Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights - 5 days

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

You will be picked up at your hostel between 3:30 and 4:30am. In the city center you will meet your guide and the rest of the group and be transferred to Mollepata (approx. 3 hours). At Mollepata you will stop for breakfast (not included) and can buy more snacks and water – then you will continue another half an hour by truck to the trailhead. Here, you will organize your luggage* – then, a full day of hiking begins. Spectacular mountain scenery and breathtaking views will fill the day until arriving at the first campsite Soraypampa at approx. 3800m. Here, we will enjoy a nice lunch prepared by our cook and have some time to relax. Those who still have energy can do another optional small hike to the nearby lagoon. We’ll go to bed early after dinner and spend the night at Soraypampa. Trekking distance:

*Read more about the luggage at the end of the page.


Day 2: Soraypampa – Abra Salkantay – Challway

We start trekking early in the morning after a good breakfast to start the hardest and most beautiful part of our trekking: with spectacular views and the massive Salkantay smiling down at you, you will start climbing up step by step to the Salkantay Pass at 4600m, the highest point of the trek (approx. 2,5 hours, depending on your speed and the speed of your group). Here, while catching your breath and having some snacks, your guide will explain a little about the Salkantay, the region and its people. Then you start descending for another 2 hours until we arrive our lunch point Huayracmachay (4000m). After a well-deserved lunch we continue walking down into a greener scenery and milder climate to our next campsite Challway at approx. 3000m.


Day 3: Challway – Playa Sahuayaco – Santa Teresa (hot springs)

You wake up surrounded by the mystic scenery of green mountains and thick clouds hanging low over the trees and valley. After breakfast we continue our hike crossing rivers and bridges until we reach Playa Sahuayaco. Here, a van will be waiting for you and take us down the dusty winding road to the village of Santa Teresa. After a short rest at the campsite we will visit the nearby hot springs where you can enjoy a well-deserved bath, have a cocktail and relax after the challenging days of trekking. In the evening you will have a briefing with your guide about the options the next day – then, there is usually a little party at the campsite.


Day 4: Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)

You will have breakfast at around 7:00am, then there are different options to choose from.

Zip Lining: Those who are up to more adventure can go for a rapid Zip Line Adventure at the nearby Zip Line Park. Featuring 5 zip lines over 200 meters high and a suspension bridge makes this the ultimate adventure in Santa Teresa. Eventually, a van will bring you to Hidroeléctrica where you meet the rest of the group.
Trekking: if you prefer continuing by foot, you start trekking right after breakfast from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica where you’ll meet the rest of the group for lunch.
For those who partied too much the night before or if you simply don’t have enough energy to walk, there the option to take a bus from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica (15 Soles).

After the re-union at Hidroeléctrica, you will have lunch with your group and then start the last part of your trekking: under palm trees, with the river one side and the train track on the other, you walk for approx. 2,5 more hours to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). Arriving in Aguas Calientes you will check into your hostel with comfortable beds, hot shower and WiFi and have some time to visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes (entrance: 10 Soles), get your snacks for the next day and relax. In the evening you will meet at a restaurant for dinner and your guide will give all the information about the next day as well as your Machu Picchu and train tickets. Make sure to charge your camera and/or smartphone for your visit to Machu Picchu!


Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Today is the day! You get up early to start walking up to Machu Picchu at around 4:30am, a quite steep ascent on old Inca stairs (approx. 1,5 hours). Optional you can take the first bus (US$ 12.00one way, be aware that you’d have to line up early to catch the first bus leaving at 5:30am). You will meet your group & guide at the entrance of Machu Picchu and be one of the first groups entering the sanctuary that opens its gates at 6:00am. There will be a 2 hour guided tour given by your guide visiting the most important places of the Inca City. Then you will have the rest of the day to explore Machu Picchu on your own (You can do optional short hikes, for example to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate, take the obligatory Machu Picchu photo from the view point and chase the numerous Lamas walking around the complex to take a funny picture. In the afternoon you return to Aguas Calientes (walking down or taking the bus, US$ 12.00 one way). You will have time to pick up your luggage at the hostel and have lunch before your train to Cusco departs (NOTE: there are different train departures depending on availability and tour price. More information below!). An 1,5 hours train ride will bring you to the village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas where a transport will be waiting for you to bring you back to Cusco (approx. 2,5 hours, arrival at Plaza Regocijo in the city center. From there you have to walk or take a taxi to your hostel. There are safe taxis around at any time).