Join us on this trekking adventure on the Salkantay trail, one of the alternative Inca routes to Machu Picchu. We'll hike for 5 days, exploring the spectacular mountain scenery of the Cusco region!
5-Day Trek to Machu Picchu
Day 1: Mollepata - Soraypampa - Humantay Lagoon
We'll pick you up at 5 am at your hotel, and journey for about four hours by road passing through Anta and Mollepata, with a pit stop for breakfast. On the way, we'll be able to admire the white snowy peaks of Salkantay and Huamantay, named after Inca gods.
From Mollepata we'll continue to Challacancha, where our first 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) trekking route will begin. We'll ascend to 3850 meters (12,630 feet) of altitude, reaching Soraypampa through the deep Andean valleys. Here we'll have lunch and rest for a while, before continuing our hike to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon, a glacial lake with spectacular views. We'll admire the beautiful sunset here and, at night, we'll be able to see constellations and even shooting stars in the clear Andean sky.
Day 2: Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Chaullay
After a nutritious breakfast, we'll leave Humantay and head towards the peak of Salkantay. Did you know that it's the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region? We'll reach 4650 meters (15,255 feet) of altitude, and from this height, we'll be able to observe the spectacular snow-capped peaks of Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo.
We'll then descend along a winding gravel path to the Huayracmachay camp, where we'll stop for lunch. After replenishing our strength, we'll set off through the cloud forests and lush green Andean hills. Our hiking route today will end in the village of Chaullay, located in the middle of the Amazon jungle, where we'll set up camp for the night.
Day 3: La Playa - Colpapampa - Lucmabamba
On the third day, the itinerary will take us to La Playa, crossing the Santa Teresa valley on a six-hour hike where we'll see waterfalls, wildflowers, and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations. If we're lucky, we can also find some native animal species such as the cock-of-the-rock bird.
After lunch at La Playa, we'll continue our route to Lucmabamba, where we'll explore its tropical forest environment and visit a farm specializing in the cultivation of organic coffee, oranges, and avocados. We'll spend the night at the Lucmabamba camp.
Day 4: Llactapata Inca - Hydroelectric Station - Intiwatana - Aguas Calientes
We'll wake up to the aroma of coca tea prepared by the camp chef, which will give us plenty of energy for the two-hour hike to Llactapata Inca, an archaeological complex belonging to the Lost City of the Incas located just across from Machu Picchu.
Then we'll go to the Hydroelectric station, where we'll have lunch and explore the place that provides electricity to the entire region of Cusco. Then we'll walk to Intiwana, a mystical place that was used by the Incas as a sundial. From here we'll follow a trail that runs alongside the train tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes, where we'll spend the night.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
On the last day, we'll wake up early and leave Aguas Calientes behind and head to the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the most famous places in the world. Here we'll enjoy a two-hour guided tour to learn about the temples, palaces, and enclosures of the Inca citadel.
In the afternoon, you'll have to make your way back on your own to Aguas Calientes, from where the train to Ollantaytambo will depart. From there, we'll take you by bus to your hotel in Urubamba or, if you wish, we can take you to Cusco. The arrival is scheduled for 10 pm.
Accommodation
The tour includes 3 nights of lodging in the mountain camps of Humantay, Chaullay, and Lucmabamba; and one night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes.
Bus to Machu Picchu
If you want to book bus transportation between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu without queues, you can do it at this link.
