Treks Peru: Apu Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 4 days
Apu Salkantay, Peru
Beautiful alternative to the classic Inca Trail: our Salkantay trek through the dramatic Cordillera Vilcabamba. Less-travelled and exceptionally beautiful route to Machu Picchu, through many micro-climates, and fantastic scenery!
Apu Salkantay is (the 2nd largest mountain in entire Cusco area, next to mighty Apu Ausangate) the guardian that stands between the mountains & the jungle.
Just scroll for info and itinerary.
Longer option: SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU, 5 DAYS.
You can see the difference between the 2 options on the map below.
Similar tour options
~ Other great treks / adventures + visit to Machu Picchu
~ Just go and visit Machu Picchu
Apu Salkantay is (the 2nd largest mountain in entire Cusco area, next to mighty Apu Ausangate) the guardian that stands between the mountains & the jungle.
Just scroll for info and itinerary.
Longer option: SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU, 5 DAYS.
You can see the difference between the 2 options on the map below.
Similar tour options
~ Other great treks / adventures + visit to Machu Picchu
~ Just go and visit Machu Picchu
Apu Salkantay trek, day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Arayanniyoq
Rare beauty
We will pick you up at your hostel at about 5:00, to head for Soraypampa by bus.
After breakfast, we will start walking / Horse-riding up to a 4,600m-/ 15,090ft-high pass,
from where we will enjoy a beautiful view on Apu Salkantay.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at the spot (Arayanniyoq, 3,600m / 11,811ft) where we´ll camp.
After breakfast, we will start walking / Horse-riding up to a 4,600m-/ 15,090ft-high pass,
from where we will enjoy a beautiful view on Apu Salkantay.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at the spot (Arayanniyoq, 3,600m / 11,811ft) where we´ll camp.
Apu Salkantay trek, day 2: Arayanniyoq - Lucmabamba playa
Enigmatic
After breakfast, we will be walking down-hill to Lucmabamba, enjoying incredible views on snowy mountain-peaks. Descending, little by little the vegetation changes into Orchids, Begonias, Ferns, and also many kinds of Birds.
Today, we will camp at Lucmabamba, at 1,950m / 6397ft.
Today, we will camp at Lucmabamba, at 1,950m / 6397ft.
Apu Salkantay trek, day 3: Lucmabamba playa – Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Peru
Today, we will continue walking down-hill, coming across plantations with Coffee, Passion Fruit (Granadilla), Yuca, Banana, etc.. At a certain point, we'll start walking up-hill for about 3 hours, after which we'll have lunch in Llactapata. From here, we will have a beautiful view on Machu Picchu, in the distance. After lunch, we'll be walking down to Urubamba (or Vilcanota) river,
a walk during which we'll see quite some beautiful Birds, like Toucan,
Cock of the Rock (Peru's national Bird), Hummingbird (Kolibri), Torrent Duck and Quetzal. At a certain point, there will be the option to choose an easier way to Aguas Calientes, according to how you'll feel at that moment. In any case, we will arrive at the kind village of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where we will spend the night in a nice hostel. In this village, there are many nice restaurants, and if you want, you can choose to go to the natural hot springs, relaxing & healing the whole body.
a walk during which we'll see quite some beautiful Birds, like Toucan,
Cock of the Rock (Peru's national Bird), Hummingbird (Kolibri), Torrent Duck and Quetzal. At a certain point, there will be the option to choose an easier way to Aguas Calientes, according to how you'll feel at that moment. In any case, we will arrive at the kind village of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where we will spend the night in a nice hostel. In this village, there are many nice restaurants, and if you want, you can choose to go to the natural hot springs, relaxing & healing the whole body.
Apu Salkantay trek, day 4:
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Machu Picchu, Peru
After our early breakfast, we will take an early bus up to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, where we´ll have a guided tour of about 2 hours, after which there will be free time to walk around, feel the vibe, take pictures, or maybe even to climb Wayna Picchu. We'll only have to be down in Aguas Calientes on time for our train, which will bring us to Cusco on 16:00, where we'll arrive at about 21:00.
