Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu - 4 Days

We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive you to the trailhead. After breakfast, we will start a 3 hours hike to Soraypampa (3600 m), following an ancient aqueduct that supplies water to the farmers in the lower lands. Lunch is served in Soraypampa village by your trekking chef. After enjoying the well-deserved lunch, we will start a 2-hour climb to Humantay Lake (4200 m / 13779 ft). Along the way, you will see a variety of flora and fauna, such as the Andean goose (the love birds), deer, and vizcachas (which look a lot like a rabbit). Next, we will continue climbing for two more hours to reach Salkantay Pampa (3900 m/12795 ft). Once at the campsite, we will have the tents ready, then enjoy a tea time dinner, and afterward, we can stargaze before going to sleep.

Campsite Altitude: 3,900 m -/12795 ft Highest altitude: 4200 m / 13779 ft Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles Duration: 8 hours Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner Accommodation: Camping Difficulty: Moderate

We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. Beautiful scenery consisting of vast plains and snow-capped mountain peaks awaits you when exiting your tent. We will enjoy the breath-taking views of the highest mountains in Peru. After breakfast, we will start ascending to our trek’s highest point, the Salkantay pass (4630 m /15190 ft). At the summit, we will take the time to explore the fantastic landscapes, including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. It will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft) from the top. After lunch, we will start descending from the mountains into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest temperature and weather changes. Along the way, we will see an abundance of different types of flowers, hummingbirds, and orchids until we arrive at Colpapampa, located at 2770 meters. This night we will stay next to a small village.

Campsite Altitude: 2770 m/ 9087 ft Highest altitude: 4630 m/ 15190 ft Distance: 18 km/ 14.91 miles Duration: 9 hours Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner Accommodation: Camping Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay TreXperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft). We will join a Pachamanca cooking demonstration and traditional cooking methods, vegetables, fruits with hot stones, and the underground. You will particiáte actively in preparing this unique delicacy. After lunch, you will visit an organic coffee farm and learn the process of harvesting to how to prepare your expresso. Next, drive for one hour to Hidroelectica and hike for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 5 pm. We will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.

Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6561 ft Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles Duration: 6 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Hotel Difficulty: Moderate

On our final day, we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your TreXperience, visiting Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the line to wait for the first bus to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Arriving as the sky brightens, we will walk up with the city’s incredible views along the way. On a clear day, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is truly an unforgettable sight. Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.

Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft Distance: 6km / 3 miles Duration: 2 – 3 hours Meals: Breakfast (hotel) Difficulty: Easy