Cusco & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu — 8 Days

DAY 1 · Arrive in Cusco

Arrive in Cusco

With a warm welcome to Cusco, we are excited to welcome you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be devoted to rest and adapt to the altitude. Remember! Cusco is located at 3,350 meters / 10,990 feet.

DAY 2 · Chinchero - Maras - Moray

Chinchero - Maras - Moray

On this day, we will begin our journey at approximately 8 am. The first destination is Chinchero (3,754 meters / 12,316 feet), an ancient Inca city with a well-preserved main square and a textile center where visitors can learn about the art of Andean fabrics.Then, we will continue towards Moray (3,500 masl / 11,482 ft), an archaeological site with agricultural terraces of concentric rings believed to have been used for agricultural experiments. The next destination will be the Maras Salt Mines (3,000 meters / 9,842 feet), a pre-Inca salt production center with more than 3,000 salt wells.

Having known these magnificent places, we will return to Cusco City and take you back to your hotel.

Note: The order of destinations may vary, but the experience will remain the same.

DAY 3 · Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

On this wonderful day, we will start picking you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 am. The journey by transport takes approximately 2 hours to Mollepata (2,900 meters / 9,514 feet), at this point you can buy snacks or items you need.

Then we will head towards Challacancha (3,600 masl/ 11,500 ft), where the Salkantay Trek begins. From here we will walk to Soraypampa (3,900 meters / 12,795 feet), where we will wait for lunch and take advantage of a short break.

After that, we will continue the hike to the Humantay Lake (4,200 meters / 13,779 feet). The hike lasts approximately 3 hours.

At the end, we will return to our campsite, where a delicious dinner awaits us.

DAY 4 · Soraypampa - Chaullay

Soraypampa - Chaullay

This day will be great and the most challenging too, as we will ascend to the highest point of the route, the Abra Salkantay (4,630 masl).

The hike starts early in the morning, we will walk to Salkantaypampa (4,100 masl / 13,451 ft). From here, we will ascend to the Abra Salkantay.

At the top of Salcantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), we will have a breathtaking view of the Vilcanota Range and the snowy Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft). Then, we will descend to Wayraqmachay (3,912 meters / 12,834 feet), where a delicious lunch awaits us.

After lunch, we will continue for about 3 hours to Chaullay (2,920 masl / 9,514 ft), where we will spend the night and get a delicious dinner.

DAY 5 · Chaullay - La Playa - Lucmabamba

Chaullay - La Playa - Lucmabamba

Ready? This day we will start with a nutritious breakfast to recharge our energy for a walk of approximately 5 hours towards Sahuayaco Beach (2,064 masl / 6,771 ft). The road is impressive, with waterfalls, fruit trees, and different species of birds such as the famous " Gallito de las rocas "

Upon arrival at Sahuayaco Beach, we will enjoy a lunch provided by our team of Inkayni Peru Tours. Then, we'll continue for a few hours until we reach Lucmabamba (2,000 meters / 6,561 feet). This will be the point of our camp for the evening and we will also be waiting for a delicious dinner.

DAY 6 · Lucmabamba - Llactapata -Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

Lucmabamba - Llactapata -Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

This will be our penultimate day on the Salkantay Trek tour and the last day of hiking; we will start this day very early with an energetic breakfast. Then, you will walk to the LLaqtapata archaeological site (2,702 meters / 8,858 feet), and you will see a brief view of Machu Picchu.

After LLaqtapata, we will descend to the hydroelectric area (1,890 meters / 6,200 feet). Here, they will pause briefly to hydrate. Then, you will continue walking to the village of Aguas Calientes (2,050 meters / 6,571 feet), where you will spend the night.

We'll walk this day for about 6 hours and appreciate the natural beauty. The group will walk along the train tracks, accompanied by the Vilcanota River and the local flora and fauna.

Once we get to Aguas Calientes, you can settle into your hotel and have dinner together in one of the best restaurants in the area.

DAY 7 · Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

On the fifth and last day of the Salkantay Trek, this day we will visit Machu Picchu . We recommend getting up early to avoid crowds and enjoy the sunrise.

When arriving in Machupicchu (2,400 meters / 7,873 feet), you must present the entrance ticket and your passport. Our guide will take you to the most important places of the citadel, such as temples and altars. The visit will last approximately 2 hours.

After the visit, travelers can choose to hike up Huayna Picchu. For this, an additional ticket is needed. The hike to the top takes about an hour and a half and offers a spectacular view of Machu Picchu.

In the afternoon, travelers will return to Aguas Calientes by bus. From there, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (2,700 meters / 8,858 feet) and then a bus to Cusco city (3,350 meters / 8,792 feet).

Note: If you wish to visit Huayna Picchu it is necessary to purchase another ticket, for which you will be charged an additional fee, consult with our agents of Inkayni Peru Tours.

DAY 8 · Cusco & departure transfer

Cusco & departure transfer

After having enjoyed your trip these days, we will be looking at your flight schedule to be able to transfer it and give it a warm farewell thus ending our services.