5-Day Salkantay Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via Aguas Calientes

• Start very early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 04:00 and 05:00 am, then travel toward Mollepata Village, passing through picturesque towns such as Poroy, Zurite, and Limatambo. After about 2 and a half hours on the road, arrive in Mollepata, where you will enjoy breakfast.

• From here, begin the walk to Soraypampa, where you will camp and spend the first night. This intermediate-level hike lasts approximately 6 hours.

• Ascend from the Mollepata Valley at 2900 msnm to the heights of Soraypampa at 3850 msnm.

• After breakfast, begin the hike from Soraypampa toward the Salkantay Pass at 4600 msnm. The route climbs steadily along a bridle path. Stop at the pass to admire the amazing views of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain.

• After exploring the area and enjoying a brief guided tour, continue on foot to Challhuay at 3000 msnm, descending from the puna region.

• Later, continue toward the eyebrow of the forest and notice the changes in the vegetation and local fauna.

• Have lunch and camp in Challhuay, where you will spend the second night.

• Enjoy a walk through the forest, accompanied by fruit-bearing and medicinal trees as well as local fauna.

• The route continues downhill to the town of Winaypujio, passing through Arranyanpata and Collpapampa along the way.

• In Winaypujio, enjoy lunch and rest for a few minutes.

• Then continue toward the La Playa sector, where you will have dinner and camp for the night.

• On this day, walk for approximately 10 minutes to board the tourist transport that will take you to Santa Teresa, where you will have breakfast at around 07:30 am.

• Then walk to Hydroelectric Oroya, observing some artificial waterfalls during the approximately 3-hour hike.

• Have lunch and rest before taking the train to Aguas Calientes, arriving at approximately 17:00 hrs. In Aguas Calientes, have dinner and spend the night in a basic hostel.

• After breakfast at the basic hostel in Aguas Calientes, go to the bus station to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. Here, your Peruvian tour guide will explain everything about the site.

• At night, take the train to Ollantaytambo, where your tourist transport will be waiting to take you back to the city of Cusco. Arrival in Cusco is expected after approximately 00:00 hrs.

* Visits to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain must be confirmed by reservation, as they are subject to availability.