The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is an alternative to the Inca Trail and is considered by most to be the best alternative route and perhaps even better! This magnificent trail is perfect for adventurers who want to personally integrate themselves into the changing ecosystems from one day to the next. You will walk through the magical landscapes of a snow-capped mountain to a tropical jungle where you will find a wide variety of animals, medicinal plants and varieties of flowers. Witness with your own eyes a living, yet ancient culture in remote villages that are almost never seen by foreigners.
The Vilcabamba Mountain Range is an impressive mountain range that stretches for 260 km. The snow-capped mountain Salkantay rises to 6271 m.a.s.l – 20574 feet high. It is an exceptional snow-capped peak, located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south-central Peru. Due to its proximity to the city, it is easily accessible by car and has been climbed by professional mountaineers since 1952.
To complete the Salkantay Trek, you must have a reasonable level of fitness, but age should not be a barrier. The most important thing is to be well acclimatized to the altitude. The highest you will trek is (4,630 MASL – 15,190 FASL). Two days of acclimatization before the trek is ideal for visiting the city of Cusco, its nearby Inca ruins, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
04:00 am
Each passenger needs a sleeping bag and walking sticks, they are optional but recommended, if you cannot bring these things, you can rent them:
Huayna Picchu Mountain:
Huayna Picchu is the mountain located next to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, it is a 45 minute hike to the top. The return is quite steep, if you are afraid of heights. This hike is an option after your tour in Machu Picchu, the cost of the entrances is $60.00 US dollars. The reservation must be made at least four months in advance due to its popularity.
We will start the day by picking you up from your hotel at 04:00 AM. After approximately the first two hours of driving, we will quickly stop in the town of Mollepata to have breakfast. Then we will continue for 01 more hour until we reach Challacancha where we will begin the hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m – 12,631 feet).
The first section of the road takes us through some deep valleys along the side of a mountain. In some parts of the trail, you can still see an old aqueduct that still supplies water to farmers in the lower valleys. In this first section we will cover a distance of 7 km (4.35 miles) in 3 hours until we reach Soraypampa, where we will have lunch and rest the first night. After lunch and a short break, we will walk to the Humantay lake (4200 m – 13779 ft). This is a 5 km (3.1 mile) hike, that will be cover in 3 hours approximately. It will be one of the most beautiful view of our trip whit incredible blue-green waters that reflect the glaciers of Humantay mountain.
Finally we will return to our camp located in Soraypampa, where our SKY DOMES are located. This night will be wonderful because you will sleep under the starry sky of the Peruvian Andes.
This day we will wake up very early to start what will be the longest day of the trek. After a quick but invigorating breakfast, we will begin the hike to the highest point of the trail: the Salkantay Pass (4630 m – 15190 ft). The distance is 7 km (4.34 miles) of difficult ascent in approximately 3 hours until we reach the Salkantay Pass. Then we will continue the 5 km (3.1 miles) downhill hike to our lunch spot which will be at Huayracmachay. This stretch of the trail down will be rocky with a lot of gravel. In the afternoon, after our lunch, we will enter to the upper part of the Amazon rainforest, which is also known as “the cloud forest.” This is a 10 km (6.2 miles) hike until we reach our campsite at Collpapampa village (2900 m) to have a well-deserved rest from our long day of hiking.
After breakfast we will start the hike, this day we will walk for approximately 06 hours, crossing the so-called cloud forest, in this section you will be able to see waterfalls, fruit trees, a variety of flora and fauna. Once we arrive at Playa Sahuayaco we will offer you the coffee experiences, here you will be able to enjoy the delicious organic coffee that is produced in this area, later we will head to our campsite located in Lucmabamba, once at campsite is time to enjoy the lunch and in the afternoon free time to rest. In this free afternoon there is an option to relax at Cocalmayo thermal baths (optional, it has an extra cost) at the end of the day we will rest in the magnificent Jungle Domes.
As the previous mornings we will wake up very early, first to enjoy our breakfast and start the hike, the first stretch will be from the camp to the archaeological complex of Llactapata, this first part of the trail will be along a stretch of the Inca trail, after a 2 and a half hour climb with stunning views of the Santa Teresa valley, we will arrive at the Inca site of Llactapata right in front of Machu Picchu. This will be the first archaeological site that we will see of the mysterious lost city of the Incas! From this point we will be able to appreciate not only the wonderful Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, also Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain.
After visiting Llactapata, we´re going to continue the hike down the mountain for 2 hours to reach the lunch spot, then we will continue walking to the train station at Hidroeléctrica. There you can take a three-hours hike along the train track that runs through the warm cloud forest or board a train to Aguas Calientes (not included in the program). Once in the town, we will get in the hotel, have a relaxing shower and go out for dinner.
This will be a great day visiting one of the New 7 Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu! after a night of a good rest we will wake up and head to the bus station to board one of them which will take us to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, then you will receive a guided tour of approximately 03 hours, through the citadel visiting temples, terraces, palaces, the sundial, the industrial sector and the fields of crops. Be amazed by the engineering ingenuity of the Incas, which was far ahead of its time and even today is partly a mystery! After the tour you can choose to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain (if you book tickets in advance), finally you will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant (not included), in the afternoon you must be at the train station to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then take the bus back to Cusco.
The tour starts in Cusco whit a drive to Challacancha and the trek begins in Challacancha.
It’s a 5-day trek covering various terrains and landscapes.
The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, reaching 4,630 meters (15,190 feet).
While the Salkantay Trek doesn’t require the same permit as the Inca Trail. However, entry tickets to Machu Picchu are necessary and included.
Accommodations are in domes and a night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Yes, most meals are included during the trek.
The trek is considered challenging, especially the ascent to the Salkantay Pass.
Yes, an experienced guide is included for the duration of the trek.
Key highlights include the Salkantay Pass, Humantay Lake, diverse ecosystems, Inca ruins, and Machu Picchu.
Yes, there´s a weight limit for personal ítems, carried by mules. The weight limit is 7 Kilos per person / 15.4 Lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag)
Unforgettable experience on the Salkantay Trek with Machu Picchu Sanctuary Travel! The views were out of this world, and our guide made every step informative and fun. Reaching Machu Picchu was a dream come true. Highly recommend.