The Salkantay snow-capped mountain is the second largest snow-capped mountain in Peru after the Ausangate mountain. Its name comes from Quechua meaning “Wild Mountain”. It is located at 6,271 meters above sea level in the Cordillera de Vilcanota of the Andes of southern Peru.
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is considered the best alternative to the Inca Trail. The walk lasts 5 days, where you will enjoy varied climates from cold to warm. You will pass through glaciers, lakes, the jungle and part of the Inca trail.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is considered one of the best 25 treks in the world. The tour will take you through Andean communities, through places located at high altitudes and warm areas with exuberant vegetation.
The highest point of the Salkantay Trek is the Salkantay Pass located at 4600 meters above sea level. We strongly recommend that you spend a few days in Cusco or take one of our tours to the sacred valley before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0600 AM
At the indicated time we will pick you up in our private transport from your accommodation in Cusco. We will transfer you to the town of Mollepata, a small traditional town where we will stop for breakfast.
We will continue our journey to Soraypampa after eating a fantastic breakfast. The Salkantay Trek begins at this location. We’ll meet the cooks and muleteers who will join us on our journey and assist us with our belongings.
After we’ve organized our belongings, we’ll embark for a two-hour stroll to the Humantay Lagoon. The crystal pure waters of this lagoon are well-known.
We’ll return to Soraypampa after seeing the lagoon. We’ll climb to Salkantay Pampa, where we’ll halt for lunch with stunning views of the glacier’s surroundings.
Continuing the walk we will descend through the mountain to Soyorcocha. Located on a glacial moraine with a small lake at the foot of the snowy Salkantay. This will be our first camp.
You will be able to get impressive views of the snowy Salkantay while we set up the tents and prepare a delicious dinner for you to rest peacefully.
We will wake you up with a delicious breakfast before continuing our adventure. We will continue our journey walking to the highest point, El Paso Salkantay. Along the way you will see peculiar animals such as vicachas and Andean chinchillas.
The Salkantay Pass offers impressive views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks such as the famous Humantay Mountain. After delighting our eyes with these landscapes, we will descend for 3 hours to Huayracmachay. Here we will stop for lunch.
After enjoying the delicious lunch we will continue walking until we enter a small valley. Upon entering you will feel the change in temperature and landscape. As you ascend more you will see more colorful landscapes full of animals and varied flora, highlighting a variety of orchids.
Finally we will arrive at Collpapama where our second camp will be. Here you will rest after the delicious dinner.
We will wake you up with a delicious breakfast to continue with our trek. We will walk a path that will take us through the Santa Teresa Valley. We will descend to the edge of the jungle, on the way you will be able to see wonderful landscapes that the Alto Salkantay River runs through.
Following the route we will descend to Sahuayaco Playa. This place is full of vegetation, fruit trees, avocado, banana and coffee crops. Here we will stop for lunch.
After lunch we will continue the tour until we reach Lucmabammba, known for the variety of coffee crops it has. Here you will have the opportunity to carry out the process of coffee production.
Finally we will walk a few meters to our third camp. After dinner you can rest.
After a delicious breakfast we will continue our adventure. We will ascend through the lush jungle and then descend to the Inca ruins of Llactapata. From there you can see the citadel of Machu Picchu.
After touring these ruins together with our guide we will continue the tour. We will descend to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station. Here we will take some time to have lunch.
Finally we will board the train that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival we will take you to your accommodation for dinner and rest for the next day, the most awaited.
Early in the morning the hotel staff will give you a box of snacks. Then we will take you to the bus terminal where you will board the bus that will take you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Upon reaching the entrance of the citadel, you will go through a control. Here they will verify your passport, so we recommend you bring your original passport.
After passing the control with our guide, you will tour the entire citadel and obtain more information about the culture and history of the Inca civilization.
Following the tour with our guide, you will have the opportunity to explore the citadel on your own; we recommend going to the sun gate, which provides a wonderful perspective of this global wonder.
Our guide will lead you to the entrance if you have booked a hike to Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu Mountain.
After visiting this wonder, you will board the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here you will have free time so you can have lunch or get to know the town.
Finally you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo town where our driver awaits you to take you back to Cusco to your accommodation.
