Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
4 Days
Trekking
Medium
April - October
Our 4 day 3 night Salkantay Special Trek is the best short alternative route to Machu Picchu that still gives you an experience of the variety of landscapes – snow-capped mountains, tropical areas, jungle, grasslands, and includes our popular coffee tour along the trek.
This tour was made for people who want time to experience the mountains without crowds of people around them. That is what is special about our Salkantay Trek.
General information
DAY 1 : WE GO UP TO THE SALKANTAY PASS (4655METERS)
Soraypampa – Chaullay
Breakfast and last tips from our guide for you.
From Soraypamapa to Salkantay Pass ( 4678 mts ) 7.5 km, the most difficult part of the day.
2 hours descent until lunch.
After lunch, 3 hours hike to Chaullay Camp (High Jungle).
Dinner and briefing for the next day.
DAY 2 : JUNGLE TREK – ENJOYING A TROPICAL CLIMATE
Chaullay – La Playa (Sahuayaco) (Cloud Forest) – Lucmabamba
Breakfast and time to use mosquito repellent before starting.
There are 16 km between Chaullay and the next camp.
We will pass through the lands of local farmers.
Hot day, good to wear shorts and t-shirts.
We have the afternoon free.
Coffee tour in the camp.
Optional visit to the hot springs.
Dinner and briefing for the next day.
DAY 3 : WAKE UP WITH A FRESH COFFEE AND WE WILL WALK ALONG THE NEW INKA TRAIL.
Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes.
We have breakfast.
Start the trek to Llactapata . 3 hours approx.
Enjoy the panoramic views from Llactapata to Machu Picchu.
You will have lunch at Hidroelectrica.
You can take the train or walk for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes.
Rest at the hotel.
Dinner and briefing for the next day.
DAY 4 : OUR GOAL MACHU PICCHU WONDER OF THE WORLD
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
In the morning you will go up to Machu Picchu.
Bus or hike 1 hour and 30 minutes from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Enjoy the guided tour in Machu Picchu.
Optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu.
Return to Aguas Calientes walking or by bus.
Take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Itinerary
Day 1: Soraypampa – Chaullay
This day we leave Cusco very early approx.4 am by car for 3 and a half hours to Soraypampa where we will begin the most difficult day of the entire Salkantay trek, we will walk to the highest point. After 7 km. uphill; through the magnificent landscapes of rocky mountains, valleys and lagoons. At the top of the hike we will have spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snow-capped Salkantay 4645 m.a.s.l., the second highest mountain in the Cusco region. Then we descend 2 hours approx. around 1:00 pm we will have our delicious Peruvian lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. Then we continue our hike of approx. 3 hours down to our campsite Chaullay 2900 m.a.s.l. or Colcapampa 3000 m.a.s.l. Sleeping tents and hot water for hand washing will be ready and waiting for you. After the delicious dinner, we will retire to our tents for a well-deserved rest.
DURING THE TRIP:
Meals: lunch, dinner
Lodging: Chaullay Camp.
Maximum altitude: 4650 meters.
Minimum altitude: 2920 meters.
Temperature during the day: 15ºC – 25ºC.
Temperature during the night: 10ºC – 15ºC
Walking distance: 22 km approx.
Day 2: Chaullay – La Playa (cloud forest) – Lucmabamba
Around 6.30 am, we start the hike through the high jungle and cross the Lluskamayo valley and enjoy its rich variety of flora and fauna until we reach La Playa (Sahuayaco) approx. 6 hours. We will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, fruits and tropical plants. You will be able to taste the famous granadilla. We will have lunch when we arrive at La Playa. After lunch the asemilas will return to Mollepata, we continue by bus to Lucmabamba Camp where we will spend the night. Here you can choose between our coffee tour or take a local bus to Santa Teresa to enjoy the hot springs (Cost of transportation and income to the hot springs is not included in the price), (coffee tour is included).
DURING THE TRIP:
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Lucmabamba Camp.
Maximum altitude: 2920 meters.
Minimum altitude: 2156 meters.
Temperature during the day: 17ºC – 25ºC.
Temperature during the night: 13ºC – 15ºC
Walking distance: 16 km approx.
Day 3 : Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric Plant – Aguas Calientes
We will have our delicious breakfast at 6 am. Then we will ascend for 3 hours approx. along the original Inka Trail to Llactapata. From this beautiful archaeological site we will be able to see part of Machu Picchu and the incredible Urubamba Valley. Then we will have another 3 hours downhill to Hidroeléctrica where we will have lunch. Then you will take the train for 45 minutes or walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, you will settle in your hotel. Afterwards you will meet our guide to enjoy dinner and receive a briefing for the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu.
