There is something adventurous about going on a long trek to visit an ancient civilization. If this is something that you would love to experience and have the time to do it, then the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is the journey of a lifetime you’ve been waiting for.
Adventure travel and wonder await as the 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu will fill you a rush of adrenaline as you experience the local people’s cultural beauty amongst the natural landscape of South America.
If you also want to disconnect from your everyday busy life and visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, then the 5 day Salkantay trekking to Machu Picchu is a truly unique experience. This is one of the best trails to Machu Picchu.
While many opt for the esteemed Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trekking isn’t just the best trip around but has also been ranked as a top 25 trek by National geographic travel Magazine.
Your 5 day Salkantay trekking is a mysterious journey into the known and unknown that will heal your mind, body, and soul. You’ll a rejuvenated sense of joy as you and many others make this trek to ease their minds and rejuvenate their bodies.
While on this trek, our Tour Leader will guide you to explore the many opportunities along the way and help you create memories that will last a lifetime. This 5 day Salkantay trekking to Machu Picchu is truly the best option for you.
Check out our detailed post on How to train for Salkantay Trek.
We at Machu Picchu Tours, are a fully locally owned tour operator and a licensed Salkantay Trail operator based in Cusco. Our guides are passionate about the history, Inca sites and culture of Peru. They have years of experience on hiking to Machu Picchu.
We offer Salkantay Trail both in private and as a small group tour.
Salkantay is a part of the Andean mountain range. It is subject to two season dry season and rainy season. During monsoon, the trek gets slippery. The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is during the dry season – April to December.
Do take a moment to check our reviews on Trip Advisor.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a high altitude experience. We highly recommend you to spend 3-4 days in Cusco before the trail to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0430 AM
The trip starts with a pick up at 5 am. We will then drive to Molletapa (2hrs approx) where we will have breakfast. From there, we make the one hour trip to Challacancha, this is where the adventure begins! We climb up for 30 mins and then hike a flat path with unique views for 3 hours.
Once we arrive at Soraypampa (12631 ft/3850m), there will be lunch available and we will camp for the night. The afternoon will be left to acclimatize, rest and relax. If you feel a bit adventurous, Machu Picchu Tours do recommend the option to walk the famous Humantay Lagoon.
Please note, Bring warm clothing as the temperature could reach to 0 degrees or even snow (which is not that common).
Today may be the longest day but with exceptional views! We will climb for approx. 3 hours and be very close to the snow of Salkantay Mountain and reach the top of the Salkantay Pass (15255 ft/4650m).
When we reach towards the top, we will have time to take photos and take in all the glorious views. Then me make our way down and stop at our lunch spot which is about an hour and a half.
After lunch we will continue to descent (approx. 4 hours) down the hills and make our way to our campsite in Ccollpapampa (9,842 ft/3,000 m)
Today will be an early morning hike (5 hours approx.) along a quiet pathway of the cloud forest. You will be surrounding yourself with the flora and fauna of the valleys.
Once we arrive at our campsite at La Playa (6716 ft/2000m), we will have lunch and the rest of the afternoon to sightsee or perhaps organize to go to the hot springs of Cocalmayo.
An early start to the day with 4 hours of hiking uphill to Llactapata (8694 ft/2650m). We descend another 2 hours downhill until we reach the hydroelectric power station for lunch.
There we will bid farewell to our team of Machu Picchu Tours, and venture on with our Tour Leader by train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes where we will stay the night at a hotel and the following day we will visit the mystical site of Machu Picchu.
Today we hop on a bus and make the journey (30 minutes drive approx.) to visit Machu Picchu, The lost city of the Incas.
Our tour guide will welcome you with a 2 hour guided tour and take you to the most important temples and enclosures Machu Picchu has to offer. After the tour, you will have free time for exploring Machu Picchu on your own.
If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will direct you to the trail head. Please note you need to book your hike to either of the mountains months in advance.
Alternatively you can hike to Inti Punku or Sun Gate. This is the point of entrance to the citadel to those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After the full day tour of Machu Picchu, we will depart Aguas Calientes to board the train at 2:30pm (depending on availability) to Ollantaytambo train station. Here our representative will be meeting you and will be driving you back to Cusco. We will arrive at Cusco City at roughly 7:00 p.m.
Peru was amazing! Truly a phenomenal experience! I went to explore parts of the earth that I had dreamed about for years, bringing along a friend just as excited. Our guide, John, was more than accommodating to any request we had and answered every question with the knowledge of an experienced guide and local! Not only did we see the major tourist sights of Peru, but he also gave great recommendations that I wouldn’t have thought to see, from night life to hikes in the country. We couldn’t have asked for a more friendly and outgoing person to take us around the sights of this gorgeous country! I will definitely be going back and requesting John be there for more fun!
