Salkantay Trek – 4 Days

The day will start with a 4:30 a.m. pickup, and we’ll head towards Soraypampa, which is about a 3.5-hour drive away. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the stunning Salkantay snowcapped mountain, as well as Limatambo and Iscuchaca districts, with their breathtaking valleys.

Upon reaching Soraypampa, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast with fantastic views of the Humantay (19,356 feet) and Salkantay (20,396 feet) mountain glaciers. This will also be a chance to freshen up, use the facilities, and get organized.

Next, we’ll embark on a 1.5-hour ascent through Salkantay Pampa before continuing to our lunch spot at Soyroccocha, nestled at the base of the towering Salkantay Mountain.

After recharging our energy, we’ll resume our journey for about an hour until we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). This part of the journey offers breathtaking scenery, including snow-capped mountains, impressive rivers, and charming small lakes. A short 35-minute walk will take us to the stunning turquoise Salkantay Lake.

We’ll then continue our uphill hike, zigzagging our way to our first campsite at Huayracmachay (3800m/11750ft). As you relax and wait for dinner, you’ll be served a delightful hot beverage.

We will enjoy an early, invigorating breakfast and then commence a 3-hour descent towards the Chaullay community for lunch. Along the way, we will admire the lush valleys and waterfalls in the area. After lunch, we will continue our journey with about 5 more hours of walking to reach Lucmabamba. During this leg of the trip, we will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of birds, as well as coffee and cocoa plantations, along with a diverse range of fruit trees. We will learn about the coffee production process, the different types of coffee seeds and beans, and actively participate by picking our own coffee beans, roasting them, and grinding them to make our own natural coffee. This will be a truly unique experience. Additionally, you will have the chance to visit other plantations, aside from coffee, and gather fresh vegetables for our dinner. We will spend the night in Lucmabamba (2,050m).

After a delicious breakfast and a warm beverage, we will continue our journey along the traditional Inca Trail for approximately 3 hours until we reach the Puncuyoc Pass (2700m/8,858ft). Along the way, we will savor the stunning views of the surrounding valleys. Eventually, we will arrive at the Inca site of Llactapata, which is situated just opposite Machu Picchu. After taking in the breathtaking scenery, we will descend for two hours to the Hydroelectric Power Station, where we will have lunch. From there, we will walk alongside the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) for a couple more hours (it is also possible to take the train), all the while enjoying the awe-inspiring presence of the Machu Picchu citadel and its surrounding walls.

The long-awaited day has arrived! We’ll rise early in the morning, enjoy breakfast, and head to the bus station to catch a shuttle to the citadel. Upon arrival at the entrance, you’ll meet your guide for a 2-hour guided tour of this astonishing and enigmatic place, brimming with energy and history. Our experience expert will lead you to the most significant viewpoints, including the Guardian’s House, and provide you with vital insights into our Inca culture and the significance of what you’re witnessing. You’ll visit landmarks like the Temple of Three Windows, the Sun Dial, the Temple of the Sun, among others.

Later on, you’ll have some free time for further exploration and optional additional photography, and if you requested in advance, the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu mountain. Finally, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and in the afternoon, we’ll board the train to return to Ollantaytambo. We’ll then transfer to a private van for the journey back to Cusco.