25 best hiking routes in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine. During these epic 4 days and 3 nights, you will travel through towering Andean mountains, stunning lakes, and lush cloud forests to reach the world wonder of Machu Picchu. Enjoy this exciting experience with cozy tents, a pachamanca grill, and a cafe tour, then return aboard a scenic train.
The classic 4-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is the perfect option if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This hike takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the Peruvian Andes and ends with a visit to the world-famous Inca site of Machu Picchu.
Over the 4 days, you’ll experience a variety of ecosystems, from towering mountains to lush green cloud forests. You’ll also learn about traditional Andean culture as you wander through small towns and interact with locals. The highlight of the hike is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Inca city is simply magnificent and a unique experience.
If you are looking for an adventure that will take you off the beaten path and leave you with unforgettable memories, look no further than Salkantay Trekking 4 Days.
Begin your trip with pickup from your Cusco hotel between 4:30 and 4:45 am. We will take you to the starting point of the hike for 3.5 hours and you will enjoy the first breakfast prepared by the chef. We then begin a three-hour walk to Soraypampa, passing an old aqueduct that supplies water to lowland farmers. Once you arrive at Soraypampa, your trekking guide will be waiting for you for a well-deserved lunch. Later we began a two-hour ascent to Laguna Humantay (4,200 m / 13,779 feet).
Along the way, you’ll spot a wide range of flora and fauna, including Andean geese (the love bird), deer, and vizcachas (which look a lot like rabbits). We then continued the climb for another 2 hours to reach the Salkantay Pampa base camp at 3,900 m (12,795 ft). There we pitched our tents, drank tea and dinner and admired the clear night sky before going to bed.
We surprise you in the morning with a cup of hot coffee or coca tea. Step out of your tent and enjoy the spectacular views of the vast plains and snow-capped peaks. After breakfast, we begin a two-hour climb to the highest point of our hike, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). We spent time at the summit exploring the majestic landscapes, including a beautiful lake at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. From there it is a three-hour descent to our lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800m).
We then began another three-hour descent from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in weather and temperature. Along the way we enjoyed varied flora, hummingbirds and orchids until we reached Collpapampa, located at 2,770 meters. We will spend the night near a small town.
Day 3 is probably the best day of your local Salkantay Peru expeditions! After a hearty breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2000 m/6600 ft) and prepare a unique pachamanca barbecue. This traditional Peruvian recipe consists of burying vegetables, fruits and all types of meat with hot stones. They actively participate in the preparation of this special gift. After lunch, you will visit an organic coffee farm where you will learn about the coffee harvesting process and, why not, prepare your own espresso with the beans.
Then we drove an hour to Hidroeléctrica and walked another three hours to Aguas Calientes, our last effort of the day! We will arrive there at 5:00 p.m., have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
On our last day, you’ll wake up early to prepare for the highlight of your local Peru expeditions: a trip to Machu Picchu. At 5:30 am we get directly in line to wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu. As soon as the sky clears, we reach the gate and climb to the top, admiring the stunning views of the city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is magnificent; This moment is unforgettable.
Your guide will take you on a 2-3 hour guided tour of the citadel before dropping you off at Machu Picchu or climbing Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR), then return to Cusco by panoramic train and bus. The Peru Local Expeditions team will meet you safely at the train station and take you to your hotel.
The 4-day Salkantay trek is the second most popular trek in Peru after Machu Picchu. They migrate from the plateaus to the tropical forest. The terrain will change significantly over the course of a few hours due to elevation changes and unpredictable weather conditions. Rain can happen at any time, so you should always be prepared.
You must understand that you cannot take all your belongings with you on this expedition. Bring only the essentials for the 4-day hike; Leave the rest of your belongings in Cusco. We provide you with a duffel bag with 7kg (15lb) load capacity; Your sleeping bag and inflatable mattress must be suitable.
You will also receive a backpack. When you go hiking, you should always carry all your daily needs with you. We recommend a maximum weight of approximately 5-8 kg in the backpack.
What will you carry in your backpack during the hike?
The original passport should always be kept in a secure bag, preferably a plastic bag or waterproof case.
Plastic rain poncho: Peru Local Expeditions will provide you with a plastic rain poncho. You always need a waterproof jacket and waterproof gloves.
Sun protection: Walk in open spaces exposed to direct sunlight. Make sure you bring the right sunscreen or purchase it before starting the hike in Cusco.
Toilet paper can be found in local bathrooms; There is usually a fee and you will need change. Always have toilet paper in your backpack.
Insect repellent, after the second day we will take a walk through the jungle. You need insect repellent and always wear long sleeves.
1 raincoat, 1 warm/winter jacket. The jacket should always be carried in the backpack. Temperatures will be freezing the first two mornings. You start walking around in all your layers, taking them off and putting them in your backpack as you warm up.
The average walking time per day is about 8 hours; You will use a lot of energy; In addition to the meals and snacks we provide, we recommend bringing energy bars, cereals, chocolate and sweets.
In the water tank it is necessary to carry water in the first half of the day and receive water after the first lunch; However,
You need a container with at least 2 liters capacity: a reusable Camel Bag bottle.
You should always carry flashlights or headlamps in your backpack; You need it to walk around the campground and use the bathrooms. It is best to have hands-free headlights.
Hat, hat for the sun during the day and something warm at night. Additionally, it is recommended to use gloves at night and in the morning.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from the intense sunlight in Salkantay.
As extra money, we recommend bringing around 600 soles (US$200) for the Salkantay Trek; Make sure you have change with you. It’s emergency money and you won’t spend it all. You must use the bathrooms, buy souvenirs, drinks or snacks and tip when it suits you.
Bring bandages, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness medications, and feminine products for your personal medications.
Camera or cell phone Phone to take pictures.
What you have in your travel bag:
On the first night of the Salkantay period, the sleeping bag freezes below 0 degrees Celsius; You need a suitable sleeping bag that can withstand -10 degrees Celsius. You can bring your own or rent it from us.
We offer foam mattresses; However, for added comfort, you can bring or rent an air mattress.
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