Duration: 4 Days 3 Nights
Activities: Hiking, Adventure
Average Group Size: 12 people
Difficulty: Challenging
Accommodation: Camping, Hotel
Tour Language: English, Spanish
Hiking Distance: 48 km / 30 miles
Destinations: Machu Picchu
The Classic Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu, is the perfect option if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This trek takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Peruvian Andes and culminates with a visit to the world-famous Inca site of Machu Picchu.
During the 4 days, you will get to see a wide range of ecosystems, from towering mountains to the lush, green cloud forests. You will also experience the traditional Andean culture as you hike through small villages and interact with locals. The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Inca city is simply breathtaking and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the beaten path and leaves you with unforgettable memories, look no further than the Salkantay Trek 4 days.
Start your trip with a pick up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 4:45am. We will drive you to the trailhead for 3.5 hours and be there to enjoy the first breakfast prepared by the chef. After that, we will start a 3 hour hike to Soraypampa through an ancient aqueduct that supplies water to the farmers of the lower regions. Once in Soraypampa, your trekking chef will be waiting for you for a well-deserved lunch, and later, we will begin a 2-hour ascent to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft).
Along the way, you will observe a variety of flora and fauna, including Andean geese (the love bird), deer and vizcachas (which look very similar to rabbits). We will then continue ascending for another 2 hours to reach Salkantay Pampa base camp at 3,900 m (12,795 ft). Once there, we will pitch our tents, have tea and dinner, and admire the clear night sky before retiring for the night.
Walking distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Duration: 7-8 hours 7-8 hours
Camp altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon snack, evening meal, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
We will surprise you in the morning with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. As you leave your tent you will have spectacular views of the vast plains and snow-capped mountain peaks. After breakfast, we will begin a 2 hour ascent to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). We will spend time at the summit exploring the majestic scenery, including an impressive lake at the base of Salkantay. From here, it will be a 3 hour descent to our lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). We will then begin another 3 hour descent from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in climate and temperature. On the way, we will enjoy a great variety of flora, hummingbirds and orchids until we reach Collpapampa, located at 2,770 meters. We will spend the night near a small village.
Walking distance: 18 km / 11.2 mi
Duration: 9 hours
Altitude of the camp: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3 is possibly the most beautiful day of your Salkantay EsPeru. After a hearty breakfast, we will hike about 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2,000m / 6,600ft). Here, we will prepare a unique Pachamanca barbecue, a traditional Peruvian recipe that consists of burying vegetables, fruits and all kinds of meat with hot stones. You will actively participate in the preparation of this special delicacy. After lunch, we will visit an organic coffee farm where you will learn about the harvesting process and prepare your own espresso with coffee beans. We will then drive for an hour to Hidroelectica and walk for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. We will arrive there at 17:00, have dinner in a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
Walking distance: 14 km / 8.6 mi
Duration: 6 hours
Camp altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate
On our last day, you will wake up early to prepare for the highlight of your EsPeru: a trip to Machu Picchu. At 5:30 a.m., we’ll head straight to the queue to wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu. We will arrive at the gate as the sky lights up and ascend to the top as we take in the breathtaking views of the city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is magnificent; this moment is unforgettable.
Your guide will take you on a 2-3 hour guided tour of the citadel before dropping you off at Machu Picchu or climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets should be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then return to Cusco via the scenic train and bus. The EsPeru team will meet you safely at the station and transfer you to your hotel.
Duration of the tour: 2-3 hours in Machu Picchu
Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy
Price per person:
US$ 550 – Adults
US$ 510 – Children and students
Student Discount:
US$ 40 off per person
All travellers under 17 years of age receive a discount of $40. If you are 25 years old or younger at the time of travel, you can get the discount with your student ID. Email us to receive a discount code.
Salkantay’s proximity to Machu Picchu and its ancient trails make it a perfect alternative route called the Salkantay Trek Peru. This trek can be completed in a 4 or 5 day trek to Machu Picchu.
Salkantay’s proximity to Machu Picchu and its ancient trails make it a perfect alternative route called the Salkantay Trek Peru. This trek can be completed in a 4 or 5 day trek to Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trek can be done in many ways, depending on your itinerary or the operator. The most popular treks are 4 and 5 days. Less than 4 days can bring significant challenges, and trips longer than 5 days usually include visits to the city of Cusco or tours to the Sacred Valley.
I had the pleasure of being guided by Rosel during my trip to Peru, and I must say, the experience was exceptional. Rosel’s depth of knowledge about the country’s history, culture, and landmarks was truly impressive. Not only was Rosel informative, but his sense of humor and easy-going nature made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend Rosel as a guide for anyone seeking an insightful, entertaining, and memorable journey through the Cusco region.
We had an amazing experience doing the Inca trail with Rossel. Everything was perfectly organized. He knows a lot about the Inca culture and shared all his knowledge with a lot of passion. He was also very attentive of all the group always willing to help.
We originally trekked to Machu Picchu 4d/3n with Rosel and had such an outstanding experience, we went back and booked a private tour to Humantay with him. He is not only an amazing guide, but a wonderful person! Blessed to call him a friend! His experience, knowledge and history
