- blog
- Reviews
- Social Project
- Contact Us
- Mon-Sun 8am-5px PET
- +51 987 101 741
Menu
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHT | staring from $650.00 per person.
Without a doubt, it is the best alternative after the Inca Trail, considered the best route, in the Salkantay you will not only be able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, but you will feel immersed in nature, it is also longer and more challenging, designed for people adventurous, like you.
You will receive information one day before the start of the tour
This morning, hike to Soraypampa and enjoy a delicious lunch; in the afternoon, we’ll hike up to Humantay Lake. Spend the night in our Sky Camp at Soraypampa.
Today, you’ll tackle the trek’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass, and admire the Salkantay Mountain before descending through the Cloud Forest. You’ll spend the night at our exclusive Mountain Sky View in Collpapampa.
Enjoy the day walking through the lush jungle and visiting an organic coffee farm. Tonight you’ll sleep surrounded by nature in our exclusive Jungle Domes.
In the morning, you’ll hike to the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata and appreciate Machu Picchu for the first time before heading to Aguas Calientes to rest in a comfortable hotel.
It’s the big day! You’ll spend the morning exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes. Then, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, and our private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Day01 Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
Highlight of the day: Get ready for one of the most incredible views you will ever have: the glorious and spectacular Humantay Lake.
Hike to the Jewel in the Mountains
You’ll be up nice and early today to be ready for us to pick you up around 4:00 a.m. You’ll travel in our comfy transportation with blankets to enjoy a bit more sleep on the drive. After 2 hours, we’ll enjoy a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. We’ll then continue to Challacancha, where we’ll start our hike.
First, you’ll meet the cooks and horsemen and do a last equipment check. Then, we’ll be on our way. You’ll start with a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we’ll be spending our first night. The first section is relatively flat, with a slight uphill through a deep valley of glaciers. You’ll notice that much of the trail follows a restored Inca water channel, which local farmers still use today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 mi overall.
Once in Soraypampa, you’ll get settled in at our exclusive Sky Camp, where you’ll sleep this evening. You’ll have time to rest after enjoying your first lunch in the mountains. Feeling refreshed, it’ll be time to start the hike up to the incredibly beautiful Humantay Lake (4,200 m /13,780 ft).
This round trip takes about 3 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 mi. It’s not far, but you need to take things slowly at this altitude. You’ll have some time to enjoy the fantastic scenery once you get to the lake. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as the turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale!
Back at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner with a beautiful sunset in your company. You can’t describe the energy here, but you’ll feel its peacefulness for yourself once here. Then, it’ll be time to turn into your Sky Camp igloo. From the glass roof, you’ll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets and wake up to see the Apu Salkantay watching over you.
Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerMeals
Sky CampAccommodation
Moderate to ChallengingDifficulty
10 km / 6.21 miWalking Distance
5 to 6 hoursWalking Time
3,800 m / 12,467 ftStarting Elevation
3,800 m / 12,467 ftMin. Elevation
4,200 m / 13,780 ftHighest Elevation
3,900 m / 12,795 ftCampsite Elevation
Day02 Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa (Mountain Sky View)
Highlight of the day: Witnessing the energy and hugely powerful gigantic Salkantay Mountain.
The Stunning Salkantay Pass and Descent to the Amazon Jungle
In the morning, you will wake up with the day’s first rays and see the Apu Salkantay while enjoying an energizing coca tea. Afterward, you will have a nutritious breakfast before embarking on the 7 km trek for approximately three hours to the highest point of the route, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It is a difficult ascent along the “path of the 7 snakes” because of its winding path.
Once at the top, you will appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys and the Salkantay mountain right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft). It boasts the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region, and it’s considered an Apu (Inca God). You will also be able to observe the mountains: Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After enjoying the views and rest, you will start descending (7 km / 4.35 mi) to our lunch point at Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This section is rocky and steep but has impressive views of the surrounding valley.
After a revitalizing lunch, you will enter the edge of the rainforest, also known as the “cloud forest.” This section has a distance of 9.5 km / 5.9 mi and lasts approximately three and a half hours. Along the way, you will enjoy the verdant rainforest and witness how the scenery changes rapidly and drastically from the Andes to the Amazon. You will observe colorful landscapes, unique fauna, and native plants and feel the warmer climate.
After a long day of hiking, you will be glad to arrive at Collpapampa for the night. Finally, we will serve you a hearty meal before resting at our exclusive Mountain Sky View Campsite.
Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerMeals
Mountain Sky View CampsiteAccommodation
ChallengingDifficulty
23.5 km / 14.6 miWalking Distance
10-11 hoursWalking Time
3,900 m / 12,795 ftStarting Elevation
2,900 m / 9,514 ftMin. Elevation
4,630 m / 15,190 ftHighest Elevation
2,950 m / 9,678 ftCampsite Elevation
Day03 Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Jungle Domes
Highlight of the day: Explore the lush jungle and learn all about coffee and the process in the plantations. The aroma in the air is heavenly.
Jungle Adventure and Coffee Experience
Today you’ll be woken at 6:00 a.m. for your tea and breakfast before leaving the campsite. Our first destination will be La Playa, walking through the Santa Teresa Valley. You’ll enjoy a more leisurely walk today with more downs than ups as you soak in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado.
