Salkantay Trek 5 Days and 4 Nights Complete, Waking Up Machu Picchu: 5-Day Full-Service Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu: Natural Beauty & Local Culture

Full Service

Experience

Lodge & Hotel
ACCOMMODATION

Gastronomy
CULTURAL

Personalized
GROUPS

Moderate to Challenging
DIFFICULTY

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Salkantay Trek Complete, Wake up viewing Machu Picchu

Discover one of the most impressive routes of the Salkantay, surrounded by pure nature and authentic experiences. During 5 days of trekking, you will witness unforgettable landscapes, culminating with the arrival at Machu Picchu.

You will pass by the spectacular Humantay Lake and the majestic snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, take part in a coffee tour in Lucmabamba, and wake up to an incredible view of Machu Picchu from Llaqtapata. Each night, you will rest in comfortable accommodations and enjoy delicious traditional meals.

You will be accompanied by an expert guide, who will be with you every step of the way as you traverse one of Peru’s most impressive trails, making this journey a truly unforgettable adventure.

You will take part in the Peruvian cultural experience known as the Pachamanca, an Andean culinary tradition that uses ancestral techniques.

Reach Machu Picchu after conquering one of the most important routes, guided by an expert for an unforgettable sense of achievement. Experience the excitement of the Salkantay trek while enjoying the Andes’ mountains, the dense Peruvian jungle, and our company along the way.

Tour Price Per Person

^$795^USD

5 Days / 4 Nights
Waking up Machu Picchu (Full Service)

Tour Type: Trekking/hiking, cultural, adventurous

Good For: Those in moderate shape or better

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu

Trip Details _{Salkantay Trek}

TRIP OVERVIEW ITINERARY INCLUSION $ PRICE AMPHITRYON

short salkantay trekking to machu picchu in 4 days

The Salkantay trek is a breathtaking adventure that combines natural beauty with cultural richness. With Refugios Salkantay, you can enjoy a deeper and more authentic experience, staying in lodges and homestays that have a history and tradition of their own. This makes the trek more meaningful and allows you to feel part of the local community.

chema al aire libre, salkantay experience

The Salkantay trekking experience is at the same level as the Inca Trail, full of incredible scenery, unique landscapes, contact with nature, you can see from glacial lakes, live and experience unique experiences with local families who will attend you.

DAY 01
Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa (Laguna Humantay)

Start your exciting adventure to Machu Picchu in our private vehicle, which will pick you up from your hotel between 4:50 and 5:00 am. Your professional guide will greet you and accompany you throughout the journey to ensure a safe and enriching experience. After a journey of approximately 2.5 hours, you will arrive in the community of Mollepata, where my family will welcome you at the "La Casona" restaurant. There, you will have the pleasure of meeting the founder of "Refugios Salkantay", Mercedes Sotelo, who will serve you a delicious breakfast with her personal touch.

After breakfast, we will take you in our comfortable van to Challacancha, a picturesque village just one hour away.

We will start our exciting hike to our first lodge in Soraypampa, which will take us approximately 2 hours. During the first section of the hike, your expert guide will accompany you to explain the mountains surrounding the trail and show you an ancient aqueduct that still supplies water to nearby valleys and agricultural areas (7 kilometers - 4.35 miles).

Upon arriving at the lodge, you will be welcomed with a hot coca tea and accompanied to your private room with a private bathroom. After settling in, you will enjoy an authentic Inca culinary experience using ancestral cooking techniques with hot stones, where delicious and nutritious meats and vegetables are cooked (we cater to all dietary needs and preferences).

After a hearty lunch, we will take a short acclimatization hike to the spectacular Laguna de Tukarhuay, which will take us approximately 3 hours. You will enjoy stunning views of the Tukarhuay Glacier, also known as the Humantay Glacier, with the majestic Salkantay Glacier as a backdrop, one of the most sacred mountains in Inca mythology (the "Apu" Salkantay), reaching a height of 6200 meters / 20,341 feet. After returning to the lodge, we will enjoy a snack and a delicious dinner. This exciting journey will allow you to acclimatize for the rest of the hike. Rest up and get ready for what's to come on the next day!

