SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS
Salkantay Trek 4 Days: Trade the crowds of the Inca Trail for wide-open mountain scenery on the Salkantay Trek — one of the most spectacular treks in South America. Over four days you’ll walk past a glowing turquoise glacial lake, cross a 4,6... read complete
Itinerary
Day 1 — Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa
- 4:30 am: Time for the Salkantay Trek! Early pick up from your Hotel in Cusco, followed by a 2 and a half hours drive to Mollepata for a energizing breakfast.
- 8:45 am: After a short drive from Mollepata, we will start the hike from the trailhead at Challacancha. This first leg will take us to Soraypampa.
- 12 pm Time to enjoy our lunch with a stunning view, surrounding our lunch spot you will se the imposing Humantay and Salkantay peaks.
- 1 pm Time to head to the world famous Humantay Lake. At 4,200 meters (13,779 feet), the lake offers a mind-blowing view of a glacier fed lake with a unique teal color.
- 3:30 pm We hike back down to Soraypampa, retracing our steps through the valley with the snow-capped Salkantay range as a backdrop.
- 5 pm Free time to rest at camp, followed by hot tea and popcorn before dinner.
- 6:30 pm Dinner is served at our Soraypampa campsite, prepared fresh by our trekking chef.
- Overnight Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), under some of the clearest starry skies in the Andes.
Distance: approx. 10 km / 6 mi. Difficulty: Moderate. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Day 2 — Soraypampa / Salkantay Pass / Chaullay
- 5 am: Wake-up call at your tent with a hot cup of coffee or tea, right before breakfast.
- 6 am: Breakfast at camp, fueling up for the toughest day of the trek.
- 7 am: We begin the steady 3 to 4 hour climb toward the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass, sitting at roughly 4,650 m (15,255 ft). Along the way we’re flanked by the Salkantay, Humantay and Huayanay peaks — sacred Apus for the local Quechua communities.
- 11 am: Time at the pass to catch our breath, take photos, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding glaciers before starting the long descent.
- 12:30 pm: Descent toward Huayracmachay for a well-earned hot lunch.
- 2 pm: We continue descending, watching the landscape shift from high Andean tundra into cloud forest, until we reach our second campsite around Chaullay / Colcapampa.
- 6:30 pm: Dinner at camp, with the option to enjoy a hot shower or relax before resting up for the next day.
- Overnight: Chaullay / Colcapampa (approx. 2,900 m / 9,500 ft).
Distance: approx. 22–24 km / 14 mi. Difficulty: Challenging (highest point of the trek)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner
Day 3 — Chaullay / Llactapata / Aguas Calientes
- 6:30 am: Breakfast at camp before a short drive or walk toward Lucmabamba.
- 8 am: We join a section of original Inca stonework on the way up to the Puncuyoc Pass (approx. 2,700 m / 8,858 ft), roughly a 3-hour climb through coffee and fruit plantations.
- 11:30 am: Arrival at the Llactapata Inca ruins, directly across the valley from Machu Picchu — our first glimpse of the citadel, plus views of Huayna Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.
- 1 pm: Descent (about 2 hours) toward the hydroelectric station, where lunch is waiting for the group.
- 3 pm: From the hydroelectric plant, hike the flat trail alongside the railway for about 3 hours into Aguas Calientes (or take the 30-minute train, at an extra cost).
- 6:30 pm: Dinner and hotel check-in in Aguas Calientes — a proper bed and a hot shower to recharge before Machu Picchu day.
Distance: approx. 18–20 km / 11 mi. Difficulty: Moderate. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 — Machu Picchu / Return to Cusco
- 4:30 am: Early breakfast at the hotel before heading to the bus stop.
- 5:30 am: Bus ride up to Machu Picchu, timed to catch the first light over the citadel.
- 6:30 am: Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approx. 2 hours), covering the agricultural, urban and religious sectors, and the history behind the Inca stonework.
- 11 am: Bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Free time for lunch (not included), shopping, or a dip in the hot springs.
- 2:55 pm / 3:20 pm: Return train to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba River.
- 7 pm: Private transfer from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco.
Difficulty: Easy (mostly sightseeing). Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- Transportation: Hotel pick-up in Cusco and private transfer to the trailhead.
Return transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco. - Guiding: Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish).
Guided tour inside Machu Picchu. - Tickets: Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
All trekking permits and fees. - Meals: All meals during the trek, from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on Day 3.
Hot drinks and snacks along the way. - Accommodation: Camping equipment (tent + sleeping mat) for 2 nights on the trail — usually shared, double occupancy, unless you request a single tent.
1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. - Support Staff & Equipment: Porter service for the group’s camping/kitchen gear (personal luggage weight limit applies).
Dining tent, table and chairs.
First aid kit and emergency oxygen.
Pre-trek briefing and duffel bag for your trekking luggage.
NOT INCLUDED
- Walking sticks — available to rent locally, not included in the price.
- Travel insurance — recommended, but arranged independently.
- Some meals in Aguas Calientes — typically Day 4 lunch, and sometimes Day 3 dinner.
- Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain tickets — these are booked separately and sell out early, so reserve in advance if you want to add one.
- Tips for guide, cook and porters — always appreciated, entirely at your discretion.
- Personal expenses — bottled water, snacks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.
- Optional extras — like the Aguas Calientes hot springs, which aren’t part of the standard itinerary.
- Extra porter service if you need help carrying personal items beyond the standard allowance.
- Extra nights in hotels before or after the trek.
- Emergency horse, if needed for a tired trekker — available at an added cost.
FAQS
It’s considered a challenging trek. The high altitude and the length of the daily hikes mean it’s best suited for travelers who are reasonably fit and have some hiking experience.
The Salkantay Pass, at approximately 4,650 m (15,255 ft) above sea level.
No special permit is required for the trek itself, unlike the Inca Trail — but you will need an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
The dry season, from April to October, offers the most stable weather and clearest mountain views.
We recommend booking at least a few months ahead, especially in high season (June–August), since Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats are limited.
Yes, an extra porter can be arranged to carry your personal belongings, within a set weight limit — just let us know in advance.
The trek is best suited to travelers roughly 18–45 in good health. Families or older travelers can arrange a private departure with a more flexible pace.
Why Choose Us Velflor Travel
All of our English speaking local guides are passionate about their country and will accompany you from the moment you arrive in your destination, throughout your escorted tour and right until your departing flight home.
Go off the beaten track. Our award-winning, licensed local guides provide incredible insights and insider tips, passionately bringing alive unique and exclusive experiences for you.
Discover our enchanting world your way. Our experts completely customize your private tour to match your interests and preferences through their comprehensive knowledge of each destination.
All our accommodations and services are personally tested by our team. Tell us your travel dream and we will create an itinerary packed with the best experiences your destination has to offer.
Your dedicated and personal trip coordinator is available around-the-clock throughout your trip to accommodate requests, take care of the details, and handle any unforeseen situations.
We believe in complete transparency. We are bonded members and license holders of all leading travel organizations. Your booking is flexible and completely secure with us.
Similar SALKANTAY TREKS ENG tours that you may like
Our Certifications
For our team it is important to offer our travelers the guarantee and security of a certified agency, here are some of our certifications
