Salkantay Trekking 4 Days to Machu Picchu
The Classic Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu, is the perfect option if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This trek takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Peruvian Andes and culminates with a visit to the world-famous Inca site of Machu Picchu.
During the 4 days, you will get to see a wide range of ecosystems, from towering mountains to the lush, green cloud forests. You will also experience the traditional Andean culture as you hike through small villages and interact with locals. The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Inca city is simply breathtaking and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the beaten path and leaves you with unforgettable memories, look no further than the Salkantay Trekking 4 days.
DAY 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay lake
After picking up everyone from their respective places or hotel, we left Cusco around 5:45 am to the town of Mollepata by car for 2 hours. Once in Mollepata, we stop to have a delicious breakfast also You pay 10 soles of the entrance fee to the local municipality. Then we continue by car 1 hour more to Soraypampa where we will meet with the horse guys and horse who will take all the luggage, food and the 7 kilos of each hiker belongings. We start the uphill hike to Humantay lake for 2 hours, When you arrive at the lagoon you will have enough time to explore, photograph the place and the guide will explain all the meaning of the Humantay lagoon. After a couple of hours in the lake, we start going down for 2 hours to Quiswarniyoc camp which is an exclusive campsite, once you arrive in the camp you will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the cooks after lunch basically you have free time to explore the area to see the llamas or if you like you can go to rest. If you are tired, you can rest in the MOUNTAIN HUST.
DAY 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay Camp.
The second day of the trek is the most difficult because it takes you up to 4630 m and 20 km of trekking. The cooks will wake you up around 5:00 am with a cup of hot coca tea then you have time to repack and get ready for the nutritious breakfast which serves around 5:45 am. After is time to start hiking up to the highest point of the Salkantay trail which 4630 m that takes from 3 to 4 hours all uphill hike at a regular and slow pace. Once you are at the highest point, you have time to enjoy the mountains, to take pictures and the guide will teach you about the mountain gods also you will be part of the small Andean ritual for the Apus the mountain gods. Then you start hiking down for 2 hours to the lunch place to rest and enjoy a delicious lunch. After you continue hiking down for three more hours to the second camp which is Chaullay, where we provide you with the camping equipment tea time and dinner also if you like for ten soles you can rent hot shower from the locals also you can buy some drinks. The camp is called Chaullay is located al 2900m right at the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon area.
DAY 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa – Hidroecetrica – Aguas Calientes.
On the third day, you will already be in the jungle area. We wake you up around 6:00 am with a cup of coca tea, then we provide you with a delicious breakfast. Around 7:00 am you start the hike to la playa Sahuayaco for 5 hours approximately along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River. Along the valley, you have the chance to see plantation such a coffee, bananas, avocados, Coca, passion fruit, and much more. Five hours of hiking, you will arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco, from where you will take local transportation for one hour to Santa Teresa, where you stop to have lunch then you continue by car 45 more minutes to Hidrolectrica then walking 3 more hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes town on the flat trail. Then we take you to the hotel for showering and relaxing, in the evening around 7:00 pm we organized a dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes after we go to sleep.
DAY 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco.
On the last day of the tour, you are going to visit Machu Picchu. You need to wake up around 4:00 am to get ready for the hike to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. After you grab your pack breakfast you start walking to Puente Ruinas checkpoint for 30 minutes which is open at 5:00 am where you have to show your passport and your Machu Picchu tickets. After you pass the first checkpoint, you will hike all upstairs for one hour to Machu Picchu main gate to be there around 6:00 am. Once everybody meets at the gate, you go into Machu Picchu for the guided tour for 2.5 hours to learn everything about The lost city of the Incas. After the guided tour you have free time to explore on your own the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The time that you will spend in Machu Picchu will depend on how you like to go back to Cusco and also will depend if you want to climb the Machu Picchu montaña or Huayna Picchu mountain which must book it in advance. On the fourth day you need to return to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu. After the guided tour you have free time to explore on your own the Inca city of Machu Picchu. At 2:55p.m. you will be taking a train to Ollantaytambo and from there; a bus will drive you to your hotel in Cusco.
What does it include Salkantay Trek 4 Days?
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Pre-departure Salkantay trek briefing, presented by the tour guides at 7:00pm
- English/Spanish speaker professional guide.
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu.
- Transportation to head of Salkantay trail.
- 2-night camping anden huts
- 1-night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- 3 breakfast
- 3 lunches
- 3 dinners
- Transport from la playa to Santa Teresa
- Personal pad (double foam – 2.5 inches thick).
- Cooking equipment.
- TRAIN TICKETS AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTA
- Tourist Transport Ollanta – Cusco
- Vegetarian food is available on request with no extra charge.
- First Aid equipment. Oxygen bottle for emergencies.
- Horses for carrying – 6Kilos of each hiker.
STUDENT PRICE: If you like to apply for the student price you need to comply with the next requirements Peruvian regulation for students:
If you are a student, you need to send us a copy or picture of both side of your STUDENT CARD also a picture or foto of your PASSPORT in order to verify, to get discount The student card must be an original student ID gives from the university in PVC material and it must have the next requirements printed on it: University information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machu Picchu, the discount until 25 years old. ISIC cards are not valid for the discount
 EXTRAS that we can arrange for you
- Huayna Picchu entrance. usd60(check avaliability) https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/inicio
- Montaña Machu Picchu entrance. USD 60 (check avaliability) https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/inicio
- Sleeping bag USD 20for the whole trek
- Walking pole USD 15For one pair
Salkantay Trek 4 Days FAQs
What is Salkantay?
