Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu with geodesic domes

Duration

4 DAYS

Height

3800 msnm

Difficulty

MODERATE

Group size

2 - 16

Departure

cusco

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE (walking time: 8 hours and 15km. aprox.)

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:45 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. to travel to Mollepata, where we’ll have time for breakfast. Then we’ll head to Marqoq’asa, the starting point of the Salkantay trek, from where we’ll walk to Soraypampa (first camp). After lunch, we’ll take a 3-hour hike to the famous Humantay Lake, a spectacular turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. At night, we’ll rest in comfortable domes or cabins.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACPAMPA – COLPAPAMPA (walking time: 9 hours 19km. aprox.)

After an early breakfast, we’ll begin the most challenging part of the Salkantay trail, ascending for 4 hours to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of the Salkantay trek. From there, we’ll have spectacular views of the majestic Salkantay snow-capped mountain and its surroundings. Then we’ll descend to Huayracpampa for lunch and continue to Colpapampa, where we’ll spend the night.

DAY 3: COLPAPAMPA – PLAYA SAHUAYACO – HYDROELECTRIC (walking time: 7 hours and 16km. aprox.)

The day begins around 6:00 a.m. with breakfast, followed by the Salkantay trek, which continues with a descent toward the cloud forest, passing through waterfalls, coffee plantations, and lush green landscapes. After about 6 hours of hiking, we’ll reach Playa Sahuayaco, where we’ll have lunch. Subsequently, we’ll take transportation to Hydroelectric, and from there, walk approximately 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, where we will spend the night.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (walking time: 2 hours and 4km. aprox.)

On the final day, we’ll start very early to take the bus to the majestic Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. We’ll have a 2-hour guided tour, discovering the history and mystery of this wonder of the world. After the tour, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes to board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo and finally return to Cusco, closing an unforgettable Salkantay trek experience.

This Salkantay tour is an incredible alternative to the Inca Trail, allowing you to enjoy the imposing Salkantay snow-capped mountain (6,271 m above sea level), considered one of the most sacred mountains in Cusco.

 

Salkantay Trek 5 days with cabins

Duration

2 DAYS

Height

3800 msnm

Difficulty

MODERATE

Group size

2 - 16

Departure

cusco

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE 14km. aprox.

Our day begins early, between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. With pick-up at your hotel, we’ll head to Mollepata, where we’ll enjoy breakfast. Next, we head to Challacancha, where the hike to Soraypampa begins, our first camp located in the middle of the mountains. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive Humantay Lake, famous for its turquoise waters, and then return to have dinner and rest in comfortable cabins.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACMACHAY – COLPAPAMPA  14km. aprox.

After an early breakfast, we ascend to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of the Salkantay trail. From here, we’ll take in spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain and neighboring mountains, including Humantay and Tucarhuay. In this section of the Salkantay trek, we’ll also pass through Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, perfect places to take Instagram-worthy photos. Then we’ll descend to Huayracmachay for lunch and continue to Colpapampa, where we’ll camp the second night.

DAY 3: COLPAPAMPA – PLAYA SAHUAYACO 18km. aprox.

On this day of the Salkantay route, we’ll walk about 6 hours to Playa Sahuayaco, enjoying cloud forest landscapes, waterfalls, and biodiversity. Around 1:00 p.m., we arrive at our lunch destination and have the afternoon free to explore the area. At night, we’ll have our tea time and dinner to rest for the next day.

DAY 4: PLAYA SAHUAYACO – LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES 18km. aprox.

We breakfast early to begin a hike along a section of the Inca Trail, which takes us to Llactapata, from where we can appreciate Machu Picchu in the distance. Then we’ll descend to Hydroelectric for lunch and continue walking to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll rest in a hotel before we visit Machu Picchu

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

On the last day, we’ll visit the spectacular Machu Picchu Citadel on a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, exploring its temples, terraces, and viewpoints. After the visit, we’ll have free time for photos and additional walks. After the visit, we descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, where transportation awaits to take us back to Cusco.