Short on time? Experience the best of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu on our three-day trek from Cusco. Also known as the Salkantay Challenge Trek, this trek covers 48 kilometers through diverse landscapes. It starts near the foothills of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. Trekking through the turquoise waters of Laguna Humantay, you will be rewarded with sights of colorful valleys and waterfalls. You will then descend to the cloud forest. This is one of the best treks in South America.
The most challenging yet remarkable part of the trek is the hike to the highest point of the trek, Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters / 15,091 feet. As most passes on this 3-day Salkantay Trek are at high altitude, we recommend you to be well acclimatized to avoid altitude sickness.
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The Peruvian Andes experience two types of seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season is from December to March, during which the terrains can be a bit slippery and there is a higher risk of landslides. The best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season, from April until November.
At approximately 4:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. You will be transferred to Mollepata in our private vehicle, which will take about two hours. We will stop in Mollepata for breakfast before continuing the drive to Soraypampa, the starting point of the 3-Day Salkantay Trek.
During the first leg of the trek, we will hike to the highest point, Salkantay Pass, which is nestled at 4,650 meters above sea level. It is a seven-kilometer hike from Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass, taking approximately three hours. Once we reach the pass, we will take some time to appreciate the tranquility and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Peruvian Andes.
From there, we will descend to Wayraqmachay, where we will stop for lunch. Afterward, we will continue the trek for around two and a half hours until we reach Chaullay. We will spend the night at the Andean Hut in Chaullay.
Please note that this section of the trek is quite challenging and requires good physical endurance. We highly recommend acclimatizing well in Cusco before starting the trek.
After breakfast at 6:00 AM, we will begin trekking downhill. This will be a relatively easy day, covering a distance of 17 kilometers over six hours. Along the way, you will be treated to scenic landscapes, including wild orchids, coffee plantations, avocados, and tropical fruits such as passion fruit and granadillas.
We will pass through the town of Collpapampa, known for its cloud forest, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, you will be transferred to the Hydroelectric Power Station by our vehicle.
From the Hydroelectric Power Station, it is a three-hour hike along the railway lines to the town of Aguas Calientes. This is the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu. You will be accommodated in an ensuite hotel room in Aguas Calientes. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy the nearby hot springs.
After an early breakfast, you will have the option to hike along a section of the Inca Trail for an hour and a half to Machu Picchu or take a bus (USD 12 each way, 25-minute ride).
Once at Machu Picchu, our local expert will provide a two-hour guided tour of the Inca site. After the tour, you will have free time to explore the citadel at your own pace. Alternatively, you can visit the Sun Gate, which offers a captivating view of the renowned Inca ruins.
You can also visit the Inca Bridge. If you have booked a hike up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain, our guide will direct you to the entrance.
At the designated time, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you there and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We expect to arrive in Cusco around 10:00 PM.
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