Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Duration 7 Days / 6 Nights
Group Size Max 8 People
Activity Level Challenging
Max. Altitude 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
Destinations Machu Picchu, Cusco

The 4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu combines spectacular mountain scenery, local culture, adventure, and a more comfortable trekking experience. Along the way, you’ll visit the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, cross the impressive Salkantay Pass, and descend through the lush cloud forest toward Machu Picchu. It’s an ideal trek for travelers who want to experience the best of the Andes.

Overview

Destinations: 

Daily Outline

Day 1

Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Sky Camp

Day 2

Salkantay Pass- Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Colpapampa

Day 3

Colpapampa -La Playa- Hidroelectrica- Agaus Calientes

Day 4

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Sky Camp

Start your adventure early with a 4:30 a.m. pickup from your accommodation in Cusco. After approximately two hours of driving, stop for breakfast in Mollepata before continuing to Challacancha, where you’ll meet the muleteers and cooks and begin your trek.

The first hike takes approximately 3 hours to reach Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). Along the way, enjoy views of the impressive Salkantay Mountain, glaciers, deep valleys, and ancient Inca water channels still used by local farmers.

Once in Soraypampa, settle into your cozy Sky Camp and enjoy lunch prepared by our trekking chefs. In the afternoon, hike for approximately 2.5 hours round trip to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Take your time to admire its turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dramatic Andean landscapes.

After returning to camp, relax and enjoy a delicious dinner while watching the sunset over the mountains. Then, settle into your Sky Camp and rest beneath the clear Andean sky.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Tents
Hiking Distance 16 km / 10 miles
Hiking hours 7 to 8 hours.

Day 2 Salkantay Pass- Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Colpapampa

Today is the most challenging day of the trek, but also one of the most spectacular. Start the morning with coca tea and breakfast before hiking approximately 3 hours (7 km / 4.35 miles) to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). The ascent follows a winding path known as the “Path of the 7 Snakes,” with impressive views of Salkantay Mountain, glaciers, and surrounding valleys.

After reaching the pass, take some time to enjoy the breathtaking views before descending approximately 2 hours (7 km / 4.35 miles) to Huayracmachay, where you’ll stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, the landscape changes dramatically as you enter the cloud forest. Continue hiking for approximately 3.5 hours (9.5 km / 5.9 miles) through lush vegetation, waterfalls, colorful landscapes, and native plants as the climate becomes warmer.

After a full day of hiking, arrive at Colpapampa, where you’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and rest at our exclusive Mountain Sky View Campsite.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Tents
Hiking Distance 23.5 km / 14.6 miles
Hiking hours 10 to 11 hours

Day 3 Colpapampa -La Playa- Hidroelectrica- Agaus Calientes

The day starts early in Colpapampa with breakfast, followed by a scenic downhill hike through the Santa Teresa Valley. Along the way, you will see waterfalls, rivers, orchids, and tropical plantations, including coffee, banana, and avocado.

After the hike, you reach the Granadilla sector, where a private vehicle takes you to La Playa. Here, the focus changes from nature and hiking to a coffee experience. You will visit the plantations and discover how coffee is cultivated, processed, roasted, and ground before enjoying a tasting.

After lunch, the journey continues by vehicle to Hidroelectrica. From there, you can walk along the railway tracks toward Aguas Calientes, surrounded by lush vegetation and the Urubamba River. A train option is also available for those who prefer not to walk.

Finally, you arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, and have free time to enjoy the hot springs. The day ends with dinner and a well-deserved rest before visiting Machu Picchu the following day.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Tents
Hiking Distance 19.5 km / 12.12 miles
Hiking hours 6 hours.

Day 4 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

The day begins very early in Aguas Calientes . The early start allows you to experience the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the soft morning light and avoid some of the larger crowds.

From Aguas Calientes, take the bus up to the archaeological site. Once inside, enjoy an approximately 2-hour guided tour through the most important areas of Machu Picchu, including temples, houses, terraces, agricultural fields, and ancient water channels.

After the guided tour, you have the option of adding a mountain hike. Depending on your pre-booked ticket, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for spectacular panoramic views over the citadel and surrounding Andes.

After exploring Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then, depending on the train schedule, travel by train to Ollantaytambo.

From Ollantaytambo, our transport  will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 pm.

Note: This trip package includes Machu Picchu Circuit 2. If Circuit 2 is unavailable, Circuit 3 will be offered as the first alternative, followed by Circuit 1, subject to availability.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hiking Hours 2 to 3 hours.