Great extra: Wayna Picchu / Huayna Picchu mountain
View from Wayna Picchu (Machu Picchu is in the corner)
Wayna Picchu is a section / mountain inside the site of Machu Picchu, from which one has spectacular views over Machu Picchu and its valley, and whereunder you can also visit the Temple of Pachamama. The climb is steep & quite intense, and takes most People about 1 hour.
For security-reasons, only 400 People per day are allowed to
climb Wayna Picchu, in 2 groups of 200.
Group 1 leaves at 7:00 - 8:00 (we recommend this group)
Group 2 leaves at 10:00 - 11:00
Reservations Wayna Picchu
Reservation goes in advance (just mark on our booking-form), together with your reservation for the Inca Trail and / or visit to the site of Machu Picchu.
For security-reasons, only 400 People per day are allowed to
climb Wayna Picchu, in 2 groups of 200.
Group 1 leaves at 7:00 - 8:00 (we recommend this group)
Group 2 leaves at 10:00 - 11:00
Reservations Wayna Picchu
Reservation goes in advance (just mark on our booking-form), together with your reservation for the Inca Trail and / or visit to the site of Machu Picchu.
Apu Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 4 days: information
Map Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 4 days and 5 days
Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 4 days: price
$420 per person.
Discount options (please contact us)
~ You have an ISIC student's card
~ You are 3 or more persons
~ You choose to do 2 or more of our (larger) tours
Included
- Private bus to Soraypampa
- Horses for food & equipment
- Camping-equipment (tents & mats)
- Dining-tent, table & chairs
- All food, up to lunch of day 3
- Bilingual guide, for all parts of this trek & tour
- Ticket for Machu Picchu
- 1 hostel-night in Aguas Calientes (including breakfast)
- Train-ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Optional
Wayna Picchu: at 200 soles (appr. 63) extra per person.
Not included
- Drinking-water
- Sleeping-bag (you could rent this from us, at $5 per day)
- Food in Aguas Calientes
- Extra Horse for personal luggage
Partial packing-list for Salkantay trek
- Backpack or duffle bag
- Warm clothing / thermals
- Passport (copy)
- Banking-card
- Mosquito-repellent (30% DEET max., and being a CREAM)
- Sun-protection (we suggest long-sleeved t-shirts,
long pants and a hat or cap)
- Swimming-clothes, towel and sandals for the hot springs
- Flashlight
- Rain-poncho
- Water-bottle and snacks
- Toilet-paper
- Camera
- Extra money
$420 per person.
Discount options (please contact us)
~ You have an ISIC student's card
~ You are 3 or more persons
~ You choose to do 2 or more of our (larger) tours
Included
- Private bus to Soraypampa
- Horses for food & equipment
- Camping-equipment (tents & mats)
- Dining-tent, table & chairs
- All food, up to lunch of day 3
- Bilingual guide, for all parts of this trek & tour
- Ticket for Machu Picchu
- 1 hostel-night in Aguas Calientes (including breakfast)
- Train-ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Optional
Wayna Picchu: at 200 soles (appr. 63) extra per person.
Not included
- Drinking-water
- Sleeping-bag (you could rent this from us, at $5 per day)
- Food in Aguas Calientes
- Extra Horse for personal luggage
Partial packing-list for Salkantay trek
- Backpack or duffle bag
- Warm clothing / thermals
- Passport (copy)
- Banking-card
- Mosquito-repellent (30% DEET max., and being a CREAM)
- Sun-protection (we suggest long-sleeved t-shirts,
long pants and a hat or cap)
- Swimming-clothes, towel and sandals for the hot springs
- Flashlight
- Rain-poncho
- Water-bottle and snacks
- Toilet-paper
- Camera
- Extra money
