Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

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Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Original price was: $ 329.00.Current price is: $ 270.00.

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¿Are you ready to embark on the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru is part of an extensive network of Inca trails that stretches for more than 23,000 km. This system once connected the Tahuantinsuyu, the vast Inca Empire, which encompassed parts of what are now Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina..

A unique trekking experience

Hike from the snowy Salkantay to the ancient archaeological site of Machu Picchu  It is an experience that every adventurer should experience at least once. This alternative route to the busy Camino Inca  offers a unique perspective of the impressive landscapes of Salkantay.

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Explore Machu Picchu: 4-Day Salkantay Trek Itinerary

Trek Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake

Distance: 12 km | Duration: ~5 hours

We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:20 a.m. and 4:50 a.m. to head to Mollepata (2900 m / 9514 ft), located approximately 2 hours from Cusco. Here, we’ll make a brief stop for breakfast (included). Note: Entrance to the community and Humantay Lake costs 20 soles, which is not included.

Our journey continues to Challacancha (3,600 m / 11,800 ft), where we’ll begin our trek. After hiking for around 3 hours, we’ll arrive at our base camp at Soraypampa (3,912 m / 12,834 ft), also known as the Sky Lodge Salkantay Okidoki.

Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch with panoramic mountain views, including Humantay Snow Peak (4,200 m / 13,779 ft) and the majestic Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,575 ft).

In the afternoon, we’ll hike for about 1.5 hours to the stunning Humantay Lake, then return to camp for tea time and a hearty dinner under the stars.

Salkantay Sky Lodge Okidoki Travel

Trek Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayrapunku – Chaullay

Distance: 22 km | Duration: ~9 hours

Day 2 is considered the most challenging day of the trek — but also one of the most rewarding. We’ll start early, waking up at 5:00 a.m., with breakfast served at 5:30 a.m.

Our hike begins at 6:00 a.m., ascending for about 3 to 4 hours to reach the highest point of the entire trek: the majestic Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.

Here, we’ll take a well-deserved break and participate in a traditional Andean ceremony with the group — a special moment to thank the mountains and Pachamama (Mother Earth) for a safe journey.

From the pass, we’ll begin our descent toward Huayramachay (3,912 m / 12,834 ft), where a delicious lunch awaits us.

After some rest, we’ll continue hiking for another 3 hours through lush cloud forest landscapes until we reach our second campsite at Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,514 ft).

You’ll be able to relax, enjoy a hot dinner, and reflect on the incredible journey you’ve experienced so far.

Salkantay Mountain

Trek Day 3: Chaullay – Playa Sahuayaco – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Distance: 25 km | Duration: ~7 hours

We’ll begin the day at 6:00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Our journey continues through the high jungle, a region known for its lush landscapes and vibrant biodiversity. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and tropical vegetation, offering incredible opportunities to see:

  • Orchids, coffee and coca plantations

  • Fruit trees like banana, papaya, avocado, and passion fruit

  • Especies de aves exóticas , incluidos colibríes , loros y el gallito de las rocas andino.

After a few hours of walking, we will arrive at Playa Sahuayaco (2,064 m / 6,771 ft), where a delicious lunch awaits us.

🚌 Después del almuerzo, tomaremos un transporte local hasta la Estación Hidroeléctrica , punto de partida del último tramo de la caminata del día. Nota: El transporte desde Playa Sahuayaco hasta Hidroeléctrica no está incluido y cuesta entre 40 y 50 soles por persona . El trayecto dura aproximadamente 1 hora y media .

Desde Hidroeléctrica, caminaremos durante aproximadamente 3 horas a lo largo de la ruta escénica del tren hasta llegar a Aguas Calientes (también conocido como Machu Picchu Pueblo , 2,000 m / 6,562 pies).

Una vez allí, nos instalaremos en un cómodo albergue , disfrutaremos de una cena en un restaurante local y descansaremos, ¡porque mañana es el gran día : nuestra visita a la mágica ciudadela de Machu Picchu!

Actividad opcional: Aguas termales

Antes de la cena, tendrá la opción de visitar las relajantes aguas termales de Aguas Calientes. Esta actividad no está incluida en el paquete y tiene un costo de 20 soles por persona . Se requiere coordinación previa con su guía y grupo.

