Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: A 5 Day Adventure Through Stunning Andean Landscapes
5.0
35 Ratings
Embark on a 5-day adventure through the stunning Andean landscapes of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Experience breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and unique cultural experiences along the way.
Duration:
5 days
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
Humantay Lake - We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and have a beautiful scenic drive of 3 hours duration to Mollepata. At Mollepata we will have breakfast at one of the local houses. After breakfast we will get back on the road for 1 hour and 45 minutes until we reach Soraypampa, the start of the trek. During this portion of the drive we will see our first views of Salkantay and Humantay Mountains.
At Soraypampa (12,467 ft) we will meet our support staff, who will pack everything for the trek and load the equipment onto horses. We begin our hike with a visit to Humantay lake. This is a 2 hour excursion.
After that expedition, we return to the trailhead and begin the hike to Salkantaypampa. We begin with a gentle 2 hour climb to Salkantaypampa, our lunch spot for the day. After lunch we ascend for 2 hours to Soyrococha (14,332 ft), our camp for the night.
What's Included
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Lunch and dinner daily
- Breakfast included each morning
- Spacious four-person tent for every two travelers
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- Expert bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes
- Comfortable mattress and pillow
- Hot water for washing
- Convenient hotel pickup and transport to Soraypampa
- Informative pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit available
- Support from wranglers and horses for equipment carriage
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Daily provision of boiled and cold water for hydration
- Backup emergency horse
- Engaging coffee plantation tour on day 3
- Well-equipped kitchen tent
- Horse service to carry personal gear (up to 8 kg)
- Skilled chef and assistant chef service
- Complimentary duffle bag for personal items
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes on the fourth night (double occupancy)
What's Not Included
- Sleeping bag
- Day 5 lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
- Hiking poles
- Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
Additional Information
This journey takes place beneath the spectacular Salkantay mountain (20,569ft), one of the most majestic and towering peaks in the Andes. The Salkantay Trek has recently been named on the National Geographic Ultimate Adventure bucket list, labeled as “The 20 most daring, thrilling, legendary adventures globally.” It’s a trek that’s accessible to everyone and serves as the most preferred alternative to the Inca Trail trek.
This adventure includes 4 days of trekking through a variety of sceneries such as highlands, cloud forest, rain forest, and dry mountain. On this journey, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Apu Salkantay, Pumasillo Mountain, and Humantay Mountain, three of the most impressive peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
Our trek package encompasses accommodation in a luxurious hotel on the fourth night, an exclusive coffee plantation tour on the third day afternoon, and dinner at a wonderful local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- What to bring:
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Book to read (you will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(35 Ratings)
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1 star
Chrysoulat2024
Jan 20, 2024
Great experience in Salkantay trek - The trip was amazing and everything was very well organised! People were super friendly and the food was great! The first two days of the trek require some good physical status but the rest of the trek is of medium difficulty. Highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cerys_s00
Nov 1, 2023
A Perfect Experience on the Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek - Action Peru Treks is a company that offers trekking tours to Machu Picchu and other Andean destinations from Cusco. My wife and I, along with our two children, recently participated in the 5-day Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek.
The trek was a comprehensive package that included hotel accommodation, guiding, food, and transportation. Our guide, Pedro, was very knowledgeable and experienced. He taught us a lot about the history and culture of the Andes along the way. The trek was challenging but rewarding. We saw stunning scenery along the way and experienced the natural beauty of the Andes firsthand. When we arrived at Machu Picchu, we realized that all of the challenges were worth it. I highly recommend Action Peru Treks if you are planning a trekking tour to Machu Picchu or other Andean destinations. The company offers quality service and a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathonc204
Oct 10, 2023
Good trip, excellent team. - Firstly, Christian (tour guide) was fantastic! Christian was a key part to making this a real experience, he was knowledgeable of the local wildlife and flora and the history. Christian was caring for each and every person within the group, much appreciated.
The support team who helped with luggage, tent set up etc were great. They were also great cooks and ensured we were well fed - more than you could actually eat. Much appreciated.
Other than that what to say, the walk was great, views were amazing and weather was good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rrachel212
Sep 30, 2023
Transformative Adventure - Just finished my 4 night/5 day Salkantay trek with Action Peru Treks. It’s really hard to put the experience into words. I’ve travelled extensively and with lots of different groups. I’ve never had a better experience than I did on this trip. I booked this trip on a whim after a very transformative few years. I wanted to challenge myself and challenge myself I did!
