Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days and 3 Nights

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Pick up from the hotel (around 5:00 a.m.). We will board our transport heading toward the town of Mollepata, a charming village with friendly people and a mild climate, approximately 2 and a half hours away. Upon arrival, we’ll have an American breakfast (not included), and then continue by car until we reach Challacancha, where we’ll begin our hike of about 3 hours before arriving at Soraypampa.

At Soraypampa, we’ll have lunch and then some free time to rest. We’ll spend our first night here. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful Humantay Lagoon, a small but stunning turquoise lake where you can take photos and relax amidst the scenery. Around 5:00 p.m., we’ll return to our Soraypampa campsite, where our cook will be waiting with hot tea to help us recover our energy. After a short rest, we’ll enjoy dinner and then sleep until the next day.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY
Early in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we’ll start hiking toward the Salkantay Pass (4,540 masl / 14,895 ft), the highest point of the entire route. We’ll ascend for about 4 hours to reach the pass, where we’ll take a short rest and enjoy the breathtaking mountain views. Along the way, we’ll find several stone piles known as “apachetas” (offerings made with stones for safe travels). Afterward, we’ll descend for about an hour to our lunch spot, and then continue hiking for approximately 3 more hours until we reach Chaullay, our second campsite. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, we’ll depart from Chaullay around 7:00 a.m. and continue hiking toward Collpapampa along narrow paths surrounded by abundant vegetation typical of the area, such as various orchid species, waterfalls, and a wide variety of birds.

After about 5 hours of hiking, we’ll finally reach Sawayaco, known as “La Playa,” where we’ll take a local transport to the Hidroeléctrica train station. Here, you’ll have two options:

1. If you are tired, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes.
2. If you still have energy, you can walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours along the railway. Once in Aguas Calientes, we’ll head to the accommodation included in the tour. At 7:00 p.m., dinner will be served at a local restaurant. All expenses in Aguas Calientes are covered by the company. Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hotel accommodation.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early in the morning (5:30 a.m.), we’ll have breakfast and then take the first bus that will take us to the Wonder of the World: the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, in a journey of about 20 minutes.

We’ll then have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, during which the guide will show us the most important sites of the Citadel (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces, and other religious centers). After the visit, you’ll have some free time to take photos and explore on your own (the duration depends on your train schedule, as you must be at the station 30 minutes before departure). You may also choose to climb Huayna Picchu (not included) to enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the entire citadel. Finally, we’ll take the train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours), and then a vehicle to Cusco, arriving at your hotel.

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA

• Pick-up from the hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Transfer by bus from Cusco to Mollepata (2.5 hours).
• American breakfast in Mollepata village.
• Continue by car to Challabamba, where we’ll unload and start the hike.
• On the way to Soraypampa, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of the Humantay mountain and its lagoon (about 3 hours including stops). Soraypampa will be our first campsite, where we’ll have dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY

• Breakfast in the morning before starting the hike to the Salkantay Pass (4,540 masl), the highest point of the trek.
• We’ll stop for 20 minutes at the pass to rest and enjoy the spectacular views of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo peaks.
• Then, we’ll descend for about 2 hours to Wayramachay for lunch and a short rest.
• We’ll continue hiking for about 3 hours to reach Chaullay, our second campsite, where we’ll have a hot dinner and spend the night.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

• Breakfast around 6:00 a.m.
• Depart from Chaullay around 7:00 a.m. toward Sawayaco (known as “La Playa”), a 5-hour hike passing through Colpapampa, also called the “Cloud Forest.”
• Arrival at Sawayaco (“La Playa”) for lunch and a short rest.
• Transfer by local car to the Hidroeléctrica railway station.
• Then, take the train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (45 minutes) — optional, as some may choose to walk about 3 more hours.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes (included in the tour).
• At 7:00 p.m., dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

• Breakfast at your hotel at 5:30 a.m.
• Pick-up by your professional guide at 6:30 a.m.
• Bus ride to Machu Picchu Citadel (20 minutes).
• Entrance to the Inca City of Machu Picchu with your guide, visiting the main Inca structures (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces, and other religious centers) — approximately 2 hours.
• Free time to take pictures and explore the Citadel on your own.
• Bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch.
• Train ride back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (2 hours).
• Transfer by car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (1 hour) and drop-off at your hotel.

INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Pick-up from your hotel in the morning.
• Personal tents: 2 people per 4-person-capacity tent for extra comfort and space for backpacks.
• Professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and kitchen gear) from days 1 to 3.
• Meals (3B, 3L, 3D + daily morning snack + tea service every day except the last). Vegetarian or special menus available at no extra cost.
• One textile snack bag per person to avoid the use of plastic bags that pollute the environment.
• Biodegradable personal soap.
• Extras: Hot water every morning and evening for washing / boiled water to refill your bottle each morning and night, and during lunch upon request. First aid kit and oxygen tank.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Huayna Picchu ticket available upon request (book at least two months in advance; limited to 400 people per day).
• Trekking poles.
• Horsemen.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Vegetarian meal option.
• 1 blanket per person.
• 1 pillow.

NOT INCLUDED:

• First breakfast in Mollepata.
• Last lunch in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip).
• Entrance ticket to the Santa Teresa hot springs.
• Beverages: mineral water, soda, beer, chocolates.
• Extra horse for riding or carrying extra luggage.
• Sleeping bag.
• Flashlight.
• Tips.

• Mountain hiking shoes.
• Small backpack (maximum 30 liters).
• Windbreaker or jacket.
• Extra t-shirt in case of heavy rain.
• Rain poncho.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Hat or cap for sun protection.
• Camera.
• Personal medication.