Starting elevation: 3,380 metres / 11,089 feet.

Highest elevation (Humantay Lake): 4,300 metres /14,107 feet.

OVERNIGHT: Refugios Salkantay: 3,850 metres /12,631 feet.

Approximate night-time (outside) temperature at the lodge: 0 - 5°C.

Food (Lunch - Dinner)

Wifi

Hot shower

Cell phone charging

Bed

Moderate (10 km / 6,20mil)

Towels

5 hours
DAY 02
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Lucmabamba (Homestay)

We'll wake you up at 5:00 am with a coca tea, followed by a delicious breakfast waiting for you in our dining area at 5:30 am.

We'll begin our hike at 6:00 am, climbing up the highest point of the trail, Salkantay Pass (4650 m/15255 ft). It's a 7 km (4.34 miles) steep ascent that will take approximately 3 hours from the rocky valley base to the magnificent Salkantay mountain (6271 m / 20574 ft). You only need to carry a small daypack, as the families of Refugios will take care of the rest of the luggage. If you feel the effects of altitude or fatigue during the climb, don't worry, we'll have a saddle horse available for you at no extra cost. (The horse comes with a complete first aid kit and an oxygen tank).

Your guide will also have a satellite radio for any emergency communication needed. Once we reach the summit, we can catch our breath and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding valleys and towering snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, and Tucarhuay. Salkantay mountain is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region.

After reaching the highest point of the trek, we'll descend for approximately 2 hours to the town of Huayracmachay, where we'll have a delicious lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, we'll continue walking with our guide into the high Amazon cloud forest. It's a downhill hike of approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) that will take about 3 hours. This is a wide trail that passes through an area of dense vegetation with plenty of tree cover. It's an incredibly beautiful part of the trek, with a diverse flora and fauna, panoramic views, and native plants and flowers. The forests are typically warm and tropical throughout the year, with high temperatures at certain times of the year. We'll arrive at the town of Chalway (2900 meters / 9514 ft).

Upon arrival at Chalway, our private vehicle will be waiting to take us to the Lucmabamba Refuge, approximately 1 hour away. The local family will warmly welcome us and show us our rooms before enjoying a family dinner with local ingredients.

Starting elevation: 3850m /12631 feet.

Max elevation: 4660m / 15,288 feet.

OVERNIGHT: Lucmabamba Lodge: 2400 metres / 7874 feet.

We include an emergency horse if altitude sickness affects you or if you are tired during the most difficult section (Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass)

Weather: Cold.

Food (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

Wifi

Hot shower

Cell phone charging

Bed

Challenging (22 km / 13,67mil)

Towels

9 hours
DAY 03
Lucmabamba (Family Homestay) - Llactapata Inca Trail - Llactapata (Lodge Facing Machu Picchu)

Start your day with a traditional breakfast accompanied by a local family, followed by an interactive cultural experience where you will have the opportunity to process your own organic coffee and taste one of the world's best coffees. The families will teach you traditional methods of roasting and grinding coffee beans.

We will then continue through banana, granadilla, yucca, and avocado plantations before boarding our private transportation for a half-hour ride through local coffee and fruit plantations to reach the best hot springs in the Cusco region (Cocalmayo), where we will relax for a couple of hours before returning to the Lucmabamba family house for a delicious lunch.

After lunch, we will continue for 2 to 3 hours along the original Llactapata Inca Trail until we reach the Llactapata lodge, located in a magical place in the middle of a lush forest with a stunning view of Machu Picchu. The family of Mrs. Susana will give you a warm welcome and show you their cabins that have a view of the impressive Machu Picchu and its surroundings. The cabins have a glass roof, allowing you to see the sunset and sunrise of Machu Picchu from the comfort of your bed.

