
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days








Overview
4-Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Join with us on this exciting Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days through the Andean highlands of Peru, following the ancient Salkantay Inca Trail to reach the iconic Machu Picchu. This 4 Days Salkantay trek, is very famous for its stunning landscapes, a challenging route and the ultimate reward of reaching the legendary Lost City of the Incas.
This hike is a transformative journey that combines natural beauty, cultural immersion, and awe-inspiring. experience of reaching one of the most emblematic archaeological sites in the world. Get ready for an adventure that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Highlights
- Spectacular Salkantay Mountain Views: Begin your trek with awe-inspiring views of the towering Salkantay Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Andes. The snow-capped summit provides a majestic backdrop as you embark on your journey.
- Challenging Salkantay Pass: Conquer the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek. The challenging ascent is rewarded with panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and valleys, offering a sense of accomplishment and breathtaking photo opportunities.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Experience the diverse landscapes of the Andean region, from high-altitude mountain passes to the lush greenery of the cloud forest. Each day presents a unique and ever-changing environment to explore.
- Tropical Cloud Forest: Descend through the tropical cloud forest, surrounded by vibrant vegetation, exotic flora, and the melodic sounds of local bird species. The shift in scenery adds a sense of enchantment to your trekking experience.
- Machu Picchu at Sunrise: Witness the awe-inspiring sunrise over Machu Picchu, casting a golden glow on the ancient citadel. This magical moment provides a surreal and unforgettable introduction to the Lost City of the Incas.
- Guided Machu Picchu Exploration: Explore the intricacies of Machu Picchu with a knowledgeable guide. Learn about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the site as you wander through terraces, temples, and plazas.
- Free Time at Machu Picchu: After the guided tour, enjoy free time to absorb the energy of Machu Picchu independently. Capture the iconic photos, meditate, or simply immerse yourself in the profound atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Scenic Train Ride: Conclude your adventure with a scenic train ride from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco, offering panoramic views of the Peruvian landscape. Reflect on your journey as you traverse the picturesque valleys and rivers.
- Cultural Interaction: Interact with local communities along the trail, gaining insight into their traditions and daily life. This cultural exchange adds a meaningful dimension to your trekking experience.
Trip Details
- Starting Altitude 4,000 m / 13,120 feet
- Hightes Altude: 4,630 m / 15,190 feet
- Type Tour: Hiking, Adventure, Cultural
- Difficulty level: Demanding
- Total Walking Distance: 65 km / 40. 39 miles
Itinerary
Day 1. Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Quiswaraniyoc Camp
After picking up everyone from their respective places or hotel, we left Cusco around 5:45 am to the town of Mollepata by car for 2 hours. Once in Mollepata, we stop to have a delicious breakfast also You pay 10 soles of the entrance fee to the local municipality.
Then we continue by car 1 hour more to Soraypampa where we will meet with the horse guys and horse who will take all the luggage, food, and the 7 kilos of each hiker belongings.
We start the uphill hike to Humantay lake for 2 hours, When you arrive at the lagoon you will have enough time to explore, photograph the place and the guide will explain all the meaning of the Humantay lagoon.
After a couple of hours in the lake, we start going down for 2 hours to Quiswarniyoc camp which is an exclusive campsite, once you arrive in the camp you will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the cooks after lunch basically you have free time to explore the area to see the llamas or if you like you can go to rest.
If you are tired, you can rest in the mauntain camp
THE CAMP: It is an exclusive camp located at 4000 m, it is a unique camp that has places for short hiking, overlooking the mountains, and has waterfalls. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains.
Day 2: Quiswaraniyuc – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Cahullay Camp.
The second day of the trek is the most difficult because it takes you up to 4630 m and 20 km of trekking.The cooks will wake you up around 5:00 am with a cup of hot coca tea then you have time to repack and get ready for the nutritious breakfast which serves around 5:45 am.
After is time to start hiking up to the highest point of the 4-Days Salkantay trail to Machupicchu , which is 4630 m that takes from 3 to 4 hours all uphill hike at a regular and slow pace.Once you are at the highest point, you have time to enjoy the mountains, to take pictures and the guide will teach you about the mountain gods also you will be part of the small Andean ritual for the Apus the mountain gods.
Then you start hiking down for 2 hours to the lunch place to rest and enjoy a delicious lunch. After you continue hiking down for three more hours to the second camp which is Chaullay, where we provide you with the camping equipment tea time and dinner also if you like for ten soles you can rent a hot shower from the locals also you can buy some drinks.
The camp is called Chaullay is located at 2900m right at the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon area.
Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
On the third day, you will already be in the jungle area. We wake you up around 6:00 am with a cup of coca tea, then we provide you with a delicious breakfast.
Around 7:00 am you start the hike to la playa Sahuayaco for 5 hours approximately along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River.
Along the valley, you have the chance to see plantations such a coffee, bananas, avocados, Coca, passion fruit, and much more.
After five hours of hiking, you will arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco, from where you will take local transportation for one hour to Santa Teresa, where you stop to have lunch then you continue by car 45 more minutes to Hydroelectric then walking 3 more hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes town on the flat trail.
Then we take you to the hotel for showering and relaxing, in the evening around 7:00 pm we organized a dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes after we go to sleep.
Day 4: Machupicchu – Cusco.
Finally, we go to see the impressive Machu Picchu.
