CUSCO TREKKINGS

Salkantay Trekking five days from glacier to jungle

  • 5 Days & 4 Nights
  • Demanding difficulty
  • Max 12 people
DURATION
5 Days & 4 Nights
MAX ALTITUDE
4,650 m
DISTANCE
60 km
BEST TIME
Apr – Oct

FROM $379 / person

THE EXPERIENCE

What makes it special to this trip

The alternative route to the Inca Trail: from the Salkantay glacier down to the cloud forest of La Playa, crossing the pass at 4,650 m and descending to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.

  • Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m, the high point of the trek
  • First night in glass domes at Soraypampa
  • Humantay lagoon at sunrise on day two
  • Guided entrance to Machu Picchu on the last day

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM

The route, step by step

Each of the 5 days combines route, history and rest. This is the complete program, step by step.

  1. DAY 1

    Cusco – Soraypampa – Glass Accommodations

    Welcome to the Salkantay Route 03:00 pm | Meeting at our office: Since you will likely have checked out of your hotel before the departure time, the meeting point for this hike will be our Peru America Tours office, located near Cusco's main square. Here you will meet your guide and the rest of the trekking group. 03:30 pm | Start of the journey to Soraypampa: We will board our private transport to begin a journey of approximately 3.5 hours towards the heart of the mountain range. The route will take us through picturesque Andean valleys, with increasingly imposing views. 07:00 pm | Arrival in Soraypampa: We will arrive in Soraypampa (3,800 m a.s.l.), where we will stay in the exclusive Glass Accommodations (Glamping). We will arrive just in time to capture photographs of the sunset over the glacier's snow-capped peaks. Night in Soraypampa: The guide will accompany you to your room before enjoying a delicious dinner with hot drinks. During the night, you will have a privileged view of the starry sky, a unique spectacle in the immensity of the Andes. Note: No hiking today! It is a night for preparation and acclimatization. Altitude: 3,800 m a.s.l. Climate: Cold, windy. Possibility of rain during the wet season. Accommodation: Glass Accommodations (Glamping)

    • 3,800 m
  2. DAY 2

    Soraypampa – Humantay Lagoon – Salkantay Pass – Challway

    The Challenge of Apu Salkantay 05:30 am | Wake-up and Breakfast: We will start the day with a hearty breakfast to fuel up. 06:30 am | Hike to Humantay Lagoon: We will begin our hike towards the beautiful Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m a.s.l.), a mirror of intensely turquoise water, fed by the meltwater of the Humantay snow-capped peak. We will have time to explore its shores, take photographs, and marvel at its beauty. 08:30 am | Return and Continuation of the Trek: We will return to the starting point and continue our route, gradually ascending towards the Salkantay Pass. 01:00 pm | Salkantay Pass (4,650 m a.s.l.): We will reach the highest point of our hike. Here we will be rewarded with impressive panoramic views of the Salkantay Snow-Capped Peak (6,271 m a.s.l.) and the surrounding glaciers. The guide will share stories and legends about this sacred apu. We will rest and enjoy the landscape before beginning the descent. 03:00 pm | Descent to Challway: We will begin a gradual descent towards the valley, entering a warmer and greener ecosystem. 06:00 pm | Arrival in Challway: We will arrive at our campsite in Challway (2,950 m a.s.l.), where our tents and a well-deserved hot dinner await us. The change in altitude is noticeable: the climate is milder. Hiking distance: 22 km Maximum altitude: 4,650 m a.s.l. Camp altitude: 2,950 m a.s.l. Climate: Cold in the morning, mild during the day, cold at night. Accommodation: Camping (tents)

    • 4,650 m
  3. DAY 3

    Challway – Playa Sahuayaco (la Playa)

    The Encounter with the High Jungle 07:00 am | Breakfast and Preparation: After an early breakfast, we will continue our hike. The landscape begins to transform: we leave the puna behind and enter the lush high jungle. Route: During the hike, we will appreciate the incredible diversity of flora and fauna in the region. We will cross suspension bridges, see waterfalls, and be surrounded by increasingly dense vegetation. 01:00 pm | Lunch: We will enjoy a lunch along the way, prepared by our kitchen team. 04:00 pm | Visit to Llactapata: The highlight of the day will be the visit to the Llactapata archaeological site, an ancient Inca city located in a strategic place. From here, we will have a privileged panoramic view of the canyon and, on clear days, a first distant glimpse of Machu Picchu. 06:00 pm | Arrival at La Playa (Sahuayaco): We will arrive at La Playa (2,350 m a.s.l.), a small village where we will spend the night in a campsite. We can relax, interact with the locals, and prepare for the next day. Hiking distance: 16 km Camp altitude: 2,350 m a.s.l. Climate: Warm during the day, cool at night. Accommodation: Camping (tents)