After dinner, we will light a bonfire and enjoy the imposing mountains.

Starting elevation: 2400 metros / 7874 feet.

OVERNIGHT: Llactapata Lodge: 2700 metres / 8858 feet.

Weather: During the day time hot and humid, and chilly at night.

Visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo.

Coffee experience.

Food (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

Wifi

Hot shower

Cell phone charging

Bed

Easy (8 km / 4.97miles)

Towels

4 hours
DAY 04
Llactapata (Glass Roof) - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes

After a delicious breakfast, we will continue our descent with our guide, arriving at the Inca site of Llactapata...right in front of Machu Picchu. This will be the first archaeological site on the path to the mysterious lost city of the Incas! After visiting the ruins of Llactapata, we will continue our hike with a descent of approximately 2 hours, where we will have a continuous view of Machu Picchu until we reach the train station at Hidroeléctrica, where we will have lunch. One of the most impressive views in the area is the natural waterfall that generates electricity for the entire Cusco region. Here, we will cross the river on an impressive suspension bridge.

After lunch, we will head towards the "Intiwatana" or sun dial, a famous and ancient rock that was used as a clock during the Inca period. According to history, this "Intiwatana" worked in conjunction with the famous sun dial within the Machu Picchu site. The people used these two stones to estimate the times of the winter solstice, which was when the new agricultural cycle began, a very important time of year for the Incas. After visiting this Inca site, we will arrive at Hidroeléctrica, where we will have our lunch.

After lunch, we will have a 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes, where our designated hotel is waiting for our large suitcases and where we can enjoy a hot shower. Our guide will give us all the details for our guided tour the following day.Su Guia les dara todas las pautas para su guiado para el siguiente dia.

Aguas Calientes Elevation: 2,000 metres

Weather: Hot

Accommodations: Hotel La cabaña (or similar)

Food (Breakfast - Lunch)

Hot shower

Wifi

Cell phone charging

Bed

Moderate (14 km / 8.69mil)

Towels

6 hours
DAY 05
Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

We'll have an early breakfast to make the most of the day. Your guide will come to your hotel to take the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu, which takes about 30 minutes. Once inside Machu Picchu, you can visit the main lookout point. Here you can take your idyllic postcard photos of Machu Picchu.

After watching the sunrise (if weather permits), we'll begin our guided tour that will last approximately 3 hours. You'll visit the most important sites and temples within the archaeological site, and during your tour, you'll learn more about the history and culture of the Incas and the Inca empire.
At the end of the tour, you'll have time to take photos, or if you have booked a permit to climb Huayna Picchu/ Machu Picchu Mountain, to climb your respective mountain. These permits must be booked in advance. After climbing the mountain, you can walk to the Sun Gate (approximately 1.5 hours) or even to the Inca Bridge (45 minutes).

We suggest that you return to Aguas Calientes 2 hours before your train's departure time. The train ride is approximately 2 hours to get to Ollantaytambo. We reserve train schedules for our clients between 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

In Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting for you at the train station's exit to take you on a 2-hour car ride to your hotel in the city of Cusco, We'll drop you off at the door of your hotel. Note: The Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability. Please consult your Refugios Salkantay specialist for more details when making your reservation.

Approximately 4 hours

Machu Picchu: Easy to moderate

Food (Breakfast)

Easy

Cultura

Entrance fee to Salkantay Trail

Pre-trek briefing: You will meet with the guide for your trek and the rest of the group in our office for an orientation meeting. You will also be given duffle bags, 1 Duffle bag: to carry your personal items ( up to 7 kilos / 15 pounds) which will be carried by horses on the trek. We will meet at 7:00 pm the night before the trek.

Cooking classes and enjoy one of the most traditional dishes of the Andes. (New 2023)

Transport from your hotel in Cusco to challacancha on day 1 and from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco at the end of the trek on day 5.

