Salkantay Trek – 5 Days

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Number 1 off-the-beaten-tracks alternative to Machu Picchu
  • Enjoy a huge variety of landscapes in Peru in one single trek
  • Camp under the stars: full view of the night sky and the milky way

Price from:

USD479

Book Now

Click here to get in touch with our specialized team to find out more and get personalized advice.

Group

4 to 10 people

Difficulty

Challenging

Max. Altitude

15,367 ft / 4,684 m

Start / Finish

Cusco / Cusco

Overview:

This is the perfect adventure for those outdoors lovers who want a challenging hike and amazing views before the Lost City of the Incas. Our Salkantay trek offers a diversity of Peruvian ecosystems like jungles, snow-capped mountain passes, glaciers, and stunning turquoise lagoons; and, the most amazing views of the night sky overflowing with thousands of stars.

Detailed Itinerary

IMPORTANT NOTICE: LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS (LESS THAN 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE TOUR DATE):

If you book a tour with Yapa Explorers, we guarantee you a Machu Picchu entrance ticket or you will get your money back!

If you are booking last minute, our local contacts do everything possible to get you an entrance ticket for the date you book with Yapa (or your money back!)

We will stay in constant contact with you before your trip and ensure we do everything possible to ensure you have a great experience.

Don’t risk your once-in-a-lifetime Machu Picchu experience...book with the best...book with Yapa!

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa

This 5-day tour starts with you getting picked up from your hotel/hostel in Cusco and transferred to the small town of Mollepata, arriving at approximately 7:30am. We’ll have a quick stop to stretch our legs, use the restroom and stock up on last minute supplies. Then we continue our journey to our starting point for the trek, Soraypampa, where we’ll meet with our team, who will load the equipment on horses and mules.

Around 10:00am, we will begin our hike toward the Humantay Lake. This beautiful blue lagoon is hidden between two mountains and is one of the most spectacular destinations of the trek. During the hike we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay Mountain, Humantay Mountain, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. Around 1:00pm, we’ll have lunch, rest and finish the day with 2-hour hike to our first campsite at Salkantaypampa.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Colpapampa

The longest and hardest day of the trek, but also the most beautiful. The scenery and terrains will change drastically from dry climate to snowy peaks to tropical areas.

We start off the day with a nutritious breakfast to get energy for the day that lies ahead. The hike toward Soyrococha begins at 7:00am which takes roughly 3 hours to get to. The walk upwards can be difficult, but the breath-taking views of Salkantay on the route are definitely worth it. Once we reach Soyrococha, we have one last hike up towards Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the whole trek. The feeling of satisfaction mixed with the views of massive snow-capped mountains, Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay and the view of white rivers, and picturesque lakes is like no other.

Around 1:00pm. we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to our campsite in Colpapampa (2,920 m). Around 7:00p.m. we will rest, recharge energies from the trek and eat dinner.

Day 3: Colpapampa – Playa Sahuayco – Santa Teresa Hot Springs

At 07:00am we start a 6-hour trek towards Playa Sahuayaco passing by small communities, waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds. On arrival to ‘La Playa’, we will have lunch. At 2:00pm a local bus will take us to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs, where you will enjoy and relax at the hot pools. Here we’ll have dinner and also spend the night.

Day 4: Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

We start our day at 7:00am again, this time making our way to Hidroelectrica. We’ll hike through the valley and the Vilcanota river for about 3 hours until we reach the station. Once there, it’s a 10 km walk to Aguas Calientes. We walk along the train tracks close to the bank of Urubamba river where we’ll appreciate the holy mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, and finally arrive to Aguas calientes, for an overnight stay at a hotel and dinner at one of it’s restaurant.

Zip lining is availabile on this day before heading to Aguas Calientes. Speak to your guide if you’re interested (optional).

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After 4 days of hiking, we finally visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu!

We wake up early, have breakfast and take the first bus up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. Once we arrive our 2-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel begins. You learn all about the Incas while you visit all the important areas of the ruins.

