A Walk of Many Experiences
After acclimating in the city of Cusco, capital of the majestic Inca Empire, join us on the express version of the ultimate trek to Machu Picchu, the 4 Days Classic Salkantay Trek. This incredible route will take you to the glorious Humantay Lake, the savage Salkantay Mountain, down through the mysterious cloud forest, and to the brow of the Peruvian jungle.
Every night, you’ll enjoy sleeping in the comfort of our unique accommodation and delight in some of the tastiest dishes imaginable in the middle of the Andean mountain range. Our expert and professional guide will accompany you the entire route and share all they know about the region, the culture, and the history. Join us for an exciting journey in comfort and with the best company!
The 4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a great alternative to the classic Inca Trail, combining adventure, comfort, and culture. Named one of the world’s best hikes by National Geographic, this journey takes you through high mountain passes, beside turquoise lakes, and lush cloud forests, all on your way to the legendary Machu Picchu.
Each day offers something new: panoramic views, cultural experiences, and physical challenges. You’ll stay in our exclusive campsites near Salkantay Mountain, and a hotel in Aguas Calientes. Highlights include the Salkantay Pass, a guinea pig experience, a visit to a local coffee farm, and a return on the expedition train.
If you’re craving an adventure that connects you with nature, local culture, and one of the most iconic sites on Earth, this Salkantay trekking delivers it all in just four days.
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa (Overnight Sky Lodge Dome)
Set off bright and early and head to Soraypampa before hiking up to the beautiful Humantay Lake. In the evening, gaze up at the stars from your igloo in our Sky Camp.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay (Overnight Sky Logde Small Dome)
Today, you’ll tackle the trek’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass, and admire the Salkantay Mountain before descending through the Cloud Forest. You’ll spend the night at our exclusive Mountain Sky View in Chaullay.
Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa Loreta – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (Overnight Hotel)
Enjoy a jungle hike in the morning before heading to Hidroeléctrica, from where you can walk or take the train to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
The most exciting day has arrived! In the morning, you’ll explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Afterward, our private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Spend the afternoon admiring the spectacular Humantay Lake.
Hike to the Gleaming Gem in the Mountains.
Your epic 4 Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will be picking you up between 0430 and 0500 in the morning and embark you on a two hours drive to Mollepata. You can wink a nap in the vehicle so you’ll arrive fresh to start hiking the emblematic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
Mollepata is a remote Andean town at 2803 meters above sea level (9196 ft). We will be stopping for breakfast at a local restaurant here. Our local expert will be sharing some essential tips that would help you for the trek.
After breakfast, we will be driving further to Challacancha to start the trek. Here we will be meeting our support crew, chef and muleteers who will be assisting us.
After ensuring that all the gears are intact, we will begin with a gradual uphill hike to Soraypampa. It nestles at 3900 m/ 12795ft. Soraypampa houses our Signature Skydomes. Quechuas Expeditions is a pioneer in introducing Skydomes on this route.
Our luxurious sky domes are designed to offer seamless comfort during your stay.
The trek from Challacancha starts with a hike through a flat surface with a sight of different Andean glaciers at a distance. We will be hiking through a restored Inca Canal which the locals use even today.
The trek gets a bit steeper as we will get closer to our signature campsite. Our crew will welcome you with a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea. Once you have settled in your respective Skydomes, we will meet for lunch.
We will be serving a freshly cooked meal using ingredients from the Cusco region. Our Andean chefs are renowned for their delectable meals.
Lake Humantay Hike:
After lunch, we will be hiking up the hill to the enigmatic turquoise glacier lake, Lake Humantay. It nestles at 4200 meters above sea level (13780 feet). It is about three kilometers (1.86 miles) from our campsite. The round trip takes around three hours.
However, we do recommend that you trek at your own pace immersing yourself in the beauty of the Andes. Once we get to the shores of Humantay Lake you will have plenty of time to contemplate the view as our guide will be explaining its prominence in the Andean mythology.
Once you have enjoyed it thoroughly, we will be hiking down the hill, back to the campsite where our crew will be serving dinner after witnessing the sunset.
After dinner, you can settle in your Sky Dome and fall asleep under the constellation of stars shining in the dark Andean sky.
Day 1 Trek Summary:
Highlight of the day: Witnessing the energy and hugely powerful gigantic Salkantay Mountain.
The Stunning Salkantay Pass and Descent to the Amazon Jungle.
Another epic day on the Salkantay Trekking experience. You will be waking up to the golden rays of the rising sun beaming through the walls of your SkyDome through the mighty Salkantay Peak.
We will be serving you a cup of coffee or tea followed by a traditional Andean breakfast. The protein-rich breakfast would energize you to embark on a hike to the highest point of Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Salkantay Pass at 4630 meters above sea level (15190 feet).
Salkantay Pass:
We will be hiking through the iconic “Trail of the seven snakes”. The route is named after the seven switchbacks that take you to the summit. This section of the trek is somewhat challenging because of the altitude. We will take it real slow so you can catch up with your breath and relish the views of the Andean peaks.