DURING THE TRIP:
Meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging : Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Maximum altitude: 2750 meters.
Minimum altitude: 2150 meters.
Temperature during the day : 15ºC – 27ºC
Temperature during the night : 13ºC – 17ºC
Walking distance : 13 km approx .
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel you will take the bus to Machu Picchu or walk for 1 hour and 30 minutes so that we can be the first ones in Machu Picchu and enjoy the sunrise. You will have a private tour of approximately 2 hours with our guide, then you will have free time in which you can explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you booked the entrance to Huayna Picchu in advance or Machu Picchu Mountain this is the time for you to climb one of the mountains.
After visiting Machu Picchu you have to go down by bus ($12 USD) or walk to the town of Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. The driver will wait for you to bring you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel in private transportation.
DURING THE TRIP:
Meals: breakfast
Maximum altitude: 3410 meters.
Minimum altitude: 2130 meters.
Daytime temperature: 17ºC – 25ºC.
Temperature during the night: 13ºC – 15ºC
Hiking distance: 3 km approx.
Included
- Information prior to departure in Cusco.
- Professional guide (bilingual) (2 guides for groups of more than 10 people).
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning (we will pick you up from wherever you are).
- Private transportation to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek).
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-person-capacity tent, to allow for greater comfort and to be able to store backpacks.
- Air mattress.
- Camping equipment (kitchen tent, dining tent, chairs and tables).
- Chef and cooking equipment.
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – day 1 to 3.
- Pack animals to carry personal gear, up to a maximum of 9 kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping mat) – day 1 to 3.
- 1 night Hotel in Aguas Calientes (private room, hot water shower, tv, wi fi)
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
- Tourist train back to Ollantaytambo (4:36 pm, 19:00 pm from Aguas Calientes).
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- All meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 snacks (hot drinks, cookies, popcorn) and 3 dinners.
- Others: hot water every morning and evening for hand washing / boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning and evening, and also at lunch time if requested in advance.
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Vegetarian / special dietary options available.
Not Included
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu on day 4.
- Train tickets from Aobamba (Hydroelectric) to Aguas Calientes.
- Entrance tickets to Huaynapicchu (if you take this entrance ticket, an additional 25 US dollars will be charged to the original price).
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu Montana (if you take this entrance ticket you will be charged an additional 25 US dollars to the original price).
- Sleeping bag
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
- Entrance fees to the hot springs or transportation to get there.
- Extra horse to ride or for any extra backpack.
What to bring?
- Original passport.
- Student card (if you have one).
- Optional insurance card.
- Waterproof hiking boots (with ankle protectors).
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Warm jacket.
- Hat and gloves.
- T-shirts.
- Comfortable pants.
- Rain pants.
- Sun hat, bathing suit (for the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes).
- Sunscreen (factor 35 recommended) the sun is strong.
- Insect repellent 40% DEET (for mosquitoes).
- Water bottle.
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended).
- Toilet paper.
- Personal medications.
- Camera and extra batteries.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Extra money for tips for porters, cooks, guides and for any emergency (300 soles).
You can rent in our office:
- Hiking poles (20.00 dollars per person) for the entire trek.
- Sleeping bag (25.00 dollars per person) for the whole trek.
Prices
SHARED SERVICE
02 Persons / $.490.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS PER PERSON.
03 Persons / $.480.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS PER PERSON.
04 Persons / $.460.00 U.S. DOLLARS PER PERSON.
05 Persons/ $.440.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS PER PERSON.
06 Persons/ $.420.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS PER PERSON.
08 or more Persons / $.400.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS PER PERSON.
DEPARTURE DAYS ACCORDING TO YOUR REQUEST.
PRIVATE SERVICE
GROUP SIZE ACCORDING TO YOUR REQUEST for people who want a personalized and exclusive service.
All inclusive + description here.
Private groups include additional services such as horses to ride and carry your personal luggage, nice train (Vistadome), Hotel *** in Aguas Calientes “La Cabaña”, bus up and down to Machu Picchu, walking sticks, extra food and water along the trek.
PRICE PER ADULT PERSON $ .660.00 AMERICAN DOLLARS. MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS.
PRICE PER STUDENT $ .640.00 US DOLLARS. MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS.
From: $490
- Agency and local operator
- 100% reliable and safe
- Best prices
- Pay by credit/debit card
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From: $50
- Full Day
- Hiking
- Medium
- April - October