Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu

DAY 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa ( Humantay Lagoon )

Peru Paradise Travel will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Your Guide and Cook will accompany you. After a 2-hour journey in a private van, you’ll enjoy breakfast in Mollepata, a town with stunning views.

Next, our private transportation takes us to Challacancha at 3500 meters above sea level, the starting point for our walk. Here, we meet our muleteer and pack our gear on horses. Around 9:30 am, we begin the walk to Soraypampa.

The morning walk covers about 10 km in 3 hours, reaching Soraypampa at 3900 m. After lunch, you can explore the area and take photos of the canyon. In the afternoon, a short walk to the Humantay Lagoon at 4200 m offers breathtaking views. Returning to Soraypampa, enjoy a beautiful sunset over the glaciers before dinner. Take advantage of the clear night to observe constellations.

• Walk time: approximately 4 hours.
• Distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles.
• Climate: Cool with wind.
• Altitude: From 3500 m. climbing up to 3900 m.
• Accommodation: Overnight in Cabins with shared bathroom in the Soraypampa area.

Day 2: SORAYPAMPA – PASS BEACH – LORETA LA PLAYA.

Peru Paradise Travel invites you to the second day of the Salkantay Trek. After a wake-up call with coca tea at 5:00 am, a delicious breakfast kicks off our journey. The day involves a challenging 7 km hike, taking around 3 hours.

This demanding day begins with a one-hour uphill trek along the Salkantay Valley to Pampa Salkantay at 4200 meters. After a short break, a 2-hour climb through the rocky valley brings us to the highest point, Salkantay Pass, at 4630 m (15,190 feet). Enjoy breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain (6271 m) and Humantay Mountain (5400 m).

From the pass, descend about 9 km along a zig-zag rocky path to Huayracmachay for lunch. Continuing the descent, enter the High Forest (Cloud Forest), witnessing native plants. Reach Chaullay (2900 m) around 4 pm, where our vehicle awaits. Transfer to our private Geodesic Domes camp in the Loreta La Playa area by 5:00 pm. After tea time with hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and popcorn, indulge in a delightful dinner.

• Walking time: Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
• Distance: 19 km / 12.42 miles.
• Climate: Cool with winds.
• Altitude: From 3900 m climbing up to 4600 m and descending to 2900 m.
• Accommodation: Geodesic Domes at our Loreta La Playa Lodge.

Day 3: LORETA LA PLAYA – HYDROELECTRIC – VILLAGE OF AGUAS CALIENTES.

Welcome to another exciting day of your adventure with Peru Paradise Travel! Day 3 begins around 7:00 am with a refreshing coca tea, followed by a delicious breakfast at 8:00 am.

Embark on a stroll through the area, exploring local plantations of bananas, avocados, oranges, passion fruit, papaya, and medicinal plants. These plantations sustain the local population, with coffee production being a significant industry exported to the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Experience a visit to a local organic coffee farm, savoring freshly prepared coffee with the enticing aroma of recently roasted and ground beans. After this delightful experience, return to our lodge around 11:00 am for relaxation.

At noon, relish a tasty lunch served in the dining room of our lodge. Following a leisurely time at the lodge, board our vehicle at 1:00 pm for a 1-hour and 30-minute journey to the Hydroelectric Power Plant, arriving at 2:30 pm. Begin our walk along the train tracks near the Urubamba River, visiting the archaeological site Intihuatana, featuring an ancient Inca sundial carved into a natural rock. Enjoy breathtaking views of Sacred Mountains like Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.

After a 3-hour walk, around 5:30 pm, reach Aguas Calientes (2000 meters above sea level), where we’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel. Dinner will be served in a tourist restaurant (included). During dinner, our guide will provide crucial information about the next day—the highlight of the journey—your visit to Machu Picchu. It’s recommended to get a good night’s sleep, preparing for an early morning departure to fully enjoy Machu Picchu.

• Distance to travel: 11 km.
• Estimated walking time: 3 hours
• Altitude: Approximately 2000 m.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: VILLAGE OF AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Get ready for the highlight of your journey! On this pivotal day, we kick-start our adventure early to reach Machu Picchu before Inca Trail trekkers and tourist train travelers. This ensures an exclusive experience, including the chance to witness the Sunrise at Machu Picchu.

Commencing at 5:30 am after breakfast, we embark on a walk to the bus station along a zigzagging path. This path leads to the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu at 2400 meters above sea level. Prepare for a captivating 2-hour guided tour with our Professional Guide, unraveling the history and exploring the magical and intriguing sites that have elevated Machu Picchu to the status of one of the Wonders of the World.

Post-tour, enjoy ample free time for photography, leisurely walks, or self-exploration. There’s even the option to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, subject to availability. In the afternoon, after soaking in the wonders of Machu Picchu, hop on the tourist bus for a scenic 25-minute descent to Aguas Calientes. Here, savor lunch at one of the excellent restaurants.

Around 6:00 pm, board the return train destined for the town of Ollantaytambo, arriving at 7:50 pm. Our staff awaits you, ready to transfer you by Tourist Bus back to the City of Cusco, reaching around 9:30 pm. Finally, we’ll drop you off at your hotel, concluding this unforgettable journey.