From Salkantay To Machu Picchu - Peru Tour

Your guide will explain the trek details to you and address any questions you may have. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts for approximately 45 minutes. 

It’s highly recommended to arrive in Cusco one or two days before the trek to adjust to the altitude and attend this briefing. Please ensure you have your travel insurance ready, as it’s required for all participants.

The hotel will provide your guide and driver with the task of picking you up after breakfast. The Quillarumiyoc archaeological site serves as the initial point before you continue to Mollepata for lunch at El Pedregal Farmhouse, where you can discover local farming and animal husbandry practices. 

The lunch break will end with a drive to Challacancha, which marks the start of your Royal Path hike toward Salkantay Lodge in Soraypampa. This beautiful route offers amazing mountain views. 

Night at Salkantay Lodge

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The hiking experience starts after breakfast when you move toward Lake Humantay from the lodge slopes. Lake Humantay shows two main features, which include its turquoise water and its glacier views. The place will offer you time to rest and meditate while you participate in a traditional Pachamama (Mother Earth) ceremony. 

The lodge will serve your lunch before you can choose between relaxing with a massage or enjoying the hot tub while watching the sunset behind Mount Salkantay. 

Optional activities: Horseback riding or a special Chakana lookout excursion (extra cost). 

Night at Salkantay Lodge. 

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The day presents the toughest challenges while bringing the most satisfaction to the journey. Start your trek before dawn to reach the Salkantay Pass, which stands as the highest elevation point of the trek at 15,213 feet (4,636 meters). The trail leads you past Humantay Peak and through vast open plateaus, which reveal stunning mountain views. 

The journey continues with a descent through misty valleys that lead to fields filled with giant boulders after reaching the pass. The route includes a lunch break before reaching Wayra Lodge, which provides tranquil mountain scenery. 

Night at Wayra Lodge

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After breakfast, continue descending into warmer, greener landscapes along the Salkantay River. The trail through the cloud forest allows hikers to discover orchids and butterflies as well as traditional Andean homes. 

The Colpa Lodge exists on a mountain peak that stands at the junction of three rivers. The Pachamanca lunch awaits you as the first meal of the day, which represents a traditional Peruvian dish prepared through stone heating beneath the ground. Spend your afternoon time by relaxing and sunbathing while you enjoy the outdoor hot tub with spectacular views of the valley. 

Night at Colpa Lodge

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The Santa Teresa River Valley guides your path during today's hike while you explore its fruit orchards, waterfalls, and flowing streams. The river provides an excellent spot to rest before you continue to the Llactapata Inca Trail base, which requires a short drive to reach Lucma Lodge. 

The lodge serves lunch after which visitors can explore an organic coffee farm to discover how one of the world's finest coffees gets made. The area shows signs that you will reach the Amazon rainforest border because of its warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels. 

Night at Lucma Lodge 

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After breakfast, start your ascent through lush cloud forest along an ancient Inca trail. The trail leads travelers through a dense forest while they hear water flowing for about two to three hours. 

Reach the Llactapata Pass (8,974 ft / 2,736 m) for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, a sight few travelers get to experience. The Inca ruins of Llactapata offer visitors a chance to picnic while taking in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. 

The path leads through bamboo forests and fruit orchards as you continue your journey toward the Aobamba River. The route to Aguas Calientes starts at Hidroelectrica Station, where you must cross a bridge before taking a brief train ride to reach the base town of Machu Picchu. 

Night: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

The last day of your trip starts with an early morning bus journey to reach Machu Picchu. Enter the ancient sanctuary and explore its most iconic sites — the Temple of the Sun, the Watchtower, and royal residences built with remarkable precision. 

Take a moment to sit quietly, feel the wind, and connect with the spiritual energy that fills this magical place. The guided tour lets you explore Huayna Picchu Mountain through a hike that provides spectacular views of the citadel and the surrounding valleys (availability permitting). 

Enjoy lunch in Aguas Calientes before your scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo, followed by a transfer to Cusco. 

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