I’ll be honest, there are some really high points and some steep drop offs where you’re fairly close to the edge — this made me a bit nervous as I thought I was slightly out of my depth. HOWEVER, our amazing guide Christian was with me every step of the way. He supported me and when I decided to skip a hike he ensured alternative accommodations were made so that I was happy and enjoying myself.
I do reccomend researching this trek thoroughly and being physically AND mentally prepared. Ensure you ask questions and feel extremely confident— I will be doing this for all future treks.
Christian and his team embraced us with such warmth and kindness. You can tell how proud they are of Peru and that they can share it with others. They honestly feel like family.
My fellow travelers were some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’ll miss everyone terribly, but it’s not goodbye, just see you later! Cannot wait for my next adventure with Action Treks Peru!
Ps- all photos shown were taken by our guide, Christian! Such incredible pics
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasjotk771
Sep 30, 2023
Amazing experience - Amazing hiking experience, was super well organised. Our guide Christian was super knowledgeable, friendly and took such good care of everyone. The cooking and porter team were top notch, serving excellent 3 course meals. The tents and sleeping bags were all of excellent quality. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Global53093962158
Sep 29, 2023
Amazing trek with the best team - Mu husband and I had an amazing time at the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu! Our trip leader Christian was absolutely amazing, with so much knowledge about the surrounding and its history, and pride for Peru. His personable approach and constant humour kept us going through the hard parts (and there were a few haha). The chef and team were also outstanding, preparing three course meals thrice a day at extremely high altitudes while catering to everyone’s allergies at all times. We had a truly memorable experience topped by the stunning views of Machu Picchu - would highly recommend Christian and team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
757tashal
Sep 29, 2023
Amazing experience! - This trip was absolutely amazing. Christian was an phenomenal guide with so much information to share about the nature and Inca history. The food throughout the trip was incredible, each meal was three courses and the chef catered to special diets including gluten free, intolerance to egg and avocado and vegetarian with no issues. Saltankay trek was amazing but was fairly strenuous, with lots of high points. I went with my sister but there was a mix of couples and solo travellers in our group all of whom were awesome. Would definitely recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hayhoe11
Sep 24, 2023
Incredible experience - Could not recommend these guys enough. Beautifully organised by Roxner, we embarked on the 5-day Salkantay Trek, led by Christian and Edy.
From the moment Roxner collected us from the airport, to the tears when we said goodbye to Christian and Edy they made this a real bucket list trip. The food each day, prepared by the chef team was amazing - especially considering we were up a mountain!
Christians knowledge of the area is second to none and we were all mesmerised by his stories, and Edy beautifully shared his culture with us. There was no “guides and us”, it felt like we were welcomed into the Action Peru family.
It goes without saying the trek itself was STUNNING, and challenging in almost equal parts! But we knew it would be, it’s the guides that can make or break a trek like this and these guys 100% made the trip, going above and beyond at every opportunity. Excellent camera skills from Christian too…a photographer in the making.
If I’m lucky enough to visit Peru again, it’ll be for another trek with these guys. Thank you team 🧡
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L5822ogsamf
Sep 19, 2023
Trip of a lifetime!!! - This is by far the best holiday I have had the group were lovely people and our guides Eddie and Christian were amazing Christians knowledge of peru is great and Eddie's ceremony was one of the highlights for me and they were both very caring when I got altitude sickness and got me through it making me feel at ease throughout. The trip is also great seeing the most amazing landscapes and learning about the inca culture was just great. The food was also amazing throughout. Overall I rate this trip 10/10 and would recommend it to anyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theeban
Sep 16, 2023
A truly breath-taking adventure!!! - The Salkantay Trail expedition with Action Peru has to go down as one of the most amazing adventures I've ever been on... the views throughout the expedition were truly breathtaking, from high mountain passes, spectacular glacial lakes, steamy rainforest valleys and ofcourse Machu Picchu itself!
It is a demanding trek that requires a good level of fitness... but the hard work is well worth it!
Action Peru were meticulous in the organisation of the trek... Every detail from the airport transfers, hotel stays, transport, food hiking and camping equipment was handled to perfection...
Perhaps the star of the show was our local guide Christian, who was not only highly knowledgeable, but also very funny, kind, helpful and extremely proud of his country and his roots...
We wild camped for three nights... the tents, sleeping bags and mattresses provided were of excellent quality... and the Chef prepared amazing meals throughout the expedition.... I think I actually gained weight on the hike!!!
What an amazing adventure... I would definitely use Action Peru again the next time I'm in Peru!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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