Trek to Salkantay 5D/4N
Salkantay Trek 5D/4N
The Salkantay Trek 5 days and 4 nights is one of the most impressive and world-renowned hikes. This route takes you through spectacular landscapes: snow-capped mountains, turquoise lagoons, tropical forests, and ancestral trails that finally connect with the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.
During these 5 days, you will experience a perfect combination of adventure, nature, and culture. You will hike at the foot of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, visit the famous Humantay Lake, cross jungle valleys, and rest in unique campsites before ending the experience in Aguas Calientes and Peru’s most famous Inca citadel.
What makes this tour so special?
⭐ Route ranked among the best hikes in the world
⭐ Visit to Humantay Lake
⭐ Crossing the impressive Salkantay Pass (4,630 m)
⭐ Landscapes ranging from snow to high jungle
⭐ Arrival at Machu Picchu via Aguas Calientes
General information
Days: 5-day / 4-night activity
📍 Location: Salkantay – Mollepata – Santa Teresa – Machu Picchu
🕒 Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
🗣 Available languages: Spanish and English
Places you will visit on this tour
- Mollepata – Start of the trek
- Humantay Lake – Turquoise lagoon
- Salkantay Pass – Highest point
- Chaullay
- Santa Teresa
- Hydroelectric
- Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu
What makes this tour special?
- ⭐ Direct contact with nature
- ⭐ Less crowded routes
- ⭐ Authentic mountain experience
- ⭐ An ideal route for adventurers seeking diverse landscapes
Itinerary – Salkantay Trek 5D/4N
🕒 Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
🗣 Available languages: Spanish and English
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa
Start of the tour
We pick you up between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to head toward Mollepata, where you can enjoy an optional breakfast before continuing to Soraypampa, the starting point of the trek.
Initial hike
From Soraypampa, we take a moderate hike to the wonderful Humantay Lake, famous for its turquoise color and surrounded by imposing glaciers.
Visit and photos
You will have time to explore the area, enjoy the scenery, and take unforgettable photographs.
Return to camp
We descend back to Soraypampa, where we will have lunch and rest. The afternoon will be free for you to acclimatize to the Andean environment and prepare for the next day.
Day 1 Details
🚶♂️ Hike: Approx. 6–7 km
🛌 Accommodation: Camp in Soraypampa
🍽 Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay
Ascent to Salkantay Pass
We start early with the ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m). The mountain scenery and the views of the snow-capped peak are truly breathtaking.
Scenic descent
After enjoying the summit, we begin a long descent to Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch and regain our energy.
Entering the tropical zone
We continue toward Chaullay, where the weather becomes warmer and the vegetation more abundant, marking the ecosystem change along the route.
Day 2 Details
🚶♂️ Hike: Approx. 18 km
🛌 Accommodation: Camp in Chaullay
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
🏔 Maximum altitude: 4,630 m
Day 3: Chaullay – Playa Sahuayaco – Santa Teresa
Descent into the high jungle
We hike through tropical valleys, crossing fruit plantations, waterfalls, and diverse flora typical of the Cusco high jungle.
Lunch in Playa Sahuayaco
Here we take a break and enjoy lunch before continuing the journey to Santa Teresa.
Optional hot springs
In Santa Teresa, you will have the option to visit the famous Cocalmayo hot springs and relax after the hike.
Day 3 Details
🚶♂️ Hike: Approx. 12 km
🛌 Accommodation: Santa Teresa
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
Route to Hydroelectric
After breakfast, we head to Hydroelectric. From here, a pleasant hike begins along the railway line toward Aguas Calientes.
Nature and views
We pass through areas full of vegetation, streams, and tropical scenery, enjoying a much more relaxed walk.
Arrival in Aguas Calientes
In the afternoon, we will check into the accommodation and enjoy dinner, ready for the visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
Day 4 Details
🚶♂️ Hike: Approx. 10 km
🛌 Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
Visit to Machu Picchu
Very early, we go up by bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu for an approximately 2 to 3-hour guided tour through its main sectors.
Free time
You will have time to explore the area on your own or hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain with prior reservation.
Return to Cusco
We descend to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where transportation will take you back to the city of Cusco.
Day 5 Details
🕒 Guided tour: 2h – 3h
🚐 Return to Cusco: Train + transport
Includes and Not Included – Salkantay Trek 5D/4N
What’s included
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
- Transportation: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa.
- Professional Guide: Assistance during the start of the trek.
- Camp: Night in Soraypampa.
- Meals: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay
- Guided route: Ascent to Salkantay Pass and descent to the tropical zone.
- Camp: Night in Chaullay.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Assistance: First aid kit and oxygen.
Day 3: Chaullay – Playa Sahuayaco – Santa Teresa
- Guided hike: Journey through tropical valleys and abundant vegetation.
- Accommodation: Night in Santa Teresa.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 4: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
- Route: Transfer to Hydroelectric and hike to Aguas Calientes.
- Hotel: 1 night in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Entrance: Admission to Machu Picchu.
- Bus: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Guided tour: Guided tour in the citadel.
- Train: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
- Transportation: Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
General services included
- Professional guide: Throughout the entire experience.
- Horses: For transporting equipment depending on the route.
- Established campsites: During the first nights of the trek.
- Meals: Full service during the hike.
- Assistance: First aid kit and oxygen.
Not included
- First breakfast.
- Last lunch in Aguas Calientes.
- Entrance to Humantay Lake.
- Entrance to Cocalmayo (optional).
- Extra riding horse.
- Tips.
The trek reaches 4,630 m at Salkantay Pass and is rated moderate to challenging. It is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 1 or 2 days in advance to acclimatize properly.
Additional Details
Recommendations
- Bring warm clothing as well as light clothing.
- Wear comfortable and sturdy trekking shoes.
- Bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Pack a waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Do not forget a headlamp.
- Bring cash for additional expenses.
What to bring
- Comfortable and waterproof clothing
- Trekking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Hat and sunglasses
- Snacks and water
- Camera
- Warm clothing for the night
Useful information
- Accommodation: During the first 3 days, you sleep in established campsites and the last night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Maximum altitude: Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m.
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
- Acclimatization: It is recommended to arrive in Cusco 1 or 2 days before the trek.
- Machu Picchu: Main entrance is included; Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain require an additional reservation.
- Humantay Lake: The visit is included in the first day’s itinerary.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations made 30 days in advance: 50% refund.
- Cancellations 5 days before: no refund.
- Tickets are non-refundable once issued.
From: $378.00
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