Salkantay is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region, with 6,271 m / 20,574 feet. It is located in the Vilcabamba Mountains, 60 km northwest of Cusco in the central Peruvian Andes. Salkantay means “wild mountain” and has been considered by the locals to be a sacred god that has controlled the weather and fertility since the Inca era.
What is Salkantay Trek?
Salkantay’s proximity to Machu Picchu and ancient trails make it a perfect alternative route called Salkantay Trek Peru. This trek can be completed in a 4 or 5-day hike to Machu Picchu.
How long does Salkantay trek?
The Salkantay Trek can be done in many ways, depending on your itinerary or the operator. The most popular trips are 4 days and 5 days. Shorter than 4 days may bring significant challenges, and trips longer than 5 days usually include city tours in Cusco or Sacred Valley Tours.
Is the Salkantay trek worth it?
After the Inca Trail, the Salkantay route is the most popular hiking route to Machu Picchu. This trek also provides various experiences for travelers, from high mountains with cold temperatures to a high jungle called the “cloud forest.” These highly diverse landscapes will provide hikers with rare opportunities to experience different scenery, climate, and weather and have the chance to arrive at Machu Picchu before sunrise.
How high is Salkantay Trek?
It is essential to note the difference between the 6,271m / 20,574 ft of Salkantay Mountain with the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630m / 15,190ft.
•  First campsite: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
•  Second campsite: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
•  Last night at Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
How cold is the Salkantay trek?
This trek provides a variety of landscapes, different ecosystems, and temperatures. The weather fluctuates throughout the year. Suppose you hike in the dry season (April to October) or the rainy season (November to March). In that case, the temperature will rise slightly during the rainy season and summer in the southern hemisphere.
Day 1: On the first day of the trek, the maximum temperature during the day is 18°C / 64°F, and the temperature at night drops below 0°C / 32°F. It is essential to wear warm clothes.
Day 2:Â The second day offers two completely different climates. In the first part, you will hike through the Salkantay Pass. This day is the most challenging part of the hike, usually sunny. However, if it rains, the temperature will drop below freezing, and you need to wear a jacket, hat, and gloves.
In the second part of the day, the temperature will rise below the tree line (below 3,000m). Here, we will descend quickly to the second campsite in Cloud Forest. The temperature during the day is 24°C / 75°F and the temperature at night is 10°C / 50°F.
Day 3: On the third day, you will hike through the tropical cloud forest all day. You must wear light clothes to protect yourself from the sun, mosquito repellent, and water. The night temperature may be around 10°C / 53°F
Day 4:Â On the 4th day, you will visit Machu Picchu, a tropical mountain forest with a warm and humid climate.
How much does the Salkantay trek cost?
Price is one of the most important factors; you should never choose the lowest price because they have hidden costs and will pay more or have a bad experience. The average price of the Salkantay trek is between USD 550 and USD 650. This fee should include a 3-star hotel, catering, porters, all means of transportation, and an excellent English-speaking guide.
It is essential to book your tour with a reputable company. This trip is a hiking trip on high altitudes and slippery terrain, and you should trust the company and the guide completely.
Peru Adventure Trek provides experienced guides, professional chefs, and comfortable camping equipment. In addition, we also offer coffee tours, Pachamanca cooking, and panoramic trains on the last day to return to Cusco.
How to prepare for Salkantay Trek 4 days?
Salkantay Trek route is feasible; however, you need a moderate fitness level to complete the trek. You don’t need to be an expert hiker, but you can live an active life. If not, you must prepare before traveling to avoid bad experiences.
You do not need to train months in advance. However, you must occasionally hike for about an hour or two hours and increase the trip’s frequency and duration as you get closer to the tour’s starting point. A few hours of exercise in the gym, jogging or spinning will also help.
We recommend hiking on weekends or at least twice a month (including uphill).
Is there a problem with altitude sickness? How to avoid altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, whether you are a professional hiker or not. Here are some suggestions to avoid altitude sickness:
Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek; this will help you adapt to the altitude before the hike; in the first few days, you should do some effortless activities or not include a few hours of hiking: we recommend You take a city tour of Cusco, a tour of the Sacred Valley or Maras Moray.
You should avoid excursions such as Rainbow Mountain, which includes hiking at high altitudes.
Please bring high-altitude medicine such as Diamox or other medications your doctor recommends.
During the first few days in Cusco, please eat, light up, and drink plenty of water. Coca-Cola will help.
Where can I book the Salkantay Trek in Cusco?
Machu Picchu is South America and Peru’s most important tourist destination; we have limited access to this sanctuary. We have 2 train companies. Aguas Calientes Town, or Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a small town that receives thousands of tourists. Considering these factors, you must always book your itinerary in advance.
Booking the tour as early as possible will allow us to choose the best train, hotel, and Machu Picchu admission schedules.
When is the best time to hike Salkantay and visit Machu Picchu?
The best time to hike the Salkantay trek and visit Machu Picchu is from April to November during the dry season, April and November are “strapless” months, and the weather is expected to vary.
January and February are the months to avoid such trekking because it is rainy, and landslides are at risk. During these months, we recommend that you take the Lares trek.
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