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Salkantay Trek 4 Days – Salkantay Trek 4D 3N

4 Days / 3 Nights

10+ Age

Salkantay - Machu Picchu

Alternative Treks

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TOUR PLAN
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Salkantay Trek 4 Days – Salkantay Trek 4D 3N

Salkantay Trek 4 Days, popularly known as Salkantay Trek 4D3N is one of the most popular treks in the world. The trek is popular as the best alternative to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This high-altitude trek would be the highlight of your trip to Peru. 

On this Salkantay Trek 4 Days, you will be hiking from the Andes to the Tropical Jungle. 

The starting point of the trek is near the snow-capped Andean peaks. You will be hiking through the hidden gem of the Andes, Lake Humantay before descending to the dense cloud forest to visit Machu Picchu. 

The four-day Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu offers captivating views of the snow-capped Salkantay Humantay Andean peaks. You will get an insight into the life of the local communities that are untouched by modernity. They maintain their age-old traditions. 

The highest point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is at 4650 meters above sea level. It is highly recommended that you spend at least four days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness. 

At Minka Peru Expedition, we take pride in working with locals. Our tour guides were born and raised in Cusco region. They have excellent knowledge about the Inca civilization and traditions. They are also fluent in English. 

We have this tour operating on a daily basis.

Do take a moment to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.

FAQs

Which is better Salkantay or Inca Trail?

Both the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail are good options. The Salkantay Trek starts at Mollepata town and traverses the unique Andean landscapes, including the Salkantay Mountain Pass, located at 4600 m.a.s.l. It ends at Aguas Calientes, which climate is much warmer due to its location in the rainforests of Peru. On the other hand, the Inca Trail follows an ancient road, which takes visitors through different environments, including the beautiful cloud forests. Also there are numerous Inca ruins scattered along the Inca Trail.

In order to take the Salkantay Trek, travellers must have a good physical condition. People with health problems like heart diseases or high blood pressure must avoid taking this trek.

Altitude sickness can be prevented by staying a few days in Cusco city without doing strenuous physical activities. This helps to acclimatize the body to the climate of the region. It’s also recommended to stay hidrated and get plenty of rest between tours.

Travel Guide

  • Destination: Salkantay - Machu Picchu
  • Departure Time: 5:00 AM.
  • Return Time: Approximately 6:00 PM.
  • Dress Code: Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk

Tour Plan

Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY - COLPAPAMPA

We will pick you up at 0600 from your hotel in Cusco. Then, we will drive to a remote town called Mollepata. It is at 2800m.  The road to Mollepata offers beautiful views of the Apurimac valley. Mollepata will be our stopover for breakfast.  Then, we will drive for about an hour to Sayllapata (3200m). This is the starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.  We will meet our muleteers and chef here. Salkantay Trek’s first section will take us through traditional Andean communities such as Challacancha and Cruzpata for two hours.  After lunch, we will stop in Soraypampa and continue our hike for four hours to our campsite.

  • Meals: Lunch and dinner
  • Camping Accommodation
  • Maximum altitude: 4,200m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,200m
  • Distance traveled: 15 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately 6-7 hours

Our crew will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed coca tea or Peruvian Coffee. We will begin the day with a hike to Salkantay Pass (4600m). You will be able to see Salkantay Mountain (6271m) from this point. Often the sky is clear. However, a clearer view depends on the weather conditions. After three hours of hiking with stunning views of the mountains Humantay, Huayanay, and small lakes and moraines, we will reach Huayra Machay (3700 meters). We will continue hiking for three hours to Collpapampa (2600m) after lunch.

  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, as well as Dinner
  • Accommodation for camping
  • Maximum altitude: 4,600m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,600m
  • Distance traveled: 15 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately 6-7 hours

We will begin with a four-hour downhill hike on the third day of the Salkantay trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu. Ceja de Selva is a high Jungle niche that will introduce you to the area. This area is known for its coffee, cocoa, and other tropical fruit plantations such as passion fruit.  We will stop here for a while. You can then jump into the natural waterfall-fed shower. Here you can see the Peruvian national bird «Gallito des Rocas» (Cock of the Rock). Then, we will drive you in our private transportation through Santa Teresa to Hydro Electrical.  We will stop here for lunch. Then, we will hike three hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This is exactly the same route Hiram Bingham used to reach Machu Picchu. You can also take the train from Hidro Electrica towards Aguas Calientes.  The cost for this extra trip is 34 USD. You will be accommodated in an ensuite hotel room with a hot shower in Aguas Calientes.

  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, as well as Dinner
  • Camping Accommodation
  • Maximum altitude: 2,600m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,250m
  • Distance traveled: 12 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately: 4-5 hours

We will take the tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu in the early morning. Your local guide will help you clear security controls and allow you to enter the citadel. We will take you on a guided tour for two hours.  We will visit the main square, ceremonial center, and remains of temples. You will have some time to explore Machu Picchu independently after the tour. We can arrange for you to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu mountains.  Please let us know when you book the tour. You can also walk to the Intipunku or Sun Gate. The citadel is stunningly visible from this point.  The Sun Gate is used by Inca Trail participants to enter the citadel. There is no entry fee.  The walk from the citadel to it takes approximately two hours. You will then take the bus back to Aguas Calientes after the tour. You will then board the train to Ollantaytambo.  A representative will meet you at the train station to transfer you back to Cusco through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  Around 09:00 PM, you will reach Cusco. 

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Inclusions

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Includes:

  • Pre trek briefing.
  • Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
  • Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in a private car.
  • Entry ticket to Machu Picchu and Salkantay Laguna Humantay
  • Trilingual tour guide Quechua, Spanish and Englesh
  • Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
  • Basic foam mattress and Sleeping bag.
  • Personal hand soaps.
  • Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
  • We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items. (up to 5 kg/ per person) to carry horses
  • First-aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
  • 1-night accommodation in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu in a basic hotel.
  • Bus ticket up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
  • Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  • Every morning we give you cooled boiled water in your bottle for you to drink on the way>
  • Meals optional vegetarian food.
  • 4 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 2 Dinner

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Does Not Include:

  • Day 3 Dinner Day 4 Lunch and Dinner .
  • Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu USD  $60 per person
  • Entrance ticket to the thermal springs in Cocalmayo Santa Teresa.
  • 1 emergency horse.

We recommend you to carry:

  • A light day pack .
  • Original passport
  • Warm clothes, Rain jacket or Rain plastic poncho you can to buy in Cusco USD $2.
  • If you want you can to bring sleeping bag.
  • Hiking Shoes
  • Warm jacket an hat.
  • Sunblock.
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Small towel.
  • Cash in soles.

How to make a booking

If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please contact us.

  • You have to send your passport photo via WhatsApp.
  • WhatsApp number +51974323730.
  • Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
  • Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed.

Should you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, do write to us.

Prices

Optional Extras

  • Sleeping Bag USD 5 per day.
  • Walking Stick USD 2 per day.
  • Inflatable Mattress $5 per day.

PRICE $USD PER PERSON

Private
Person
2
3
4
5-6
7-8
9+
$ USD
680
630
580
530
480
430
Group
Per person USD
350
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