The best alternative hike to the traditional Inca Trail is the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, ranked as one of the wonderfully scenic hikes in the world boasting a great diversity of ecosystems. During the total length of the hike, you will be amazed by the surrounding scenery, food crops, medicinal plants, bamboos, and colorful flowers like begonias, orchids, etc. Traversing the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu in 5 Days/ 4 Nights leads you through the most scenic and biodiverse routes with different ecosystems such as the Alpine area, tropical high jungle, cloud forest, etc. The Andean people live off the land, farm cattle, poultry, and guinea pigs, and keep practicing their old traditions. The Salkantay Mountain soars to 6,271 m/20,700 ft considered by the local people a protector mountain god (Apu), and "Guardian Spirit of the Jungle". Enjoy the striking views of snow-topped Mt Salkantay towering at the head of the valley, and admire views of the valley mountains with remote Andean villages located at the base of them. On the penultimate day of the tour, you will be astounded by the view of Machu Picchu from the Inca site of LLactapata located at the back of Machu Picchu, the Inca sanctuary of Machupicchu. Finally, you will explore the Inca sanctuary of Machupicchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.
Sustainable Tourism: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.
Difficulty Hike: 3 Demanding.
Age Requirements: 4+ / All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Staff: A Salkantay Trek Machu representative in Cusco and a professional Tour Guide, Cook, and Horseman with horses.
Accommodation: 3x Campsite, 1x Hotel.
Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, 3x afternoon hot beverage
Transportation: Private transportation, train ticket return to Cusco.
Camping Equipment: A double tent, Inflatable sleeping roll mattress, feather sleeping bag (-5 grade), a pair of hiking poles, inflatable pillow camping, and others (More details, please check the section Included).
Day 01: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa - Humantay Lagoon
Day 02: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Wayraqmachay – Colpapampa
Day 03: Colpapampa – Sahuayaco Beach – Lucmabamba
Day 04: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Sustainable Tourism | Be responsible towards Nature
We start our adventure early in the morning by picking you up from your respective accommodations. Then, we head to the town of Mollepata, passing through places like Izcuchaca and Limatambo, where we will take a break to have a light breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, which is the starting point of our trail to Salkantay.
Here, we will meet our support and logistics team, who will prepare the equipment, and the muleteer will pick up your duffel bag, which will be transported by horses (up to 5 kg of personal belongings), allowing you to walk with just a backpack. After preparing all the equipment, we begin our hike towards Soraypampa, where our first travel campsite is located. During this first part of the hike, we will traverse an ancient path that leads us through deep valleys beside the mountain. In this area, we can observe an old aqueduct with cold, crystal clear water flowing through it, which supplies the local inhabitants.
After a 3 hour hike, we will arrive at our Soraypampa camp, where we will have lunch and regain our strength. Additionally, we will have ample time to enjoy and take photos of the stunning views of the canyon that stretches across the area, as well as the glaciers and snow capped peaks of Salkantay and Humantay.
In the afternoon, after resting at our camp, we will start a 1 hour and 30 minute hike to the dazzling turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200 meters). Here, we will enjoy the beauty and charm of the place, offering a great opportunity to take incredible photos of the landscape. After some time, we will return to the camp to enjoy a delicious dinner.
On this important day, we will challenge the Salkantay. Early in the morning, after having a good nutritious breakfast, we will begin our hike to the highest point of this journey, the Salkantay Pass. During a four-hour trek, we will reach the summit of the mountain, where we will marvel at the beautiful high Andean valleys and fascinating snow-capped peaks like Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. Additionally, we will learn about the offerings made in honor of this sacred peak.
We will then continue downhill on a winding and rocky descent towards Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. After a short rest, we will resume our journey. In the afternoon, we will start to notice the dramatic change in the high mountain landscapes as we enter the Amazon jungle, where we will discover the Cloud Forest. You will also observe the local wildlife until we reach our Colpapampa campsite, where this challenging day's trek will end.
We will wake up in the incredible and warm jungle of Colpapampa, also known as the summit of the Cloud Forest, where we will have our morning breakfast before starting our journey to Playa Sahuayaco, located in a subtropical forest ecosystem.
The temperate climate of this location makes for a pleasant trip to admire the surrounding landscape; moreover, the rivers are quite attractive for a dip. Along the way, we will also appreciate orchids, begonias, bromeliads, and many medicinal plants used in the non conventional Natural Medicine of our region. Later, we will arrive at Playa Sahuayaco, where we will enjoy a nutritious lunch and a short break, before continuing the 30 minute walk to our campsite in Lucmabamba.
Note: We will have the option to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs in the afternoon, which are located in the town of Santa Teresa. You will take a bus to the town of Santa Teresa (not included) and then immerse yourself in the hot springs (optional).
