Luxury Salkantay Trek – 5 Days

Start the adventure in Cusco. Once you enjoy breakfast (or box breakfast from your hotel), our expert guide will welcome and escort you in our private transportation. After 3.5 hours, reach the Soraypampa town (3920 m. / 12860.9 ft.) If you are interested in Humantay Lake then it is possible to accomplish this visit in 3 hours roundtrip with prior announcement to the guide.

The trek begins winding through an amazing valley and overwhelming panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and surroundings for more than 200 minutes. We will appreciate the Salkantay (6271 m. / 20574.2 ft.) and the Humantay (5862 m. / 19232.3 ft.) Then we will reach Salkantaypampa (4154 m. / 13628.6 ft) where our exquisite lunch is ready for us.

We will keep hiking for another 2.5 hours towards our luxury campsite called Soyrococha (4480 m. /14698.2 ft.) Before dinner, indulge into a hot shower and then, our massage tent is ready for you. It is time for a fantastic gourmet and organic dinner. Your heated tent will be waiting for you to enjoy your first night.

● Trek starting time: 09:30 am
● Arrival to campsite: 17:00 pm
● Minimum altitude: Soraypampa Town (3920 masl / 12860.9 ft.)
● Maximum altitude: Soyrococha campsite (4480 masl / 14698.2 ft.)
● Distance covered: 7 kms/4.4 mls (6 hours walking approx.)
● Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.
● Meals included: Snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Continuing our escapade and breakfast, we will begin a challenging day. Hike for 1.5 hours towards Salkantay Pass (4638 m. / 15216.5 ft.) and be welcomed by the Salkantay Mountain (6271 mts/20574.2 ft) and marvelous landscapes. Celebrate this milestone, toasting with champagne. Experienced hikers can add Salkantaycocha (1-hour round trip) to the trek.

Notice the lush colorful endemic vegetation of the area and descend by 3.5 hours until you reach our lunch place, Wayracmachay (3906 m, / 12814.9 ft.)
Next, the 4-hour way to the campsite for 4 more hours features interesting sites such as Andenes and Chaullay, home of orchids, bromeliads and other flora species. By the time we reach our luxury and warm Collpapampa campsite (2870 m. / 9416.0 ft.) in the cloud forest. Again, our hot shower and massage tent will be at your disposal. Finish your day with a delicate dinner and peaceful starry night.

● Wake-up time: 05:30 am
● Trek starting time: 07:00 am
● Arrival to campsite: 17:30 pm
● Minimum altitude: Collpapampa campsite (2870 masl / 9416.0 ft.)
● Maximum altitude: Salkantay Pass (4638 masl / 15216.5 ft.)
● Distance covered: 17 kms/10.6 mls (9 hours walking approx.)
● Difficulty: Challenging.
● Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner.

Then, we will take a hot shower, a boost of energy with our nourishing breakfast and be ready for the 5 hours hike through the most beautiful day of the trek, where you will admire the magnificent flora and sprawling plantations. Our hike will keep descending into a thick cloud forest that will surround us with orchids, bromelains, and other amazing and exotic flora. Come upon a secluded valley filled with expansive coffee, cacao and fruit plantations. During this journey, we will pass through the farming villages of Wiñaypoco (2650 m. / 8694.2 ft.) and Lluscamayo (2420 m. / 7939.6 ft.) that own plantations of diverse products. We will also encounter some local families and have the possibility to learn about their lifestyle.

Lastly, arrive at our final campsite named Playa Sahuayaco (2100 m. / 6889.8 ft) just to find our well-organized staff waiting with our gourmet lunch. After finishing the luscious lunch, take a hot shower before your already-known relaxing massage. Now, it is time for a complete private tour of coffee plantations by our knowledgeable guide. Right after we will move on for the fabulous gourmet dinner served in our dining tent. Being this the last night with all of our crew, we suggest to share a final toast with them.

● Wake-up time: 05:45 am
● Trek starting time: 08:30 am
● Arrival to campsite: 13:30 pm
● Minimum altitude: Playa Sahuayaco campsite – 2100 masl/ 6889.8 ft.
● Maximum altitude: Collpapampa campsite – 2870 masl/ 9416.0 ft.
● Distance covered: 15 kms/9.3 mls (5 hours walking approx.)
● Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
● Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner.

This day will require the final effort. Start with a succulent breakfast at 05:00 am approx. Proceeding with the trail, we will take a 20 mins ride to Lucmabamba (2062 m. / 6765.1 ft) where an authentic inca trail is waiting for you! This 3.5 hours uphill trail towards Llaqtapata ruins (2736 m. / 8976.4 ft.) are almost fully covered by endemic vegetation. Once we reach the site we will appreciate part of Machu Picchu citadel. Then, it is time to have lunch with exceptional views at the Llaqtapata Lodge Viewpoint (2570 m. / 8431.8 ft.) Enjoy homemade meals and have the most splendid views of Veronica Mountain, Vilcanota River and more. Afterwards, head down for another 2 hours to Hydroelectric train station (1771 m. / 5810.4 ft.) where we will have some rest and continue hiking to Aguas Calientes town.

Finally, reach Aguas Calientes town (2070 m. / 6791.3 ft) and be escorted to your hotel. Coordinate with your guide the pick-up time for the following day, and enjoy dinner and a restful sleep.

● Wake-up time: 04:30 am
● Trek starting time: 06:00 am
● Arrival to Aguas Calientes: 17:00 pm
● Minimum altitude: Hydroelectric (1771 masl / 5810.4 ft.)
● Maximum altitude: Llaqtapata archaeological site – (2736 masl / 8976.4 ft.)
● Distance covered: 22 km. /13.7 mi. (8.5 hours walking approx.)
● Difficulty: Challenging.
● Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner (only included with your hotel accomodation on luxury and premium categories)

Early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel in order to catch the bus up to the citadel for a 30 mins ride. Seeing the impressive Machu Picchu citadel (2430 m. / 7972.4 ft) will definitely be worth all the efforts. Our knowledgeable guide will teach us about the magnificent theories about the purpose of Machu Picchu, the history and its beauty. Once you have fully enjoyed and take all the perfect photos you will have some time to explore the site at your own leisure.

To end your time at Machu Picchu, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. Later you will take the bus departing back to Aguas Calientes, to proceed boarding your train. Upon arrival, our View Latin America representative will collect you in our private vehicle and take you to your hotel in Cusco.

● Pick up time: 07:00 am
● Tour starting time: 08:00 am
● Arrival to Cusco: 21:56 pm
● Minimum altitude: Aguas Calientes Town (2070 masl / 6791.3 ft.)
● Maximum altitude: Machu Picchu citadel (2430 masl / 7972.4 ft.)
● Difficulty: Easy.
● Meals included: Breakfast and lunch