After your tour, you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain if you had requested previously. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where we’ll take you back to Plaza San Francisco in Cusco on our private van.

What’s Included

  • Pre-tour briefing the night before departure (Yapa will contact you in the morning to arrange)
  • Machu Picchu ruins entrance ticket
  • 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Multi-day Salkantay guided trek
  • Professional, experienced, bilingual tour guide
  • Hotel/hostel pick-up
  • Drop-off in Plaza San Francisco - center of Cusco
  • Transportation by private mini-van to the start point of the trek
  • Transportation by train and mini-van from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
  • 3 nights of campsite accommodation
  • 1 night basic hotel accommodation at Aguas Calientes
  • Meals prepared by a professional chef (vegan options available)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • First day’s breakfast and last day’s lunch & dinner
  • Travel insurance (not a requirement)
  • Gratuities / Tips

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

  • Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu site entrance - 24 USD
  • Huayna Picchu ticket - 60 USD (request in advance)
  • Single occupancy tent/room upgrade for 4 nights - 100 USD (request in advance)
  • Rented sleeping bag - 20 USD
  • Rented air mattress - 20 USD
  • Rented trekking poles - 20 USD
  • Upgrade the train journey back to Cusco to the Vistadome/360° luxury train with panoramic windows, snacks and a local cultural dance show onboard - 65 USD (subject to availability)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

Altitude sickness can catch many travelers a little bit off guard. It’s impossible to know who will get affected by it. Some don’t even feel it at all! For most, it’s nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that goes away over a short period of time.

If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. The most important thing to do is acclimatize in Cusco. Take it easy on the first day or two, eat small meals, get plenty of rest and drink water. Other alternatives are Soroche (Diamox) pills and coca leaves.

It’s also important to speak to your physician to make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions.

How physically fit do I need to be?

The Salkantay Trek requires a good level of physical fitness. All should be well acclimatized before starting the hike. Be ready to trek through steep, rugged, and cold terrain and reach a maximum altitude of 4,600 meters (15,090 feet).

What is the group size?

Our tour departs with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 8 people.

If looking to book a private group tour or solo tour, contact us and we’ll organize one for you.

Do you arrange trips for solo travelers?

There’s nothing like that feeling of discovering a new place all by yourself and we can help you with that. Whether looking to travel alone part of a journey or the whole trip, simply contact us and we’ll create the perfect plan.

Can I book a private group tour?

We take the stress out of booking a group trip of 4 or more people to Machu Picchu, plus the added bonus of including great benefits! Contact our team through our email: info@yapaexplorers.com or by sending a Whatsapp to our number: +51 956 723 295 (09:00am to 6:00pm – Peruvian time) for more information.

What is the food like?

An experienced cook accompanies every group on the trail. The cook provides us with delicious food made of local ingredients that will have you asking for more! Vegeterian, vegan and other special dietary requests can be accommodated as well with sufficient notice.

What equipment is provided by Machu Picchu Experiences?

To fill

How far in advance should I book the Salkantay Trek?

There is no limit on the amount of people the can hike through Salkantay so availability doesn’t tend to be a problem. We still suggest to book a few months in advance to start getting everything ready. 2 to 3 months is suggested.

What To Bring

  • We strongly recommend a small backpack, 40 to 50L max
  • Original passport (the same you used to book)
  • Hiking boots
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Aluminum/reusable water bottle
  • Personal medication
NEED ADVICE?

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have a question of this trip.

Contact us here

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Number 1 off-the-beaten-tracks alternative to Machu Picchu
  • Enjoy a huge variety of landscapes in Peru in one single trek
  • Camp under the stars: full view of the night sky and the milky way

Price from:

USD479

Book Now

Click here to get in touch with our specialized team regarding any question you might have.

Looking for a Private Tour?

Send us a Whatsapp here to ask about a Private Tour option for a more personalized and unique experience!