4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Forget the Inca Trail and hike to Machu Picchu along the higher and more beautiful Salkantay Trail! Embark on a challenging 4-day trek along the alternative Salkantay route, crossing over a 4,650 meters high pass where you can marvel at the Salkantay and Humantay peaks standing over 6,000 meters high. Hike along this unspoiled trail, passing through the villages of Soraypampa and Santa Teresa, to discover indigenous mountain communities. See the 'Lost City of the Incas' in the early morning light after having spent time in the town of Aguas Calientes.

Highlights:
-Hike among 6,000m Andean peaks
-Cross snowy high passes with incredible views
-Reach the comfort of Aguas Calientes town
-See the Machu Picchu site as it opens with a guide

Itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha, Trek to Soraypampa Camp (3,920m) (L/D)

Stop At: Humantay Lake, Cusco 08002 Peru
Today we pick you up at 05:30am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. Continue by car to Challacancha where we will make final preparations and double check our equipment. Embark on a 3-hour walk that will take us to Soraypampa (3,920m) where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Hike up to Laguna de Humantay (approx. 1.5 hours each way) for more incredible views of the Andes mountains and then return to camp for the night. Our first campsite is located at 3,920 m and is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Take some time to rest up and enjoy your first night immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.

Inclusions: Accommodation pick-up, Transfer Cuzco - Challacancha, 1N Camping, Meals 1L/1D (14km, 6hrs)
Duration: 20 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Soraypampa (3,920 m) - Camping

Day 2: Trek to Challhuay or Colcapampa Camp via High Pass (4,650m) (B/L/D)

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
We will have breakfast at around 6:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Humantay on the left. (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for 100 - 120 soles). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.

Inclusions: 1N Camping, Meals 1B/1L/1D (22km, 910hrs)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Challhuay or Colcapampa (2,900 m) - Camping

Day 3: Trek to La Playa, Transfer to Hydroelectric Station, Trek to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)

Stop At: Aguas Calientes, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and continue by car to Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) with a warmer climate. From here we will take another car to Hydroelectric Station (40 minutes) and then walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Optional train transfer from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes is available for an extra cost.

Inclusions: Car La Playa - Santa Teresa Town - Hydroelectric Station, 1N 3* Hotel Aguas Calientes, Meals 1B/1L/1D. (24km, 9hrs)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Aguas Calientes - 3* Hotel

Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco (B)

Stop At: Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu in order to appreciate the magnificent city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (to be booked in advance at an extra cost - 400 people are allowed up per day. Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus (every 15 minutes from the entrance) or you can take the walking trail down (1 hour) to Aguas Calientes town. Take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cuzco. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco. Upon arrival you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.

Inclusions: Round trip Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco, 2-hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Meal 1B
Duration: 20 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.