Trip Overview
The Salkantay Trek is an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail for reaching Machu Picchu.
The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600 metres, descends into the cloud forest and passes the Inca ruins Llactapata, with a view of Machu Picchu. The three nights of camping offers hikers an incredibly diverse trekking experience, where lowland jungle gives way to highland alpine settings and glaciers. Mount Salkantay is one of the most iconic mountains in the Cusco region and the highest mountain on the Willkapampa range.
Venture out on a truly unique experience to walk the path of the Incas and hike to Machu Picchu, Peru's ultimate gem.
The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600 metres, descends into the cloud forest and passes the Inca ruins Llactapata, with a view of Machu Picchu. The three nights of camping offers hikers an incredibly diverse trekking experience, where lowland jungle gives way to highland alpine settings and glaciers. Mount Salkantay is one of the most iconic mountains in the Cusco region and the highest mountain on the Willkapampa range.
Venture out on a truly unique experience to walk the path of the Incas and hike to Machu Picchu, Peru's ultimate gem.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Start Soyroccocha Hike
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Leave Cusco at 5 am and start a scenic bus-ride to your trail starting point. Along the four-hour drive, you'll cross through the town of Limatambo, an important point of access during the time of the Inca Empire, where you'll meet the wranglers and horses. After a short introduction, start your hike following the paths of the locals on a soft ascent toward the base of Salcantay mountain. After lunch, begin the steep two-hour ascent to your camp at Soyroccocha.
Accommodation
Soyroccocha Camp
Activities
Hike to Soyroccocha
Transportations
Private Driver from Cusco to Cruzpata - Cusco
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Cusco
Day 2
Salcantay Pass to Collpapampa
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You will depart early after breakfast and start a 1.5-hour ascent to the Salcantay Pass with stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range. From this point, start descending into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, you can see the remains of an ancient Inca path. A long and easy descent along the Salcantay River will bring you to your second camp at Collpapampa with natural hot springs to relax in after the hike.
Accommodation
Collpapampa Camp
Activities
Soyroccocha to Collpapampa Trek
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Cusco
Apurimac
Day 3
Trek to Lucmamaba
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Today you will continue your hike to Machu Picchu with an easy walk along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. You'll pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, and the town of La Playa until finally reaching the third camp at Lucmabamba. You'll enter the spectacled-bear territory and will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as you descend.
Accommodation
Lucmabamba Camp
Activities
Collpapampa to Lucmabamba Hike
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Apurimac
Cusco
Day 4
Hike to Macchu Picchu and Train to Aguas Calientes
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After breakfast, start climbing for 2-3 hours to El Mirador, where you will have exceptional views of the 'Lost City of the Incas', the legendary Machu Picchu. Enjoy your last lunch at the Llaqtapata lookout point of Llaqtapata before descending for 2 hours towards the Aobamba River. Here you will board a train to reach Aguas Calientes, a modern little town close to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Accommodation
Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel & Suites★3 star
Activities
Lucmabamba to Machu Picchu Trek
Aguas CalientesOptional Activity
Transportations
Train from Central Hidroelectrica Machu Picchu, Peru to Aguas Calientes
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Cusco
Aguas Calientes
Day 5
Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
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In the morning, you’ll be taken to the Machu Picchu ruins starting with a short bus ride up the steep zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas. Your tour guide will show you the most important sectors of this great Inca City. After some free time, you will return to the town by bus and take the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo town, followed by a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco. Your 5-day hike to Machu Picchu is complete!
Activities
Machu Picchu
Transportations
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Private Driver from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Aguas Calientes
Cusco
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What’s included?
- 4 nights accommodation
- 5 activities
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
- Airport transfer
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 2,346/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Peru in 5 days
3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
Unique local experiences you can’t find elsewhere
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