Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 5.00 am to take you to the starting point of the Salkantay trek.

On the way through you will pass through the village of Mollepata at an altitude of 9,843 feet (3000m) where the porters and the equipment for the trek will be waiting for you and where you will pay the s./10 fee to enter the Salkantay park.

After a 30-45 min stop with some time to have breakfast (not included) you will drive on to Challacancha at 12,150 feet (3700m) to start walking. The first part of the hike goes through an enchanting valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains such as the Humantay at 17,116 feet (5,217m) and the Salkantay towering at 20,551 feet (6264m). It takes about 3.5 hours on average to reach the camp in Soraypampa at 12,795 feet (3900m) where you will have lunch early in the afternoon.

Take a 2-hour digestive hike to the turquoise waters of the Humantay lake at 13,845 feet (4220m) with unrivalled views of the snow-capped Humantay peak.

Enjoy the peaceful views before walking back down to the camp.

Dinner and overnight in your glass igloo at the Sky Camp in Soraypampa.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before hiking towards the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 15,250 feet (4650m).

The 3-hour hike on a steep rocky path will unveil unique views of the Salkantay peak (6264m). Take time to rest and adapt to the altitude while trying to spot the occasional condor flying by.

As you hike down the slopes on the other side of the pass you will notice a radical change in vegetation as you enter a cloud forest ecosystem before stopping in Wayraqmachay to have lunch at 12,800 feet (3900 m).

Hike for another 2 hours downhill to reach the camp in Chaullay.

Dinner and overnight in your Andean hut in Chaullay.

Today will be spent discovering the region's abundant flora and visiting local plantations.

The first part of your hike will take you through a thick forest rich with rivers and waterfalls where many species of orchids and bromeliads thrive. The area is known for the coffee, banana, avocado and tropical fruits plantations. The track will go through Collpapampa, known as “the peak of the cloud forest” before reaching La Playa.

After lunch, it will take you an hour to reach the Jungle Domes in Lucmabamba where you will relax with a guided visit of an organic coffee farm.

The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the tropical forest or relax in the hot springs of Cocalmayo.

Dinner and overnight in your jungle dome in Lucmabamba.

After breakfast, hike up on the famous Inca trail to the archaeological site of Llactapata at 8,694 feet (2650 m) through extraordinary scenery, lush vegetation and archaeological evidence of the great Inca culture. From this vantage point you will have outstanding views over the Machu Picchu Mountain and the Urubamba valley.

Hike down to the Hydroelectric train station at 6,398 feet (1950 m), where you will take a nice break before walking on to Aguas Calientes at 6,726 feet (2050 m), the closest town to Machu Picchu. You have the option to ride the train for an additional cost.

Check in and overnight at your hotel Aguas Calientes.

Today might be THE day you have been expecting from the moment you landed on Peruvian soil.

In Aguas Calientes your guide will accompany you to the bus station (5 min) to take the 5.30 am shuttle up the hill to the entrance of the Machu Picchu archaeological site at 7,972 feet (2430 m). The abandoned stronghold was rediscovered in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, Macchu Picchu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about every secret this ancient Inca citadel holds and grab every opportunity to take amazing photographs before enjoying some free time to linger on the edge of the citadel or climb up Wayna Picchu at 9022 feet (2570 m).

At the end of the tour, you can choose to hike back down to Aguas Calientes (1 hour) or take the shuttle back (20 min - extra cost) with time to go discover the quaint little town, with lots of great lunch options and hot springs to relax before catching your train to Ollantaytambo either early in the afternoon or in the evening.

From Ollantatytambo a vehicle will be waiting for you for your transfer back to the main square in Cusco.

Transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.