Trip Summary
- Duration : 7 days / 6 nights
- Trip style : Active Hiking — Peru Trek
- Starting and Ending point : Cusco
- Highlights : 2 nights in Cusco before the trek, 1 night by Machu Picchu, complete 4 days Salkantay Trek package, 1 last night in Cusco
- Activities : Archaeological, Cultural, Ecological, Hiking and Camping
- Airport Transfer : Transfers in and out are included.
- Accommodations : 3 nights in Cusco, One night by Machu Picchu Tourist class included. Upgrade options available.
- Price : from USD 725.00 Price includes all credit card transaction fees and taxes
- Trip Code : SALK7D
Explore Peru and Machu Picchu with local experts
This South America Adventure includes two nights of acclimatization in Cusco before the Trek, the complete 4 days Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu with an overnight by Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu Pueblo and back to Cusco for a last night.
The Cordillera Vilcabamba is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive Salkantay snowcapped mountain (6,264m) and three others over 6000m. Salkantay is an outstanding snow peak, located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru. It is the highest mountain of the Cordillera. Because of its proximity to the city, it is easily accessible and is climbed frequently.
In order to complete this Peru Trek, you need to have a reasonable level of fitness, age shouldn't be a barrier. The most important thing is to be well acclimatized to the altitude. The maximum height above sea level along the way is 4600 m (15092 ft), that is why we include 2 days in Cusco before the trek. This period is ideal for visiting the city of Cusco, the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Itinerary
Salkantay 7 days | Machu Picchu via Salcantay Trail
Day 1 : CUSCO
Assistance at your arrival to Velazco Astete Airport (CUZ) and transfer to your Hotel after a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: CUSCO
Today you are free to relax, acclimatize to the altitude (3309masl/10856 ft) and get ready for next day's Salkantay Trail. Overnight in Cusco. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 : CUSCO — SORAYPAMPA — HUMANTAY LAKE — SOYROCOCHA
Right after an early breakfast we will depart from Cusco approximately between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. A bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 8:00 in the morning, we will stop for last minute supplies, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms. We will continue to our trek starting point, Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level). We will meet with our support staff, and they will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 9:00 a.m., we will begin our walk toward Humantay Lake. On our way we will have a beautiful view of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. About 1:00p.m., we will have a Peruvian lunch in a placed called Salkantaypampa. After lunch, we will hike to our first campsite, Soyrococha, where we will also have dinner. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4 : SOYROCOCHA — CHALLWAY
Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We will start the hike around 8:00 in the morning. We will hike for about one hour and a half, gradually ascending, until reaching the highest point (4600 meters above sea level). We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6264 meters above sea level) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. On our way down we will visit the amazing “intense blue” Salkantay Lake. Around 12:30 p.m., we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Around 7:00 p.m., we will recuperate from the trek and eat dinner. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 : CHALLWAY — LA PLAYA — AGUAS CALIENTES
Around 7:00a.m., we will start our trek and we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise. We will walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the "Forest Cloudy Brow" where waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the "Cock of the Rocks". Once at Playa Sahuayaco, we will take a local bus to drive us to Santa Teresa where we will have our lunch at around 1:30p.m. After lunch, we will drive you to the hydroelectric train station where we will take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2000 meters above sea level). Here, you have the option of going to the thermal hot springs. We will have dinner at 7:00p.m. and accommodation at the hotel or hostel of your choice. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6: AGUAS CALIENTES — MACHU PICCHU — CUSCO
Today, you will start early at around 4:30a.m. and take the bus to Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour for about two hours and after that you will be free to explore the Citadel and take pictures, if you desire, walk up to the Sun Gate or ascent toward the Huaynapicchu Mountain. At 6:20p.m. (depending on availability), you will be taking a train to Ollantaytambo and from there, a bus will drive you to Cusco. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: CUSCO
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima. This marks the end of our services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can be arranged. Meals included: Breakfast
Inclusions
- Transportation
- Transfers in/out Cusco (please specify arrival and departure times as well as flight numbers)
- Transportation to Soraypampa (trek starting point)
- Transportation to Hydroelectric train station
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Expedition train ticket Hidroelectrica / Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo (VistaDome Train upgrade may be necessary in busy seasons based on availability)
- Transfer Ollantaytambo train station to downtown Cusco
- Horses (to carry the tents and cooking equipment)
- Accommodation
- 3 nights Cusco Accommodation
- 1 night Machu Picchu Accommodation
- Salcantay group service package - 2 nights camping
- Accomodation in double or triple rooms
- Personal pad (double foam)
- 4 Season Tents (Marmot Limestone)
- Meals
- 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Vegetarian or vegan food available upon request with no extra charge.
- Expert Staff
- English/Spanish-speaking professional guide
- Mountain Cheff (cook) and cooking equipment
- Informative presentation about the Salcantay Trail in our Cusco office
- Personal Travel Advisor assigned for you to customize the rest of your Peru Trip
- Activities
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Salkantay Trail ticket
- Weight allowance during the trek: 8 Kilograms or 17.6 pounds (weight to be carried by horse)
- Salkantay Trek Survivor Certificate
- First Aid equipment
Note: Horses will carry the heavy gear (tents, cooking equipment, food, etc). If you are considering bringing some photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or just simply don't want to carry anything, please request an additional horse for an extra USD 95.00 (only to carry up to 30kg), this way you will freely enjoy the hike. (This is highly recommended if you have never hiked over 10000 feet). Cooks handle all the kitchen chores.
NOTE: We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons we may be forced to offer substitutes of same category. We will endeavour to confirm final hotel bookings as soon as possible.- Not Included:
- Domestic air LIM/CUZ/LIM: around US$ 129.00 (subject to change)
- Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips and gratuities. You can rent a sleeping bag for USD 25. All sleeping bags are laundered between each trek. Please request this rental in advance.
Package Price
7 Days Machu Picchu via Salkantay
USD $725.00
Price per adult Double or Triple
Want your own room and tent?
From an extra USD $119.00
View DatesUpgrade Machu Picchu Accommodation with Vistadome Train
From an extra USD $199.00
Additional Student Discount : USD 30 off of group service price
To qualify for Student Discount, you have to email us a scanned copy or digital photo of a valid Student ID card after booking to info (at) incatrailreservations.com
Departure Dates
Select a date to start your trip?
