# Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu # 5 Days # Trade the crowded trails for the raw, untamed beauty of the Andes on the ultimate adventure to Machu Picchu. Experience Peru’s dramatic landscapes in all its wild glory. This route bypasses the traditional Inca Trail to take you on a breathtaking, off-the-beaten-path expedition through ever-changing ecosystems. Over five unforgettable days, you will push your limits crossing the magnificent Salkantay Pass at 15,180 feet, standing in the shadow of imposing, snow-capped glaciers. But the high Andes are just the beginning. As you descend, the icy peaks give way to the lush, emerald canopy of the Andean cloud forest. You'll hike past vibrant orchids, walk through aromatic organic coffee plantations, and trace the path of the Santa Teresa River deep into the high jungle. From the dazzling turquoise waters of Humantay Lake to your very first, hard-earned glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Llactapata ruins, the Salkantay Trek isn’t just a route to an ancient wonder—it’s an epic destination in its own right. Discover a sample itinerary: # DAY 01 # Cusco to Soraypampa Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel by our lead guide and depart, in private transportation, to Challakancha which is the beginning of the trek. Along the journey you will be impressed by the scenic countryside, picturesque villages, and perfect panoramic views of the snow-capped Humantay Mountain. After 2 hours hike until reach our first lodging place, Soraypamapa, a beautifully place situated in the shadows of the surrounding peaks. After a well-deserved lunch, you will have a 4 hours round trip trek in order to visit an astonishing small glacier lake named “Humantay lake”. **Trekking details:** - Difficulty: Moderate - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner - Walking distance: 13 km. / 8 mi. | Time: 8 hrs. Approx. - Elevation: Starting Point: 3,750 m. / 12,303 ft. Highest point: 4,200 m. / 13,779 ft. - Overnight: Soraypampa Inka Lodge (Altitude: 3,860 m. / 12,738ft.) --- # DAY 02 # Crossing the Salkantay Pass After a hearty breakfast, you’ll ascend to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m. – 15,180 ft.), from this point you will appreciate the stunning Salkantay snow-capped Mountain (the dominating mountain 6,271 m. – 20,694 ft.). The type of landscape on the way up to the top is like paramo, and the same on the way down for about 2 hours. Enjoy lunch at Wayraqmachay hamlet, in a local family home, with spectacular views of the mountains Humantay, Huayanay and the cloud forest. After lunch, we experience the beginning of the cloud forest known as the dwarf or elfin forest, which is home to many orchids, flowers, and hummingbirds. We descend approximately 3 ½ hours through dense and ever green lush vegetation until we reach our next local family home. **Trekking details:** - Difficulty: Challenging - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Elevation: Starting point: 3,860 m. / 12,664 ft. Highest point: 4,600 m. / 15,091 ft. - Walking distance: 21 km. / 13 mi. | 11 hrs. Approx. - Overnight: Chaullay Inka Lodge (Altitude: 2,920 m. / 9,580 ft.) --- # DAY 03 # Following the Santa Teresa River After breakfast, the trek starts with dense cloud forest vegetation, and stunning viewpoints of valleys and the river below. This high Jungle area is a niche where coffee, coca plants and fruit plantations can be observed as also the home to many species of colorful birds as the famous Peruvian National bird “the Cock of the rock”, beautiful and different sized orchids, and with luck you can observe the Ukumari (Andean bear, spectacle bear or Paddington bear). After lunch experience you will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in the area that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle. Before lunch you will take a van ride to next lodge. **Trekking details:** - Difficulty: Easy to moderate - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Elevation: Starting and highest point: 2,920 m. / 9,580 ft. - Walking distance: 12 km. / 7.5 mi. | Time: 6 hrs. Approx. - Overnight: Lucmabamba Inka Lodge (Altitude: 2,135 m. / 7,004 ft.) --- # DAY 04 # First view of Machu Picchu In the morning, during a 2-3 hour up the mountain through a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps, you will get a sense of what hiking through the rainforest would be like. Your first milestone today will be the top of the peak, the last one before you reach the Aobamba River valley that connects to Machu Picchu. When you arrive at the Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974 ft.), you will be delighted to see western side of the Machu Picchu ruins. After a well-deserved rest the hike continues down the mountain until we arrive at Hydro electric train station where you will have a lunch, and from her you will take a train ride (30 min) to Machupicchu town (known as Aguas Calientes Town) where your hotel awaits you. **Trekking details:** - Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Elevation: Starting Point: 2,135 m. / 7,004 ft. Highest point: 2,800 m. / 9,186 ft. - Walking distance: 22 km. / 13.6 mi. | Time: 12 hrs. Approx. - Overnight: Machupicchu Town (Altitude: 2,000 m/ 6,600ft.) --- # DAY 05 # Machu Picchu Llaqta In the morning, after taking a thirty-minute bus ride up a switchback road, you will arrive to the incredible “Lost city of the Inkas”. Your guide will take you on a guided tour and history lesson of this incredible site, enjoying the complicated history and the surprising degree of technology achieved by its builders, the provision of water channels that reveal a deep understanding of hydraulics, and its exceptionally fine stonework. All this magnificent building allows you to go back in time and with the help of your guide revive the existence of those master builders. After a complete overview of the site, you will return to Machu Picchu town for your train ride back to Cusco. **Trekking details:** - Difficulty: Easy - Meals: Breakfast Elevation: Lowest Point: 2,000 m. / 6,600 ft. / Highest point: 2,400 m. / 9,240 ft. - Walking distance: 4 km. / 7.4 mi. | Time: 4 hrs. Approx. - Overnight: Cusco (Altitude: 3,350 m. / 11,055 ft.) --- ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/5-Days-Salkantay-Trek-to-Machu-Picchu-ally-treks-01.webp) ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/5-Days-Salkantay-Trek-to-Machu-Picchu-ally-treks-02.webp) ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/5-Days-Salkantay-Trek-to-Machu-Picchu-ally-treks-03.webp) ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/5-Days-Salkantay-Trek-to-Machu-Picchu-ally-treks-04.webp) ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/5-Days-Salkantay-Trek-to-Machu-Picchu-ally-treks-05.webp) ![](https://mail.allytreks.com/images/Peru/Cusco-Cuzco-Peru-ally-treks.jpg) What is included: - Pre-departure briefing. At our office, you will meet your trekking guide and the rest of the group you will travel with and get all the important information before your expedition trip. - Licensed and experienced tour guide. We are fortunate to work with an extraordinary team of highly professional tour guides full of passion, inspiration, courage and success, eager to boost unforgettable travel experiences, where the spirit of travelers is accompanied by impeccable, safe and comfortable service. - Best trained crew of chef, waiter and muleteers. You will meet them before your expeditions trek. Our team is highly trained and do an extraordinary job. They will spoil and look after you for the duration of the entire trek tour. - One duffle bag. You will be provided one duffle bag for your personal belongings for the duration of the trek (Maximum weight 6 kg. / 13.2 lbs.). The rest of your belonging can leave in our luggage store or in your hotel´s storage. - Cozy familiar lodges. These lodges are small, rustic, clean and very cozy, which are runed by local families along the trail. You will sleep on a comfortable and warm beds, there will be a dining room, living room and clean bathrooms with hot showers. By using these lodges, you are helping to these local family’s economy. - Cultural immersion activities. On day 3, in the afternoon you will experience a farming activity participation guided by a local family member. Explore and learn about local agriculture, harvesting coffee, avocados, yuca, bananas and others to finally roast coffee and delight this fabulous drink. - Extras included in your tour pack. We are convinced that small details are important in your comfort and travel experience, therefore, you will have a comfortable and cozy bed, hot water bottle for the night. - First aid kit, oxygen tank and short-wave radios. Our team of guides are trained in first aids and wilderness emergencies. We hold mandatory training sessions yearly in February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kid and oxygen tank to face any emergency related with altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, scrapes, cuts, and others. Evacuations, if necessary, will happen as soon as possible to the nearest medical center. - 24/7 customer service. We have a great commitment to provide the best support to your travel experience. Meals - 5 breakfast, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. Our talented mountain chefs will cook for you a healthy, nutritious and delicious dishes that you will get overwhelmed with the flavor and presentation. We respect all diets (vegetarians, vegan or special menus are available at no cost), so just let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions. Our travelers love our food! - Snacks on the trail and one cloth snack bag. Every day, before start your trek, the crew will provide fresh fruit, nuts, cookies and sweets for your trek. Your guide will provide one cloth snack bag to use it for the snacks you will be provided daily. In order to avoid contamination of the environment we avoid the usage of plastic bag. - Water on the trail. You will be provided with filtered and treated water along the duration of your trek and can refill your bottles at every meal stop. We highly recommend to bring with you a camel bag, canteen or bottle of 2 liters capacity. - Wake up tea/coffee. Each morning you will be woke up, by our outstanding team, with a cup of coffee or coca tea or simply a delicious hot chocolate and enjoy the early morning view from inside your place. - Tea time or happy hour. Get spoiled every day in the afternoon, before dinner, with hot drinks, popcorn, biscuits/cookies, fried wantons filled with fruits, Jam, butter, etc. - Health & environmental care. Our priority is your enjoyment and comfort; therefore, we are very strict following sanitary care standards in the manipulation of ingredients, preparation of your meals, disinfection of utensils, water and toilet. Hand sanitizer, soap and towels are supply in each room. Accommodation - 3 nights on-local families’ lodge: The accommodation is based on double capacity room on days 1, 2 and 3.a - 1 night in hotel accommodation (3 stars). A single room supplement or upgraded room type is available upon request and extra payment. Transportation - Private Car/van. Get transferred in private from your hotel to trailhead on day 1, and from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel on day 5. - Private horses/mules. All camping equipment, food and your duffel bags (with maximum 6 kg. / 13.2 lbs.) will be carry by mules/horses on days: 2 and 3. You only carry your day pack. - Consettur bus transport. On day 5 you will take a shuttle bus to visit Machu Picchu Inka site. - This journey takes one and half hour from Machupicchu town to Ollantaytambo town. This service is with the Expeditions train service, an upgrade to Vistadome or Hiram Bingham train service is available upon request and extra payment. Entrance Tickets and Permits Entrance tickets to Salkantay route and Machu Picchu Inka site What is NOT Included: - Day 5 lunch and dinner - Hiking poles. They are optional but encouraged (rentals available from Ukumari Expeditions: $5 a pair per day) - Tipping is completely optional based on your comfort level and satisfaction, however any extra is always welcome. Our entire team is fairly compensated for their service. - Others not mentioned in the program & events beyond our control. Starting at # $600 - $975 USD Per Person Based on double occupancy The above price range is based on the proposed itinerary and inclusions. The final quotation may vary depending on the accommodation selected, availability, travel dates, and any additional services requested. # We look forward to organizing this beautiful trek for you in Peru