Trekking Salkantay Machu Picchu (6 Days)

First you will be picked up from your hotel at 6:00 AM in the morning. We will have a road trip (Private vehicle) for the next 3 hours to the town of Mollepata arriving very early.

Here you will meet the team that will be going along with us during the trip, our horses will be waiting for us until we are ready to start the Salkantay trail.

From here we begin to climb country lanes, through the locals’ crops towards Marcoccasa (3,450m / 11,400ft), we will have a traditional local food for you to have enough energy to complete the first day of the trek.

After sharing lunch we will continue for at least one hour hiking uphill to our first campsite at Marcoccasa (3,500m / 11,550ft) from where we will have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

At the end of the day you will have a proper rest to continue the following day’s journey.

• Food: Lunch, Dinner

We will begin the day with a typical Andean breakfast. Right after we’ll have to start the ascent road to the Pakiswaraka Ridge (3,665 / 12,100 feet), then begin an easy path towards the water channel built by the community.

From this point you can enjoy stunning views of the valley and towards the majestic Humantay Mountain, where the already known Lake Humantay lays at.

We will continue on a nice flat road along the canal in the valley until lunchtime. In the afternoon we have another 2 hours of gentle climb to our next campsite at Salkantaypampa (3,900m / 12,900ft) just below the imposing Apu Salkantay, having the opportunity to be delighted at the greatest views of this spectacular mountain. Prepare for a cold night

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, we will begin a 2 and a half hour ascent. We will reach the highest point of the Huayra Machay Pass trek (4525m / 14846ft). At this stop we began to descend towards the so-called cloud forest.

Once we descend into the cloud forest en route, we will walk along the ruins of an ancient Inca trail while we descend very easily through the Salkantay River. 

Now it’s time to enjoy our lunch at Huayra Machay (3850m / 12628ft). We finally will arrive late to our second camp in Collpapampa (2890m / 9479ft), a beautiful place with some hot springs to relax before setting up the camp to sleep.

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

The route for today’s hike will continue out to a fast downhill walk along the Sta. Teresa river. Be pleased to enjoy the increasingly abundant vegetation and coffee plantations.

Our dry uplands will transform into lush green mountains of trees where you will be able to see bromelias. Following the Santa Teresa river, we will pass the waterfalls in Coripacchi.

Catch sight of the settlement in Wiñaypoko to observe the locals in their day to day. Afterwards we will share our meal in La Playa before finally reaching Lucmabamba (2100m / 6888ft) to spend the rest of the day.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
• Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
• Maximum altitude point: (2890m / 9479ft)

As usual we will have our  breakfast in the early morning before our trail. We’ll be going across the Llactapata pass (2650m / 8692ft). 

While we walk we can spot flocks of parrots as well as banana, coffee and avocado plantations, and if we have luck we will get to see the Andean bear.

Then, it’s time to climb again for 2 or 3 hours up to Q’elloqasa Pass (2860m / 9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, but also from the Llactapata and Salkantay and archaeological sites, both have been recently restored to enhance the complex for visitors.

During the down walk towards the Aobamba River we will be crossing lush bamboo forests and appreciate the different types of orchids. This path takes us to the Hydroelectric plant from where we’ll take a train ride that will take us to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes), after we stop for lunch and have a pause to meet the surroundings.

We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes hotel (choose by the trekking company) to enjoy some hot showers after a long road.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total distance: 7 km (4.35 miles)
• Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours
• Maximum altitude point: (2860m / 9381ft)

The day finally comes, and we are closer to our full day trip to Machu Picchu!

After having our last breakfast together, you will have to be ready at 5:30 AM. We will drive you to the bus stop for the short ride (25 minutes) from Aguas Calientes to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

At your arrival, a private tour with one of our guides will be waiting for you. You will visit different places of the Citadel, be able to explore the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, warehouses and houses, a large central square which were all connected thanks to tight paths. Aside from the mountain you will see carved terraces around.

At the end of the tour you can keep meeting the place and walk around the citadel.

You will also have time to do one more activity by yourself (this is not included in the price), if you want a more adventurous hike you can climb the Huayna Picchu, but you must know you will love it! At the top you will be surprised at the panoramic view of the immensity of Machu Picchu.

We will serve buffet lunch at the Lodge Restaurant Sanctuary of Machu Picchu to complete the day.

In Aguas Calientes you will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo (Sacred valley).

For the return trip to Cusco from the train station, we will drive you in a private vehicle and drop you off at your hotel in Cusco.

• Food: Breakfast, Lunch