Salkantay Trek 4d/3n – antes
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular hikes that we offer. The Salkantay route is categorized among the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic magazine. Reaching altitudes of up to 4,600 meters (15,090 feet), the Salkantay trek leads into the high jungles of the Santa Teresa Valley and on to the village of Santa Teresa, before continuing along the course of the Urubamba River to the town of Aguas Calientes, below the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. This trek is perfectly suitable for travelers who can really enjoy nature and who are not afraid of heights.
DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAYPAMPA – HUAYRACMACHAY – ARRAYANNIYOC – CHAULLAY OR COLPAPAMPA
We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel in Cusco for the 3 hour drive in our private vehicle to the small village of Mollepata, where we will have breakfast before driving on for about another hour to Soraypampa (3900 meters / 12,790 feet), where will begin our hike to Salkantay Pass (3900 meters / 12,790 feet). We will stop for lunch at Huayracmachay, before continuing for another 1 or 2 hours as far as our campsite at either Chaullay or Colpapampa (2850 meters / 9350 feet), depending on the progress our group has made so far. We will have a good night’s rest to prepare us for the second day of the trek.
DAY 2: COLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – LUCMA
After a delicious breakfast, we will descend for about 5 hours until we reach the edge of the tropical forest, an ecosystem with a wonderful variety of plants and flowers, the most impressive of which are the many species of brightly colored orchids. These forests are filled with birdlife and bright butterflies. We will pass waterfalls and stop for lunch on the riverbank. If the group chooses to do so, it is possible to drive down to Santa Teresa for a swim in the hot springs at Colcamayo.
DAY 3: LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast, we will climb for about 3 hours to the archaeological site of Llactapata. From here there are wonderful panoramic views of Machu Picchu in the distance. After touring the site, we will head downhill to the local hydroelectric plant, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we will take the train to the small town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, where we will spend the night in a comfortable hostel with private bathrooms and breakfast included. In the evening we will share a special dinner to celebrate the experience of the preceding days and discuss the highlights of the trip.
Option: If on the last day the group is too tired, we can take a bus to the hydroelectric plant, from where it is an easy 2½ hour walk to Aguas Calientes.
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Today we will finally visit the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu (2453 meters / 8045 feet). Our plan is to leave the hotel at around 5:30 am for the fifteen minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, so we can be among the first visitors to reach the ruins, but we can set off a little later if you are too tired. Your guide will allow some flexibility in this regard, after discussion with the group the night before. We will spend the day visiting what has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak amid spectacular scenery. During a guided tour of the site the guide will talk about historical and cultural aspects of this lost city. Our visit to Machu Picchu will begin shortly after sunrise, and in the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will head back to Cusco by road in our private vehicle.
- NOTES ON THE ITINERARY
- The times given on this itinerary are approximate.
- Hiking times depend on how the group progresses.
- The trip offers plenty of adventure.
Available discount these discount are not cumulative
- Students: US$ 29 students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid
- Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
- Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport
DEPARTURE DATE
- Copy required for all bookings.
Departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to November.
What is included?
- Pre trek briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure
- Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu $15 extra) and Salkantay trek (if charged)
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people)
- Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks
- Basic foam mattress
- Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
- Toilet tent
- Toilet paper, packin &pack out
- Meals (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes) Salads, if served, are washed in boiled wáter
- Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
- Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person)
- 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
- Tents for our staff to sleep in
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day is included - 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic hotel
- One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
- Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
What is not included?
- Dinner on the last night
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US $16 per personal applies Breakfast on the first morning
- Entrance to the thermal springs
- Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire
- Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
What we recommend that your bring :
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
- Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc
- Small towel
- Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original passport
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
- Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
Prices 2023 – 2024
| # of people (private) Group | |||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9-12+ |
| Price USD (per person) | |||||
| 680 USD | 630 USD | 580 USD | 530 USD | 480 USD | 430 USD |
Optional Extras per Trip
- Sleeping back $30.00
- Single Tent Supplement $35.00
- Walking Pole $12.00
- Inflatable Mettress $25.00
How to make a booking
If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.
- Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
- Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
- In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
- Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.
In case you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, please contact us, we will be very glad to assist you. Your request will be answered by return mail
