Tour Salkantay Trek 5D / 4N

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel or hostel in Cusco at 5:30 am. You will begin your journey to the small town of Mollepata, where you will enjoy your first breakfast. After breakfast, you will continue your journey to Challacancha, where you will begin a two-hour hike to the Soraypampa refuge. Weather permitting, the views along this route are breathtaking. Visible are two large mountains, Humantay (5,900 meters above sea level) and Salkantay (6,215 meters above sea level). You will walk along the edge of the ancient water channels until you reach the refuge, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will continue the hike to Humantay Lagoon, which sits at an elevation of 4,221 meters (13,841 ft). This is a 2:15-hour uphill hike, followed by a 1:30-hour descent. This is a remote lake with little tourist activity. It offers stunning views of the base of the great Humantay glacier. On the shores of the lake, we will have a light snack. After a short hike around the lagoon, we will return to the Soraypampa refuge through the valley, observing the community of Soraypampa, located in the Salkantay and Humantay valleys. Upon arrival at the refuge, hot drinks and snacks will be served, as well as dinner for that evening. At night, the sky is immensely clear, and you will be able to see and appreciate the Inca constellations and shooting stars.
– Maximum elevation: 4,221 meters (13,841 feet) (Humantay Lake)
– Elevation at the refuge: 3,830 meters (12,530 feet)
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Accommodation: Comfortable rooms
– Weather: Cold with rain and wind during the months of March, November, and December
– Trip type: Hiking

At first light, at approximately 5:30 a.m., we will wake up to a beautiful day and a hearty breakfast. We will begin the day’s hike to the highest point of our trip, the Salkantay Pass, which has an elevation of 4,638 meters (15,213 feet). During this day hike, you will explore the alpine vistas of the Andes during a 1-hour and 30-minute hike along the Salkantay River Valley, eventually reaching the Salkantay Plain at an altitude of 4,154 meters (13,625 feet). The views along this trail are breathtaking. You will continue your hike through the Salkantay Valley, along glacial streams, reaching Soyro Cocha, located at 4,491 meters (14,730 feet). Here, you will have a snack and a short rest. Once again, this rest stop offers wonderful views of Salkantay Peak, and you can hear the springs emanating from the foothills of the glacial peak. You will then begin the final part of your day’s hike, an approximately 1-hour ascent to reach Salkantay Pass at 4,660 meters (15,213 feet). This is the highest point of our trek.
Here, you will see the majesty of Salkantay Peak, one of the highest peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountains. You will then begin a 2-hour descent hike where you will have lunch and hot drinks in a farming community called Wayrac machay (Cave of the Wind). You will continue your downhill descent, transitioning from frigid temperatures to a warmer forest, a lush jungle home to abundant flora and fauna, many species of wild orchids, elephant begonia flowers, as well as many varieties of hummingbirds. We will end the day at the Chaullay refuge. – Maximum elevation: 4,638 meters (15,213 feet) (Salkantay Pass)
– Refuge elevation: 2,852 meters (9,390 feet)
– Difficulty: Difficult
– Accommodation: Exclusive and comfortable rooms
– Climate: Cold with wind, transition to a warmer zone.

After a hearty breakfast, your third day will begin with a gradual hike of approximately 5 hours to reach Sahuayacu Beach. Along this hike, you’ll see the natural volcanic waters of Collpapampa, which have been used medicinally. You’ll also pass waterfalls, many varieties of flora, and passion fruit in the midst of a jungle forest. You’ll arrive in Sahuayacu for lunch and cold drinks. After lunch, you’ll hike the last part of your day, approximately 40 minutes, to Lucmabamba, our next refuge. Here, you’ll see large plantations growing coffee, bananas, avocados, and other fruits. Upon arriving at the Lucmabamba refuge, you’ll have the opportunity to tour an organic coffee farm run by a local family and taste this delicious coffee along with yuca or fried plantains. You’ll then have time to visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo, a 45-minute bus ride from our refuge. You’ll return by the same bus for dinner at the Lucmabamba refuge. – Maximum elevation: 2,850 meters (9,395 feet)
– Elevation at the refuge: 2,100 meters (6,900 feet)
– Difficulty: Easy
– Accommodations: Comfortable rooms
– Climate: Warm

Again, you will begin with a hearty breakfast at sunrise, followed by an uphill hike of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. You will explore the rainforest along the Santa Teresa Valley, overlooking many beautiful local coffee, avocado, and banana plantations. This is an exciting and important day of our trip. You will have the opportunity to hike along the Inca Trail until you reach L’Actacata de los Incas at an elevation of 2,736 meters (8,974 feet). At this vantage point, you will see your first view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain. This is an unforgettable spot and a great place for photographs. You will continue on a downhill hike for approximately 2 hours until you reach the hydroelectric train station, which sits at an elevation of 1,771 meters (5,809 feet). Here, you will have lunch and rest briefly, after which you will continue your hike and reach the famous Intiwatana (sundial). According to history, this clock, made entirely of stone, worked in conjunction with the Intiwatana located at Machu Picchu. You will then continue along an easy trail for approximately 3 hours, until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Village. The elevation here is 1,900 meters (6,232 feet). The Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu trail is a historically significant path, as it was used by American professor Hiram Bingham when he searched for the lost city of Vilcabamba. Fortunately, along this trail, Professor Bingham met a local farmer named Melchor Arteaga who guided him to Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your accommodation, continue with dinner, and prepare for the next day.
– Maximum elevation: 2,736 meters (8,974 feet)
– Difficulty: Easy
– Accommodation: Rooms
– Climate: Warm

This is the most important day of your expedition. To maximize your time exploring and enjoying the famous Machu Picchu citadel, you will start the day before dawn so you can catch the first bus to the site. The bus ride takes approximately 25 minutes. You will be able to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, an unforgettable photo opportunity. You will have a two-hour guided walking tour around the citadel with our experienced guide, who will share stories and lessons about Inca culture. There will be time after this tour to experience Machu Picchu on your own, with plenty of time for photography. We will regroup at the entry point, where buses will take us back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After lunch, we will board the train to Ollantaytambo (approximately two hours) and then a bus back to Cusco. While at Machu Picchu, you have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu. This is a three-hour round-trip hike, and the ticket for this activity must be purchased in advance. You also have the opportunity to climb the famous Puerta del Sol. This activity is free, no reservation required, and lasts about two hours.