Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike

Day 1: Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

1. Cusco
   2h
   Your adventure begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco around 5:00 a.m.
2. Mollepata
   2h
   You will travel to Mollepata, where you can enjoy breakfast before continuing on to Challacancha (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), the starting point of the trek.
3. 3h · Admission ticket included
   There you will meet the team before starting the hike. The trail, about three hours and 7 km (4.35 miles), follows an ancient Inca canal and offers spectacular views of the glacial valley until you reach Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where our exclusive Sky Camp awaits you.
4. Humantay Lake
   3h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, you will take a three-hour hike (round trip) to the impressive Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) with its turquoise waters and snowy glacier backdrop, creating a dreamlike landscape.
5. 10h · Admission ticket included
   Upon your return, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and a magical night under the stars in your panoramic dome, with direct views of the imposing Apu Salkantay.

Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Colcapampa

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Wake up to a view of Apu Salkantay while enjoying coca tea and an energy-packed breakfast to start the hike to the highest point of the trek, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft).
2. 3h · Admission ticket included
   This three-hour, 7 km (4.35 mile) ascent takes us along the “path of the seven snakes.”
   At the summit, take in the majestic views of the Andes and feel the sacred energy of Apu Salkantay.
3. Colcapampa
   3h
   Then, you will descend for about three hours to Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft) to enjoy a hearty lunch surrounded by beautiful scenery.
   
   In the afternoon, you will continue to the cloud forest, where the climate becomes warmer and the vegetation more lush. Along the trail, you will observe tropical flora, birds, and waterfalls until you reach Collpapampa (2,850 m / 9,350 ft).
4. 10h · Admission ticket included
   At the end of the day, a hearty dinner and a well-deserved rest await you at our Mountain Sky View Camp, surrounded by nature.

Day 3: Chaullay - Colpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   The day begins around 6:00 a.m. with hot mate tea and breakfast before starting the hike through the beautiful Santa Teresa Valley.
2. Santa Teresa
   4h
   The trail descends gently between rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and banana, coffee, and avocado plantations, offering a tropical and relaxing atmosphere.
   You will walk with the possibility of spotting the Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru's national bird, until you reach
   Zona Propiedad, where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to La Playa.
3. 2h · Admission ticket included
   Once there, you will visit an organic coffee farm to learn about the Andean coffee process and taste its unique flavor.
4. 10h · Admission ticket included
   After the activity, we will continue to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft) to enjoy a typical lunch and settle into our exclusive Super Jungle Domes.
   In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the surroundings.
   You will end the day with a delicious dinner and a comfortable rest, surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast, you will begin your last day of hiking towards Aguas Calientes.
2. Mirador de Llactapata
   3h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning, you will follow an original section of the Inca Trail, ascending for two hours until you reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site with unique views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
   
   Here, your guide will tell you the secrets of the Inca civilization while you enjoy free time to take photos and explore.
3. 2h
   Then, you will descend for an hour and a half to Ahobamba, where you will stop for lunch.
   You will continue walking for another half hour to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft), passing by the impressive 250-meter artificial waterfall, a source of energy for the entire city of Cusco.
4. 3h
   At Hidroeléctrica, you can choose between taking the train to Aguas Calientes (optional) or continuing the three-hour hike along the tracks, enjoying the warm jungle environment. Along the way, you will see the Intihuatana, an ancient Inca solar stone related to agricultural cycles.
5. Aguas Calientes
   10h
   Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, dinner at a local restaurant and a night's rest in a comfortable hotel await you.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

1. Aguas Calientes
   2h
   Today you will experience the most anticipated moment of the trip: a visit to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Very early in the morning, you will climb up to the archaeological site to enjoy the magic of sunrise before the crowds arrive.
2. Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
   2h · Admission ticket included
   During a two-hour guided tour, you will explore the most emblematic places of the citadel: temples, houses, terraces, and water channels. You will be amazed by the advanced engineering of the Incas, who built this jewel on the side of a mountain without modern tools, creating a hydraulic system that still amazes experts.
   After the tour, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, with advance reservation) to enjoy unforgettable panoramic views.
3. Ollantaytambo
   2h
   Then, you will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the scenic train to Ollantaytambo.
4. Cusco
   Pass by
   Finally, our private transportation will take you back to Cusco, where this Andean adventure will end.

Pickup details

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.
The pickup time is between 04:30 and 05:00 am.

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
• It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
• Spots at Machu Picchu sell out quickly. Book this trip at least five months in advance to secure spaces.
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
• Children aged 12 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
• Solo travelers are welcome and can join shared groups. No minimum participants required. Most departures are guaranteed.
• Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
• Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required