Classic Salkantay Trek (4 Days)

We’ll fetch you from your hotel bright and early at 4:30 a.m., embarking on a scenic 3-hour drive to Mollepata, the starting point of our Salkantay trek. Upon arrival in Mollepata, while you enjoy breakfast, our skilled cook and horseman will organize the camping gear and culinary essentials.

Then, we’ll begin our hike, with the initial 3 hours offering a gradual ascent to Cruzpata, where we’ll relish lunch amid panoramic vistas of majestic snow-capped peaks (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft)—just a taste of what’s to come!

Our journey continues towards Soraypampa, our first camping spot on the Salkantay Trek (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and chilliest campsite along the route), nestled near the towering Salkantay, Cusco’s second-highest snow-capped mountain.

Following our breakfast, we set out to trek around 5:45 am. Today promises to be the longest day of our journey. The initial 4-hour stretch involves a steady uphill climb to reach the highest point of the Salkantay (4650m), nestled between two towering peaks: Salkantay to the right and Tucarhuay to the left.

From this vantage point, the views of the two snow-capped giants are simply breathtaking. There’s a chance of encountering snow at this altitude.

After a well-deserved break, we’ll continue our trek (now downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest toward Huayracpunku, where we’ll pause for lunch. Following lunch, we’ll resume our journey, heading deeper into the beginnings of the jungle until we reach our second campsite at Chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m along the Salkantay trail).

After breakfast, at 6:30 am, we embark on our journey through the high jungle, crossing the Lluskamayo River and several small streams to reach La Playa, a trek lasting about 6 hours.

Today, we’ll traverse valleys and enjoy stunning views of waterfalls, tropical fruits, and lush vegetation. Once we reach Sahuayaco Beach, our muleteers will return to Mollepata via the same Salkantay Trek, where you’ll also have lunch.

From there, we’ll take a local vehicle to the Hidroeléctrica station to commence a further 2-hour walk along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes.

We rise early in the morning around 4 am, then at 4:30, we have breakfast and set out to walk to Machu Picchu, which takes about an hour and a half. However, there’s another option to catch the first bus departing at 5:30 to Machu Picchu (a 30-minute ride) to witness the magnificent city as the sun rises.

Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours) led by your guide. Afterward, you’ll have around 30 minutes to explore the citadel further on your own, or you can opt to climb Huayna Picchu (2720m), which takes about 1 hour to reach the summit.

Once you’ve soaked in the beauty of Machu Picchu, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to have lunch and visit the hot springs. Then, you’ll need to head to the train station 30 minutes prior to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, we’ll be waiting for you with the minivan to return to Cusco.