Our 4-day hike along the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu is the best option if you have limited time during your trip but still want to experience nature.
After acclimating to the climate in the city of Cusco, the capital of the majestic Inca Empire, join us for the ultimate quick tour to Machu Picchu: the 4-day Short Trek to Salkantay. This incredible route will take you to the glorious Humantay Lagoon, the wild Salkantay Mountain, descending through the mysterious cloud forest, and to the edge of the Peruvian jungle. Each night, you will enjoy the comfort of our exclusive camp and delight in some of the most delicious creative dishes in the midst of the Andean mountains. Our expert and professional guide will accompany you throughout the route, sharing all they know about the region, culture, and history. Join us on an exciting journey with comfort and the best company!
It is recommended to spend at least 1 or 2 nights in the city of Cusco before the tour to acclimate.
Today we begin this adventure early. We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco at 4:00 a.m., and travel for about two hours to have a quick breakfast in Mollepata. Our transport includes cozy blankets in case you need to nap for a few more minutes. After eating and resting a bit, we will drive for one more hour to the starting point of the hike in Kallacancha. Before starting our trek, you will meet the muleteers and cooks who are part of the team and make a final check of your gear. Then, we will begin our relatively easy three-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where our first camp is located. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful glaciers and a deep valley. You will also notice that an Inca water channel follows us for most of the route, which local farmers still use today. This segment is 7 km / 4.35 miles long. Once in Soraypampa, you will have time to settle into the cozy igloo of our Sky Camp and enjoy your first meal prepared by our chefs. You will undoubtedly be amazed by their talent in the mountains. After lunch and recharging your energy, we will begin our afternoon hike to Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), also called the gem of the mountains. Once you reach the top, you will understand why it is known by this name. The round trip takes about two and a half hours over 3 km / 1.86 miles. The distance may seem short, but due to the high altitude, you may get tired. It is necessary to go slowly. When you arrive at the stunning lagoon, you will have plenty of time to catch your breath, enjoy the fantastic scenery, and contemplate its turquoise waters in contrast with the snow-capped mountain backdrop. The views here are truly something out of a dream. Once we return to camp, you will have time to enjoy a delicious dinner while watching the sunset behind the mountains. It’s hard to describe the energy of this place, but inner peace is the closest thing that can be said. Next, it will be time to head to our Sky Camp to rest well and contemplate the constellations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The impressive Abra Salkantay and the descent into the tropical forest.
In the morning, you will wake up with the first rays of the day and see the Apu Salkantay while enjoying an energizing coca tea. Afterward, you will have a nutritious breakfast before beginning the 7 km trek for about three hours to the highest point of the route, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). This is a difficult ascent via the “Seven Serpents” trail, named for its winding path. Once at the top, you will enjoy the most magnificent view of the surrounding valleys, as well as Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), which stands right in front of you, the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and considered an Apu (Inca god). You will also see the mountains Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo.
After enjoying the views and resting, you will begin to descend (7 km / 4.35 miles) to the point for lunch at Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This section of the trail is rocky and steep, but it offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley. After a revitalizing lunch, you will enter the limit of the tropical forest, also known as the “cloud forest.” This section covers a distance of 9.5 km / 5.9 miles and lasts about three and a half hours. Along the way, you will enjoy the lush vegetation, and will be able to spot some native wildlife like birds, orchids, and even some monkeys. The final part of the descent will lead us to Chaullay, where we will spend the night.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The final stretch to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Today, we will wake you up at 6:00 a.m. for a nutritious breakfast. Then, we will begin our five-hour hike through the stunning Santa Teresa valley, reaching La Playa. Along the trail, you can enjoy the lush landscape, with rivers, wild orchids, and many plantations of coffee, bananas, and avocados. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to taste granadilla and passion fruit.
We will continue our hike, heading to the base of the mountains to cross over to the other side of the valley. In this tropical stretch, we’ll see waterfalls, birds, fruit trees, flora, and fauna. Upon reaching La Playa, it will be time to enjoy the final lunch prepared by our talented chefs, while we relax and watch a coffee demonstration.
After resting for a moment, we will board private transport that will take us to the train station at Hidroelectric. From there, we will walk along the tracks, surrounded by lush vegetation, connected by the Urubamba River. However, if you feel exhausted at this point, you may take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Among the tropical paradise, you’ll see beautiful plantations and a wide variety of birds, such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the national bird of Peru. After three hours of walking, we will reach Machu Picchu Pueblo. From there, we will take you to your hotel, where you can relax in your comfortable room with a private bathroom, hot shower, WiFi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage, allowing you to leave your things while you visit the village’s hot springs.
In the evening, we will meet for dinner at a prestigious restaurant before heading back to the hotel to rest. Tomorrow, you’ll need to get up before sunrise and begin our final adventure to the majestic Machu Picchu.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Today is the day you’ve been longing for since you started your trek. You will visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. For this, we will wake up before sunrise to avoid the large crowds at the Inca citadel and better enjoy the soft morning light falling over the massive rocks. The entrance opens at 6:00 a.m., and we want to be among the first to arrive.
From Machu Picchu Pueblo, we will take a bus up to the Inca citadel, where we will enter and marvel at the incredible construction. Once inside the complex, you will enjoy a two-hour tour with your guide, visiting the most important areas: houses, temples, terraces, farming fields, and more. You will truly be amazed by the ingenuity of the Incas, which still remains a mystery today.
In ancient times, there were no modern tools like iron or steel. The builders of the city were geniuses in organizing this community in a sustainable and beautiful way on the mountainside, even bringing water through channels and aqueducts along the streets for use by the people. When a Peruvian guide showed Hiram Bingham this place, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in thick vegetation and in a state of decay. Since then, the site has been cleaned and restored; today, it is protected and considered a treasure for the entire world.
After your amazing guided visit to the citadel, you will have the chance to enjoy one of the additional hikes to either Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft); these tickets need to be booked in advance. You will be able to enjoy an incredible view over the Machu Picchu citadel, one of the best panoramas in the world.
Later, we will return to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you can enjoy lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo (your train schedule will depend on availability). From there, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Finally, you will enjoy a well-deserved rest, though your heart will continue to soar high in the Andes like a condor for years to come.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The “Machu Picchu Circuit 2” ticket offers the most comprehensive tour of the Machu Picchu citadel and is also the most requested. Therefore, we recommend booking it well in advance to secure your entry.
Salkantay is the name of a mountain located in the northwest of Cusco. The highest peak of the mountain range rises to 6,271 meters above sea level. Salkantay means “Wild Mountain” and is a unique and surprisingly beautiful peak that provides a great focal point for this route.
The hike along the Salkantay Trail usually lasts 5 days and is popular among hikers who want to combine a quieter, less traveled route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
One of the reasons the Salkantay Trek is so popular is due to its incredible diversity of views and ecosystems. The Salkantay Trek is among the 25 best treks in the world. The hike is dominated by Mount Salkantay, which reaches 20,500 feet in height and takes you through the beautiful Mollepata Valley, passing Salkantay at an altitude of over 15,000 feet. The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is only slightly more difficult than the Inca Trail, and horses are used to transport food and equipment.
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Alternative Treks
Alternative Treks
Salkantay Treks