    • 2,350 m
  4. DAY 4

    La Playa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes

    The Embrace of the Jungle and the Hot Springs 06:00 am | Breakfast: We start the day with a revitalizing breakfast. Route: We will walk through an increasingly tropical landscape, surrounded by coffee, banana, cocoa, and exotic fruit plantations. The scent of the jungle will accompany us throughout the journey. 12:00 pm | Arrival in Santa Teresa: We will arrive at the village of Santa Teresa, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. 02:00 pm | Hike to Hidroeléctrica: We will continue our hike, now following the train tracks, until we reach Hidroeléctrica. This section is flat and offers impressive views of the Urubamba River canyon. 04:30 pm | Train to Aguas Calientes: At Hidroeléctrica, we will board a train that will take us on a short journey to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m a.s.l.), the town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. Night in Aguas Calientes: We will check into our hotel. You will have the afternoon free to explore the picturesque town, have dinner on your own, and, if you wish, visit the hot springs to relax your muscles after four days of hiking (entrance not included). Hiking distance: 18 km Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,040 m a.s.l. Climate: Warm and humid. Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

    • 2,040 m
  5. DAY 5

    Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Return To Cusco

    The Encounter with the Sacred Citadel Climate: Warm during the day, cool at night. 04:30 am | Ascent to Machu Picchu: After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the bus station to ascend to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes. 06:00 am | Guided Visit to Machu Picchu: We will enter the citadel and begin a guided visit of approximately 2 hours. Our expert guide will reveal the secrets of this wonder of the world: its history, architecture, temples, and spiritual significance. We will explore the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the main ceremonial enclosures. 08:30 am | Free Time: After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, take the definitive photographs, and absorb the mystical energy of the place. If you have booked it in advance (additional cost and subject to availability), you may ascend to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu for unforgettable panoramic views. 12:00 pm | Descent to Aguas Calientes: We will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes to have lunch (not included) and get ready for the return trip. 04:00 pm (approx.) | Return Train: We will board the return train to Ollantaytambo (the exact time will depend on ticket availability). 06:00 pm (approx.) | Arrival in Ollantaytambo and Transfer to Cusco: Upon arriving at the Ollantaytambo station, our Peru America Tours team will be waiting for you to transfer you by private bus back to the city of Cusco. 09:00 pm (approx.) | Arrival in Cusco: We will arrive at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, thus concluding an unforgettable 5-day adventure. Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 m a.s.l.

    • 2,430 m

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything you need, no surprises

The tour includes

  • Informative meeting: Detailed briefing 1 or 2 days before the tour to resolve all your questions.
  • Professional guides: Bilingual guides (Spanish/English) with extensive experience and knowledge of the route.
  • Porters: Support staff to transport camping and kitchen equipment (they do not carry your personal backpack).
  • Accommodation: 01 night in Glass Accommodations (glamping) in Soraypampa.
  • 02 nights in a campsite (tents).
  • 01 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
  • Transportation: Private transport Cusco – Soraypampa (Day 1).
  • Train Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes (Day 4).
  • Train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (Day 5).
  • Private bus Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Day 5).
  • Camping equipment: Tents (2 people), sleeping mats, table and chairs for meals.
  • Meals: 04 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 03 dinners (during the trek). Note: Dinner on Day 4 and lunch on Day 5 in Aguas Calientes are not included.
  • Water: Drinking water during the hikes (excluding the first day of trekking, bring your own bottle).
  • Entrance fees: General entrance to Machu Picchu.
  • First aid services: First aid kit and portable oxygen throughout the excursion.
  • Additional extras: Coca tea every morning to help with altitude.
  • Satellite phones: Available for emergencies (for guide use only).
  • Permanent assistance and coordination by Peru America Tours.

GALLERY

The tour in pictures

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We solve all your doubts

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Talk to an advisor
Do I need previous experience?

Yes, it is recommended. It is a demanding-difficulty tour: you walk several hours a day over multiple days and cross very high passes. It helps to train walking and elevation gain in the weeks before.

What is the best time to do it?

The best window is Apr – Oct. Outside that season the tour also operates, but there is a higher chance of rain and the terrain can be slippery.

How high do we go and how do I prepare?

The highest point of the route is at 4,650 m. We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before leaving, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol the night before and eating light. If you feel any discomfort from the altitude, let the guide know: the team carries oxygen.

How many people are in the group?

We work with small groups: Max 12 people. This way the guide can look after each traveler and the pace adjusts to the group.

What does the price include?

Check the «Everything you need, no surprises» section of this same page: there you will find the detail of what is included and what is not. If you have any doubts, write to us on WhatsApp.

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