Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in 5Days Group Service

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in 5Days Group Service

The Salkantay Trek 5 Days is the most spectacular alternative trek to Machu Picchu and unlike the Classic Inca Trail, there are no permit limitations. 

National Geographic Adventure Magazine rated the Salkantay Trek 5 Days as one for the 25 Best Treks in the World. Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights, through incredible landscapes where lowland jungle gives way to highland alpine settings and glaciated mountains, the most impressive of which is the snow peak Salkantay. 

If you have missed to sign up on time for the Inca trail, the Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights, is your best option to get to Machu Picchu. There are also excellent hot springs at the end of your trek.

Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

Welcome to your Salkantay Trek 5 Days, adventure we will pick you from a designated place in Cusco city at 05:00 am and travel by bus to Mollepata. From this last location will began our 3 hour hike to Cruzpata and have a lunch having the panoramic views of the snow capped mountains of Humantay (4120m/13500ft) and Salkantay (6271m/20575ft). Finished our break, we will be heading towards our first campsite Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way. 

Soraypampa is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip, sitting at 4000m / 12750ft.

Day 2: Salkantay

After breakfast, begin hiking to the highest pass of the trek. It is located at 4,650 meters (15,200 feet) and halfway between two huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From here, take in views of the two snow-capped mountains. Then, continue downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay. Have lunch and then hike for about 3 hours towards the jungle to reach the second campsite, Colcapampa (3,000meters/9,800feet).

Day 3: Cloud Forest - Hot Springs

After breakfast, start hiking through the upper jungle and cross the Lluskamayo River through small brooks and creeks. Set up camp in the warm climate of La Playa (2,500meters/8,202feet). Rest and then head to the hot springs to enjoy a well-deserved bath in soothing waters.

Day 4: Llactapata - Puente Ruinas

After breakfast, hike up for 3 hours to Llactapata. Take photos and rest and continue for 2 hours downhill passing coca and banana plantations. Reach the Hydroelectric dam for lunch and hike for 2 hours more to reach Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night. Optional: In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs in the town.

Day 5: Machu Picchu

Enjoy breakfast and then take a bus to Machu Picchu at approximately 5:30am. See the magnificent city as the sun rises. Then, enjoy a 2-hour guided, walking tour and spend time exploring the city on your own. If you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu mountain which takes 45 minutes to reach the top. This is an extra walk; so please talk to your guide for arrangements to climb this mountain. Afterwards, meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (which can be reached by bus or on foot) to have lunch and get your train tickets back to Cusco. Train included is the Expedition Train (to Ollantaytambo or Poroy).The earliest train from Aguas Calientes you can take is the 1pm and latest is the 9:20pm. Then, you will take a bus or vehicle to Cusco.