Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

In the morning, we’ll wake you up with a hot cup of coca tea to get you going! followed by a nutritious breakfast while enjoying Sunrise at the summit of Salkantay. We’ll then start hiking for 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the highest pass called Salkantay Pass at (4,632m/ 15,193 ft) along the way, we’ll have a chance to spot vizcachas, the elusive Andean chinchilla that likes to jump and scurry among the rocks.

From the highest pass, we’ll enjoy the impressive views of the massive snow-capped mountains over the surrounding valleys as well as Salkantay Mountain sitting right next to you (6,271m/20,574ft), the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Apus (Inca Gods). After you’ve taken in the views and enjoyed a rest, we’ll start walking downhill for about 2 hours and 30 minutes towards Wayracpampa (3,850m/ 12,631ft) and stop for lunch; the downhill is long and steady with stunning views. After lunch, we’ll leave the crowds behind and we’ll continue walking until we enter cloud forest where we’ll see the contrast of sceneries and we’ll also be able to see the highland forest and notice the change of temperature and witness how quickly and dramatically the landscape change from the Andes to the lush high jungle. As we keep going down, we’ll spot lush scenery, native plants and flowers, orchids, and birds.

Once we arrive at our second camp, called Collpa (2,750m / 9,020 ft), Cusco Local Friend staff will welcome you to our camp and show you to your tent so you can rest. We’ll eventually have our tea time, dinner, and rest. All meals included

• Walking Distance: 18 km/ 11.18 miles
• Total Walking Time: 8 – 9 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 2,750m / 9,020 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 4,632 m / 15,193 ft
• Physical rating: Challenging
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and snacks.

Today, a great just prepared breakfast will make us ready for a hike through the lush forest to the next campsite. Along the trail, we’ll enjoy a more leisurely walk with more downs than ups as we soak in the incredible variety of wildlife from birds, insects, and butterflies to orchids and bromeliads, as well as diverse flora and fauna manifest in absolute abundance. As we’ll continue our slow and easy descent for about 4 hours to La Playa Sahuayaco (2,100 masl/6,890 fasl), the landscape will change before our very eyes, with the eyebrow of the Amazon giving way to fruit trees, avocados, bananas, and coffee plants. From Playa village, we’ll still trek for about 1 hour to the next campsite called Lucmabamba (2,050m/ 6,724ft) – a great campsite to get away from the crowds, which is our last campsite and also the beginning of the Inca Trail to Llactapata Inca ruins.

In the afternoon, we’ll have a chance to explore the coffee and fruit crops right next to the camp. During this visit, we’ll learn about different types of coffee beans, the production of organic coffee, which is increasingly popular around the world. After this, we’ll be immersed ourselves in the coffee production process, from harvesting the coffee beans, peeling, and roasting to grinding them, in a hands-on coffee-making experience. Next, we’ll enjoy the fruits of our own labor and enjoy some freshly-brewed coffee! Later on, we’ll have our last supper made by our cook. All meals included.

• Walking Distance: 15 km/ 9.32 miles
• Total Walking Time: 5-6 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 2,050 m / 6,724 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 2,750 m / 9,020 ft
• Physical rating: Moderate
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and snacks.

Another exhilarating day as we make our way to Machu Picchu. This morning, after breakfast, we’ll walk an uphill short section of the original Inca Trail to reach our next place called Llactapa ruins for 3 hours. After a climb through the woods and fascinating views over the Santa Teresa Valley, we’ll descend to the interesting but largely covered ruins of Llactapacta (2,700m/ 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca site we’ll see on this Salkantay trekking route to Machu Picchu, and we’ll learn all about the mysteries of the ancient culture and the extraordinary site. From Llactapata, we’ll have our first exciting glance of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, perched on the saddle of the mountain opposite us. It’s a breathtaking view and an odd sensation to see such an important Inca site from a remote mountain top. Your Cusco Local Friend guide also will fill you in on all the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want to share your fantastic experiences with friends and family back home.

After enjoying the gorgeous scenery around and the history, we’ll take a short walk to reach our next lunch spot located at a scenic spot. We’ll enjoy our last meal on the trek while delighting in the views of Machu Picchu ruins and Huayna Picchu on the opposite side. After lunch, we’ll start descending to Hidroelectrica train station for 2 hours and 30 minutes, from where we’ll take our train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) for 45 minutes. At our arrival, we’ll get to our hotel for check-in. At night by 7:00 pm, we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner with our group at one of the local restaurants (this dinner is not included) right after the dinner we’ll have a detailed briefing and recommendations for the next day, eventually, we’ll return to our hotel to rest. All meals included, except the last dinner.

• Hiking Distance: 11 km/ 6.83 miles
• Total Walking Time: 6-7 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 1,850 m / 6,068 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
• Accommodation: Hotel Inti Punku Suites & Hotel, Tierra Viva Machu Picchu, or a similar hotel
• Physical rating: Moderate – Strenuous
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

After an early breakfast at the hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes, we will take the bus to the Machu Picchu main entrance for 30 minutes. This morning, you’ll have a 3-hour private guided tour of this spectacular and mystical site.

This private guided tour includes walking through the different sections of the city like shrines, granaries, farming terraces, dwellings, solar observatory where you’ll learn the real significance of this unique place from your guide. If you have booked a permit for Wayna Picchu Mountain, you’ll climb the mountain after the tour; however, spaces are subject to availability. In the unlikely event that Wayna Picchu permits are not available for your departure date, you will climb Machu Picchu Mountain instead. If you are planning to hike one of these mountains, please let us know at the moment of booking to purchase an extra ticket. After Machu Picchu exploration, we’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes town, where we’ll celebrate our Lares Trek accomplishment with some Pisco Sours or Inca Kola. We’ll eventually take the train to Ollantaytambo from Ollantaytambo, you’ll be transferred by private van to your hotel in Cusco. End of the adventure. Only breakfast included.