Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days | 3 Nights.

4 Days / 3 Nights

5 Stars

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Tour Overview

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days | 3 Nights is one of our premier adventures. It allows you to complete the famous Salkantay route in just 4 days, including the visit to Machu Picchu. It is a concise trek designed for adventurers who love a challenge. Today, the 4-day Salkantay Trek has become the most visited alternative route for travelers seeking diverse landscapes.

Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners.

4 Days / 3 Nights

PRICE FROM $538,00 per person

Places to visit: Cusco

Trip starts in: Hotel, AirBnB, or other agreed location.

Physical Level: Difficult

Travel Style: Mixed

Group Size: 5 to 12 people

Total Distance: 62 km

Meals Included: 3 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(es), 3 Dinner(s)

Departures: Daily Departures

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa

The tour begins with a 4:30 am pick up from your hotel and then we will drive for 2 hours in our private transportation to Mollepata, where we will have breakfast in a restaurant. As we travel through curvy roads in the Andes, we will be able to observe native villages such as Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous snow-capped mountain of Salkantay. We continue in our transport for 1 more hours until we arrive to Challacancha, the starting point for the beginning of an incomparable adventure. We get our belongings ready and send them with our muleteer, while we start the trek towards Soraypampa, place where we will have lunch. After this stop we continue with the hike to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon (4,200 masl /13,779 ft.). We arrive to Humantay, we observe and take all the pictures, listen to the information given by our guide and then we return to Soraypampa where we will camp for the night.

Meals: Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
Lodging: Local huts.
Distance: 14kms / 8.7 miles
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 2

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay

THE BEAUTIFUL SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAIN OF SALKANTAY AND THE CHANGE OF NATURE.

We wake up at 5 am, 5:30 am to enjoy an energizing tea to start our hike, from Salkantay to Machupicchu, we enjoy our breakfast to start the hike, a difficult ascent by the path of the 7 curves, until we reach the Salkantay Pass (4,630 masl / 15,190 feet). Place where we will be able to appreciate beautiful views of the snow-capped mountain of Salkantay (6,271 masl / 20,574 feet). The second highest mountain in the Cusco region, we will also be able to observe the Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pasajillo Mountains, after enjoying this wonderful mountain we will continue with our hike.

As we advance we will find native villages like Rayampata and Huayracmachay with an incredible nature, place where we will have lunch, after this brief stop and rest we will continue with the walk through a cloud forest and rocky path observing the change of nature, a living and unique flora. Then we will arrive to Chaullay where we will have a brief stop and then we will head to our camp in Collpapampa, place where we will spend our second night.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
Lodging: Local huts.
Distance: 21kms / 12.6 miles
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3

Day 3: Chaullay – Wiñaypoco – La Playa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Today is a very challenging day, and our mountain chef knows it and therefore wakes us up with a cup of coca tea to fill us with energy to meet this challenge. We have breakfast and continue our hike to the high jungle of our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Along our hike we will be able to observe a change of vegetation with an incredible flora and fauna which you will only see in this journey, in this path we will see coffee plantations, bananas, avocados, we can also taste the exotic fruit of the area such as the passion fruit.

We continue with our hike until we reach the last lunch prepared by our mountain chef, as well as the process of the elaboration of organic coffee since it is a grain to have an essence in our cup. We rest for a moment and then continue our hike to hydroelectric, where we will begin a walk along the train tracks surrounded by beautiful vegetation. In this journey you have the option to take the train which has an extra cost of $37.00 per person or continue along the train tracks until you reach Aguas Calientes if you are very exhausted.

After having made the decision to walk along the train tracks, the approximate time of 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village), we will arrive at an accommodation (Hotel) where you can rest as you deserve, take a relaxing shower. In the evening, we will meet for dinner at a restaurant, place where the guide will also give indications for the next day which is the most important day, visit to Machupicchu.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner in a restaurant.
Lodging: In a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Distance: 23kms / 14 miles
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 4

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

This is the most important day after a 3-day trek, the day you will never forget.

After breakfast, which is included in the hotel, you can decide to walk or take the bus up to the Machupicchu Sanctuary where you will receive a 2 hour guided tour with our professional guide. After the two hours of the guided tour, you will have some free time to enjoy the wonder of the world, and if you have mountain or Huaynapicchu you can do after the guided tour of the citadel of Machupicchu. After your visit and having enjoyed every corner of this beautiful wonder you will decide to take the bus or take a short walk of 1 hour and a half to return to Aguas Calientes to their respective office and then take the train that will lead to Ollantaytambo where our transport will be waiting to take you to your accommodation in the city of Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast included at your hotel.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Briefing: The night before your trip, our guide will provide a full briefing about the trek.
Transportation: Tourist transport included.
Professional Bilingual Guide: Graduates from accredited institutes/universities in Cusco, sharing ancestral knowledge and culture.
Machu Picchu: 2-hour guided tour, bus tickets (up/down implies general logistics, usually specifically listed), and entrance tickets to the citadel.
Meals: We accommodate dietary needs (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, etc.). Includes 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners.
Water: Boiled cold water provided to refill your travel bottles.
Train: Expedition Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Return Transfer: Minivan transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Equipment: First aid kit and a duffel bag for up to 5kg of your personal items (carried by horses/mules), including clothes for 4 days and sandals for the campsite.

Not Included

First breakfast and last lunch.
Personal expenses during the tour.
Water bottles (containers).
Trekking poles, Sleeping bag, Inflatable mattress (Available for rent).
Tips for staff: Tips are welcome based on your satisfaction. They are significant for the team taking care of your logistics and health.

Packing List

To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend bringing the following items:

Essentials & Documents

Local money

Medical kit

Passport

Sunscreen

Water

Clothing & Footwear

Cap and hat

Tennis and boots

Waterproof

Waterproof jacket

Equipment & Gear

Camera and cell phone

Portable charger

Small backpack

Sunglasses

Recommended Extras

Gel alcohol

Lanches snacks

Lip balm

Tour Map

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days | 3 Nights. Map

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Travel Tips & Recommendations

Essential Travel Info

Please read these recommendations carefully to prepare for your trip.

It is highly recommended to bring warm clothing and rain gear, as the weather is unpredictable and rain can occur at any moment.

Optional Upgrades

Customize Your Experience

Enhance your trip with these optional upgrades available upon request.

Expedition Train upgrades, Cooking Classes.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Salkantay 5-Day and 4-Day Trek?

The main difference is the pace. The 5-day version allows you to see everything calmly, including the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, a detailed organic coffee and cocoa tour, and a mild hike to the Llactapata viewpoint. While Llactapata can technically be done on the 4-day tour, it requires extra cost and depends heavily on your physical condition.

Why should I choose the Salkantay Trek over the Inca Trail?

The Salkantay Trek is recognized globally as one of the best hikes, often surpassing the classic 4-Day Inca Trail in terms of scenery. It is increasingly popular and offers a significant challenge for energetic travelers looking for high-altitude adventure and stunning mountain views without the permit limitations of the Inca Trail.

What is the weather like on the Salkantay route?

The weather in Cusco and the Andes is very changeable; it can rain at any time. It is essential to be equipped for cold, rain, and even snow. From May to July, the weather is colder (friaje), and snow is common on the route, so waterproof and warm clothing is mandatory.

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