The Salkantay is refer to an ancient deity that is the highest peak in the northwest region of Cusco, located in the Vilcabamba mountain range, about 100 km northeast. This sacred place has been worshipped since the time of the Inca Empire. Its name translates as “The Wild Protective Mountain” and its ancient sacred paths connected important cities such as Machu Picchu, Vilcabamba and Choquequirao, all of which were of great importance during the last reign of the Inca Empire.
Today we offer treks along these ancient trails, with the traditional Salkantay Trekking, being the second most popular and exciting route to reach Machu Picchu from the northern side of the Apu Salkantay. This adventure takes you through different ecological zones, from glaciers to warm subtropical areas, and includes visits to local communities. You will Stay in comfortable lodges run by local people, so that we call this adventure as Salkantay Trek Lodge 5 Days trek.
Join us on this adventure and enjoy the hospitality of the local people, interacting with them and learning about their customs while tasting their delicious traditional cuisine. This epic journey will culminate at the majestic site of Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World.
A few days before departure, our expert guide will meet you at your hotel for a full briefing about the Salkantay Trek Lodge 5 days. In this meeting, we will provide you with all the necessary details about the trek, including information about the trail and local regulations. This way, you can feel well prepared and at ease to enjoy your exciting 5-day adventure at the Salkantay Trek Lodge.
Our exciting adventure begins at 5:00 am. At that time, our team of guides and cooks will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will board our private van and embark on a journey of approximately two hours, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and picturesque valleys until we reach Mollepata, where you will have the option to have breakfast (not included).
After breakfast, we will continue our journey by transport for about 45 minutes to Challacancha, at an altitude of 3,600 m. / 11811 ft., which marks the beginning of our trek. In Challacancha, we will prepare and organize our equipment to start the trek to Soraypampa.
We’ll start with a 30-minute ascent, following an ancient water channel that provides clean, fresh water to local farmers. Along this stretch, we’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Humantay Glacier. We’ll hike about 7 km over three hours until we reach Soraypampa, situated at 3,900 meters above sea level, where we’ll enjoy our first lunch and settle into the lodge.
In the afternoon, after a well-deserved rest, we’ll take a short but steep hike to visit the impressive Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. This trek takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted by the majestic beauty of the lagoon and the Humantay Glacier (5,917 meters/19,412 feet), a perfect spot to capture unforgettable photos. After an hour of admiring this stunning landscape, we’ll descend for about 40 minutes back to our lodge in Soraypampa.
Back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a spectacular sunset surrounded by glaciers, followed by a delicious dinner. If the sky is clear, we’ll take advantage of the opportunity to stargaze and enjoy a unique celestial experience. We’ll end the day resting in our cozy cabins, equipped with comfortable double and matrimonial beds, preparing for the next stage of our adventure.
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll embark on our trek, covering approximately 20 km today. This will be the most challenging day of the entire Salkantay trek.
Starting from Soraypampa, we’ll gradually ascend for about an hour through the Salkantay Valley until we reach Salkantay Pampa, situated at 3,850 meters (12,631 feet). Here, we’ll take a short break to enjoy the spectacular views. We will then continue climbing through the rocky valley for another two and a half hours to reach the highest point of the trek, Salkantay Pass, at 4,650 meters (15,367 feet).
At Salkantay Pass, we’ll pause for a brief explanation about the mountains and the history of the Inca culture, appreciating a section of the original, untouched Inca trail. We will also enjoy the stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, including Salkantay Mountain (6,217 meters/20,396 feet) and other surrounding peaks.
After a break, we’ll begin our descent on a rocky path for about two hours until we reach Wayracmachay, located at 3,911 meters (12,831 feet), where we’ll have lunch surrounded by the beautiful landscape and the snowy peaks of Salkantay and Humantay. This is an ideal spot to rest and relax.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue our descent for approximately three more hours, entering the high jungle with a warmer climate. As we descend, we’ll see a variety of plants, including shrubs, brachiotums with butterfly buds, bamboo, and other high jungle species. Finally, we’ll arrive at our campsite in Chaullay, at 2,900 meters (9,514 feet).
