Peru · Trekking

Salkantay Trek Standard 5D/4N

5 Days Round trip from Cusco Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek the popular Salkantay route to Machu Picchu
  • 02 Visit Humantay Lake and cross the Salkantay Pass
  • 03 Hike through glaciers, valleys, and cloud forest scenery
  • 04 Camp at Salkantaypampa and Lucmabamba
  • 05 Spend one night in Aguas Calientes
  • 06 Explore Machu Picchu on the final day
  • 07 Travel with a professional bilingual guide
  • 08 Includes meals, train return, and Machu Picchu entrance

Take on one of Peru’s most popular alternative routes to Machu Picchu on this 5-day Salkantay trek from Cusco. Along the way, experience dramatic Andean scenery including Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass, glaciers, colorful valleys, and cloud forest landscapes before reaching Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

This itinerary combines rewarding hiking days with camping in scenic mountain settings, including Salkantaypampa and Lucmabamba, plus one hotel night in Aguas Calientes. With meals, camping equipment transport, a bilingual guide, and Machu Picchu entrance included, it’s a well-rounded adventure for travelers looking for a classic highland trek.

Along the way, experience dramatic Andean scenery including Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass, glaciers, colorful valleys, and cloud forest landscapes before reaching Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Cusco, Machu Picchu, Salcantay
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Cusco – Laguna Humantay – Campo Base SalkantayPampa (16km aprox 7hrs)

Recojo temprano en su hotel, disfrute de un desayuno en Mollepata para luego iniciar su caminata en Soraypampa (3900 msnm), donde nos encontraremos con nuestros arrieros y caballos, quienes llevarán todo el equipo de campamento y comenzaremos nuestra caminata hacia la laguna Humantay (4200 msnm). ).
Luego de la visita a la laguna Humantay retornaremos a Soraypampa donde nos estará esperando nuestro cocinero con el almuerzo, luego se dirigirá a nuestro campamento base Salkantaypampa desde donde podremos disfrutar de las hermosas vistas del nevado Salkantay, y disfrutar de una té de la tarde y una deliciosa cena.

2
Day 02

Campo base Salkantay Pampa - Chaullay (18km aprox 7hrs)

Despiértese con una taza de té de coca y disfrute del desayuno con fantásticas vistas de las montañas, luego llegue al punto más alto del paso Salkantay a 4600 msnm en 3 horas. Desde allí, caminaremos hacia Wayrac Machaq, para almorzar. Luego, continuaremos hacia la selva alta donde observaremos grandes árboles con sus brazos extendidos sobre los arroyos, todos llenos de bromelias y orquídeas. y cuesta abajo hasta el 2do campamento.

3
Day 03

Chaullay – Lucmabamba – Llactapata (16km aprox 6hrs)

Despertar temprano y desayunar; Comenzamos a caminar por el bosque nuboso durante 3 horas. Observa el fantástico paisaje de ríos y cascadas; después del almuerzo, 3 horas hasta el campamento Llactapata ubicado en la cima de una montaña justo en frente de Machu Picchu.

4
Day 04

Llactapata – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes (14km aprox 6hrs)

Despierta con una vista increíble y el amanecer te muestra Machu Picchu. Hoy caminará cuesta abajo hasta Hidroeléctrica para almorzar y continuará caminando otras 3 horas hasta Aguas Calientes. Esta noche la pasarás en un Hotel.

5
Day 05

Machu Picchu – Cusco

Despierta con una vista increíble y el amanecer te muestra Machu Picchu. Hoy caminará cuesta abajo hasta Hidroeléctrica para almorzar y continuará caminando otras 3 horas hasta Aguas Calientes. En el camino tendrás la oportunidad de visitar el jardín botánico de Mandor. Esta noche la pasarás en un Hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Cusco 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 4x Breakfast,4x Dinner,4x Lunch. (vegetarian option available)
  • Transfer from Cusco to Mollepata
  • 3 Nights Camping and 1 Night hostel.
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
  • Roomy dining tent and kitchen
  • Chairs and dining tables
  • Train service back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Professional bilingual guide
  • cook and assistants
  • drop off in our office
  • First aid kit

What's Not Included

  • Bus Up or Down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (USD $24.00)*.
  • Sleeping bag
  • Walking poles

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • LIMITED SIGHT ACCESSIBLE
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Cusco, PE
Tour start
Cusco, PE
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Cusco.

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