Salkantay Tour to Machu Picchu
4 Day / 3 Night Tour
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Max Group Size: 8
- Starts in Cusco
- Book all year round
- Regular & luxury tents available
- Ends in Machu Picchu
Introduction
The 4-day Salkantay Trek is renowned as the second most popular route to Machu Picchu, earning a spot among National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine’s top 25 hiking tours worldwide. Over the course of this epic journey, you’ll traverse towering Andean peaks, serene lagoons, and lush cloud forests, culminating in the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu.
Experience this adventure in the comfort of luxurious tents, savor traditional Pachamanca, and enjoy the finest Peruvian coffee. Conclude your trek with a scenic return aboard the panoramic train.
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Itinerary
Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Peruvian Andes with our 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. This extraordinary adventure combines the thrill of hiking with the luxury of glamping, offering you an unparalleled experience in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 and 4:45 am and embark on a 3-hour drive to the trailhead. After a hearty breakfast, we begin our 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,600 m), following an ancient aqueduct that irrigates the farmlands below. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef and take a brief rest before embarking on a 2-hour ascent to the stunning Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 ft).
Along the way, you will encounter diverse flora and fauna, including Andean geese, deer, and vizcachas, which resemble rabbits. We then continue our climb for another two hours to reach Salkantay Pampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will set up camp. Unwind with tea time, savor a delightful dinner, and marvel at the star-filled sky before drifting off to sleep in your comfortable glamping tent.
- Walking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 7 to 8 hours
- Camp altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
- Accommodation: Glamping camp
- Difficulty: Moderate
Awaken early to a warm cup of coca tea or coffee, and step outside to a breathtaking landscape of vast plains and snow-capped peaks. After breakfast, we ascend to the trek’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). At the summit, take time to explore and soak in the magnificent views, including a beautiful lagoon at the mountain’s base. We then descend for three hours to our lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft).
Post-lunch, we continue our descent from the mountain heights into the lush cloud forest, experiencing a dramatic shift in temperature and climate. Along the way, you’ll encounter a vibrant array of flora, hummingbirds, and orchids, ultimately reaching Collpapampa (2,770 m / 9,087 ft), where we will camp near a quaint village.
- Walking distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles
- Duration: 9 hours
- Camp altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
- Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
- Accommodation: Glamping camp
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3 offers some of the trek’s most captivating scenery! After breakfast, we embark on a 3-hour hike to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,600 ft), where you’ll participate in a traditional Pachamanca cooking demonstration. Learn the ancient method of preparing this exquisite dish using hot stones to cook a variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits.
Following lunch, we visit an organic coffee farm to discover the harvesting process and prepare your own espresso from freshly roasted beans. We then take a short transportation ride to Hidroeléctrica and hike for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. Arriving around 5 pm, we will enjoy some dinner. Your guide will recommend a top restaurant in the place you are staying although dinner is not included this evening. Afterwards, you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
- Duration: 6 hours
- Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate
Rise early to prepare for the highlight of your journey, the magnificent Machu Picchu. We catch the first bus at 5:30 am, arriving just in time to witness the sunrise over the ancient city—a truly unforgettable sight.
Enjoy a comprehensive 3-4 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, learning about its historical and cultural significance. After the tour, you have the option to explore further or hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance tickets required). Your guide will explain how to return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), followed by your train and bus journey back to Cusco. The Inca Glamping Peru team will greet you upon your arrival and ensure your safe return to your hotel.
- Tour duration: 3 to 4 hours in Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy
Note: This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions and group preferences.
Photo Gallery
- Pre-departure briefing
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel
- All transportation during the tour
- Professional tour guide
- Return on the panoramic Vistadome or 360° train
- Entrance fees to Salkantay Trail and Machu Picchu
- All camping equipment carried by pack mules
- Experienced chef to prepare meals
- 2 nights camping in comfortable tents
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- All meals, except for lunch on the last day
- Water and snacks every day
- Duffel bag to carry up to 8 kg (17 lb) of personal belongings
- First aid kit, satellite phones, oxygen
- Pillow, sleeping mat, hand towels
- All taxes and booking fees
- Inflatable matress
- Sleeping bag, trekking poles (available for rent)
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain
- Travel insurance (recommended). We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected inconveniences during your tour (e.g., trip cancellations or interruptions) to protect your travel investment.
- Tips for the staff
- Medical insurance (please bring a printed copy).
- Copy of your passport
- Daypack with a rain cover
- Headlamp
- Adjustable trekking poles for ascent and descent (can be rented from us)
- Comfortable long-sleeve hiking clothes
- Warm clothes for the nights
- Waterproof shoes with ankle protection / sandals for use at night
- Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, and gloves)
- Rain gear, especially if traveling during the rainy season (October to March)
- Thermal underwear and hiking socks
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Hat and gloves for the night
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Toilet paper
- Camera / extra battery and phone adapters
- Water bottles / canteen
- Basic medications
- Personal items
- Snacks
- Travel insurance and some copies
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Earplugs
- US dollars and Peruvian soles in cash
- Personal first aid kit
- Rehydration powder for mild dehydration
FAQs
We understand that sometimes your plans may change due to unforeseen circumstances. If you make a booking but then wish to cancel it, the following cancellation policies apply:
[Insert Cancellation Policy Table here]
Yes. We always recommend that you take out an insurance policy before travelling. We do not cover you on our insurance policy and we require you to sign a waiver prior to travelling for any damages, injuries etc that may occur on your trip.
However, you can rest assured in the knowledge that our experienced guides will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.