Classic Salkantay Trek 4-Day
Overview
The Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days and 3 nights tour is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu, also the most challenging and adventurous tours we offer at TreXperience. You will be able to see the Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains, the cloud forest, coffee farms, and finish the trek at Machu Picchu.
Why book with TreXperience
Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator from Cusco city
We offer complimentary airport pick up and drop off
We offer a real camping experience with tents and hot showers
We visit local organic coffee farms
Support Social Project while traveling
Come back to Cusco on the last days in the exclusive Panoramic trains
Why book with TreXperience
Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator from Cusco city
We offer complimentary airport pick up and drop off
We offer a real camping experience with tents and hot showers
We visit local organic coffee farms
Support Social Project while traveling
Come back to Cusco on the last days in the exclusive Panoramic trains
Inclusions
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning of the tour
- Entrance ticket to Salkantay, Hotsprings, and Machu Picchu
- All transportation during the duration of the trek
- Panoramic Exclusive train on the last to come back to Cusco
- Buses up and down to Machu Picchu
- Organic coffee farm tour and Pachamanca barbecue
- Entry/Admission - Humantay Lake
- Entry/Admission - Aguas Termales Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa
- Entry/Admission - Salkantay Trail
- Entry/Admission - Machu Picchu
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAYPAMPA
Stop At: Humantay Lake, Plaza de Armas, Cusco 08002 Peru
Pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and drive to Soraypampa (3900 m) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. After breakfast, we will start a 2-hour walk up to Humantay Lake (4200 m / 13780 ft) after enjoying the beautiful views of this spectacular turquoise water lake, we will continue to our lunch place where the chef will be waiting to serve your lunch using organic products from the area. 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). After lunch, we will continue climbing for two more hours to reach Salkantay Pampa (4100 m/13450 ft). Once at the campsite we will have the tents ready, have tea time, and dinner. You can stargaze before going to sleep.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA – WAYRAJPUNKU – COLLPAPAMPA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. When exiting your tent, a beautiful scenery consisting of huge plains and snow-capped mountain peaks is waiting for you. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Peru. After breakfast, we will start ascending to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay pass (4630 m /15190 ft), at the summit we will take the time to explore the amazing landscapes including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. From the top, it will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). After lunch, we will start descending from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in temperature and weather. Along the way, we will see 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.
Duration: 10 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: COLLPAPAMPA – COCALMAYO – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES
Stop At: Aguas Termales Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa, Calle Union b6, Santa Teresa 08711, Peru
Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay TreXperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will hike for 3 hours along the cloud forest and then drive for about 1 hour to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) where we will visit organic Coffee and prepare a special PACHAMANCA barbecue. After lunch, drive to Hidrolectica and a 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 4:00 pm. Here we will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: MACHU PICCHU (LOST CITY OF THE INCAS)
Stop At: Machu Picchu, Peru
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 going up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Arriving as the sky brightens, with incredible views of the city 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 Montaña (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 Vistadome train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAYPAMPA
Stop At: Humantay Lake, Plaza de Armas, Cusco 08002 Peru
Pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and drive to Soraypampa (3900 m) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. After breakfast, we will start a 2-hour walk up to Humantay Lake (4200 m / 13780 ft) after enjoying the beautiful views of this spectacular turquoise water lake, we will continue to our lunch place where the chef will be waiting to serve your lunch using organic products from the area. 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). After lunch, we will continue climbing for two more hours to reach Salkantay Pampa (4100 m/13450 ft). Once at the campsite we will have the tents ready, have tea time, and dinner. You can stargaze before going to sleep.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA – WAYRAJPUNKU – COLLPAPAMPA
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. When exiting your tent, a beautiful scenery consisting of huge plains and snow-capped mountain peaks is waiting for you. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Peru. After breakfast, we will start ascending to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay pass (4630 m /15190 ft), at the summit we will take the time to explore the amazing landscapes including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. From the top, it will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). After lunch, we will start descending from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in temperature and weather. Along the way, we will see 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.
