Our Salkantay Trek Peru 5 days is a customized alternative trek to the usual Inca Trail path. Not on the usual “gringo” trail path, this is an innovating adventure for action travelers who want a little more solitude and credibility. With more impressive views, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek gives you the privacy and peaceful reflection such a sacred path deserves.
The legendary trek has been chosen as one of the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. It is a hike easily accessible to everyone, with no limitations or permits required (at least for the moment). The Salkantay Trek is an antique and out-of-the-way path way situated in the same area as the Inca Trail where huge frosttopped mountains infringe with abundant tropical rainforest. It is one of the most interesting and important Inca Trail’s alternatives due to its wide range of flora diversity, various ecosystems, remote Andean villages, view of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain as well as for the Llactapata site laid on top of a mountain, just behind the Machu Pichu Mountain. This trail finally reaches Aguas Calientes, located at the foothill of the historical and archaeological site of Machu Picchu, from where we hike in early morning up to lost city of the Incas to see the sunrise above it. Then our tour guide will takes us around this incredible Incan citadel. Remeber, Trekking Salkantay is a 5-day hike through spectacular corners, they say it is the alternative to the well-known Inca Trail but this one is a bit more “wild”. Are you ready now??
5 Days and 4 Nights
We pick you up from your hotel
Our Salkantay Trek Peru 5 days is a customized alternative trek to the usual Inca Trail path. Not on the usual “gringo” trail path, this is an innovating adventure for action travelers who want a little more solitude and credibility. With more impressive views, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek gives you the privacy and peaceful reflection such a sacred path deserves.
The adventure we will begin in Cusco, we’ll pick you from a designated place at 05:00 am and travel by bus to Mollepata. From there we start 3-hour hike to Cruzpata and have lunch there. Finished our break, we will be heading towards our first campsite: Soraypampa. That is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip, at 4000m / 12750ft.
After having an early breakfast at around 5:30 am we will begin our Trek to the third pass which is halfway between two big mountains, Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left at 4, 650m/15, 200 ft above the sea level.
Meanwhile, we are hiking and passing this location we will get the views of the two snow-capped mountains which are a great spectacle to see. We will rest for while and continue our hike through cloud forest to Huayracpunku and have lunch and take another break.
Then we head to the lower jungle walking around 3 hours until we reach our second campsite at Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft).
Another early day to look forward on our Salkantay Trek. After a great breakfast, we’ll Leave our campsite at 06:30 am, we will trek through the jungle, crossing the Lluskamayo River.
Later on, we’ll get to La Playa (2500m/8202ft) where we set up our camp in a nice warm climate and have a break in the spring waters if you like there.
Have you finished your breakfast? yes, ok! then we are ready to head for Llactapata site. You will need all your power during this three-hour steady climb. Llactapata is an incredible Inca fort from which we will see Machu Picchu.
Once you get to LLactapata, we will spend some time taking pictures, enjoying LLactapata construction and views. Unfortunately, we cannot stay here too long as we need to keep going downhill for another two hours until we reach the Hydroelectric dam.
There we will have lunch from hydroelectric we will walk a couple of hours more until Aguas Calientes, where we will check in at our hotel and spend the night. For those who have enjoyed the hot springs, we will have the option to go to the hot bath springs of this town.
To get to Machu Picchu in time, we have to leave our accommodation very early and take the first bus not later than 05:30 am, the ride to the top takes about 20 minutes. The aim is to get to the ancient city when is getting hit by the sunrise as it feels incredibly beautiful to witness this. Thus, you will have to get ready in time and have your breakfast before leaving at the agreed hour.
Once we are in the citadel Inca, our guide will provide us with a two-hour tour and visit the most important parts of this ancient and mysterious city. You will have also time to explore by yourself Machu Picchu being careful of the edges of the constructions.
Your tour guide will then give a walking tour, which is approximately two hours. After this, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890 ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. This is an extra walk; please talk to your guide for arrangements to climb this mountain.
The famous mountain which overlooks Machu Picchu ruins is called Huayna Picchu at an altitude of 2, 720m or 8,890 ft. If you got the permit in time, you can climb this mountain following the rock steps done by the Incas and it will take you about 45 minutes to get to the top. From the top of Huayna Picchu, you will enjoy a spectacular and panoramic view of the whole valley. This is a unique experience.
Finished our tour in Machu Picchu, we all will be meeting at Aguas Calientes to have lunch and receive our train tickets to go back to Cusco.The train leaves between 17:55 and 20:20 hours. The Train will go to Ollantaytambo and from here will change for private transport to Cusco city.
If desired, we can arrange for you to have an extra night in the town of Aguas Calientes. Please, let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.
We would love to take everyone on the Inca Trail and guide you to Machu Picchu. We can leave any day of the week as long as permits remain with the government. Please remember, permits are only needed for your START DATE.
$550 per person
2 Trekkers: $1000 per person
3 Trekkers: $900 per person
4 Trekkers: $750 per person
5 Trekkers: $700 per person
6 Trekkers: $600 per person
7 Trekkers: $575 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $550 per person
MUNDO MAPI include a three (3) star hotel using La Cabana, Inti Punku, or Waman (based on availability at booking). Rooms are based on double or triple occupancy and there’s a single room surcharge of $50 US per person if you book alone. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and WIFI. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options but we work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.
– $25 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.
Please send all to info@theincatrails.com.
As seen in our Additional Items under Trip Overview there are several optional upgrades. Below is a quick list of prices but be sure to check our Overview section for more details.
Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are incredible. However, if you’re afraid of heights you need to be warned that coming back down the path is quite steep. If you decide to take this hike then you would it after your tour of Machu Picchu. While this hike is on your own your guide will direct you to where it starts. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.
Machu Picchu mountain is the mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers even more stunning views than Huayna Picchu but takes an hour and a half to reach the top. You can book this with an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you.
All our tours include the Expedition (Tourist) Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m. departing from Aguas Calientes. There is also the Vistadome train, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows and some entertainment. Usually the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cusco. While this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel.
You’ll have a full day at Machu Picchu arriving at the citadel around 6 AM and leaving no later than 2 PM to catch your 4:22 train. If you would like to tour Machu Picchu again on your own the next day that can be arranged for you.
