Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days

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Salkantay Trekking Short, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Duration

4 days

Max People

Min Age

Pickup

Hotel - Bus -Train

Tour Details

The Salkantay Trek 4 days is one of the premier alternative routes to Machu Picchu, perfect for those seeking a challenging and rewarding journey through diverse landscapes. This shorter itinerary is designed for hikers with good physical condition who want to experience the majesty of the «Apu» Salkantay at their own pace.

The Salkantay Mountain (6,271m / 20,574ft) is one of the most sacred peaks in Inca mythology. As the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Range, it offers breathtaking views of glaciers and turquoise lakes, like the famous Humantay Lake. Rated by National Geographic as one of the best treks in the world, this route crosses high-altitude alpine tundras before plunging into the lush, biodiverse cloud forests of the Amazon basin.

This package is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to connect with nature, share experiences with fellow hikers from around the world, and explore the wild beauty of the Peruvian Andes, ending with a spectacular sunrise visit to Machu Picchu.

Trip details

Altitude: 2,050 – 4,630 meters / 15,190 feet (Salkantay Pass)
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Route: Open year-round (Not recommended in February due to heavy rains).
High Season: March – January
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding (Day 1-2 is Challenging)

Recommendations

- - Backpack with rain shelter.
  - Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket.
  - Rain pants and lightweight pants.
  - Rain poncho cold and sun hat.
  - Trekking shoes.
  - Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
  - Woolen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
  - Long- and short-sleeved polo’s/T-Shirts.
  - Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
  - Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries.
  - Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
  - Original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
  - Extra money in soles (s/ 300.00 soles) emergency case and tips.
  - Since the weather can be very cold and moistly, your clothes – once gotten wet – will not dry at night. So take some clothes to change.

Bring With You:

Original passport / Valid ISIC student card
Waterproof clothing and comfortable walking shoes
Camera and extra batteries
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen
Cash in small denominations ($, €, or S/)

Included/Excluded

Pre-departure briefing.
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in bus transport to Mollepata (starting point of the trek)
Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance on field.
One sleeping bag per person
One sleeping pad per person
One pillow per person
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
English speaking professional and official tourist guide (The standard group size is 8 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of 15 guests and 2 guides)
1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Chef and cooking equipment
Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 4
Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 5 kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 4
Accommodation for all our staff
Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Machupicchu entrance fee
Salkantay entrance fee
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition Service 18:20pm)
Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco
24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit

Clothes, raingear, and footwear
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
Entrance to to Wayna Picchu Mountain ($ 20) or Machu Picchu Mountain ($20)
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
Lunch and dinner on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu

Tour Plan

Day 01 Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3850 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 2850 masl
• Distance travelled: 14km approx.

Three hours driving by truck until the trailhead, on the car driving short break to shop, breakfast and facilities. Following a wide, well established track we will gently make our way up the side of the valley covering a distance of about 16km /9.9 miles and climbing 1200m /3937ft. hiking by the upper part of the valley and clearly pointing the snowcapped mountains, 4 hours hike towards the Lunch spot afternoon 3 hours plus to get a great sunset over the highest peaks, along the path are a wide variety of native plants and flowers with birds flitting in and out and towards the end is bottom of Humantay and Salkantay Mountains.
Our base camp called Soraypampa (3900m / 11,800ft.), the nights can get campfire bottom the stars.

Day 2 Soraypampa – Huayracpunku – Chaullay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4650 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 2900 masl
• Distance travelled: 22km to Chaullay

The longest day of the trek, early wake up and quick packing your staff and breakfast to soon start the hike up to highest point of the trail, the first 4 hours is slop up with some narrow and switch back trail, on the way up is covert by white hills and the spectacular sceneries to the real highland, this is the hardest part of the trail, some wild life on the close the path like Chinchilas, Andean Deer, foxes and pumas, over Salkantay pass where everything is rock and ice and then descend the far side down to the warm and lush cloud forest below. Half way to lunch spot and the afternoon hike on the dense vegetation and thick jungle, last three hours hike on the amazon and the weather and sceneries change radical.

Our campsite for tonight is called Chaullay option to shower and souvenirs (2900m / 9514ft), it is recommended you put on insect repellant from this point on as the mosquitoes in the area have a nasty bite.

Day 3 Chaullay – La Playa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 2900 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 1600 masl
• Distance Travelled: Approx 16km

Around 6 am wake up and make ready your bag to continue the journey on the jungle, mostly this day is with several stops along the trail to observe the birds and orchid as well clear to see nearly the trail many type of fruit plantations chance to buy some fruit and vegetable of the farmers, during the year weather is hot and sunny and less cloud and rain.
The trailside is cover by dense vegetation and crossing the old bridge and bottom of waterfall, which is, make enjoyable day before toward La Playa for our lunch.

One & a half hours drive to Hydroelectric, then last 3 hours hike is surrounded lower valley of Machupicchu complex where exist a lot biodiversity of plants and wild life.

Following the train line side toward Aguas Calientes town, over the majestic Mountains Huaynapicchu and Machupicchu. Early afternoon install the accommodation in comfortable hostal in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4 Machu Picchu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

• Meals: Breakfast.

Tour: Visit to Machu Picchu
Waking up early morning to get the sunrise over the mountains. We will have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have, permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In overall, you will stay more than 7 hours or if you want all day until the sunset, afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary; however, it can change occasionally based on temporary park restrictions, campsite availability, weather, road closures, guest ability/injury, and natural events like fires and flooding.

What Clothes To Bring:

Please refer to your trip packet for a detailed clothing list. All trips require a pair of sturdy, waterproof hiking boots (reliable brands include Salomon, Merrell, La Sportiva, and Lowa), high-quality rain gear, and moisture-wicking layers (avoid cotton). A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are required. We also recommend bringing sandals or lightweight water shoes for the campsites and the hot springs.

Safety Considerations

Your safety is our top priority. Our tours are led by professional guides certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFR), each with extensive experience in high-altitude trekking. We maintain strict risk management protocols and carry complete first-aid kits, including medical oxygen, to handle any emergency on the trail.

Food & Performance:

Our hiking tours include a variety of delicious, high-energy meals packed with carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. We use fresh, local ingredients such as quinoa, pasta, lentils, lean meats, and fresh vegetables. We also provide a selection of trail mix, energy bars, and snacks. Special Diets: We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, as well as food allergies, at no additional cost. Please notify us of any dietary requirements during your registration.