In Chaullay, we’ll enjoy a hostel-style cabin with a nice bathroom, hot shower, and WiFi. Afterward, we’ll have a delicious dinner.
We start the day with a delicious breakfast before beginning our hike. This section of the Salkantay Trek is relatively easy, starting from Challway. We head down the valley, following the Santa River, surrounded by lush vegetation. This area, known as the High Jungle or Mountain Jungle, offers a semi-tropical humid climate and a variety of crops such as passion fruit, avocados, coffee, and the ancient medicinal plants.
By midday, we arrive at our lodge in Playa Sahuayaco, where we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our local cook. After a well-deserved rest, we explore an organic coffee farm and participate in the Coffee Experience Tour. Guided by a local, we learn about the entire coffee production process, from harvesting to tasting the organic coffee we prepare ourselves. Discover the authentic and natural process of tasting organic coffee in this unique and unforgettable experience.
If you’re interested, you can visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo, an hour away, at an additional cost for transport. After a relaxing bath we return to the lodge.
In the evening we have a nice dinner. If the sky is clear, we can enjoy a magnificent starry night. Finally, after a day full of activities and new experiences, we rest in our local lodge.
An early start to the day with a delicious breakfast before we begin our trek to Lucmabamba. From there, we climb for two and a half hours along the well-maintained Inca Trail to reach the highest point of our journey. After a short rest, we descend to the archaeological site of Llactapata at 2,750 meters. Here we can admire the distant majesty of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains, including Huayna Picchu, Vizcachani, Veronica and the impressive Salkantay,etc.
After exploring Llactapata and learning from our guide about its history and connection to Machu Picchu, we descend for an hour and a half into the Aobamba Valley, crossing an ancient bridge. We then continue on flat terrain for 30 minutes until we reach the Hydroelectric station at 1,850 meters, where we enjoy a delicious lunch at around 1pm.
After lunch we have two options. If you’re tired, you can take the train (not included) from Hydroelectric to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) located at 2,040 meters (6692 ft.), a 30 minute journey. Alternatively, you can continue walking along the railway tracks and the Urubamba River (10km/6.2 miles). On the way we visit the archaeological site of Intihuatana, which has an ancient Inca sundial. From here you can see the Sacred Mountains, including Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.
The journey continues through the misty cloud forest, following the Urubamba River, surrounded by lush vegetation and a wide variety of plants and orchids. After about three hours we arrive in Aguas Calientes around 5pm. We’ll spend the night in a comfortable hostel room and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, which is included in the Salkantay Trek Lodge package. During dinner, our guide will give you important information about the next day and highlight the must-see sites in the incredible Machu Picchu. To make the most of your Machu Picchu experience, we recommend an early night.
Today marks the culmination of your journey, with a dedicated exploration of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu. To avoid congestion on the Inca Trail and enjoy the sunrise over the ancient city, we will commence this day’s activities at an early hour.
Following breakfast, our guide will collect you from the hotel and proceed to the bus station. We will then take a tourist bus on a winding road for 25-30 minutes to the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2,400 meters /7,850 feet). Upon arrival, we will proceed through the entrance control by presenting our passports and tickets, and immediately proceed to the highest vantage point to take in the enigmatic landscape of the Inca city. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the view, take photographs and receive a historical introduction.
Subsequently, our professional guide will lead a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu, exploring the urban and agricultural zones, plazas, and other notable locations that contribute to this site’s status as a world wonder. Following the guided tour, an additional hike will be available for those who wish to participate. Climbing options are available for either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, subject to availability. Please note that advance booking is essential due to limited spots.
In the afternoon, after taking in the beauty of Machu Picchu, you may choose to descend by bus (not included) or hike down to Aguas Calientes (1.5 hours). There, you can enjoy lunch at one of the excellent local restaurants. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, a journey of less than 2 hours. Our team will be waiting to transfer you by tourist bus back to Cusco.
Note: Sleeping bags and mats are not required for this trek.
For more information please email info@allynpachaperutours.com