Aguas Termales en el Pueblo de Aguas Calientes

RETURN TRAVEL PLAN WITH THE BUS OPTION AFTER MACHUPICCHU

DÍA 4 DEL TREKKING: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Retorno a Cusco
  • Distancia: 5 km (aprox. 1,5 horas)
  • Hora de inicio: 4:00–4:30 am
  • Dificultad: Moderada

Comenzamos el día muy temprano, alrededor de las 4:00 o 4:30 a. m. , según su opción de regreso (autobús o tren). El primer tramo del sendero es plano durante unos 30 minutos, seguido de una caminata cuesta arriba de 1 hora para llegar a la majestuosa ciudadela de Machu Picchu alrededor de las 6:00 a. m. , justo a tiempo para presenciar el mágico amanecer sobre los Andes.

Se incluye una visita guiada de 2 horas a Machu Picchu, donde explorará su rica historia, arquitectura e importancia con un guía profesional. La visita guiada abarca el Circuito 2 – Clásico , que incluye las icónicas vistas panorámicas y las secciones internas de la ciudadela.

Return Options After Machu Picchu Visit

🔹 Option 1: Return by Bus (from Hidroelectrica)

  • After your guided tour, you must exit Machu Picchu by 10:30 a.m. to begin the descent back to Hidroelectrica, which involves:

    • 1 hour of descent to the Machu Picchu bridge.

    • 2.5 more hours of walking through the valley and alongside the Urubamba River.

  • At Hidroelectrica, the bus to Cusco departs between 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

  • Arrival in Cusco: approximately 10:00–10:30 p.m.

This bus return is included in the trek package.

🔹 Option 2: Return by Train (Recommended for Huayna Picchu or longer stay)

  • After your guided tour, descend to Aguas Calientes town in one of two ways:

    • Walk – about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

    • Bus – 30-minute ride (not included, approx. $12 USD).

  • Enjoy lunch and some free time in Aguas Calientes.

  • Take the train to Ollantaytambo (approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes).

  • From Ollantaytambo, a bus ride (1.5 hours) will bring you back to Cusco.

This option is ideal if you want a more relaxed return or plan to climb Huayna Picchu.

Important Notes About Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits

There are now 3 official circuits at Machu Picchu, and visitors are only allowed to complete one circuit per entry:

  1. Circuit 1 – Panoramic
    Upper part only, no internal sections.

  2. Circuit 2 – Classic (included)
    Panoramic view + internal sector visit. Recommended and used for the guided tour.

  3. Circuit 3 – Royalty
    Only internal visit, no panoramic view.

Entry times range from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
We book the earliest possible slot (6 or 7 a.m.) for best experience and return logistics.

Mountain HuaynaPicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (Optional)

  • HuaynaPicchu Mountain

    • Extra fee: $20 USD per person

    • 2.5 hours round trip

    • Steep, narrow Inca trails; not recommended for those afraid of heights.

    • Choosing this means you miss the guided tour.

  • Machu Picchu Mountain

    • Extra fee: $20 USD per person

    • Higher than Huayna Picchu (3100 m.a.s.l.), wider and less steep paths.

    • Offers panoramic views, no Inca ruins.

You must reserve in advance and note that your guide will not accompany you on either hike, as the guided tour is for Circuit 2 only.

Do I have enough time to climb Huayna Picchu if I return by bus?

Technically yes — if you skip the guided tour and if your entry to Machu Picchu is at 6:00 or 7:00 a.m..
However, we recommend choosing the train return or staying one extra night in Aguas Calientes (not included) to fully enjoy the experience without stress.

Important points

CONDITIONS FOR MAKING A RESERVATION AND CANCELLATIONS

to make your reservation you need the exact date of your salkantay trek departure because there are no changes or cancellations

RESERVATION MONEY DEPOSIT

To confirm your reservation and your participation in the salkantay trek, you need to make a deposit. This deposit is to reserve all your trek services and, most importantly, the purchase of the Machu Picchu ticket (the Machu Picchu ticket is personal, it cannot be canceled or change date, or transfer to another person )

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations and date changes are not accepted, you simply lose your deposit, there is no refund.

your deposit is not for our pocket ( It is to buy the Machu Picchu tickets and these tickets cannot be cancelled).

And it is for the organization of a good salkantay trekking in okidoki and to have this good organization you have to make advance reservations of all the services that you are going to have during the 4 or 5 days of your salkantay treks.