After having a good breakfast, you'll be ready to tackle the final day of the Salkantay Trek 5 day. We'll start by hiking a portion of the original and famous Inca Trail, which will take about 2 hours to reach Llactapata, an Inca archaeological site located across from Machu Picchu. From Llactapata, we'll explore this archaeological complex, where our guide will share the history of the place as we admire the incredible Inca views and buildings. Moreover, from its viewpoint, you'll have an amazing and unique view of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park, as well as the mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.
Afterward, we'll descend for approximately 2 hours until we reach Hydroelectric. From there, you'll continue along the railway track path until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes; once in Machu Picchu Pueblo, you'll have time to rest and regain strength for the day's excursion. Additionally, you can visit some tourist attractions like the hot springs or the craft market. In the evening, we'll have our final dinner with all the group members, during which we'll provide the plans and details for our visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
Today is the day you've been waiting for since you started your hike. Finally, you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. On this last day, we will get up very early to head towards this wonder of the Modern World. After our breakfast, we will take a bus to Machu Picchu on a 25 minute uphill journey.
Upon arrival, we will present our entry ticket at the Machu Picchu Control to start our guided tour of the Inca citadel. During the approximately two and a half hour tour, we will explore the most important buildings and temples of this Inca city. Additionally, you can hike up Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, depending on the chosen circuit (tickets that allow access to these mountains are for Circuit 3 and Circuit 1 respectively). Along the way, you will have ample time to capture the best photos of the Inca citadel.
After our Machu Picchu Tour, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to explore more of the area and have lunch. After completing the Salkantay Trek 5 Days, you will take the train to Ollantaytambo and then transfer to a bus back to your hotel in Cusco.
Meal budget: Please allow USD 20-30 for meals not included.
Although there are no age restrictions, it is recommended that children be over 8 years old to enjoy the walks, since they are long; Additionally, participants for this trek should be in good physical health and free of any heart conditions.
Yes, a vegan menu can be requested in advance of the tour. So, as a tip, please indicate your preference when booking to ensure availability of suitable food options.
Yes, the tour is done along safe and marked trails, what's more, the guides are trained in first aid and there is a first aid kit and transportation in case of emergencies.
To undertake the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu you can choose this list of essential things: Suitable shoes, rain poncho, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sleeping bag, warm clothing for the night, snacks, fruits, drinks moisturizers, change of clothes, personal items and a backpack of maximum 5 kg.
The dry season, from April to October, offers the best months for hiking and is also the time with the least amount of rain, making it easy to navigate this incredible trail.
Yes, it is possible to do it independently if you properly organize your itinerary, permits and logistics.
Generally speaking, you should pack as light as possible! The horses carry your luggage from Soraypampa (1st day) to La Playa camping (3rd day). On the 4th day, your chef takes your luggage on a bus to Hidrolectrica. From there to Aguas Calientes, you are expected to carry your own luggage (2-3 hours). We advise keeping the weight under 7 kg/14lb. You need to carry clothes as well as a sleeping bag. It is also advisable to take a cover of your backpack because the weather on the Salkantay Trek might change very quickly. If you do not have it, we recommended you to put your clothes and sleeping bag inside the plastic bag.
It is very important to take some EXTRA MONEY. You should take at least 200-300 Soles with you in case of urgency/need. You might need, for instance:
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu passes through stunning landscapes varying from the cloud forest to the high mountains. Along the way you will see the fantastic views of second highest mountain in the Cusco area - Salkantay ("Savage mountain" from Quechua) standing at 20,574' (6,271 m). Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu goes through unfrequented areas and combines culture and tradition with the incredible flora and fauna offered by Peru. You will be in the real Andes and the perfect conditions to get a sense of the life in the area.
The mountain in itself presents an extremely cold climate (several degrees centigrade below 0º). The climate during the Salkantay trail, on the other hand, is varied. The intense sun and the cold night in the first days change for the tropical environment of the last. Now talking about the flora and fauna, the 5 days and 4 nights that the Salkantay trek lasts covers landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants stand out the orchid and the ichu (Andean grass). Among the species of birds and animals, we should mention the llama, alpaca, vizcacha, condor, spectacled bear and the cock of the rocks (national bird of Peru).
During Salkantay Trekking, you will observe many kind of orchids, some of them have a history. It is said that this beauty orchids are tears of an inca princess. The legend is called " The wakankis" Now We will tell you more about this love history:
In the kingdom of the Andes there was a beautiful young princess. She fell in love with a brave and attractive Inca warrior. Once their father found out about the relationship, forbid them to see each other since the princess was destined for the Sun God. When the princess learned of her decision, she ran across the Andes, crying for her forbidden love and became the beautiful "Waqanki" flower. So, every time the warrior found this flower in the Andes, He also cried remembering his lost love. "The spirit of beauty is still there, also expressed in our days in a song that we can hear even now:
"You will cry, my most beautiful flower with your beautiful eyes, for you envy surrounds me, I am committed to you, beautiful Waqanki, flower that you bloom in the heights, How will your song be when I take you In my heart"
This is the only testimony of appreciation that orchids existed in the empire of the Incas and has been preserved to this day orally transmitted from one to another. It is believed that there are about 350 native species in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. More than 100 of these species can be easily seen in these orchid trails in their natural habitat.
