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Cusco

Cusco Region

Peru

If you're looking for an alternative to the busy and often booked-up Inca Trail, look no further than this 5-day Salkantay Trail trekking tour from Cusco. Suited to travelers with a good level of fitness, this hike takes you through glaciers, high jungle, rushing rivers, and Andean mountain villages. The tour culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World. All meals, overnight camping or lodge accommodation, and entrance fees are included. .

Day 1

We will begin our adventure by picking up each passenger from their respective hotels before embarking on a 4 hour bus ride. Halfway through the ride, we will stop in Mollepata at an altitude of 2,900m for 20 or 30 minutes break, then continue with our journey directly to the last bus stop in Challacancha where we will meet our porters and horses who will carry the equipment. and were we start our hiking tour. to begin our walk toward Soraypampa at 3,900m. When we arrive in Soraypampa, we will set-up base camp from where we can enjoy the beautiful views of Salkantay´s snow peak. and where will have break for lunch. After lunch, we will visit Humantay Lake at 4,200m before beginning our return to base camp in Soraypampa around 5:00pm. where our camping team will be waiting for our travelers with a delicious dinner.

Humantay Lake

Day 2

Early in the morning we will take our breakfast and then we will start a 3 hour hike until we reach the highest point of our expedition, the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m.a.). From there, we walk towards Wayracpunku (Huayra Pampa), for our next meal. Afterwards, the trip will continue going to the high jungle where we will observe large trees with their arms extended over the streams, all full of bromeliads and orchids. This walk will last around 5 hours to reach our camp in Chaullay (2,900 m.a.s l.) Where we will have dinner and rest

Salkantay Trail

Day 3

After having breakfast around 6:30 am, we will head towards Sahuyaco (La Playa 2,080 masl). We will have lunch in this place. Then we continue our trip in our transport to Santa Teresa (1,550 masl) where we will set up our base camp and we will enjoy a relaxing reward in Cocalmayo (Hot Spring) Then we will have a traditional Peruvian dinner and rest well to prepare for the next day.

Salkantay Trek

Day 4

The next morning, after a good breakfast, the bus waits for us. Those who booked in advance will do zip-lining. The rest of the group will go to the Hidroelectrica meeting point where the entire group will join for lunch after the activities. After a bit of relaxation in this place, we will continue walking along the railway that leads through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We walk for about 3 hours and you will find beautiful waterfalls, different ecological farms and possibly the curious wildlife of your arrival in the region (arrival fixed around 4:00 p.m.). Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we will all meet at a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have an informative session about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you can visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.

Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes)

Day 5

We get ready around 4:00 am to climb to Machu Picchu, the trek will follow an ascending path crossing the high jungle, just in time to see the spectacular sunrise. After passing the control entrance around 6:00am our group will have a private guided tour for 2 hours in the Inca citadel, later passengers will be free to enjoy Machu Picchu on their own. Late in the afternoon, according to the departure time of the train, the group will descend walking to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo where everybody will be picked up and transferred to Cusco. The group has to be at the train station at least 30min before departure. The Salkantay Trek finishes on the square of San Francisco, Cusco.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 Days)

Overview

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What you'll do

What is included?

What is not included?

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Itinerary

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

Here is the starting point

Humantay Lake