Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast, be picked up by your tour guide and driver at your hotel in Cusco. Visit the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site first. Then stop in the mountain village of Mollepata and visit El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse, to learn about local agriculture and livestock.

After lunch, take a scenic ride on the winding mountain road to a site called Challacancha and begin your hike to Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). Begin to acclimate to the higher altitude. Around the final turn of the Camino Real, the Salkantay Lodge will come into view. Guests who do not wish to trek may be transported to the lodge by vehicle. Overnight at Salkantay Lodge at 12,690 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 3 hours, including lunch at organic Farm El Pedregal
Hiking Level: easy to moderate

Day 3 presents another opportunity to gauge your altitude acclimatization with a half-day hike to Lake Humantay. After breakfast, begin the ascent up the slopes that border the plateau behind the Salkantay Lodge. An hour and a half later, see the stunning turquoise water of the lake and the glacier looming overhead. Relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot and be part of a traditional offering to “Pachamama” (Mother Earth). The morning’s hike to Lake Humantay is optional, but participation is strongly recommended to prepare for tomorrow’s strenuous hike.

After descending back to the lodge, staff are awaiting with a hot lunch. Spend the second half of the day at leisure: soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi, indulge in a relaxing massage or take a long nap. Overnight at Salkantay Lodge at 12,690 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 4 hours
Hiking Level: easy to moderate

Optional Activities

Chakana excursion (subject to additional cost): Horseback/hiking combo up the steep hills adjacent the lodge. The destination—a dramatic lookout point over the Salkantay River Valley marked by an oversized Inca Chakana (cross). This excursion will replace the hike to the glacier lake.
Duration: approximately 5 hours (1.5 – 2 hours on horseback)

Horseback riding (subject to additional cost): After lunch, spend a leisurely afternoon exploring Soraypampa on horseback.
Duration: approximately 2 hours

After an early start, hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak. Gradually make your way up the mountain trails and encounter expansive plateaus dotted with boulders of varying sizes, the remnants of a valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river. The final and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that take you to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trek at 15,213 feet. What follows is a dramatic descent through fields of giant boulders, often shrouded in fog.

Have some time to rest and enjoy some trail mix before the final hike through the area’s bucolic countryside; its rolling hills will eventually lead you through marsh-like plateaus to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay, where you can wash away the trail dirt and have a great hot and tasty lunch. In the afternoon, relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy the great and impressive views of surroundings high snowed peaks. Overnight at Wayra Lodge at 12,812 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 6 hours
Hiking Level: challenging

After a leisurely breakfast at the Wayra Lodge, continue the descent along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. Encounter local people, as the trail passes their simple homes and makeshift fences. Arrive at Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. Be greeted by the staff with a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked in the earth by hot stones that create a natural underground oven. After lunch, spend the afternoon lounging in the sun or relaxing in the outdoor Jacuzzi while taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding lush green mountains. Overnight at Colpa Lodge at 9,414 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 3-4 hours
Hiking Level: easy to moderate

Today, hike in the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects
streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. Rest alongside the river, then continue hiking for 1 more hour before meeting a vehicle to take a short drive to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, which leads to Lucma Lodge. Enjoy a great lunch at the lodge and afterwards, visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in the area that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity indicate your proximity to the edge of the Amazon Jungle. Overnight at Lucma Lodge at 7,003 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 5.5 hours, including lunch
Hiking Level: moderate to challenging

After breakfast, depart from Lucma Lodge and embark on a 2-3 hour climb through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. A lush tree line creates green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is nearby. Today’s first milestone will be the top of the peak, the last one before descending to the Aobamba River Valley that connects to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the Llactapata Pass (8,974 feet), delight in a southeast view of Machu Picchu, a sight few travelers get the chance to admire.

After exploring Llactapata, the Inca tambo (fort) that marks the pass, enjoy a picnic lunch at a mountain lookout point with panoramic views. The final descent along a trail that zigzags down to the roaring Aobamba River leads through lush bamboo forests, varied fruit orchards and more coffee plantations. Celebrate while crossing the bridge over the river and take the final steps of the trek en route to the Hidroelectrica train station for a scenic 1-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, on the banks of the Urubamba River at the base of Machu Picchu. Overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel at 6,693 feet.

Trekking Time: approximately 4-6 hours
Hiking Level: moderate to challenging

At dawn, begin the journey to Machu Picchu with a short and rollicking uphill bus ride. Prepare to be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. After a two-hour guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. At some point, be sure to take a moment and sit quietly–listen to the wind, meditate and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you.

Next, consider a hike to Huayna Picchu (added cost), the iconic towering mountain often seen in photographs. Note that entrance to Huayna Picchu is 10:00am or 10:30am and requires permits, which are subject to availability and should be confirmed during your trip reservation. In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, Machu Picchu Mountain (the second peak within the sanctuary) permits will be secured instead, at added cost.

After, have lunch in Aguas Calientes beforea scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo (~1.5 hours) and then a transfer by vehicle (~1.5 hours) back to Cusco. As night falls and you arrive at your hotel amidst the hustle and bustle of Cusco, and recall the feeling of peace and rejuvenation that will linger long after the return journey home.

Trekking Time: approximately 4 hours
Hiking Level: challenging

Optional Additional Day at Machu Picchu

For an additional cost, choose to extend your trip and spend an extra day in Machu Picchu. Even though there is enough time to see the core of Machu Picchu Sanctuary during the regular guided tour, most guests realize they would have liked to stay a little longer since there is so much to explore. Tell your Adventure Specialist at the time of reservation if you would like to add this optional day.

After a final breakfast at your Cusco hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight or to continue on to other adventures.