Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

04 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu -Group Service

The Tour Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu Salkantay trekking is one of the less frequented routes compared to the nearby famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Certainly, it is the second option for most travelers seeking to arrive to Machu Picchu by foot. Therefore, the Salkantay hike has without a doubt the best scenery that the Andes has to offer – everything from the native forest of the high Andes to snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and cloud forest.

Above all, Salcantay is highly recommended for those who wish to embark on a journey through the natural world in its most pure essence. Through a peaceful environment that offers you an opportunity to feel its medicine and all its gifts, it has to offer us. Likewise, we offer you a visit to Humantay Mountain, another glacier next to the Salkantay glacier. This is truly an adventure that will treat you to the best of the best in the Andes of Peru.

OVERVIEW SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS – SALKANTAY PASS

DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – SUYROCCOCHA (L)(D)

Firstly, we will depart very early from Cusco, at 04:00 am, and make the roughly 3-hour journey to the town of Mollepata, the gateway to the Salkantay valley. Then, Along the way, you will experience many different micro-climates and altitudes. Each with its unique agricultural essence, such as the town of Limatambo, known for its avocados. Here we will have a quick breakfast before continuing back up in elevation to the community of Soraypampa where we begin our trek.

Consequently, continuing roughly 03 hours up to Salkantaypampa (4,100 meters/ 13,451 feet), we will have lunch below the massive glacier of Salkantay. After that, we will continue slowly up to our final camp at Suyroccocha (4,600 meters/ 14,336 feet). Here we will settle in for the night right at the foot of Salcantay pass at an astounding  6,271 meters/ 20,574 feet), and weather permitting, a spectacular night show of constellations and the possible shooting star.

• Max Elevation: 4,600 meters / 14,336 feet
• Distance: 12km / 7,46 miles

• Lodging: Campsite in Suyroccocha 

DAY 2: SUYROCCOCHA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACMACHAY – COLLPAPAMPA (B)(L)(D)

After an early breakfast and a beautiful Andean sunrise, we will begin our ascent, roughly 01 hour, to the high Salcantay pass at 4,630 meters/ 15,190 feet). The views at this elevation are spectacular, surrounded by glaciers and the view of the valley below. Then, As we descend the Salkantay route, the ecosystems will change from alpine and the vegetation will slowly increase. If we are lucky, it is possible to see local birds and mammals as we trek. Our lunch spot will be in the community of Huayraqmachay, still in the high elevations near the glacier.

So, after that, we will descend and you will feel the abrupt change in climate as we enter the humid cloud forest, with dense vegetation and more wildlife. As a result, after about 04 hours, we will arrive at Collpapampa (2,920 meters/ 9,514 feet). Here the weather is more tropical and full of wildlife as well as abundant flora. Our campsite will be here near the river and the forest.

• Max Elevation: 4,630 meters / 15,190, feet
• Distance: 22 km / 13,57 miles

• Lodging: Campsite in Collpapampa

DAY 3: COLLPAPAMPA – SAYAHUACO– HYDROELECTRIC STATION – AGUAS CALIENTES (B)(L)(D)

Our walk continues today through the dense vegetation of the high Andean jungle and through the fields of fruit that can now grow at this elevation. For instance, Bananas, Coffee, Avocados, and Cacao are the most common in this area. Similarly, the scenery becomes that of waterfalls, orchids, and plenty of birds. Subsequently, we will stop for lunch in the community of Sayahuaco (2,064 meters / 6,771 feet), followed by a short journey by car to the Hydroelectric Station. From here we continue by foot to Aguas Calientes (2,050 meters/ 6,571 feet) over roughly 03 hours.

NOTE: It is optional to take a short train ride here instead of walking for an additional cost of $31). Arriving in Aguas Calientes we will find our hotel and settle in before we reunite for dinner at a local restaurant.

• Max Elevation: 2,920 meters / 9,514 feet
• Min Elevation: 1,890 meters / 6,200 feet
• Distance: 20 km/ 12,42 miles

• Lodging: Golden Sunrise Hotel Machu Picchu or similar

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)

Most importantly, on this day we visit one of the wonders of the world, the majestic city of Machu Picchu. We will wake early to have breakfast and board the bus up to Machu Picchu, and, if we are lucky, receive the first rays of the sun as dawn breaks and lights up this magical mountain. Consequently, the guided tour through the Sanctuary will last roughly 2 hours. Later, we will begin our return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and rest before our late afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Following our journey by train, our land transport will await our transfer to Cusco and back to your Hotel.

SALKANTAY 4 DAYS INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our horses. The meeting will be at 06:00 PM 01 or 02 days before the trip begins.
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide.
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+.
• Chef.
• Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
• Pick-up and transportation from your hotel to the start of the trail.
• Water (excluding the first 04 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
• 03 Breakfasts, 03 Lunches, 03 Afternoon Snacks, and 03 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know (food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime every day (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
• Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will be woken up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Golden Sunrise Machupicchu ***, Hatun Samay Hotel *** ) Day 04.
• Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
• Oxygen bottle.
• First aid kit.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Transportation Ollantaytambo-Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us). US$25.00
• Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 04.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$85.00
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

OUR GROUP SIZE: We offer small groups, not more than 10 people.

Discounts for Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu:

• Group of 05 or more: US$ 25.00 All of you need is to book the trek altogether at the same time.
• Under 18 years old: US$ 25.00 Please send us a copy of the passport at the booking time.
• Student Discount (Maximum Age 25 years old): US$ 25.00 Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. Likewise, For those using a university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. Similarly, For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. So, Please send all to info@inkayniperutours.com.  More Information about STUDENT CARD.

Max & Lee (Youtubers) Salkantay trekking with our team