Salkantay -
Machu Picchu

On this 3-day hike, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful Humantay lagoon, and then climb to the Salkantay pass (4,650 meters above sea level), located between the Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains. From this point on, the landscape changes to a more jungle-like one as you enter the beginning of the jungle.

You will enjoy delicious organic meals prepared by local families, and you will see animals such as llamas and alpacas along the way.

In addition, you will hike part of the Inca trail before arriving at Aguas Calientes, the town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. From there, at an additional cost, we will connect you with another guide to tour the citadel.

This hike is ideal for those who don't want to miss Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail, but don't have much time.

General information

Requirements

Distance: Approx. 50 km
Time: 4 days
Maximum altitude: 4,622 masl
Minimum altitude: 2,040 masl
Level: high intermediate
Size of the group: 1 - 10 people
Open: March - December

To be in excellent health.
Experience hiking long routes

This hike includes:

✅ Private transport from Cusco to Challacancha - Soraypampa village (3 hour trip)

✅ Entrance fee to the Salkantay park

✅ Visit to the Humantay lagoon

✅ Food (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners during the days of the trek)

✅ Lodging for 2 nights in cabins

✅ Hotel 1 night in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)

✅ Oxygen tank if necessary

✅ Accompaniment and guiding

✅ Shared bathroom and showers

✅ Super energy bars

NOT INCLUDED:

❌ Breakfast on the first day.

❌ Dinner on the third day in Aguas Calientes

❌ Snacks, water bottles

❌ Tips

❌ Hiking poles (available for rent)

❌ Cost of the train back to Ollantaytambo and to Cusco

❌ Entrance fee to Machu Picchu

❌ Mule to carry your luggage (ask us about the prices to rent one).

❌ Wi-fi

❌ Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes

Information about entrance fee to Machu Picchu

➡️ Train fare:

- Local and nationals: 12 soles

- Foreigners: 240 soles (65 dollars)

Each participant must purchase a train ticket in advance for the return trip. The purchase of the ticket is personal with your ID or PASSPORT.

➡️ Entrance to the archaeological site for foreigners: 152 soles (This ticket can be purchased in the town of Aguas Calientes).

➡️ Price of the bus that goes up to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (Round trip)

- Cusqueños and Cusco residents: 20 soles.

- Nationals: 15 dollars or 55 soles.

- Foreigners: 24 dollars or 88 soles.

Day 1: Cusco - Humantay - Soraypampa

We will begin our tour by picking you up from Plaza Regocijo in the city of Cusco at 5:30 am by private transportation. We will head towards the city of Mollepata (2,803 m above sea level) located approximately 100 km from Cusco. Then we will go to the town of Challacancha where we will begin the first part of the hike: it will take us around two hours to reach Soraypampa (3,900 m above sea level). Our first day is considered an acclimatization day: only two short stretches of hiking near our lodge. After lunch in Soraypampa, we will head towards the Humantay lagoon (4,200 m above sea level), a 4 km hike of about three hours to appreciate the impressive lagoon and the high mountain landscape. At the end of the day, we will return to Soraypampa to have dinner and rest until the next day.

After lunch in Soraypampa, we headed to the Humantay lagoon (4,200 meters above sea level), a 4 km round trip and about three hours to appreciate the impressive lagoon, the high mountain landscape. To end the day, we return to Soraypampa to have dinner and rest until the next day.

Walking time: 5 hours

Advanced level

Travel distance: 10 km

Accommodation: Cabins with mattress

Maximum altitude: 2,803 m above sea level

Maximum altitude: 4,260 m above sea level

Meals included: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Challhuay

We will start the day with a hearty breakfast. Then we will begin the journey of about 7 km of pure ascent towards Abra Salkantay (4,630 m above sea level), the highest point of the entire walk, which will take us approximately 4 hours. When we reach the pass, we will have the opportunity to see the Nevado Salkantay up close, to take some photos and enjoy the landscape of this beautiful place. The second day is considered the most physically demanding, but we will enjoy a unique change of scenery, going from the high mountains to the edge of the jungle in only a few hours. From the Salkantay Pass the route is downhill for about 16 km.

During the walk, after about 9 more km, we will stop in the town of Huayramachay where we will have lunch before beginning the descent of about two hours towards our hostel in the town of Challhuay (2,900 m above sea level), where we will be welcomed by Noémie and her husband Goyo for dinner and rest.

Walking time: 7 hours

Advanced level

Travel distance: 23.5 km

Accommodation: Cabins with mattress

Maximum altitude: 4,622 meters above sea level.

Minimum altitude: 2,920 meters above sea level.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Challhuay - Hydroelectric

We will say goodbye to our local family early in the morning, to begin a segment of the Inca Trail that will take us to the village of Granadillas. The path is flat, in some parts we will climb no more than 100 meters, and the rest of the way is downhill. We will walk for about two and a half hours. At this point we will be received by our private driver. Here we will drive for approximately an hour and a half to the Hidoeléctrica area where we will have lunch. Then we will make our way to the town of Aguas Calientes located at the foot of Machupichu, on a beautiful walk along the train tracks. In the afternoon we can visit the tourist town of Machu Picchu and enjoy the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.

Walking time: 5 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance: 16 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Maximum altitude:

2,920 m above sea level

Minimum altitude: 2,040 meters above sea level

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Cusco

This last day is dedicated to visiting Machu Picchu (those who wish to return to Ollantaytambo and Cusco may do so by taking the train).

Here each participant will have the option to choose if they want to go up to Machu Picchu or return to Cusco or Ollantaytambo in the morning at 9am.

What to bring for the hike?

Important note: We recommend a previous acclimatization in the city of Cusco, at least 2 days and be in good health. We offer one-day or half-day power routes as preparation before heading out on the main multi-day trek.

ID card / Passport (original) / Foreigner's card
Student card
Travel insurance and some copies
Backpack to carry your things.
Charger and adapter for phone and camera
Camera
Flashlight or headlamp
Deet or mosquito repellent (recommended 30% deet)
Hand sanitizer
Hiking poles (or you can rent a pair from us)
Rain gear (especially if traveling in rainy season, from October to March)
Warm clothes to spend the night (thermal underwear, polar fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, comfortable pants, shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts)
Good hiking boots with ankle protector or similar, and a pair of flip-flops or light sandals
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Water bottle or canteen
Peruvian soles in cash
Sun hat, cap and hat and warm gloves for the night
Toilet paper
Personal first aid kit
Bathing clothes and towel
Personal snacks
Personal toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap, etc)

Our prices are among the most affordable you will find in your search for travel agencies.

Why?

Because our purpose goes far beyond money: we want to accompany, guide and share experiences in the mountains as tools for spiritual and personal growth.

Likewise, we guarantee an impeccable service of high quality, with the adequate logistics, security, and all the necessary equipment.

We apply the price range 4 – 10 when we open a group.

We need 4 people to open a group.

If there are fewer people and there is no open group, we will apply the price according to the number of people.

The price of the hike depends on the number of people who sign up.

Ask for a quote

Salkantay - Machu Picchu

General information

Requirements

“Mountaineering is not a story of conquests, it is a story of triumph over fear. A triumph of the human being over his own fears.”

Salkantay -
Machu Picchu