Salkantay Trek
5 days | 4 nights | 30 miles hiking | 3 nights camping | 1 night hotel
What is included?
Tents for trek
One night in hotel
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Four days hiking in Salkantay range
All transportation for the trek
All meals during trek
All professional guides and staff
All permits, tickets, taxes, and fees
Visit Humanatay Lake Coffee Farms and Machu Picchu in one unique trip
You get to Cusco and we will handle the rest!
Schedule Overview
Day 1
The Journey Begins
Pick up from Cusco hotel around 5AM
3.5 hour drive from Cusco to trail head
6-7 hours of hiking to first campsite
Day 2
On Top of the World
Early start
Hike to highest point of trek
Steep descent to private campsite
Day 3
Coffee Farm & Inca Trail
Hike to remote Andean coffee farm
Make fresh coffee from scratch
Hike a few hours on the Inca Trail
Day 4
Incredible Views
The prettiest day of hiking!
See beautiful valleys fruit plantations
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 5
Tour of Machu Picchu
20 minute bus ride to entrance
Tour of Machu Picchu
Train to Cusco in the evening
Popular Questions
Short answer: "shoulder seasons", the Spring and Fall of North America. These months provide the best combo of good weather and lower crowds.
High elevation effects everyone differently. Two general pieces of advice: take it easy on your first day in Cusco and hydrate
We've compiled the ultimate packing list depending on which trip you're planning to take. Check it out at the link below
Schedule Details
Let's get specific...
Day 1
The Journey Begins
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Max Altitude: 15,300ft. (4,650m)
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Min Altitude: 12,795ft. (3,550m)
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Distance Hiked: ~6 miles (10 km)
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Ascent: 2,362ft. (1,070m)
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Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Note: Our trekking times are approximate and will vary depending on: weather conditions, group ability and other factors.
MORNING
Your first day will start early, 5:00AM early! Kusa Treks team members will pick you up from your hotel in private transportation and drive about 3.5 hours to the trail head in Soraypampa, where you’ll eat your first breakfast. All of the meals on this trek will be prepared by our professional chef and his crew. During breakfast you’ll meet the incredible crew that will accompany you on this journey, including the Porters, Chef, assistant chef, and assistant guides.
Around 9:00AM you’ll begin your hike. The first day will be a bit of a challenge, as your legs are warming up and the beginning of the trail has a lot of inclines. However, your efforts will be rewarded with incredible views! The first 2.5 hours will be a measured uphill hike to see the turquoise Humanatay Lake.
AFTERNOON
The trail will continue with a gradual climb for another 1.5 hours until reaching Salkantay Pampa, where you will eat a delicious lunch, prepared by our trekking chefs, in front of a beautiful glacier.
After lunch you will continue hiking uphill for another hour until you arrive to your first campsite in Soroccocha, which is located at the foot of the majestic Salkantay Mountain.
EVENING
Each night you will have a family “tea-time”. You’ll enjoy hot chocolate, a variety of teas and snacks together and wind down from the efforts of our hike. You will swap stories and prepare to eat a delicious, hot dinner made by our chef and his staff. If the weather allows, your guide will show you the Inca Constellations in the millions of bright stars that stretch overhead.
After dinner your Tour Guides will go over our plans for Day 2. Buenas Noches!
Day 2
On Top of the World!
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Max Altitude: 12,795ft. (3,550m)
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Min Altitude: 7,217ft. (2,200m)
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Distance Traveled: 6 miles (10 km)
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Descent: 5,578ft. (1,350m)
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Walking Time: 5-6 hours
MORNING
Every morning the Porters and guides will wake you up with a smile and a fresh cup of something hot. After a soul-warming breakfast, you will begin your second day of hiking with a gradual climb. In about an hour, you will reach the highest point of the trek.
You will experience the feeling of being on top of the world as you look around at the surreal snow-capped mountains. You will have 30 minutes to enjoy the amazing, panoramic views.
AFTERNOON
The trek continues as the trail [FINALLY] starts to go downhill to Rayanniyoc for a lunch prepared by our professional chefs. After resting your legs, you will push toward the finish line for that day and arrive at the private campsite in the small village of Colpapampa.
If you’re lucky, you will get to see some of the hundreds of species of birds that inhabit this area including: hummingbirds, falcons, and the Condor, also known as the king of the Andean Mountains.
EVENING
Once you reach the campsite, tea-time will be waiting for you. After enjoying each others company, you’ll share another spectacular meal and turn in for the night. Sleep well chicos!
Day 3
Coffee Farm and Inca Trail
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Maximum Altitude: 12,300ft (3,750m)
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Minimum Altitude: 8,856ft (2,700 m)
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Distance Traveled: ~9.9 miles (16 km)
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Walking Time: 7-8 hours
MORNING
After waking up to the sweet sound of a hot drink knocking at your tent door, you’ll enjoy a delicious hot breakfast and prepare for the day’s hike. Today’s hike will continue down into a valley below and into a forest filled with groves of bamboo and birds.
From this incredible slice of paradise, the trail will intersect with the world famous Inca Trail, which you will walk on for the next 3 hours. The Inca Trail was built in the 13th century as a series of roads to connect the vast Inca Empire across much of modern-day South America.
AFTERNOON
Your afternoon will consist of a visit to a local, organic coffee farm situated deep in the Andes. Coffee is one of the main exports of Peru, as the high mountain climate of the Andes allows various types of the Cocoa plant to flourish.
You will have the opportunity to learn from local farmers how to harvest, roast and prepare the best cup of coffee you’ve ever tasted! There is a tremendous difference between fresh, organic coffee and a grande mocha latte with skim milk and cream. After your visit to the coffee farm, you’ll continue on your journey to another small village where we will set up camp for the night.