What's Included

  • Pre-departure briefing at your Hotel
  • Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soraypampa
  • Entry tickets to the Salkantay Trek, Humantay lake and Machu Picchu
  • English-speaking guide
  • Camping equipment (dining tents, tables and chairs)
  • 2-nights camping in comfortable tents
  • 1-night hotel  in Aguas Calientes town
  • Tents for every 2 trekkers
  • Comfortable foam mattresses
  • Horses and mules for the Salkantay Trek
  • Personal porter for the Inca Trail
  • Experienced chef and Kitchen equipment
  • All meals on the trail (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 3 snacks)
  • Boiled water to refill in your water bottles or Camelback
  • Duffle Bag provided for up to 7 kg (15 lb) of personal items and sleeping bag
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Expeditions train ticket back to Ollantaytambo
  • Transport from the Ollantaytamo train station to your hotel in Cusco
  • Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit

What's Not Included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Last day lunch
  • Sleeping bags, air mattresses, or trekking poles ( can be hired from us )
  • Tips

Additional Services

  • Huayna Picchu entrance, USD 70.00 per person
  • Machu Picchu mountain USD 70.00 per  person
  • Upgrade to the Vistadome train USD 45.00 per person
  • Upgrade to Vistadome Observatory train Return  USD 55.0 per  person

Price

Most Popular

GROUP TOUR

Minimum 1 Persona required
Price starting at
$ 650.00 USD / person
Exclusive

PRIVATE TOUR:

Minimum 2 people required
Price starting at
$ 1,160.00 USD / person

* For groups of 4+ travelers, please contact us directly to unlock special volume discounts.

FAQs

Can I get altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness can happen on high-altitude treks, but good preparation helps. Spend 2–3 days in Cusco before the trek, hydrate well, avoid heavy alcohol, eat light at first, and walk at a steady pace. If you have medical concerns, speak with your doctor before traveling.

Are Machu Picchu tickets included?

Yes. Your Machu Picchu ticket is included. We include Circuit 2 by default when available. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best available alternative, which may be Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

Tour Price
From $650.00 Per person
Traveler(s) (1)

Adults

18+ · $650/pp

1

Students

18-25 · $650/pp

0

Children

0-17 · $618/pp · 5% off

0

Make it private $1,160/pp

Your own guide & vehicle · personalized pace

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TOTAL PRICE US $0.00
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IMPORTANT Machu Picchu Tickets

If Circuit 2 tickets are sold out for your travel date, we’ll secure the best available alternative: Circuit 3 or Circuit 1. To secure your preferred circuit and times, we highly recommend booking your Machu Picchu trip as early as possible; tickets are limited and sell out quickly.

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say

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Goay K
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Recommended Very reliable service operator All went smooth and very supportive by all mean.
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Jhony H
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Pase unos momentos únicos conociendo lugares hermosos Buena atención del guía, nos ayudó bastante conociendo la ruta a diferentes estaciones, me sentí muy cómodo y en confianza el guía, recomiendo mucho a cualquier persona que desea conocer, contactarse con el guía, excelente todo.
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Samayra G profile picture
Samayra G
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Montaña 7 colores Tour dia completo. Quiero reconocer el gran equipo que esta detrás de esta agencia, empezando con el coordinador, conductor Rubén, guía Elías, un trato muy servicial y amable que siempre demostraron, yo que no soy la más rápida en subir montañas tuve mucha motivación y ayuda por parte del guía (Elías) se le agradece que sienta esa empatía, el desayuno y comida del tour muy rico... excelente servicio.
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Samayra G
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Excursión a las ruinas del Machu Picchu Agradecidos con el estimado Raúl que fue recibirnos a la central de autobuses en nuestra llegada a MachuPichu, siempre se mostró muy amable y servicial, el recorrido a MachuPichu fue algo majestuoso, Raúl contaba la historia de una manera didáctica, sin duda un día inolvidable.
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Samayra G
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City Tour Cusco Excelente servicio, puntual, cómodo, el conductor muy amable, el guía, el estimado Elias, dio una muy buena explicación del lugar y la cultura.... Cusco sin duda un lugar iconico del Perú, doy gracias tambien por las recomendaciones de lugares donde comer y comprar...
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Yiseth O
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No te lo puedes perder! Wow! No se lo pueden perder! Una vista única. El guía atento en todo momento, siempre nos esperaba para avanzar, nos animó siempre, la logística excelente, el transporte en tiempo, la comida buffet que nos incluía el tour deliciosa, probamos varios platos típicos y el plus las mejores fotos grupales tomadas por el guía.
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Yiseth O
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Machupicchu! Tour con la mejor Agencia! El tour fue único, me encanta que nos dan recomendaciones sobre horarios, cuando es la mejor hora de ingreso, horas menos concurridas, mejores ángulos para las fotos, etc. La explicación del guía 10/10, respondió todas nuestras dudas y tiene una gran pasión por la historia del lugar la cuál transmite. La logística excelente, desde que llegamos a Cusco nos entregaron todos los ingresos de todos los tours y no hubo absolutamente ningún retraso. La puntualidad fue increíble.
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Yiseth O
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Excelente Agencia! Super recomendada! El tour excelente! Nos mostraron los principales destinos turísticos de Cusco y sus alrededores. El guía con gran conocimiento, respondió todas nuestras inquietudes, amable, paciente. La logística excelente, transporte a tiempo, atentos en todo momento.
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Geomar U
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Excelente Servicio!! Todo bien programado, los tiempos, las visitas, los guías, los vehiculos, todo perfecto, 5 estrellas
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Geomar U
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Excelente Servicio!! Todo muy bien coordinados, con ellos ya no te preocupas de nada, te hacen la vida mas facil, super recomendables.
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