The iconic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is often seen as the best alternative to the Inca Trail. The high altitude experience takes you from Snow capped Andes down to the cloud forests and culminates at Machu Picchu.
National Geographic Travel Magazine has voted Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu as one of the best 25 treks around the world. With jaw dropping views at every turn, the trail offers a bit of everything.
The experience begins high up in the Andes. It takes you through some local communities and down to the tropical region.
The highest point of Salkantay Trekking is Salkantay Pass at 4600 meters above sea level. We highly recommend you to spend a few days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.
We are a fully locally owned tour operator based in Cusco. Our guides are locals from the region. They have an excellent knowledge about the inca ruins, flora and fauna.
We offer the experience, both as a small group tour and as a private tour. We invite you to take a moment to check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0600 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0600 AM. We will then embark on a drive in our private transport to Mollepata. It is a small town 2800 metres above sea level. Here we will be stopping for breakfast.
After breakfast, we will be driving to Soraypampa at 3200 metres above sea level. We will be meeting our multeers and chef. From here we will be hiking for two hours along some traditional Andean communities.
For lunch, we will be stopping at Soraypampa. After lunch, we will be hiking for four hours along Humantay Lake to our campsite.
After relishing a typical breakfast, we will be hiking to the highest point of the trek Salkantay Pass or Apacheta Pass. From here you will get a closer look at the snow capped Salkantay peak.
We will then be hiking down the hill for three hours with a sight of Mount Humantay and some small lagoons. For lunch we will be stopping at Huayracmachay.
After lunch, we will be hiking for three hours to Collpapampa. We will be camping here for the night.
We will begin the third day of our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with a four hours hike down the hill to the cloud forest. Our guide will be walking you through different plantations. You will also get to witness the life of the Andean farmers here.
The region is also home to a beautiful waterfall. So while you enjoy a refreshing bath our crew will be setting up your lunch. You will also get to spot the Peruvian National Bird, Andean Cock of the Rock.
After lunch, we will be driving you for 45 minutes to our campsite in Santa Teresa.
After breakfast, we will be hiking to Hidroelectrica train station. Here we will be stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we will be hiking along the railway lines for three hours to Aguas Calientes town. Along the way, if it is a clear day, you will get your first views of Machu Picchu.
At Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite room in a basic hotel to spend the night. Later that night, our local guide will be meeting you and will be briefing you on the following day’s itinerary.
We will then be serving dinner at a local restaurant.
At day break, we will be hiking up the hill from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu citadel. If you are not keen on hiking you can take a bus. It takes 25 minutes and costs 12 USD each way.
Once at the entrance of the citadel, the local authorities will be verifying your passport and the entrance ticket so make sure to carry your original passport. We will then start with the two hours guided tour of the citadel.
On this tour, you will be introduced to the Incas way of life and how each area in the citadel was used by Incas. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked a hike to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu, our guide will be directing you to the entrance.
Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate or Inti Punku. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel. This is also the point of entrance to those on Classic Inca trail tour and Short Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu.
After touring the Inca sites, you will be hiking back to Aguas Calientes and onward to Hydroelectric station. Here, our representative will be meeting you. We will be transferring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Me and my wife we signed up for the trek with Heidi Travel and it was simply the best experience we have ever had. Thanks to Heidi and her entire team for making our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu a pleasant experience.