A bi-lingual guide (Spanish and English), From day 1 to day 5.

Rooms in private cabins: Soraypampa, Lucmabamba, Llactapata, Aguas Calientes.

We have double rooms, twin rooms, and triple rooms.

The last night you will stay in Aguas Calientes in a 3-star hotel.

Wake up with tea!: Each morning at the lodge we will awake you with a hot cup of coca tea which our staff will bring to your room.

Transport of your personal items, by pack horse/mules or porters for all of the trek.

Guided tour of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary including entrance fee.

Afternoon Tea Happy Hour: Each afternoon, 1 hour before our dinner, your hosts and families will serve popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, and some different types of tea, hot water, etc. This is because, after a hard day hiking, you will arrive quite hungry and tired.

Daily snacks - Days 1, 2 y 3. Our snacks consist of local fruits, cookies, chocolate, sweets, etc. We will give you these snacks the at the start of each trekking day and should last most of the day (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost)

All meals except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 4.

Hygenic Products: All of our lodges have fresh towels for hands and face and body.

Hot water in all of our lodges.

First Aid kit: Our crew always carries an extensive first Aid kit including an oxygen tank in case of any emergencies.

Hygenic Products: All of our lodges have fresh towels for hands and face and body.

Train tickets : From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (tren expeditions)

We also provide a natural walking stick for the hike at no extra cost- one stick per person.

Satellite Phones: Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. our guides are trained for most of the issues clients have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend.

Coffee tour.

All our Refugios have renewable energy to charge their cell phone.

Includes an emergency horse in the most difficult stretch if you are tired or affected by altitude sickness (Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass)

Last Day: Dinner in Aguas Calientes.

Personal clothing and gear.

Travel Insurance.

Alcoholic drinks and energy drinks are NOT included.

Hiking boots: comfortable and sturdy with non-slip soles that fit well.

A change of clothes – please be prepared for every type of weather from cold and hot, to wet and dry.(It is important to remember to pack only what is necessary.)

Spare, dry socks are a necessity.

Rain gear: a waterproof jacket and pants to protect from rain. You can buy a rain poncho almost everywhere but best to do so in Mollepata for around $1.50 USD.

Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: to protect from the sun and wind at high altitudes.

Insect Repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although there is no recorded malaria in the area, bites can be itchy.

Sandals to allow your feet to rest.

Swimsuit (if you want to enjoy the thermal springs).

Original Passport and student cards.

Flashlight or headlamp:

Please bear in mind that knives or anything with a sharp metal point will be confiscated in Machu Picchu.

Cash! – Enough for snacks, tips, souvenirs, - bring in small denominations - no large notes.

Students: $ 30.00 (Students need to bring a valid ISIC student card. (Please take into account that Youth student travel cards are not valid!)

Adolescents: $ 20.00 (up to 15years old, a Passport copy is required).

Children: $ 45.00 (up to 10 years old, Passport copy is required for all stages of the reservation).

Tour Price Per Person

^$690^USD

5 Days / 4 Nights
Waking up Machu Picchu (Full Service)

The Salkantay trek can leave any day of the week, from March through December. we do not run this trek in January or February.

GROUP TOUR:

$690 per person
A group tour means that it is open for other trekkers to join you. This means that your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. All our guides are experts on how to keep the trek moving and happy no matter how fast you hike.

PRIVATE TOUR:

Private tours are available and priced by party size.2 Trekkers: $910 per person
3 Trekkers: $880 per person
4 Trekkers: $830 per person
5 Trekkers: $780 per person
6 Trekkers: $730 per person
7 or more Trekkers: $690 per person
All our tours are priced in US dollars.

STUDENT DISCOUNT:

$25 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at the booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@refugiossalkantay.com

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

There are several optional upgrades you can include on this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.
Huayna Picchu: $70 per person.
Montaña Machu Picchu: $70 per person.