Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

4 Days Starting and ending in Cusco

Visiting: Cusco, SORAYPAMPA, Aguas Calientes

Tour operator:

Bamba Travel

Tour code:

10186

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

18-90

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Camping

From: $810

NB: Prices correct on 04-Jul-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Forget the Inca Trail and hike to Machu Picchu along the higher and more beautiful Salkantay Trail! Discover a different side of the great Andes mountain range and get the most amazing views of the mountains by taking this alternative route.

Highlights

  • Hike among 6,000m Andean peaks

  • Cross snowy high passes with incredible views

  • Reach the comfort of Aguas Calientes town

  • See the Machu Picchu site as it opens with a guide

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Cuzco-Soraypampa Camp, Peru

Location: Cusco

Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha, Trek to Soraypampa Camp (3,920m) (L/D)

Today we pick you up at 05:30am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. Continue by car to Challacancha where we will make final preparations and double check our equipment. Embark on a 3-hour walk that will take us to Soraypampa (3,920m) where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Hike up to Laguna de Humantay (approx. 1.5 hours each way) for more incredible views of the Andes mountains and then return to camp for the night. Our first campsite is located at 3,920m and is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Take some time to rest up and enjoy your first night immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.
Inclusions: Accommodation pick-up, Transfer Cuzco - Challacancha, 1N Camping, Meals 1L/1D (14km, 6hrs)

Day 2: Soraypampa Camp-Challhuay, Peru

Location: SORAYPAMPA

Trek to Challhuay or Colcapampa Camp via High Pass (4,650m) (B/L/D)
We will have breakfast at around 6:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Humantay on the left. (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for 100 - 120 soles). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.
Inclusions: 1N Camping, Meals 1B/1L/1D (22km, 910hrs)

Day 3: Challhuay-Aguas Calientes, Peru

Location: Aguas Calientes

Trek to La Playa, Transfer to Hydroelectric Station, Trek to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)
After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and continue by car to Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) with a warmer climate. From here we will take another car to Hydroelectric Station (40 minutes) and then walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Optional train transfer from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes is available for an extra cost.
Inclusions: Car La Playa - Santa Teresa Town - Hydroelectric Station, 1N 3* Hotel Aguas Calientes, Meals 1B/1L/1D. (24km, 9hrs)

Day 4: Aguas Calientes-Cuzco, Peru

Location: Cusco

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco(B)
Catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (to be booked in advance at an extra cost). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus. Take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cuzco. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco.Upon arrival you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.
DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place. Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town.
Take and OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 - 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.
Inclusions: Round trip Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco, 2-hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Meal 1B

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    3 Nights
    2 Nights camping and 1 night at a 3-star hotel

  • Transport

    Pick-up, various transfers
    Cuzco accommodation pick-up
    Van Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of trek)
    Car transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa to hydroelectric station
    Round trip tourist bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu
    Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
    Tourist train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

  • Meals

    3B / 3L / 3D plus 2 snacks

  • Activities

    Active adventure
    Trek

  • Guides

    Professional bilingual guide on trek tour

  • Extras

    Briefing, equipment, snacks, fees
    Pre-departure briefing
    Machu Picchu entrance fee
    Tent for 2 people
    2 snacks with typical menus
    First aid kit
    Foam sleeping mat
    Horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 5 kilos for each trekker. (this includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.)
    Emergency oxygen bottle

What's Not Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off (please make your own way)

  • Day 1 breakfast, day 4 lunch and dinner, bottled water

  • Sleeping bag (rental $15 USD for the trek)

  • Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)

  • Accommodation in Cuzco

  • Optional services

  • Train transfer from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (30 USD)

  • Huayna Picchu Trek (200 soles) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance

  • Trekking Permit

  • Tips

  • Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker

  • Assistant guide: 30-40 soles per trekker

  • Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group

  • Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group

  • Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (200 soles) must be booked at least 1 week in advance

  • The Peruvian government may require a trekking permit for Salkantay. If this is approved, the rates will be around: 133 soles for adult, 67 soles for student

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there an age limit?

    No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.

  • Do I need travel insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.

Reviews of this operator

Jonas Nesset(Norway)  

The company is exceptional. When...

Dec 10 2019

The company is exceptional. When I had questions, I always got prompt and professional answers. The excursions that Bamba organized were fantastic! Thank you once again for everything!

Shane Alce(United Kingdom)  

For true explorers....

Aug 12 2019

For true explorers.

Marian Reder(Germany)  

To this day, this is...

Oct 2 2019

To this day, this is the best tour we've ever done together as a couple! The fun activities, great hotels and nice guides worth the money! We were always taken care of and they made sure that we had a good time. This tour is definitely worth taking.

Tanja Ottosen(Denmark)  

The Bamba Team really made...

Jan 9 2020

The Bamba Team really made my journey one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Still so nice and supportive! They handled everything and responded to each question within a few minutes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you want to do a lot of activities and travel to a lot of different places without feeling rushed. They've also helped me with specific issues that weren't covered by the tour, as well as answering general questions. Thank you so much for making my journey so enjoyable!

Braiden Rowe(United States)  

The tour was fantastic; I...

Feb 12 2020

The tour was fantastic; I was able to visit some of Japan's most beautiful locations, and the accommodations were excellent, with convenient access to the city's best attractions. Also, our tour guide was fantastic. I will pick bamba again and recommend the tour to anyone who wants to see Japan while having a good time!!

Aaron Davies(Australia)  

I only have good words...

Oct 23 2019

I only have good words about our trip to Kenya. The entire experience was totally magical and I struggle to say how fantastic it was. We were fortunate enough to have a brilliant vehicle for ourselves, but we had great luck with David for our guide too. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and nice. Thank you for helping to create this fantastic safari experience. I Highly recommend this company.

Matteo Hoffmeister(Germany)  

Bamba Experience has been the...

Jun 5 2019

Bamba Experience has been the best tour guide I've ever had. Every tour has been a thrilling experience. There are so many things to choose from. Bamba has been extremely helpful in providing us with all of the necessary information for our departures and activities! Bamba has made this a simple and enjoyable experience. I'll certainly tell my friends and family about it! Thank you very much, Bamba!!

Melanie Liu Chang(Australia)  

We organized a trip through...

Feb 20 2020

We organized a trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It made the trip so much simpler for us as first-time travelers because we just had to send an email to arrange the bus, which avoided the hassle of looking for the best price and so on! We also had a number of tours included, they were all amazing and saved us the trouble of trying to find the best offers on our own; it also meant we got to see a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I will strongly suggest and use again!

Marius Halvorson(Norway)  

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam...

Jun 25 2019

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam was fantastic. We had a lot of new experiences and all of the help we needed to make this a stress-free vacation. The well-organized accomodation and transportation were excellent. We will certainly use Bamba in the future.

Alexis Helman(Australia)  

I had booked our Uyuni...

Jun 25 2019

I had booked our Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Atacama) tour via an Australian travel agency, but they had made an error and refused to assist us or take responsibility. This was very difficult for us because we wanted to have a stress-free honeymoon. I contacted Bamba and I asked if we could talk on the phone so they made the improvements to our tour reservation that our travel agent declined to make. The quality of service was exceptional and they generously offered to us a complimentary gift because it was our honeymoon. I can't say enough good things about Bamba.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Bamba Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Bamba Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bamba travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Bamba Travel requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bamba travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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