Inca Jungle & Machu Picchu Peru

5-day Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu route

Take the route less traveled to Machu Picchu on a multi-day trek from Cusco. Hike for five days on the Salkantay Trek, a scenic alternative to the more traditional Inca Trail, and visit the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Pass imposing glaciers, lush tropical valleys and high mountain jungle terrain, taking in spectacular views of the natural landscape at every turn. You’ll camp under the gaze of Salkantay Mountain, climb to Huayracpampa Pass, hike past stunning waterfalls on the way to Llucmabamba and board the train for Aguas Calientes before touring Machu Picchu!

Hike the Salkantay trail with an expert guide
Sleep under snow-capped Salkantay Mountain
Pass lush waterfalls en route to Santa Teresa
Amazing views of Machu Picchu, and ride the rails to Aguas Calientes
Small-group tour ensures a personalized experience

Salkantay Tour Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA

We will begin our adventure picking up each passenger from their respective hotels before embarking on a 3:30 hours by bus. Halfway through the tour, we will stop in Mollepata at an altitude of 2900 m.a.s.l. for a 30 minute break, then we continue with our trip directly to the last bus stop in Challacancha, where we will meet our horsemen and horses, who will carry the all camping equipment and we begin our trek to Soraypampa at (3900 m.a.s.l.). Arriving we will establish a camping area from where we will enjoy the beautiful views of the snowy peak of Salkantay and we will have a break for lunch.

After lunch, we will visit the Humantay Lake at (4200 m.a.s.l.) before starting our return to the camping area in Soraypampa, around 5:00 pm. Where our camping team will be waiting for you with an afternoon tea and our delicious dinner.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: SORAYPAMPA - CHAULLAY

Early in the morning we will have our breakfast and then we will start a 3-hours trek until we will reach the highest point of our expedition, the Salkantay Pass (4600 m.a.s.l.). From there, we will walk towards Wayrac Machaq, to have our lunch. Then, we will continue into the high jungle where we will observe large trees with their arms extended over the streams, all full of bromeliads and orchids. This walk will take about 5 hours to reach our camp in Chaullay for dinner and rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 3: CHAULLAY - LA PLAYA - SANTA THERESA

After having breakfast around 6:30 am, we’ll start the trek to Sawayaco (La Playa 2100 m.a.s.l.). We’ll have lunch in this place and then continue with our trip in a transport to Santa Teresa (1550 m.a.s.l.) Here the group will spend the night in the last camp site. Then we’ll have a traditional Peruvian dinner and rest for the next day.

Note: After settling into accommodation, you can access the Cocalmayo hot springs after coordinating with the guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 4: SANTA TERESA - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES (Machu Picchu town)

The next morning, after a good breakfast, the bus waits for us. Those who booked in advance will do zip-lining. The rest of the group will go to the Hidroelectrica meeting point where the entire group will join for lunch after the activities.

After a bit of relaxation in this place, we will continue walking along the railway that leads through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We’ll walk for about 3 hours and you will find beautiful waterfalls, different ecological farms and possibly the curious wildlife of your arrival in the region (arrival fixed around 4:00 p.m.).

Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we’ll all meet at a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have an informative session about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you can visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 5: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

We are ready around 4:00 am to go up to Machu Picchu. We’ll board the bus to access the Citadel and hike across the high jungle, just in time to see the spectacular sunrise. After passing the control entrance around 6:00 am our group will have a private guided tour for 2 hours in the Inca citadel, later passengers will be free to enjoy Machu Picchu by themselves. Then we will walk down to Aguas Calientes for about 40 minutes.

In Aguas Calientes we can have lunch, then we will take the train to Ollantaytambo where the transport will be waiting for us to transfer you to Cusco city, the transport will arrive to Cusco around 8 pm, the last stop of the bus will be in San Francisco square.

Meals: Breakfast