Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Itinerary

DAY 01: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA

We will begin our adventure very early, with pickup from your hotel starting at 4:30 a.m. We will board our vehicle and travel through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo until reaching Mollepata (2,900 m.a.s.l.), approximately at 7:30 a.m. In this place, you will need to pay S/ 20.00 soles for the entrance fee. We will enjoy a hearty breakfast and then take transportation that will take us to Challacancha in about 1 hour.

From Challacancha, we will begin the hike that will take approximately 3 hours to reach Soraypampa, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will take an additional hike to visit the beautiful Humantay Lagoon, a turquoise-colored body of water surrounded by imposing mountains. We will end the day camping in this magical place.

DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY – COLPAPAMPA

We will wake up at 5:00 a.m. and, after a nutritious breakfast, we will continue our journey. Starting from Soraypampa, we will begin the ascent to the highest point of the route: the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m.a.s.l.). From this summit, we will be able to contemplate the imposing snow-capped mountains Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo – a visual spectacle that will leave us breathless.

After enjoying the panoramic views, we will begin the descent to Huayracmachay, where we will stop for lunch. We will continue our hike to Colpapampa (2,900 m.a.s.l.), where we will set up camp for the night.

DAY 03: COLPAPAMPA – SAHUAYACO BEACH – HYDROELECTRIC PLANT – AGUAS CALIENTES

We will start the day with breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and then hike for approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes through the jungle, with gentle ascents and descents. Along this route, we will appreciate coffee plantations, orchids, begonias, bromeliads, and a wide variety of plants used in Andean natural medicine.

We will arrive at our lunch point at Sahuayaco Beach, where we will enjoy a delicious meal. Afterwards, we will board our transportation to move to the Hydroelectric Plant. From this point, we will hike for 2 hours and 30 minutes towards Aguas Calientes, where we will check into our hotel.

DAY 04: MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

We will begin the most anticipated day of our trip with a delicious breakfast. Then, we will go to the Aguas Calientes bus station to ascend to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (20-minute journey). At the entrance of the sanctuary, our guide will be waiting to begin the guided tour of approximately 2 hours, where we will explore the Inca workshops, the Temple of the Moon, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, and other emblematic spaces.

After the explanation, you will have free time to explore the citadel on your own. Then, we will return to Aguas Calientes; if you wish, you can visit the hot springs (optional activity). Finally, we will board the train back to the Ollantaytambo station, where our transportation will be waiting to return to the city of Cusco.