We’ll pass through a small village called Collpapampa, and after, descend through a valley where you’ll observe waterfalls, birds, hot springs, fruit trees, and plenty of flora and fauna. You might be lucky enough to see the national bird of Peru, the ‘Cock of the Rock.’
In La Playa, we’ll devour a tasty lunch before we head to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), just another hour away. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, especially perfect for those who are coffee lovers. Even if you are not a fan of a cup of coffee, the smell in the air is delicious. This is the primary agricultural industry in the jungle that exports products to the United States, Asia, and Europe. You will also visit avocado and orange plantations.
After dinner, of course, you will go to bed for the night in one of our exclusive camps, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with Mother Earth.
Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerMeals
Jungle DomesAccommodation
ModerateDifficulty
17 km / 10.56 miWalking Distance
5 to 6 hoursWalking Time
2,950 m / 9,678 ftStarting Elevation
2,000 m / 6,562 ftMin. Elevation
2,950 m / 9,678 ftHighest Elevation
2,000 m / 6,562 ftCampsite Elevation
Day04 Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Aobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: Visit the fascinating Inca archaeological site of Llactapata. Get your camera ready for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu!
Enjoy Your First Glance of Machu Picchu from Llactapata
You’ll be eager to put on your hiking boots for your last day of trekking after you’ve filled up on fuel at breakfast. This morning, you’ll be able to walk along a bit of the original, world-famous Inca Trail! After a 2-hour uphill climb and fascinating views over the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu.
Llactapata is the first Inca site you’ll see on the trek, and you’ll learn all about the mysteries of this ancient culture and the extraordinary site. You even get to have your first exciting glance at Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from here. Your guide will fill you in on all the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want to share your fantastic experiences with friends and family back home.
Afterward, you’ll walk downhill for 1:30 hours, getting another couple of peeks at the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, along the way – only making your anticipation for tomorrow stronger. We stop for lunch in Aobamba before we continue, for a half-hour, to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft). One of the most impressive sites in this section is the 250-meter-tall artificial waterfall, which generates electricity for the entire city of Cusco.
Once in Hidroelectrica, you have two options: 1) If you’re tired out after all the trekking, you can opt to board a train to Aguas Calientes (not included). If you want to enjoy the last stretch of the trek, you can take the flat walk along the side of the tracks to Aguas Calientes, which takes around 3 hours. It’ll be one more chance to embrace the warm jungle surroundings as you hike.
Along the way, you’ll see Intihuatana, an ancient rock the Incas used as a sundial, which worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu. These were used to measure and read the winter solstice, meaning the beginning of the farming season for the Incas. Next, you’ll reach the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Once in the small town, you’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Note: During the rainy season, and for safety reasons, the hike up the Llactapata Trail isn’t 100% guaranteed. When there’s
Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerMeals
HotelAccommodation
ChallengingDifficulty
25 km / 15.53 miWalking Distance
8-9 hoursWalking Time
2,000 m / 6,562 ftStarting Elevation
1,800 m / 5,906 ftMin. Elevation
2,800 m / 9,186 ftHighest Elevation
2,040 m / 6,693 ftAccommodation Elevation
Day05 Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Get ready for the experience of a lifetime that will allow you to travel back in time to one of the Seven Wonders of the World: The magnificent Machu Picchu.
Tour of the Incredible Incan Citadel: Machu Picchu
Today’s the day you’ve been waiting since you first set foot on the trail. You’ll finally visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu! You’ll need to be up early today to make sure you beat the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the site in the early morning light.
Once in the Inca citadel, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the most relevant sectors of this incredible ancient site. You’ll see houses, temples, terraces, and crop fields, among others. You will be impressed by the intelligence of the Incas in terms of engineering work, which was way ahead of its time and remains a mystery in many aspects.
The Incas did not have the tools we use today, but they could still build and organize their community on the side of a mountain and even create a water system with aqueducts and canals.
Bonus Fact: When a Peruvian guide showed this site to Hiram Bingham, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in thick vegetation and disrepair. It’s since been cleaned and restored and is now protected and treasured by people from every corner of the globe.
Make sure you’re back in Aguas Calientes for a spot of lunch before boarding your train to Ollantaytambo, which leaves at approximately 2:55 pm (subject to availability). Our private bus will collect you from the next station and drive you back to your hotel in Cusco at around 8 pm. You can now put your feet up and enjoy much-needed rest; however, your heart will still beat the Andes rhythm for many weeks, months, and years to come!
BreakfastMeals
EasyDifficulty
2-3 hours exploring Machu PicchuOptional Activities (Difficulty – Duration)
2,430 m / 7,972 ftMachu Picchu Site Elevation
Moderate to ChallengingOptional Mountains
3,000 m / 9,843 ft (3 – 4 hours)Machu Picchu Mountain Elevation
2,720 m / 8,924 ft (2 hours)Huayna Picchu Mountain Elevation
2,497 m / 8,192 ft (1.5 hours)Huchuy Picchu Mountain Elevation
Alternative journeys you may be intereseded in
Here you have other optiones that will suit your need from the City Tours
Here you have other optiones that will suit your need from the City Tours
Tikas Peru is one of Peru’s leading tour operators. We are trusted for our professional, efficient, and friendly services. Because we only focus on Treks and Adventure tours to Machu Picchu
Copyright@ 2023 Tikas Peru All Rights Reserved.