EVENING
Once you arrive to the campsite, you will enjoy a late lunch prepared by our incredible chef! You will have the remaining hours of the afternoon to explore the wonderful area you find yourself in. There are stunning vistas surrounding the campsite as well as a local school. Most of our clients choose to visit and connect with the school children through playful games of fútbol (soccer). We promise that you will enjoy your afternoon here.
Following a relaxing and fun afternoon, you will be able enjoy another tea-time and dinner later that night. After dinner you can gaze on the constellations overhead or retire to your tent and prepare for the final day of trekking.
Day 4
Incredible Views
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Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Maximum Altitude: 8,758ft. (2,700m)
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Minimum Altitude: 5,971ft. (1,820m)
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Distance Traveled: 9.3 miles (15 km)
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Descent: 2,787ft. (880m)
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Walking Time: 8-9 hours
MORNING
After enjoying the last breakfast prepared by our chef, you will start the 4th day of trekking with a 3 hour uphill hike that leads to to Puncuyoc Pass. This just might be the prettiest 3 hours you will ever hike in your life. Filled with views of deep valleys and giant fruit plantations, you will be amazed at these sites. After the hike, you will arrive at Llactapata Inca Ruins. These ruins are located in front of Machu Picchu and provide a great view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.
You will spend a few hours learning about the Llactapata ruins from your guide. You will also have some time to take pictures of Machu Picchu, which can be seen in the distance. Not to overstate this part of the trip, but this truly is an incredible part of the world!
AFTERNOON
Unfortunately, we cannot stay here forever, so you will descend for 2 more hours to the primary hydroelectric plant of Cusco, where you will enjoy lunch. Your final portion of walking on this trip will be through the National Park of Machu Picchu to reach the city of Aguas Calientes where you will stay in a 3-star hotel during the final night of the trek.
EVENING
Kusa Treks will arrange all of the accommodations in Aguas Calientes. You will stay in a wonderful, quaint hotel where you’ll enjoy a hot shower after 4 days of hiking! You will share a meal together at a local restaurant, where you’ll experience delicious, local cuisine and prepare for the day ahead: Machu Picchu!!
Day 5
Machu Picchu
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Meals: Breakfast and snack
MORNING
Today you will discover Machu Picchu, the world famous Sacred City of the Incas. It is entirely up to the group when you would like to start this exciting day! However, the majority of travelers choose to wake up around 4:30AM. This allows you to eat a quick breakfast and head over the bus station to catch one of the first buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Park. It is a 15-20 minute drive up a series of switch back roads to reach Machu Picchu Park. The gates for Machu Picchu open at 6AM.
All of our guides have been to Machu Picchu hundreds of times and will lead you to the best places to view the ruins. Once the city begins to fill with more tourists, you will start your guided tour, starting with the impressive Temple of the Sun. You will see several iconic areas of Machu Picchu including: The Citadel, The Royal Tomb, the Main Plaza, the Condor Temple and much more.
After the guided tour, you will have plenty of time to explore the City of the Clouds on your own. Those who have secured permits to climb Huayna Picchu will do that hike at this time. If you chose not to hike Huayna Picchu, you can join your guide on an hour long walk on the Inca Trail up to the Sun Gate, where you will enjoy the most iconic view of Machu Picchu.
AFTERNOON/EVENING
Once you’ve had your fill of the incredible Lost City, your guide will take you back to the entrance of Machu Picchu Park to the bus station. The bus back to Aguas Calientes will depart in the early afternoon. Depending on the train schedule, you will either have time for lunch in Aguas Calientes or you will head straight for the train station. We typically book a train that departs Aguas Calientes between 2:30PM – 4:20PM.
From Aguas Calientes, the train will travel 2 hours to the Ollantaytambo station, where our private van will be waiting to take you the remaining 2-3 hours back to Cusco. Some train schedules will allow the train to go 3 hours to the Poray station, which is only a 30 minute drive back to your hotel in Cusco.
TRAIN INFO:
Expedition Train
The Expedition Train is the “normal” train, with plenty of leg room and good sized windows, these train tickets are included in price. All Expedition train tickets end at the Ollantaytambo train station, which is a 2 hour drive back to Cusco. When you arrive to the station, we will have private transportation arranged to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
The following are departure times for the Expedition train:
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 14:55 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 16:31 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 18:30
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 15:20 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 17:08 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 19:10
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 16:22 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 18:10 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 20:10
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 18:20 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 20:05 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 22:00
Vista Dome Train
The Vista Dome Train is an upgraded train, which provides entertainment and a meal. It also has a glass domed ceiling which provides better views of the Sacred Valley on your way from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. The Vista Dome train will end at either the Ollantaytambo station (2 hour drive to Cusco) or the Poroy station (30 minute drive to Cusco). The arrival station is based on the time the train leaves Aguas Calientes. These tickets are an additional $70 USD to upgrade.
The following are departure times for the Vista Dome to the Ollantaytambo Station:
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 13:37 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 15:00 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 17:30 only available for those who do not do the Huyana Picchu hike
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 15:48 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 17:29 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 19:29
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 16:22 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 18:10 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 20:10
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 17:23 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 19:02 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 21:00
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 18:10 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 19:51 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 21:51
The following are departure times for the Vista Dome to the Poroy Station:
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 16:43 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 20:23 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 21:00
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Leave Aguas Calientes: 17:23 –> Arrive to Ollantaytambo station: 20:52 –> Arrive to hotel in Cusco: 21:30
NOTE: Train times depend on: the number of people in your group, the time of year of your trip and the class of train you prefer.