Short itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
- Pick up from your hotel around 4:30 AM.
- Drive for 2 hours to Mollepata for a light breakfast.
- Continue to Cruzpata, meet the cook, muleteers, and horses that will carry the gear.
- Hike 2.5 hours to Soraypampa camp (spectacular views of Humantay and Salkantay).
- After lunch, optional hike to Humantay Lake (1.5-hour ascent).
- Overnight camp in Soraypampa.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay
- Trek through the highest point at Salkantay Pass, with stunning views of glaciers and mountain landscapes.
- Descend to Chaullay to camp surrounded by lush vegetation.
Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa
- Continue trekking into the high jungle, see waterfalls and diverse flora.
- Arrive at Santa Teresa to relax or visit hot springs (optional).
Day 4: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes
- Morning hike along subtropical paths toward Aguas Calientes.
- Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, prepare for Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Start at 4:30 AM, climb up to Machu Picchu (1.5 hours) to catch the sunrise.
- Guided tour for about 2 hours exploring the most important areas of the citadel.
- Free time to explore more or hike Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku, or the Inca Bridge.
- Descend to Aguas Calientes for the train to Ollantaytambo, then bus to Cusco.
Itinerary Details
Review our complete itinerary for the Salkantay Trek
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa
To begin this great Salkantay Trek adventure, we will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 a.m.
We will then travel for 2 hours by private transport to the town of Mollepata, where we will have a light breakfast. After breakfast, we continue to the community of Cruzpata, where the cook, muleteers, and pack animals will be waiting to carry our camping equipment.
We will hike for about 2.5 hours to the community of Soraypampa, where we will spend the first night of the expedition. From this area, you can already enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Humantay and Salkantay snow-capped mountains.
After lunch, we will take a short hike to Humantay Lake (1.5 hours uphill), which is part of the Salkantay Trek route and has become one of the most popular attractions in Cusco today.
- Soraypampa
- Camping
Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay
At 6:00 a.m., we will have breakfast and then begin our uphill hike to the highest point of our expedition, the Salkantay Pass. From here, we will enjoy impressive views of the glaciers in the Vilcabamba mountain range. We can also see the high Amazon jungle, full of the flora and fauna characteristic of this ecological zone. From here, we will begin our descent to Wayracpunku, where we will take a short break for lunch.
After lunch, we will continue our journey into the high jungle, observing the typical vegetation of a tropical forest with a variety of trees, before finally reaching our next campsite in Chaullay.
- Chaullay
- Camping
Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa
After a hearty breakfast (6:00 a.m.), we will begin our downhill hike into the high jungle. Along the way, we will see different types of wild vegetation such as orchids, begonias, bromeliads, hardwood trees, and domestic plantations of coffee, bananas, oranges, and more. This part of the trek is one of the most scenic sections.
After 5 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the small village of Playa, where we will take a short break for lunch. Later, we will continue walking toward the town of Santa Teresa, our next campsite. In this town, we will have time to explore and visit the Cocalmayo hot springs—an excellent place to relax after a challenging hike. In the evening, we will enjoy a campfire with all expedition members.
- Santa Teresa
- Camping
Day 4: Santa Teresa – Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
We will wake up in a tropical area full of history and nature, where breakfast will be ready to enjoy. We will then continue our journey toward Machu Picchu Pueblo.
The hike to Machu Picchu Pueblo will take approximately 7 hours, following the railway tracks, passing by the Hydroelectric station, and making stops at various points to appreciate the spectacular scenery. From the route, we will be able to spot the great Inca city of Machu Picchu high on the mountain.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will wake up at approximately 4:30 a.m. and begin our ascent to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The hike will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, following an uphill path through lush tropical forest, with the opportunity to witness the sunrise at the Inca citadel.
Our guided tour will last around 2 hours, covering the most important points of this wonder. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore on your own or to climb Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku, or the Inca Bridge.
Afterwards, we will descend to Aguas Calientes to head to the train station for our return trip to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting outside the station to transfer you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
End of the Salkantay Trek and our services.
Included
- Pre-trek briefing the night before departure
- Private transport from Cusco to Mollepata (Cruz Pata)
- Professional guide, cook, and assistant
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (vegetarian option available)
- Dining and kitchen tents with chairs and tables
- Tent for 2 people plus sleeping mats
- First aid kit and oxygen tank
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
- Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (1.5 hours)
Not included
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back (optional purchase on site)
- Sleeping bags (available for rent)
- Tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (available for purchase)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal items & extra horses
- Breakfast on day 1, lunch and dinner on the last day
- Trekking poles & tips for the staff (optional)
Recommendations
- Acclimatize in Cusco at least one day before the trek.
- Wear layered clothing for cold mornings and warmer afternoons, plus a rain jacket.
- Use sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
- Carry a small backpack with water, snacks, and essentials.
- Respect your guide’s instructions and the environment throughout the journey.
