Salkantay Trail Program

Why the 4-day Salkantay Trail?

• Stay in unique domes surrounded by nature
• Hike through different landscapes, from the high Andes and glaciers to the lush cloud forest
• Opportunity to visit the impressive Humantay Lake
• Cross the Salkantay Pass at an impressive altitude of 4,600 metres
• Visit coffee plantations and local communities and discover how Peruvian coffee is produced

Day 1 Humantay Lake and your first encounter with Salkantay

Your adventure begins early, around 5:00 a.m., when you leave Cusco. From the city, you’ll drive towards Mollepata, where you’ll stop for breakfast before continuing to Challacancha. Here, surrounded by impressive mountain peaks, your Salkantay adventure truly begins.

From Challacancha, you’ll start hiking towards the first campsite Soraypampa. After the first part of the hike, it’s time to recharge with a delicious lunch. You can leave any excess luggage here, allowing you to hike to the highlight of the day with a lighter backpack. The hike to Humantay Lake and back takes approximately 3 hours. The turquoise waters contrast beautifully with the snow-capped peaks of Humantay Mountain.

After visiting Humantay Lake, you’ll return to the campsite in Soraypampa at 3,600 metres. Here, you can enjoy a well-deserved dinner before heading to your dome for the night. You’ll sleep right in the heart of the mountains, beneath the impressive Salkantay Mountain and a clear star-filled sky. Temperatures can drop significantly at night, but this is exactly what makes staying in this unique mountain setting so special.

Climate: Cold
Transfer to starting point: Approximately 3 hours
Hiking time: Approximately 3–4 hours
Extra hike to Humantay Lake: Approximately 3 hours

Day 2 On the Way to the Salkantay Pass

Today brings the most challenging, but perhaps also the most spectacular, part of the Salkantay Trail. After an early breakfast, you’ll begin the ascent towards the Salkantay Pass, located at approximately 4,600 metres above sea level. The climb takes around 3 hours.

As you gain altitude, the landscape continuously transforms. You’ll hike through the impressive Puna, a dry and rocky high-altitude landscape with very little vegetation. Around you, more and more snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys begin to appear. Once you reach the Salkantay Pass, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. It is here that you truly realise just how immense the Andes are.

After reaching the highest point, the long descent begins. Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch in Huayramachay. As you continue downhill, you’ll pass through several different climate zones and watch the landscape gradually transform.Where the mountains were once barren and rocky, green vegetation, waterfalls, and trees begin to appear. Eventually, you’ll arrive in Collpapampa, surrounded by the warm and humid landscape of the high jungle. Here, you’ll spend the night immersed in nature in a unique jungle dome.

Climate: Cold at the pass, then warm and humid
Hiking time: Approximately 8–9 hours

Day 3 From the Jungle to Coffee Plantations and Aguas Calientes

Today, we leave the high mountains behind for good and continue deeper into the lush green jungle. The landscape is completely different from the first two days. The Trail takes you past orchids, bromeliads, and begonias, surrounded by colourful butterflies and tropical birds.

Along the way, you’ll also pass several small plantations where local farmers grow coffee, bananas, passion fruit, avocados, and other crops. One of the highlights of today is a visit to a local coffee plantation in Lucmabamba. Here, you’ll learn about the entire coffee-making process, from the coffee bean growing on the plant to the moment it finally reaches your cup. Of course, there will also be time to taste the local coffee. The perfect accompaniment to lunch!

After lunch, you’ll take a local taxi to the Hidroeléctrica hydroelectric station, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. From here, you’ll walk alongside the railway through the lush green valley towards Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu.

In Aguas Calientes, you’ll stay overnight in a hotel. This gives you time to relax, recharge, and prepare for the highlight of the following day.

Climate: Warm and humid
Hiking time: Approximately 8–9 hours

Day 4 Visiting Machu Picchu

The moment has finally arrived: Machu Picchu! You’ll wake up early and take one of the first buses up to the famous Inca citadel. Once there, you’ll have time to explore this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your guide will take you on an approximately two-hour tour of Machu Picchu, sharing fascinating stories about the history, culture, and remarkable architecture of the Incas. You’ll walk past temples, terraces, and plazas while discovering how this mysterious city was built centuries ago. After the guided tour, you’ll have some time to continue exploring on your own, following the designated route.

Please note: Since 2024, new regulations have been introduced to manage visitor flows at Machu Picchu. The site is divided into different circuits and fixed routes. The route you follow depends on the ticket available for your visit.

Climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Would you like to make your visit to Machu Picchu even more adventurous? You can choose to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Huayna Picchu is the iconic green mountain rising directly above Machu Picchu. From the summit, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Inca citadel and the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Machu Picchu Mountain is located on the opposite side of the citadel and offers equally impressive panoramic views. Neither climb is included as standard and both must be reserved in advance.

After your visit to Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Here, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch and perhaps explore the village before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, a bus will take you back to Cusco.

Climate: Warm
Hiking time: Approximately 2–3 hours, excluding any additional mountain climb
Return journey: Train + bus to Cusco