You’ll wake around 4:00 am to get ready for the hike to Machu Picchu main entrance. Each person will be given a packed breakfast and we will start the 30-minute walk to Puente Ruinas checkpoint where you will have to show your passport, Machu Picchu ticket, and student ID if applicable.
After passing the first checkpoint, we will climb the stairs for about one hour to reach Machu Picchu’s main gate by 6:00 am.
Once everybody meets at the gate, we enter Machu Picchu and begin our 2.5-hour guided tour in the famous Inca site, where you will learn everything about The Lost City of The Incas.
After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.
The time that you will spend in Machu Picchu will depend on how you are going back to Cusco (train or car) and whether you want to climb the Montaña Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu Mountain, which must be booked in advance the entrance tickets.
If you booked the extra ticket for HUAYNAPICCHUyou will need 2.5 hours for hiking up and down
If you booked the extra ticket for MACHU PICCHU MONATAÑA you will need 3.5 hours for hiking up and down
After visiting Machu Picchu and its surrounding area is time to return to Cusco
Notes Itinerario
Included
- Salkantay trek briefing at 7:00 pm a day before of the departure at hotel
- A duffle bag to pack 7 kilos of your belonging that will be carried by horses during the trek
- English/Spanish speaking professional tour guides
- Professional chef and cooking equipment
- Horses for carrying up to 7 Kilos of personal luggage and other required equipment
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
- Private transportation to head of Salkantay trail
- 4 breakfasts; 3 lunches; 3 dinners; 2 nights of camping; 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Transportation from La Playa to Hidroelectrica
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Return journey from Aguas Calientes to Cusco by train and van
- Vegetarian/Vegan options available on request with no additional charges
- First-Aid equipment and oxygen bottle for emergencies
No Included
- Entrance to Humantay lake charged by the local government of Mollepata = 20 soles
- Sleeping Bags – If you do not have one you can rent from us for $15 USD for the whole trek
- The entrance fee and transportation to the hot springs of Santa Teresa (20 to 25 soles)
- Travel insurance
- Extra expenses
- Tips
Recommendations:
- Hike with weight
A very good advice to train and have your legs and body strong enough is to do a few hiking with weight. Leave your house to do some hiking in the mountains and load your backpack, start with little weight and as the days go by and you strengthen your muscles, increase the weight you carry, you can even reach 15 kgs. but that depends on each person. - Travel long distances (spend a whole day in the mountains)
It is important to get your body used to long days, since the kilometers traveled per day in Salkantay will make you spend at least seven or eight hours of travel, keep in mind that the second day takes around nine hours walking! - Walk slowly
We tend to want to walk fast or go ahead of everyone, you have to remember to be patient, to enjoy the moment and what nature offers us. Walk slowly, do not speed up, because it is not the same to keep going for an hour than to be in constant effort for more than nine hours. Overconfidence is a big mistake, learn to listen to your body that needs to adapt little by little, remember: “let happiness be the way, not the goal”. - Sleep high
In the first camp of the Salkantay tour it is located at 4,000 meters above sea level. Do you know what the body feels when sleeping at this altitude? sometimes we feel that we are suffocating, that we are short of breath, our heads ache and we struggle to sleep. - Do breathing exercises
Breathing is very important, personally I have always thought that hiking and mountaineering becomes a constant meditation at all times. When you walk, try to find a rhythm between your breathing and your steps, this will help you get less tired and coordinate your movements well. - 6. Weigh your gear before you go
Get ready to ditch the luxuries! Every gram on the mountain counts, one kg. they become three and the effort is even more demanding, sometimes we want to take the best outfit or the most beautiful things that we have to look good in the photos, however, the most beautiful is not always the lightest. - 7. Eat properly (garlic pills, coca tea)
Eating at altitude is also an important factor, food is energy and it is essential to stay active during walks, not only take your favorite snacks, but look for these to be protein snacks or high in sugar, such as chocolates or dehydrated fruits . - Train cardio
Physical condition is essential, you can start by running 5 kilometers and then 10, if you can’t go out to the mountains every day, go to the gym, I’m sure there is one near your house. - Sleep well
The body needs to rest, after the time you have dedicated to training, dedicate yourself to rest the days before your trip, you will need energy!
Try to go to sleep early the days before so that you arrive in Peru with all the energy and spirit possible. - Hydration
Water is life! Our body needs water to function properly and when we are in the mountains, sometimes we forget to drink water, the body becomes a little slower and it takes time to give us the signal that it is thirsty, this happens because of the height and the the little amount of oxygen reaching the brain.
Inquire Now
Related Tours
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
Why choose Wayra Peru Travel?
COVID19 protocol
COVID19 is unprecedented. We know your wishes to travel and it is our mission to provide the best service. All our tour operators in each destination have established biosecurity protocols. You also have a flexible cancellation policy.
Confidence
The company or companies that operate these tours have been selected to sell their tours through the Wayra Peru Travel payment gateway, because they meet the standards of quality of service and customer service required by us
Quality
Wayra Peru Travel carries out constant verifications to maintain the highest levels of quality of service by the tour operators that use our platform.
Control
When the traveler buys a tour on Wayra Peru Travel, it allows us to monitor the service and intervene in the event of any incident that the traveler had with the tour operator.
We take customer satisfaction very seriously. Making the payment from Wayra Peru Travel allows us to control the quality of the service that you receive when buying a tour or tourist package.
Security
Wayra Peru travel uses various combined payment systems and services from internationally recognized companies such as PayPal, Wayra Peru Travel works with the highest security standards in the industry, globally accepted for processing online payments.