Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu - Extended

After a 4:30 am pickup from your hotel and a 3 hour 30 minute drive across the Andes towards Soraypampa, you’ll get to enjoy an energizing breakfast as you marvel at the breathtaking views of the Humantay and Salkantay Mountains that lay before you.

We’ll then get the show on the road, starting the Salkantay Trek off with a 1 hour 30 minute uphill hike to the spectacular turquoise waters of Lake Humantay.

We’ll then head back to Soraypampa village and take a 1 hour gradual uphill hike to Salkantaypampa, where we’ll take a quick pitstop for a spot of lunch made by our local chef using fresh, organic, and locally grown ingredients.

Another 2 hour uphill hike from Salkantaypampa will then lead us to Soyroccocha which is located at the foothills of the Salkantay Mountain, the highest peak of the Vilcabamba Mountain range of the Andes.

While our team sets up the campsite in Soyroccocha for the night, you’ll be able to soak up the stunning views that Salkantay has to offer, as she stands vast and tall at a height of 6,271 m / 20,574 ft. above sea level. You’ll then get to enjoy teatime followed by a delicious dinner before winding down for the night.

With a hot cup of tea brought straight to your tent, followed by a delicious breakfast, we’ll kickstart the morning with a 1 hour uphill hike which will take you to the magnificent Salkantay Pass. Lying at an elevation of 4,635 m / 15,200 ft. above sea level, the Salkantay Pass is the highest point on this beautiful trek to Machu Picchu.

After an exploration of the sprawling pastures of Salkantay Pass and soaking up the serenity exuded by the Salkantay glacier, we will take a 3 hour downhill hike to Wayracmachay which rests 3,800 m / 12,467 ft. above sea level. Here we’ll stop to enjoy a revitalizing lunch.

The trek will then take us on a 3 hour 30 minute journey through the heavenly climes of Peru’s cloud forests which features some of the world’s most biodiverse eco systems: over 3,000 varieties of orchids, over 300 species of birds including the Royal Sunangel Hummingbird, and magical mist clouds suspended up above with rivetingly temperamental changes in temperature and weather.

We’ll then arrive at Collpapampa, your campsite, located at an elevation of 3,770 m / 12,369 ft. above sea level, where you’ll enjoy teatime and dinner before winding down for the night.

After your morning cup of tea followed by a hearty breakfast, we’ll hit the ground running with a 4 hour gradual downhill hike to Lucmabamba. Along the way, you’ll chance upon some of the most magnificent Andean waterfalls and rivers, surrounded by exotic Peruvian flora and fauna. We’ll then pass through another marvelous microclimate nestled in the highlands of Peru, featuring locally farmed passion fruits, papayas, avocados, and jungle potatoes.

Upon reaching Lucmabamba, you’ll be taken on a tour of an organic coffee plantation, where you’ll get to prepare your own cup of artisanal coffee.

After enjoying a lovely lunch, we’ll set off on a 3 hour 30 minute uphill hike to Llactapata, catching a few glimpses of Santa Teresa Valley along the way. This portion of the trek links up with a section of the ancient Inca Trail, giving you the best of both worlds: an exploration of Peru’s lush landscapes and her Incan archeological history.

From Llactapata, we’ll take a 25 minute walk to the campsite set up in front of Machu Picchu, granting you stunning views of the sunset over Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountains. You’ll then enjoy a warm cup of tea followed by a wholesome dinner before you wind down for the night.

After a morning’s hot cup of tea followed by an invigorating breakfast, we’ll set off on a 2 hour downhill hike to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Power Plant which receives its waters from the turbulent and tropical, Vilcanota or Urubamba River to generate electricity for Peru’s Cusco region.

Upon reaching the Hydroelectric Power Plant, you’ll get to enjoy a spot of lunch prepared by our local chef using only the freshest organic and locally grown Peruvian produce.

After lunch, it’ll be time to say goodbye to our team. Our team makes sure our treks are nothing short of spectacular, so if you wish to tip them you may do so at this time.

We’ll then take a 3 hour walk along the train track to Machu Picchu town, also known as Aguas Calientes, famed as the same trail taken by Hiram Bingham in 1911 on his way to rediscovering Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

The trail to Aguas Calientes is dotted with magnificently majestic fauna and flora like the endemic birds of Peru: the Rupicola Peruviana or Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, toucans, oropendolas, and parrots.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, we’ll take you to your hotel for a brief respite.

In the evening, you’ll have dinner at a lovely Peruvian restaurant before retiring for the night.

With an early wake up call to kickstart the day, you’ll check-out of the hotel after enjoying a nutritious breakfast. Then it’s off to catch the bus so we can make it to Machu Picchu in time to witness the spectacular sunrise.

You’ll then get to enjoy the tour of Machu Picchu for 2 – 3 hours as our tour guide sheds light on the ancient Incan ways and the history behind the magnificent citadel. You’ll then get to explore Peru’s urban areas independently and enjoy a little spontaneous exploration of Peru’s famed archeological site.

You’ll then hop on the bus and head down to Machu Picchu town, also known as Aguas Calientes, where you will reunite with our tour guide.

You may then take a pitstop for lunch at a local restaurant (not included in the tour package) before hopping on a 2 hour train ride to Ollantaytambo. From here you will be chauffer driven to Cusco and dropped off safely at your hotel.