The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu receives its name after the Salkantay Mountain, a snow capped peak with an altitude of 6264 (20551 feet) meters above sea level. It is the second highest mountain in Cusco after the Ausangate Mountain.
Salkantay mountain is considered an “Apu”, an Andean deity that protects the crops and lands of the Andean villages. Some local communities leave offerings to the Apu Salkantay. These offerings mix Inca and Catholic traditions.
The Salkantay Trek is one of the most famous trails in Cusco. It passes near the Salkantay Mountain. Its highest point is the Salkantay Pass, located at 4650 meters (15255 feet) above sea level. This trek traverses a region known for its numerous small glacier lagoons.
The route goes through the beautiful Andean landscapes. Most of the Andes is devoid of large plants, such as trees. The most common plant species is the ichu, a type of grass that thrives in the cold and dry Andean environment. Also, during the trek you will be able to spot numerous animal species. These include condors, vizcachas, llamas, alpacas, and huanacos.
This trek requires a moderate physical shape. Even though it is not designed for expert mountain climbers, you will be walking for long hours in a high altitude environment. For this reason, we recommend spending some days in Cusco city before taking this trek. By doing this, you will help your body to acclimate and avoid suffering from altitude sickness.
We recommend taking the Salkantay Trek during the dry season of Cusco, between April and October. During the rainy season, the Salkantay Trail becomes muddy and slippery, making it difficult to navigate.
The Salkantay Trek is a great alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. The entrance tickets to the Classic Inca Trail usually need to be booked months in advance. On the other hand, most of the route of the Salkantay Trek does not require special entrance tickets. The only place of the Salkantay trek that needs an entrance ticket is the Machu Picchu citadel.
At Sanvil Turismo we offer the best travel packages in the region of Cusco. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to guide treks and tours in the region. They are experts in the history and traditions of each destination you will be visiting.
We also offer tours to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You can also check our hike to Machu Picchu. Explore the beautiful Inca archaeological sites in the Cusco region with us.
Your Hotel in Cusco City
6:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 am. Then, we will drive through the valleys of Cusco to Mollepata town, located at 2976 meters (9763 feet) above sea level. We will stop there to have breakfast. Afterwards, our staff will give you a briefing about the trek.
Then, we will leave Mollepata. We will be hiking for around 7 hours before arriving at the famous Humantay Lagoon. This lagoon is famous in Cusco for its turquoise waters, which contrast with the white background created by the Humantay snow capped peak. We will stop here to appreciate the incredible scenery.
Afterwards, we will hike to Soraypampa town, located at 3900 meters (12795 feet) above sea level. We will stop there to set up our campsite, have dinner and spend the night. During the first day, we will have walked around 16 km (9.94 miles).
The second day is the hardest of the classic Salkantay Trek. We will wake up early to have breakfast. Then, we will ascend to the Salkantay Mountain Pass, the highest point of the entire trek. Once there, we will be able to get incredible views of the surrounding valleys and glaciers.
After passing the Salkantay Mountain Pass, we will slowly descend to Huayracmachay, where we will stop to have lunch. Then, we will continue our hike to Collpapampa. Once there, we will set up our campsite, have dinner, and spend the night. During the second day, we will have walked around 22 km (13.7 miles).
We will leave our campsite early in the morning after having breakfast. Then, we will descend to Playa Sahuayaco. Once we arrive there, we will stop to have a delicious lunch.
After having lunch, we will continue our trek towards Santa Teresa town, located at 1500 meters (4921 feet) above sea level. Santa Teresa town is located in a region known as the “high jungle”. Thus, you will notice how the environment changes gradually from a cold highland landscape to a warmer jungle full of cloud forests.
Once in Santa Teresa, we will visit the famous hot spring of Colcamayo. We will have dinner and spend the night in Santa Teresa town. During the third day, we will have walked around 16 km (9.94 miles). This day is considered the easiest of the Salkantay trek.
After having breakfast, we will walk to the Hidroelectrica station. We will be walking along the trail tracks that connect the Sacred Valley of the Incas with Aguas Calientes town. Once we arrive at Hidroelectrica, we will stop to have lunch.
Then, we will continue our hike to Aguas Calientes town. Once there, our staff will transfer you to your hotel room. After having dinner, you will have free time to explore this charming town and its famous hot springs. During the fourth day, we will have walked around 16 km (9.94 miles).
We will leave Aguas Calientes early in the morning after having breakfast. Then, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. After passing the security checkpoints, we will enter this famous Inca citadel.
You will have a guided tour of the most important places of Machu Picchu. You will be visiting the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Three Windows, among other Inca marvels. If you have booked a ticket to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain, our staff will guide you to the respective entrance.
Then, we will board a bus to return to Aguas Calientes. Once there, you will have time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch is not included in the tour price.
Finally, we will board a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Once we arrive there, our staff will transfer you to Cusco city in our private vehicle. We will be arriving in Cusco around 9:00 pm.