Duration: 10 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: COLLPAPAMPA – COCALMAYO – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES
Stop At: Aguas Termales Cocalmayo de Santa Teresa, Calle Union b6, Santa Teresa 08711, Peru
Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay TreXperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will hike for 3 hours along the cloud forest and then drive for about 1 hour to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) where we will visit organic Coffee and prepare a special PACHAMANCA barbecue. After lunch, drive to Hidrolectica and a 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 4:00 pm. Here we will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: MACHU PICCHU (LOST CITY OF THE INCAS)
Stop At: Machu Picchu, Peru
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 going up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Arriving as the sky brightens, with incredible views of the city 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 Montaña (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 Vistadome train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Infant seats available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Peterheit
April 2022
Great tour. It was rest good to get a different experience every day. If you like Gary of landscape and experiences I would highly recommend this tour
Great tour. It was rest good to get a different experience every day. If you like Gary of landscape and experiences I would highly recommend this tourJannichristiane
April 2022
This trek was a very great experience! I loved the nature you passed by and you felt safe and comfortable the whole time. Our guide Elisban talked perfectly english and was happy to answer all of our questions about the trip and about Peru in general. And he was very aware of any needs. And not t...
This trek was a very great experience! I loved the nature you passed by and you felt safe and comfortable the whole time. Our guide Elisban talked perfectly english and was happy to answer all of our questions about the trip and about Peru in general. And he was very aware of any needs. And not to mention the food. Is was encredible! Lorenzo and his staffs made sure that we never went to bed without a happy stomach. You sure get value for money on this trip.nataliefR1360PL
April 2022
To say this tour exceeded my expectations is an understatement. And all thanks to the team. Our tour guide Elisban was thoughtful, kind, and above all fun and funny throughout the trip. He was with us every step of the way, sharing history, geography and laughter. I also ate some of the best - an...
To say this tour exceeded my expectations is an understatement. And all thanks to the team. Our tour guide Elisban was thoughtful, kind, and above all fun and funny throughout the trip. He was with us every step of the way, sharing history, geography and laughter. I also ate some of the best - and fanciest - food of my life! Our chef Lorenzo was a magician (how he made three course meals, not to mention incredible cakes, in short time spans and without an oven is still a mystery). The hiking itself was definitely challenging and exhausting but a million times worth it. Oh and I had never camped before (big city person) and the camping turned out to be my favorite part. Take this tour!Global687276
April 2022
The Salkantay Trek was an amazing experience I’d recommend to anyone! Elisban, our guide, and Lorenzo, our chef, were particularly incredible. The hikes were very thoughtfully planned. Afterwards, we always had a delicious four course meal waiting for us. Elisban was extremely knowledgable and th...
The Salkantay Trek was an amazing experience I’d recommend to anyone! Elisban, our guide, and Lorenzo, our chef, were particularly incredible. The hikes were very thoughtfully planned. Afterwards, we always had a delicious four course meal waiting for us. Elisban was extremely knowledgable and thoughtful. When my hiking shoes fell apart on the toughest day of our hike, Elisban kept pace with me and figured out how to use some extra shoe laces to tie the fallen-off soles back onto my shoes. He did this a half-dozen times throughout the hike. Thanks Elisban!T839GIharryk
April 2022
This was a wonderful experience! Our tour guide Elisban was full of great tips and historical information, and was helpful when we began experiencing some altitude sickness. Lorenzo our chef made excellent food, and left us barely able to walk after our meals. Pack a good pair of hiking boots and...
This was a wonderful experience! Our tour guide Elisban was full of great tips and historical information, and was helpful when we began experiencing some altitude sickness. Lorenzo our chef made excellent food, and left us barely able to walk after our meals. Pack a good pair of hiking boots and you’ll be set!nicolinee585
April 2022
I just had an amazing experience at the Salkantay Trek!!! Everything just worked perfectly from beginning to end! Our AMAZING and knowledgeable guide Elisban took really good care of all in our group, the porters did a huge job making our campsites work and our incredible chef Lorenzo, made the ...
I just had an amazing experience at the Salkantay Trek!!! Everything just worked perfectly from beginning to end! Our AMAZING and knowledgeable guide Elisban took really good care of all in our group, the porters did a huge job making our campsites work and our incredible chef Lorenzo, made the most wonderful meals for us throughout our tour!!! Thank you so much for this great tour and my highest recommendations for Elisban, Lorenzo and the crew, the next clients to go on a tour with them, are SO lucky!!!