5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu through the Andes and jungle

• Pick-up from the hotel early in the morning.

• Take a two-hour walk to the town of Mollepata for breakfast.

• Afterward, continue for an additional hour to Sayllapata, where the trek begins.

• Arrive at Soray Pampa for lunch and stay here for the night in tents.

• In the afternoon, relax and acclimatize, or take a short hike to a glacier lake at the foot of Nevado Tucarhuay.

• At night, rest, dine, and enjoy views of the Apu Salkantay.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Tents
Maximum altitude: 3900 mts
Minimum altitude: 2900 mts
Trekking distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours

• After breakfast, walk to the Abra Salkantay Pass, situated at an altitude of 4,650 m (15,252 ft).

• From here, enjoy panoramic views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba.

• Descend the other side of the pass to Huayracmachay for lunch.

• In the afternoon, continue descending into the Amazon high jungle and observe the change in environment.

• In the evening, arrive at Challhuay and spend the night in tents.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Tents
Maximum altitude: 4650 mts
Minimum altitude: 2900 mts
Trekking distance: 21 km approximately
Hiking time: 9 to 10 hours

• In the morning, walk for 5 hours to the town of Playa.

• Along the way, observe the variety of flora and fauna as the climate becomes more tropical.

• In Playa, after lunch, take local transport to Santa Teresa and stay in a comfortable hostel there.

• In the afternoon, visit the thermal baths of Ccocalmayo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Option of hostel or tents
Maximum altitude: 2900 mts
Minimum altitude: 1,900 mts
Trekking distance: 13 m approximately
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

• After breakfast, take local transport to Hydroelectrica.

• From here, walk for about two hours along the train tracks to reach Aguas Calientes, "Town of Machu Picchu."

• Check in at the lodge and relax before spending the day in the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

• In due time, meet for dinner and have a briefing on the next day's itinerary at Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in Aguas Calientes at the hotel
Maximum altitude: 2400 m
Minimum altitude: 1,900 mts
Trekking distance: 10 km approximately
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours

• Wake up early, and after breakfast, take a bus to Machu Picchu.

• Begin a complete guided tour of the Incan Archaeological Complex of Machu Picchu.

• Then, enjoy free time to explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Climb Huayna Picchu, which offers spectacular views of Machu Picchu, the valley, and the surrounding mountains.

• Visit the Temple of the Moon or observe the fabulous Puente Inca.

• Take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes.

  • Optional: Visit the town and relax in its hot springs. In the afternoon or evening, travel by train to Ollantaytambo and then by public transport to the city of Cusco.