Salkantay trek is one of the alternate treks to the Inca Trail that in recent years has become very important for visitors and adventure lovers, especially when National Geographic announced it among the 25 best new treks in the world. this tour normally takes place in 5 days and 4 nights but now Inkas Destination adapted the Salkantay trek to be able to do it also in 4 days so that our travelers who do not have many days in Cusco have the opportunity to do it without losing the visit to the main attractions of the Salkantay trek such as the Laguna Humanata and the Salkantay Pass are part of the main attractions to visit on this hike and it is not uncommon to do it on the 4-day trek and it ends with a visit to Machu Picchu.
Highlights
Spend 4 days walkking of the mountain of Salkantay trek to visit Machu Picchu
It is a trek that you can observe diverse ecosystems, from the Andes, highlands and to the high jungle.
Enjoy stunning views of the glacially shaped Salkantay and the magnificent high jungle.
Hike up the Salkantay trek Highlands, and finishing with stunning view of Machu Picchu
Early in the morning between 4:45 and 5:15 a.m. depending on where your hotel is located, the pick-up is done, and then leave driving northwest of Cusco to the town of Mollepata 2 800 m.s.n.m. (9 116 feet) where you have the opportunity to have an energetic breakfast, and then continue driving 20 min. to the town of Cruzpata, where we meet our muleteers and mules and we can send 5Kl of our luggage on mules, in this place begins the 4-hour walk to the first camp of Soraypampa (3 825 masl or 12 371 feet) lunch, then After a delicious lunch the hike to Lake Humantay begins (4200 masl or 13776 feet) 1h30 minutes uphill walk and the same time down to the camp, dinner and overnight.
Very early in the morning after breakfast begins the hike up to the Salkantay pass (4615 masl or 15137 feet) approx 3 hours, from this place you have a panoramic view of the snowy Salkantay (6370 masl or 20893 feet) and the Cordillera del Vilcabamba as well as the Valley where the descent hike continues to the Wayracpampa lunch place, after lunch the landscape will change the landscape from Andes to high jungle and a lot of vegetation, continue walking down to Colpapampa (2800 masl or 9184 feet) Chaullay camp site.
Abra Salkantay
Day 3: Chaullay – Playa Sawayaco – Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Machu Picchu Town
After breakfast we continue our descent walk to the town of Sawayaco continuing through the tropical jungle in this place say goodbye to the muleteers and horses and receive their luggage and take a transport to the town of Santa Teresa (1550 masl or 5084 feet) and from there it continues to Hydroelectric where the walk to Machu Picchu continues for around 2h / 30m to the town of Machu Picchu town (2000 masl or 6560 feet) where we will spend the night.
Day4: Machu Picchu town – Mmachu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning the hike to the archaeological park of Machu Picchu begins (2400 masl or 7872 feet) 1h / 30m, at the control of Machu Picchu the whole group meets and the guide begins the guided tour for about 2 hours and then The guide has free time to explore Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo where our transport awaits them to transfer them to Cusco.
Machu Picchu
Details
What’s included
Pick up form the Hotel
Bus from Cusco to Mollepata
Muleteers and mules
Tent, mattresses, kitchen and dining equipment
Double tents
3 breakfast / 3 lunch / 3 dinner
Cook
Transport from Playa sahuayaco – Hidroelectryc
One night accomodation in Aguas Calientes
Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Entrance fee of Machu Picchu
Professional guide (English & Spanish-speaking)
First aid kit and oxygen bottle
Return bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Not included
Last lunch in Aguas Calientes
Sleeping bag
Tips
Details
Group Size
Min 10 – Max 20
Locations Vsited
Mollepata
Soraypampa
Soyrococha
Salkantay pass
Colpapampa
Playa Sawayaco
Hydroelectric
Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
What to bring (We recommend):
Sleeping bag.
Walk shoes or boots
Light clothes
Mosquito repellent
Water bottle
Rain jacket, hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Chocolates, candies or another snacks
Camera (optional).
Extra money but in Nuevos Soles (Peruvian national currency)
Hiking poles
Prices
Group Service
U$D. 319.00 per person
Private Service
2 – 3 pax
4 – 5 pax
6 – 7 pax
8 – + pax
U$D. 419.00 p/p
U$D. 389.00 p/p
U$D. 369.00 p/p
U$D. 349.00 p/p
FAQ’s
When is the Salkantay trek closed?
The Salkantay tour is not closed during the year and government permission is not needed, but during the months of January and March, which is the rainy season, we recommend taking precautions and taking into account that there may possibly be changes in the route since the rains on the route vary and some landslides may occur that may change the tour plan, of course our guides are professionals and very knowledgeable about the route that they will make the best and safest decision.
Is the Salkantay trek 4 days worth do it?
The Salkantay trek is normally done in 5 days, but Inkas Destination saw the need of many passengers who do not have enough time to do it in the 5 days and adapted the tour in 4 days with an itinerary that makes you enjoy and do not miss The most impressive thing about the trek, doing the 4-day or 5-day trek is 100% recommended and worth it.
What is the difference between the 4-day Salkantay trek and the 5-day trek?
Both tours do not have much difference until the 3rd day after lunch, normally in the 5-day Salkantay trek on the 3rd day you spend the night in Santa Teresa and visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo for the 4th day walk from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric plant and then to Machu Picchu unlike the 4-day Salkantay trek that on the 3rd day after lunch we take the transport to hydroeléctric and continue walking to Machu Picchu, in summary you do not visit the town of Santa Teresa and the baths but do not worry that in Machu Picchu town you can also visit the thermal baths of Machu Picchu.
Will I get altitude sickness?
Like all tours that are over 3500 meters high, we recommend taking a minimum of 1 or 2 days of acclimatization before the tour so that the body is oxygenated and it is less likely to have altitude sickness, as well as drinking coca tea since this plant oxygenates blood and help to avoid altitude sickness, all our guides carry a first aid kit which includes an oxygen balloon in case it is necessary to use it at any time.
