4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Cusco Region, Peru

EXPERIENCE

DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA
Begin your adventure with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Drive to the trailhead, passing through the villages of Izcuchaca and Limatambo before arriving at Mollepata, where you will eat breakfast. Continue in your vehicle to Challacancha, where you will begin your hike as far as the campsite at Soraypampa (3900 meters above sea level).

Stop for lunch and a briefing before starting the walk to Lake Humantay, where you will also do some exercises to help with acclimation. The hike will take around six hours in total, with the highest point of the route being Lake Humantay, at 4220 meters above sea level, where there are spectacular views.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY
Eat breakfast before beginning your walk up to the highest point of the entire trek, at Salkantay Pass (4650 meters), passing through beautiful scenery on your way to Huayracmachay, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, descend along a valley, entering an area of high forest.

During this section of the route, it is possible to see many varieties of orchids, as well as a large waterfall, in a landscape dominated by Mount Salkantay. Make your second camp at Chaullay, where you will be served a delicious dinner following your seven-hour hike.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – PLAYA SAHUAYACO – SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
Wake up early and eat breakfast before starting the hike to La Playa Sahuayaco for 5 hours approximately along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River. Along the valley, you have the chance to see plantation such a coffee, bananas, avocados, Coca, passion fruit, and much more.

After 5 hours of hiking, arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco where you will have lunch, from where you will take local transportation for one hour to Santa Teresa, then continue by car 45 more minutes to Hidrolectrica. Walk 3 more hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes town on the flat trail.

Then, head to the hotel for showering and relaxing. In the evening, enjoy dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes before heading to bed.

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
In the early morning, at around 4:30 AM, begin the walk to the majestic Inca city of Machu Picchu, where you will meet with the guide and the rest of the group. There are two options for the ascent to Machu Picchu; on foot to see the sunrise, very early; or taking the bus.

At the ruins, receive a guided tour of the site lasting approximately two hours, after which you will have free time to visit the rest of the citadel, including for example the Inca Bridge and the Sun Gate. After leaving the citadel at the time agreed with the guide, descend on foot or by bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where you will board the return train to the village of Ollantaytambo, where a bus will take you back to the city of Cusco.

HIGHLIGHTS

Trek to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the entire trek, at 4650 meters
Marvel at the stunning views of the Salkantay Mountain and the Humantay Lake
Explore the jungle area and see the Santa Teresa Valley and the Salkantay River
Discover the Inca city of Machu Picchu and enjoy a guided tour of the site
Enjoy a comfortable stay in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes on the third night

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