Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Salkantay Trail

You will be waking up to the first rays of the Andean sun. Our crew will be serving you a fresh cup of coca tea to get the second day of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu started. After relishing another delicious Andean breakfast, we will start our hike.

We will begin with a hike to the highest pass of the trek, Salkantay Pass at 4630 m/15190 ft. The way up is somewhat challenging because of the altitude. Because of the winding path, locals call this section of the trail as “trail of the seven snakes”.

From the summit, you will get a magnificent view of the valley below under the mightly Salkantay Peak, the second-highest in the region. We will stop here for a while so that you can soak into the enchanting views while our travel expert will be sharing the prominence of this region in the Andean mythology.

You will be waking up to the first rays of the Andean sun. Our crew will be serving you a fresh cup of coca tea to get the second day of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu started. After relishing another delicious Andean breakfast, we will start our hike.

We will begin with a hike to the highest pass of the trek, Salkantay Pass at 4630 m/15190 ft. The way up is somewhat challenging because of the altitude. Because of the winding path, locals call this section of the trail as “trail of the seven snakes”.

From the summit, you will get a magnificent view of the valley below under the mightly Salkantay Peak, the second-highest in the region. We will stop here for a while so that you can soak into the enchanting views while our travel expert will be sharing the prominence of this region in the Andean mythology. 

Once you had your fill of this view, we will begin with a gradual downhill hike to Huayracmachay campsite. It is roughly a 6 kilometers/ 3.72 miles hike through an uneven rocky path. Here we will be serving lunch.

After lunch, we will be hiking into the Amazon Jungle. On this section of the trail, you will be witnessing a drastic change as we will be entering the Amazon from the Andes. Here you will get to see different plantations, birds, and more.

We will then reach our campsite in Collpapampa. Our chef will be serving you an energizing dinner.

We will be waking you up at 0600 PM. After breakfast, we will be leaving the campsite and start hiking through the picturesque Santa Teresa Valley to La Playa. This is the easiest day of the five days of Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu. 

You will be mostly hiking down the hill along different plantations like those of Avocados, coffee, and banana. The route also has many waterfalls and rivers. Often travelers spot the Peruvian National Bird, cock of the rock on this section of the Salkantay Trail. 

On reaching La Playa, we will be serving you a local meal for lunch. Our campsite in Lucmabamba is just an hour away from here.

After lunch, we will be reaching the campsite early in the evening. The region is home to some of the finest coffee farms. You can spend the evening visiting some coffee farms and learn how the local farmers produce this emblematic Peruvian product. 

Later in the evening, we will be serving you dinner before you retire into your tent. 

Another interesting day of the five days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. We will be taking the transport to Hidro Electrica where we will be stopping for lunch.

After lunch, we will be hiking along the railway tracks for three hours to Aguas Calientes town. This is the same route that the renowned American explorer Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu.

Once in Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room. Aguas Calientes is a small town that thrives on tourism. It is also home to the natural hot springs so you can spend the evening taking a dip in the fresh waters of the hot springs and relax after four days of the arduous hike.

We will begin the day quite early in the morning. You will be taking a bus from Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu citadel. On reaching the entrance of the citadel, our guide will assist you in entering the citadel. We will be giving you a two hours guided tour of the complex here. 

After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you will be climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will be directing you to the respective entrance. 

You will then take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes town. Here we will have some free time so if you want to have lunch you may do so.

Later in the evening, you will be taking the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will be meeting you on arrival and will be driving you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas back to your hotel in Cusco.