And these reservations are made with deposits so as not to have inconveniences or last minute cancellations from our suppliers and if we cancel these reservations we lose our deposits because this is not a game and by making a reservation with our service providers for the salkantay trekking we are blocking spaces that they can simply give to other tour operators who also need it.

WHAT REQUIREMENTS DO YOU NEED TO OPTAIN THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

THE ISIC CARD IS NOT VALID BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT FOUND FAKE COPIES… AND IT IS ALSO NOT VALID, CERTIFICATIONS, DOCUMENTS, NOTE FROM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, INTERNSHIPS, ETC.
If you are a student, the discount is 20 dollars but you must have a card from your university with the current date (2025 or 2026) not 3 or 4 years later (not 2027 or 2028). Yourimage.
The name of your university.
We need the copy of your original passport and your student card to show it to the government and he will say if it is valid or not because the discount is for the entrance of the Machupicchu and not for our trek.
IMPORTANT: you have to take your original plastic (PVC) student card, not cardboard or paper for your salkantay trek because if you don’t have it your original ticket will not be valid and you will have to buy another ticket it is a problem because if there are no spaces you will not visit Machupicchu ( you must be 25 years old or younger)…
If you do not have this original card or this information on your student card that the government requires,
I recommend you buy a normal adult ticket to avoid problems because we will not be responsible for this…
If you have this information and the requirements as a student, send them immediately (it is not valid if you send them after confirming your reservation) to present them to the government and the government approves them whether you are a student or not...

What’s included

  • ENTRANCE TICKET TO MACHU PICCHU
  • Detailed information about your booked tour 1 day before departure at the Okidoki Travel Peru office. Location (Calle Nueva Alta # 644 in Okidoki Hostal Cusco).
  • EQUIPMENT DELIVERY, such as: (DUFFEL BAG to place all this equipment on the mules for salkantay)
  • transport from cusco to the beginning of the salkantay trek.
  • 4 breakfasts-3 lunches-3 dinners – salkantay machupicchu
  • SLEEPING BAG
  • Professional guide english spanish x 4 days including the machupicchu
  • Hot drinks at night and at each meal
  • Horses (mules) to carry 5 kilos per person
  • Hostel in Aguas calientes. x 1 night
  • Return transportation x bus to Cusco the last day (if you return with the bus option)

What’s not included

  • The last lunch
  • The entrance ticket to the community of Mollepata – Humantay Lake price 20 soles
  • transportation day 3 after lunch from sahuayaco beach to hydroelectric (40 or 50 soles). start of the walk to get to town of Aguas Calientes.
  • Water (cold beer champagne wiski etc.)
  • Hiking stick PAIR US $ 10
  • hot springs in the town Aguas Calientes 20 soles
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu US $ 12 only up
  • Entrance to huaynapicchu mountain US$ 20 (book months in advance)
  • Entrance to machupicchu mountain US$ 20 (book months in advance)
  • Tips (voluntary tips)
  • Travel insurance
  • hot shower in the second camp for 10 soles
  • Wifi internet for 10 soles

What You need to bring

  • ORIGINAL PASSPORT AND ORIGINAL STUDENT CARD (IF YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATION AS A STUDENT)
  • BACKPACK (30 LITERS) FOR SALKANTAY
  • RAIN JACKET OR RAIN PONCHO
  • WALKING SHOES IN SALKANTAY
  • LANTERN
  • TOWEL + BATHING PAPER
  • PERSONAL MEDICATION
  • SOLAR BLOCKER-SUNGLASSES-HAT HAT ..
  • MOSQUITO REPELLENT
  • CHOCOLATE CARAMELOS SNACKS
  • PHOTO CAMERA
  • EXTRA MONEY FOR SALKANTAY MACHU PICCHU

FAQs

How long do I have in Machu Picchu with the guide?
Approximately 2 hours.

How long is the walk from Machu Picchu to Hidroelectrica?
Around 3.5 hours in total (1h descent + 2.5h flat walk).

Do I need to acclimatize before the trek?
Yes. It’s highly recommended to arrive in Cusco 1–2 days in advance to adjust to the altitude.

Can vegetarians or people with food allergies do the trek?
Yes, absolutely! Just let us know in advance so we can inform the chef. A pre-trek briefing is held at our Okidoki Travel office in Cusco.

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Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3NClassic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
Original price was: $ 329.00.Current price is: $ 270.00.