Salkantay Trek 5 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa (Andean Huts)
Your Salkantay Trek 5 Days 4 Nights begins with an early hotel pickup in Cusco at around 5:00 am. You will travel by bus for approximately 3 hours toward Mollepata, enjoying views of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and Humantay along the way.
After a short stop in Mollepata for optional breakfast and facilities, the journey continues to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek. Here, you will meet the trekking team and organize the equipment, horses, and mules.
The hike begins around 9:30 am, following a scenic trail toward Soraypampa (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This section takes approximately 3 hours and covers around 8 km. Upon arrival, you will enjoy lunch and some time to rest.
In the afternoon, you will hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft), one of the most beautiful glacial lakes in the Andes. After taking in the views, you will return to Soraypampa, where you will spend the night in Andean huts under a clear mountain sky.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Andean Huts
- Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m
- Minimum Altitude: 2,850 m
- Distance: 11 km
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Colpapampa
After an early breakfast, you will begin the most demanding day of the Salkantay Trek 5 Days 4 Nights. The hike starts around 6:30 am, following a steady uphill trail toward the Salkantay Pass. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more rugged, with expansive views of the surrounding mountains and glacial formations.
Along the way, you will pass through areas such as Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, where you may see small high-altitude lakes and grazing wildlife. By midday, you will reach the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft), the highest point of the trek. From here, you will have panoramic views of the Salkantay peak and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
After spending time at the summit, you will begin a long descent toward Huayracmachay, where lunch will be served. The trail then continues downhill into the cloud forest, where the environment gradually changes. The cold mountain air gives way to warmer temperatures, and the vegetation becomes denser with a variety of native plants.
By the afternoon, you will arrive at Colpapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), a small village in the high jungle where you will spend the night. This transition from alpine terrain to lush forest makes this day one of the most diverse of the entire trek.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Andean Huts
- Maximum Altitude: 4,650 m
- Minimum Altitude: 2,900 m
- Distance: 23 km
Day 3: Colpapampa - Playa Sahuayaco – Lucmabamba
Today’s section of the Salkantay Hike takes you deeper into the Santa Teresa Valley, where the climate becomes warmer and more humid. After breakfast, you will begin a gradual hike along a wide trail surrounded by dense vegetation.
During the walk, you will pass waterfalls, rivers, and a variety of crops such as coffee, bananas, avocados, and citrus fruits. This part of the trek offers a closer connection to local life, as you may see farmers working their land and small rural communities along the route.
The trail continues toward La Playa, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you will hike for about one more hour to reach Lucmabamba (2,400 m / 7,874 ft), your campsite for the night.
Later, you will visit a local coffee farm, where you will learn about the traditional production process—from harvesting to roasting—and have the chance to taste freshly prepared coffee. This experience adds a cultural element to the trek and provides insight into daily life in this region.
Optional: Visit to hot springs (not included)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 2,900 m
- Minimum Altitude: 2,350 m
- Distance: 14 km
Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
After an early wake-up and breakfast, you will begin one of the most interesting days of the Salkantay Trek. The trail follows part of an original Inca path, gradually ascending for about 2 hours toward the archaeological site of Llactapata.
From this viewpoint, you will have a unique and less common perspective of Machu Picchu, as well as views of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Your guide will explain the history and importance of this site, giving you a deeper understanding of the Inca presence in the region.
After exploring Llactapata, you will descend for approximately 2 hours toward the Hydroelectric station, where lunch will be served. Along this section, you will continue to see distant views of Machu Picchu from different angles.
In the afternoon, you will follow a flat trail alongside the railway tracks for about 3 hours until reaching Aguas Calientes. This path is surrounded by lush vegetation and follows the route historically used to access Machu Picchu before the train system was developed.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and have time to rest before the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Maximum Altitude: 2,400 m
- Minimum Altitude: 2,000 m
- Distance: 18 km
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final day of the Salkantay Trek 5 Days 4 Nights to Machu Picchu, you will wake up early to visit Machu Picchu. You will take one of the first buses to the entrance, arriving as the morning light illuminates the citadel.
Your guide will lead a 2 to 3-hour tour through the most important areas of Machu Picchu, including the Sun Temple, the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana stone. This guided visit provides historical context and helps you understand the significance of the site.
After the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own or take additional hikes if you have booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance.
In the afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes and board the train to Ollantaytambo, followed by private transport back to Cusco. This marks the end of the Salkantay Trek 5 Days 4 Nights, completing an unforgettable journey through the Andes.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Highest Elevation: 2,440 m
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m