Salkantay Peak is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region and is one of the sacred entities in Andean mythology. Locals refer to it as “Apus” which means Father in Quechua. Even today they perform several sacred rituals including K’intu, seeking blessings using three Coca Leaves. Our guide will be sharing them with you.
We will have plenty of time at the summit to contemplate the view of Humantay, Taucarhuay, and Pumasillo peaks. Once you have had your fill of the view and feel ready to continue the hike, we will be hiking down the hill for another 7kms. (4.35 miles) to our lunch camp in Huacarmachay (3850 meters/ 12631 feet). Our lunch camp is located in a valley snuggled by snow-capped views.
Our crew will be serving a freshly cooked Andean meal here.
After lunch, we will be leaving the Andes and entering the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. We will be covering the 8 kms (4.97 miles) stretch in three hours at a normal pace.
You will be witnessing a drastic change in the topography as we will be hiking down the hill. It would get slightly warmer. Our tour guide will explain about different plant, animal and bird species, most native to the region.
Once we reach our campsite in Chaullay (2900 meters / 9514 ft.) our crew will assist you to your respective Sky Dome where you will be spending the night. We will be meeting for dinner.
Day 2 Trek Summary:
Highlight of the day: Hiking through the lush jungle and reaching the base of Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes.
The Final Stretch to Aguas Calientes.
Our crew will be waking you up with a knock at the door of your Skydome at 0600 AM. After a cup of morning coffee, we will be serving breakfast.
The third day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience is relatively easier. We will be hiking through Santa Teresa Valley, home to different farms. We will begin the trek after crossing the Lluscamayo River towards La Playa for about six hours.
The route is dotted with several waterfalls. The region is home to avocado, banana, and coffee farms. Often trekkers have spotted the emblematic Andean Cock of the Rock here. It is the Peruvian National Bird.
After we will drive to Hidroeletrica to have lunch. Our crew will be serving lunch.
After lunch, we will walk along the railway where we walk to Aguas Calientes for 2 hours and do overnight in Aguas Calientes in a Hotel
Day 3 Trek Summary:
Highlight of the day: Know every inch of the incredible lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.
Explore the Astounding Inca Fortress: Machu Picchu.
Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will start walking at 5:00am to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel. Your original passport will be verified here with your Machu Picchu ticket, so be sure to bring your physical passport.
As you enter the citadel, you will see the golden rays of the morning sun reflecting off the walls of Machu Picchu, while the blanket of clouds will reveal the citadel to you. We will give you a brief introduction to the Inca empire.
We will visit different highlights of the citadel, including the ceremonial site, the agricultural sector, the remains of the royal quarters, and more.
After the guided tour, you will have time to enjoy the views of the Inca citadel. If you have booked an additional hike to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu mountain, or another, our guide will indicate the corresponding starting point.
Once you have fully enjoyed the view, we will leave the citadel and walk to Aguas Calientes. Here you will have free time to have lunch or walk around the town.
Later, we will board a train to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you at the train station and transfer you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Day 4 Trek Summary:
At Pacha Peru Explorers, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
Accommodations:
This 4-day hike takes place at high altitude, Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential.
“The Classic Salkantay trekking to Machu Picchu” can leave any day of the week, from January through December.
2025 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 590.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 200.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 390.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal, credit cards charge a 6% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is just for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (the briefing day) without charges.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price won’t increase, whatever the circunstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to [email protected]
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Pacha Peru Explorers in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
How difficult is this hike?
This is a moderately challenging hike due to the altitude and the uphill sections, especially the climb to Humantay Lake. You’ll walk several hours each day, but the pace is steady and there are plenty of breaks. If you’re reasonably fit and acclimatized, you’ll be just fine.
What is the highest altitude on the route?
The highest point of the trek is Wayra Punku Pass (also known as Waywakunka), which sits at 4,774 m / 15,663 ft above sea level. Humantay Lake sits slightly lower, at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.
What’s the weather like in Salkantay?
The weather can be unpredictable. Days are usually clear and sunny, but mornings and evenings get cold, especially near the glacier. Rain is always a possibility, even in the dry season, so bring layers and rain gear just in case.
Is camping gear included?
Yes! Pacha Peru Explorers provides everything you need: Domes – sky camps, sleeping pads, warm blankets, and even a duffle bag for your belongings. You just need to bring your clothes and personal items.
Can I rent trekking poles?
Yes, trekking poles are available for rent. While they’re optional, they’re highly recommended—especially for the uphill and downhill sections.
What if I get altitude sickness?
Altitude can affect anyone, even if you’re fit. The team carries oxygen and a first-aid kit at all times, and the pace is designed to help with acclimatization. We also recommend arriving in Cusco at least 1–2 days before the hike to adjust.
Are there toilets or showers at the campsite?
There are clean, basic toilets at the campsite, but no showers. We do provide warm water for washing up in the morning and evening.
Thank you for your interest in having and adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Pacha Peru Explorers. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
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Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availlability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 950 705034 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
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Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
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