Salkantay Trek Machu is an experienced, established, and dynamic tour operator. We run Salkantay Treks to Machu Picchu and have been providing tours for more than 8 years! Our experience, knowledgeable, reliable, friendly personnel and personalized customer service and it is the main reason why our customers return year after year. Salkantay Trek Machu operator offers a wide range of different types of adventure trips to suit any person's needs. We would like to welcome you to our Salkantay family and make your trip an unforgettable reality.
According to some authors, the name of this mountain is a contraction that comes from wild Salqa and Antay produce avalanches. The name of Apu, which in the Quechua language comes to mean lord, is usually defined in front of the great mountains that mean something sacred above the valleys. For example Apu Salkantay in the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Salkantay Mountain, also known as Salccantay, snow capped peak of Peru located in the department of Cusco; It constitutes one of the main elevations of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, an extension of the Eastern Cordillera, a mountain branch of the Peruvian Andes. It reaches an altitude of 6,271 meters. It presents two peaks covered by snow, known as Salcantay China and Salcantay female, separated by a port that opens to the Santa Ana Valley in the province of Urubamba. Both the mountain pass and the fluvial course that is born there are called Salcantay. This river pours its waters into the Urubamba on its left bank. But you know why this mountain is sacred?
The Apus of the mountains are superior spirits considered protective of men and peoples. The Apus do not speak to humans, it is humans, through invocations, payments, rituals and prayers, who speak to the Apus asking for protection. The Apus are typically male spirits, although there are also female deities. In the Quechua language; spoken by the Incas, the plural of APU is apukuna.
It could be based on an ecological reality, since meteorological phenomena such as snow, hail, rain, clouds, lightning and thunder often originate in the mountains. However, other common elements give clues to better understand the reverence that the ancient Peruvians felt for the mountains.
Worship of the sacred mountains
It is possible that a social cohesion has revolved around the cult of the sacred mountains. As the cases of ethnic identity that have been observed in many regions of the Andes. The mountains were perceived as a kind of gods of war; In the Inca culture, the mountains were Apus protectors of the people who lived nearby and they worshiped them. It is said that the Incas tried to appropriate the admiration felt by the pre-Inca peoples through the mountains, building places of worship such as the city of Machu Picchu. This in order to consolidate your government.
A very common belief in the Andes of Peru, is that the mountains (Apus deities Incas) are the owners of wild animals, so the hunting practiced by the Incas is linked to the mountains. The rugged territory of Machu Picchu hosts an enormous variety of fauna, bears, pumas, snakes, birds, etc. The building of the city would have provided additional reasons for the cult of the mountains. One of the deities that protects Machu Picchu, is the imposing Salkantay mountain. The word "wild" is "salqa" in Quechua and it is possible that this was the hunting place of Pachacútec, builder of Machu Picchu.
Now discover the most amazing adventure on Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu the incredible alternative path to Machu Picchu. Explore The Salkantay Mountain the popular wild mountain in Peru and Enjoy the best views of natural landscapes along the Salkantay Trek.
To achieve this route, you must have a reasonable level of physical condition, but age should not be a barrier. The most important thing is to be well acclimatized at a good altitude. The highest point will be 4, 650 masl. A day of acclimatization before the trek is ideal.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu passes through stunning landscapes varying from the cloud forest to the high mountains. Along the way you will see the fantastic views of second highest mountain in the Cusco, we are talking about the imposing Apu Salkantay ("Savage mountain" from Quechua) standing at 20,574' (6,271 m). This trek to Machu Picchu goes through unfrequented areas and combines culture and tradition with the incredible flora and fauna offered by Peru. You will be in the real Andes and the perfect conditions to get a sense of the life in the area. Now we present you the distances that you will hike during Salkantay Trek :
Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Wayraqmachay - Colpapampa
Colpapampa - Sahuayaco Beach - Lucmabamba
Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Most people include Cusco-Peru in their bucket list when visiting south America. The main reason is to hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, however we want to let you know that there are various original Inca Trail hikes to Machu Picchu in the Cusco Region. The difference lies in what kind of hike you would like to experience, whether hiking in the mountains, enjoying subtropical areas, visiting Inca sites or strenous hikes but with incredible scenic beauty
Usually, the Inca Trail needs booking in advance. However, if it is booked up, we suggest other excellent alternatives hikes to reach Machu Picchu:
There are also other alternative treks leading to other not less interesting sites such as:
+51 84 226 547
+51 912 891 560
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
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