Prepare for another memorable day on the Salkantay Trekking adventure, as you wake up to the warm glow of the sun rising above the Salkantay Peak, shining through the walls of your SkyDome.

Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a traditional Andean breakfast, rich in protein, to give you the energy to start your hike to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Salkantay Pass, located at an altitude of 4630 meters (15190 feet).

The Salkantay Pass hike includes the famous “Trail of the seven snakes”, named after the seven switchbacks leading to the summit. This part of the trek can be challenging due to the altitude, but we will take it slow, allowing you to catch your breath and appreciate the breathtaking views of the Andean peaks.

Salkantay Peak is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region and a sacred symbol in Andean mythology, referred to as “Apus” or Father in Quechua. The locals perform sacred rituals here, including K’intu, using three Coca leaves to seek blessings, which your guide will explain to you. Take your time at the summit to enjoy the views of Humantay, Taucarhuay, and Pumasillo peaks before continuing on a 7 km (4.35 miles) hike down the hill to our lunch camp in Huacarmachay (3850 meters/12631 feet), nestled in a valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

At our lunch camp, our expert crew will serve a freshly cooked Andean meal to refuel you for the next part of the trek. After lunch, we’ll leave the Andes and enter the Peruvian Amazon Jungle, hiking 8 km (4.97 miles) at a normal pace, which takes about three hours. You’ll notice a significant change in the topography as it gets warmer, and our guide will share information about the native plant, animal, and bird species found in the region.

Our campsite for the night is in Chaullay (2900 meters/9514 ft.), where our crew will assist you in settling into your Sky Dome. We’ll meet for dinner later, marking the end of another memorable day on the Salkantay Trek.

Day 2 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 19 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 4,650 m (approx.)
• Campsite altitude: 2,750 m (approx.)

In the morning, our crew will gently wake you up with a knock on the door of your Skydome at 6:00 AM. After a cup of freshly brewed coffee, breakfast will be served to fuel you for the relatively easier third day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Our trek will take us through the Santa Teresa Valley, where we will walk for about six hours towards La Playa, crossing the Lluscamayo river on the way.

During the trek, we will pass by numerous waterfalls and farms that produce bananas, avocados, and coffee. Keep an eye out for the Andean Cock of the Rock, the national bird of Peru, which is often seen in this region.

We will take a break for lunch at our campsite in La Playa, where our crew will serve a delicious meal. Afterward, we will visit some nearby farms for a guided tour, or you can choose to unwind at the natural hot springs of Ccocalmayo.

Finally, we will gather for dinner in the evening before you get back to your respective Sky Domes for a sound sleep.

Day 3 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 16 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours’
• Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m
• Campsite altitude: 1,600 m

Breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM, following which we will embark on a hike through a section of the Original Inca Trail to catch a stunning view of Machu Picchu in the distance. This is considered the most picturesque spot to see Machu Picchu from.

Our hike will lead us uphill to one of the most beautiful Inca complexes, Llactapata, which sits at 2700m/8858 ft. Here, you will have a closer view of the Machu Picchu complex. This is the first Inca archaeological site we will be visiting on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and our local expert will give you a guided tour of the complex, providing insights into Andean culture and history.

Afterwards, we will hike down the hill for an hour and a half, with Machu Picchu peak in the distance. We will stop for lunch at Hidro Electrica (1800 meters/5096 ft), named after the artificial waterfall here which generates electricity.

Following lunch, you will have two options:

1. Hike along the railway tracks, retracing the footsteps of Hiram Bingham III, who rediscovered Machu Picchu. The route takes you through the tropical jungle and offers stunning views at every turn, with a duration of three hours.
2. Take a 45-minute train ride to Aguas Calientes, which will cost an additional $35.

We highly recommend the hiking option, which also offers the opportunity to see Intihuatana, a sundial rock that the Incas used to read the winter solstice. This rock worked together with the stone in Machu Picchu citadel, which we will visit the following day.

Once in Aguas Calientes, we will accommodate you in an ensuite hotel room for the night. In the evening, we will meet for dinner. Aguas Calientes is known for its hot springs, so you can take a refreshing dip in the thermal waters during your free time.

Day 4 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 12 km
• Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 1,600 m
• Hotel (Aguas Calientes) altitude: 1,900 m

The Short Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu commences with an early morning stroll from Aguas Calientes to Km 104, where we will begin our exploration of Chachabamba.

We will start the hike by crossing a small bridge and ascending a short uphill trail to the lesser-known but prominent Inca site, Chachabamba. It is situated at 2150 meters above sea level (7053 ft) and is home to a stone altar where the Incas worshipped their supreme God, Inti (Sun) and Apus (Mountain Peaks). Our local expert will demonstrate the process of using sacred coca leaves to express gratitude to nature and other entities, a tradition that locals still follow today.

After touring Chachabamba, we will continue hiking uphill for approximately four hours to Wiñay Wayna, which means “forever young” in Quechua. The archaeological site is the most beautiful spot on the trail, situated at 2650 meters (8694 ft) above sea level. It served as an administrative center to Machu Picchu and features 20 urban areas, farming zones, and ceremonial sites. Our local expert will provide an immersive tour here, highlighting the most prominent part of the complex, the 7 Window temple, built in honor of the Rainbow.

Following the tour, we will stop at the clean and well-maintained campsite to have lunch, refill our water bottles, and use the restrooms before continuing our 2-day hike to our next stop, Intipunku (Sungate), which takes approximately an hour. This section of the trek passes through lush tropical jungle, and from Sungate, you will have the first view of Machu Picchu citadel nestled between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains.

Only those hiking the Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail enter the citadel through the Sun Gate. We will make a brief stop here so that you can take in the view. After that, we will exit the citadel and take a bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we will accommodate you in a hotel for the night.

Aguas Calientes, as the name suggests, is home to hot springs. You can relax and soak in the natural thermal waters in the evening, which is the perfect way to unwind after a full day’s tour. The town also has many souvenir shops where you can buy souvenirs.

Our journey to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning ride on a tourist bus. Before entering the citadel, your Machu Picchu tickets will be checked against your original passport.

As we enter the citadel, you will witness the sun rising over Machu Picchu, casting golden rays on the walls. We will start the tour with a brief introduction to the Inca civilization and visit main areas of the citadel such as the main plaza and farming terraces.

After the tour, if you have booked to climb Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain, our tour guide will direct you to the respective entrance.

Once you’ve had your fill of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have some free time here to have lunch or explore the town.

Later in the evening, we’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving at approximately 10:00 PM.