Salkantay – Humantay Lagoon and Machu Picchu

4 Days | 3 Nights

Price to pay per person FROM USD 670 based on minimum group of 8 people / less people, check price. 

Summary

This is a very attractive route due to the great biodiversity and varied ecosystems that we will find along the route that takes us from 4600 meters to 1950 meters, and the presence of climates and microclimates that will make your experience unforgettable.

This route is open to all, without limit in the number of spaces that connects the city of Cusco with Machu Picchu. This trail is an ancient and remote road located in the same region as the Inca Trail, where huge snowy peaks contrast with lush tropical forests.

Located 6271 meters above sea level in the Vilcabamba mountain range, less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in the south central part of Peru, Salkantay is a glacier whose peak has been worshipped for thousands of years by the inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes. The name Salkantay is a Quechua word meaning “wild mountain”. The trip to Salkantay is designed as an alternative route to the traditional Inca Trail, a magnificent experience for travelers looking for adventure, on a tour that has a little more privacy and authenticity, and with views that are even more spectacular.

The trek from Salkantay to Machu Picchu is challenging but rewarding and ranks high among the 25 best trek routes in the world.

Altitude: 1950 – 4600 meters above sea level.

Season: April – November

Duration: 04 Days / 03 Nights

Level of difficulty: Moderate

Detailed Itinerary

 Day 01: Cusco – Soraypampa – Laguna Humantay – Soyrococha

We will leave Cusco at approximately 5:00 a.m. A bus will take us to Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive at approximately 7:30 in the morning, we will stop to take items such as batteries, Cookies, etc., stretch your legs or use the bathrooms in a local restaurant. We will continue our trip to Challacancha (3850 meters above sea level), our starting point of the hike, where we will meet the support staff (muleteers), who will load the equipment on horses and mules.
Around 9:00 a.m., we will start our hike towards Humantay Lagoon, a wonderful lake in the mountains, (3 hours walk). We will have a panoramic view of the majestic Salkantay and other snow-covered mountains, as well as the valley of the Apurímac River, around 1:00 p.m., we will have a delicious lunch in Salkantaypampa. After lunch we will continue with the walk to Soyrococha, our first camp, where our tents await us ready, finally we dine.

Transport time: 4 hours

Walking time: 7 hours

Climate: Cold

Included: lunch and dinner

Day 02: Soyrococha – Challway

Today, nature will drastically shift from dry landscapes to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the hardest part of the hike. We will start the hike around 8:00 in the morning. We will walk, ascending gradually, until we reach the highest point (4600 meters above sea level) around 9.30 in the morning. We will appreciate the spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snow-capped peaks of Salkantay (6264 meters above sea level) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. On our way down we will visit the incredible “deep blue” of Lake Salkantay. Around 12:30 p.m., we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a walk of about 3 hours, we will arrive at our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Around 7:00 p.m., we’ll recover from the walk and have dinner.

Walking time: 8 hours

Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 03: Challway – Sahuayaco – Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes

Around 7:00 a.m., we will start our walk. We will walk for about 5 hours towards Sahuayaco Beach and during this period; we will observe a village called Collpabamba, also called “Forest Cloudy Brow” where you can see waterfalls, fruit trees, varied flora and birds. If we are lucky, we can observe the famous bird called “Cock of the Rocks”.   At noon we arrive at Sahuayaco where we have lunch; then we will take a local transport where we will travel for about an hour until we reach the hydroelectric plant, at our arrival, we will start a 3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes, in the afternoon – night; Around 7:30 p.m., we will have dinner and overnight in our hotel.

Walking time: 8 hours
Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 04: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

Today, the day will start very early around 4:30 a.m., to take the bus to Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of 2 to 3 hours approximately and then you can explore the citadel and take pictures, bus to Aguas Calientes (lunch not included).

At the indicated time (depending on availability), you will take your train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and from there, we will pick you up on a bus to take you to your hotel in Cusco.

Included: Breakfast