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Cusco

Cusco Region

Peru

The Salkantay trek is an alternative to the Inca Trail, ending at Machu Picchu. Unlike the Inca Trail, this trek does not require permits, making it a more ideal option for travelers. If you're looking for an adventure and don't have much time, this trek to Salkantay is a must-do. It takes four days and three nights, during which you can learn about the history, adventure, and way of life of the Incas. This tour is definitely for you.

Day 1

We start to pick you up from 04:30 to 05:00 am at your hotel then we will drive from Cusco to Mollepata , where we stop for breakfast ( not included) then We will take a bus from Mollepata to CHALLACANCHA ( 3380 meters/11,090 ) , which takes about 1 hour. afterwards we will walk for about two hours, arriving at SORAYPAMPA ( 3900 meters /12,800 feet ) about 1:30 pm, there we will have our first lunch and set up our first camping spots. after lunch we will hike to HUMANTAY LAKE (4220 meters/13845 feet) which takes 1 hour – 20 minutes uphill and 45 minutes downhill. once we arrive to the impressive turquoise lake and snow caped mountain of humantay, where we will enjoy and takes many pictures while the guide will expalin us…. then we will go back to the camping spot where we will have tea time, dinner and finally sleep in our huts 

Mollepata

Day 2

today we will start this long day of trekking, after breakfast with the help of the sun god we will see the impressive snow mountain of Salkantay smiling down at you (or laughing depending how you feel at it ) little by little we will climb higher until arriving soyrococha where we take a short rest and try to catch our breath. then we keep walking up until reaching to the highest point of Salcantay mountain at an altitude (4600 meters/ 15,090 feet) here , the guide explain a little bit about the history of Salcantay mountain and the history of the Incas civilization , good excuse to break and to eat some snacks . after taking a break at highest point of the trek it is time to leave the altitude and we will begin walking down for about 2:00 hours until we see small house in order to enjoy our delicious lunch and some tea or coffee the day is not over yet and we will continue hiking down to lower land and altitudes until we reach the second camping spot, chaullay

Humantay Lake

Day 3

this day is much easier day, walking mostly downhill for about 4 hours until reaching to LA PLAYA SAYHUAYACO where we will stop for having lunch also we will notice the climate is becoming much warmer because we are in the high jungle known as (ceja de selva) in this part, there are many small plantations such as coffee beans, coca, bananas if we are lucky we can see ” gallito de las rocas ” ( cock of the rocks) which is Peru’s national bird after lunch we will take a local bus ride for about 2 hours to HIDROLECTRICA, from where we start walking for about 3 hours by taking the railroad to AGUAS CALIENTES. arriving to our hostel 5 to 6 pm aprox.

Aguas Calientes

Day 4

This is the day you’ve been waiting for !!!!! Early after a good breakfast re-live the history and the mysterious world of the Incas, we will walk for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or take a bus up (bus takes 30 minutes ) to MACHU PICCHU CITADEL. once we arrive; Guided Tour of MACHU PICCHU. This enigmatic city is explored for Approx 2 hours and their mysteries and archaeological information will be explained by your expert guide, you will also learn how MACHU PICCHU is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

after your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up HUAYNA PICCHU or MACHU PICCHU mountain will have enough time to take pleasure in having outstanding views on their own. afterwards you will return to aguas calientes, where you will wait for return train to ollantaytambo and then bus back to cusco OR walk back to HIDROLECTRICA to take the bus back to cusco it takes 7 hours aprox.

Salkantay 4 days trek to Machu Picchu

Overview

About

What you'll do

Meeting and pickup

What is included?

What is not included?

Meet your host

Itinerary

Cusco Half-day Tours Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do

Here is the starting point

Mollepata