Senior Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days | 4 Nights

We'll begin our Salkantay trek by picking you up from your hotel around 4:30 a.m. We'll travel for two hours to the town of Mollepata, where you'll have breakfast, and then another hour to the trailhead. There, you'll meet the kitchen staff and the muleteers, who will carry all the equipment and accompany you on the Salkantay route.

The first part of the trek begins with a three-hour hike, adjusted to your fitness level, along an ancient Inca canal to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 112,467 ft). This will be excellent training for the following days. Once in Soraypampa, we'll head to the campsite, leave our belongings, and pack a small backpack with the essentials. Before setting off, we'll enjoy a welcome lunch in the mountains, prepared by our talented mountain chef.

Later, we'll continue our ascent to Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). The hike to the summit will take two hours (we'll obviously hike at your pace). Once there, you'll have time to relax, explore the surroundings, and enjoy the spectacular view of the turquoise Humantay Lagoon. We'll continue for another two hours through the beautiful Soraypampa Valley until we reach the campsite.

From this campsite, we'll enjoy a spectacular, uninterrupted view of Mount Salkantay, Humantay Lagoon, and the night sky. We'll prepare for dinner and sleep under a sky full of stars.

Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.5 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Camp altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

Today you will wake up very early with a cup of hot coffee or coca tea and admire the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. After breakfast, we will begin the 2-hour ascent to the highest and most challenging point of the trail, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). Once at the top, we will stop to appreciate the incredible beauty of this place and explore the surroundings, including a beautiful lake at the base of Salkantay Mountain (6,270 m / 20,754 ft).

We then continue downhill for 3 hours to the lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). On the way, you will see the Vizcachas (Lagidium Peruanum), a unique type of Chinchilla endemic to Peru.

After a well-deserved lunch, we prepare for the final stretch of the day, a 3-hour descent from the highlands, where the air is dry and cold, to the lush cloud forest, where the climate is warm and humid. Without a doubt, this is one of the fastest changes in scenery and temperature you will experience. We will camp next to the village of Collpapampa.

Hiking distance: 19 km / 12miles
Duration: 9 hours
Camp altitude: 2,800 m / 9,087 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea and dinner.
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

Enjoy a rest in the village while admiring the view of the mountains. After breakfast, you will prepare for the most beautiful day of this experience to the legendary city of Machu Picchu. Today you will walk through narrow trails along the river, pass wooden bridges, small waterfalls, and banana plantations until you reach the beach village (2,000 m / 6,561 ft).

Lunch today will be at the same place where we will spend the night. After lunch, we will continue to an organic farm, where you will be able to taste the best coffee in the area. This area is characterized by its coffee cultivation where you will be able to participate in the coffee process. From the beans to the exquisite beverage.

After this beautiful experience. We will have time to relax by visiting cocalmayo hot springs which is optional and is not included in the package can be arranged with your guide.

Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Hiking time: 6 hours
Camp altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

This day will be a quite demanding day where we will walk about 24 km. From the beach to the town of Aguas Calientes. The first 3 hours will be a pure ascent, with a magnificent view where you can see the sunrise, and reach the place called Llactapata from where you can see Machupicchu this view will be unique where you can be closer to the ancient Inca city Machupicchu after an arduous hike.

You will also find Inca constructions in this area, the 3 hour trail is considered part of the original Inca trail from Machupicchu to the Amazon. Your guide will be able to inform you more about the area, following the tour you will descend to the ahobamba valley where you will have lunch at a family’s house, always making an economic support to the local people. Once lunch is finished, you will continue with the hike towards the hydroelectric plant. The walk from this place to Aguas Calientes will be along the side of the railroad track and at the same time will border the entire citadel of Machupicchu.

Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to the hotel, where you can take a shower, visit the town or go to the hot springs. You will have dinner at a local restaurant while we plan for the next and most awaited day of the Salkantay Trek, your visit to the beautiful Machupicchu Citadel.

Distance: 24 km / 14.5 miles
Duration: 9 hours
Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,318 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: 3 star hotel
Difficulty: Challenging