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Salkantay Trek

Cusco, Salkantay & Machu Picchu 5 days / 4 nights
Essential
Salkantay Trek — photo 1

A five-day trek along the Salkantay route, the most emblematic mountain of the Vilcabamba range, to Machu Picchu.

The walk sets out from Cusco to Mollepata (3,000 m) and climbs through a valley ringed by the Humantay (5,217 m) and Salkantay (6,264 m) snow peaks to the Soraypampa campsite (3,900 m). Day two crosses the Salkantay pass (4,600 m) and descends into the Chaullay tropical forest (3,000 m); day three passes coffee and cacao plantations to Lucmabamba (2,000 m). Day four follows the Inca Trail to Llactapata (2,650 m), with a view of Machu Picchu, and descends to the Hidroeléctrica (1,950 m) to take the train to Aguas Calientes. The final day visits the Machu Picchu citadel and returns by train to Cusco. Three nights are spent camping and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Highlights

The Salkantay pass (4,600 m)
The Humantay (5,217 m) and Salkantay (6,264 m) snow peaks
The tropical forest and the coffee and cacao plantations
The Llactapata archaeological site (2,650 m), with a view of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Day-by-day itinerary

Day1

Day 1: Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa (7 h)

Departure from Cusco to Marcoccasa (3,400 m), passing through the village of Mollepata (3,000 m), where the horses and the group gather. The trek starts through a striking valley ringed by the Humantay (5,217 m) and Salkantay (6,264 m) snow peaks, to the Soraypampa campsite (3,900 m), with a cold climate. Overnight in campsite. Meals: lunch and dinner.
Day2

Day 2: Salkantay Pampa / Salkantay Pass / Chaullay (9 h)

After breakfast, set off for the Salkantay pass (4,600 m), with an exceptional view of the Salkantay snow peak (6,264 m). From there the descent begins, through increasingly rich vegetation, to the Chaullay campsite (3,000 m), in the heart of the tropical forest. Warm climate with mosquitoes. Overnight in campsite. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day3

Day 3: Chaullay / Wiñaypoco / Lucmabamba (6 h)

A day devoted to the region's flora: orchids, bromeliads and crops of coffee, cacao and fruit. It meets the local families of Wiñaypoco (2,650 m), La Playa (2,100 m) and Lucmabamba (2,000 m), where the second campsite is set up. Warm climate during the day with mosquitoes. Overnight in campsite. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day4

Day 4: Lucmabamba / Llactapata / Aguas Calientes (6 h)

After breakfast, follow the Inca Trail to the Llactapata archaeological site (2,650 m), with an exceptional view of Machu Picchu and the Vilcanota canyon. Descend along the Urubamba River to the Hidroeléctrica (1,950 m), where you board the train to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day5

Day 5: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu Citadel / Cusco

Early in the morning, ride up by tourist transport to Machu Picchu to explore the citadel, its passages, alleys and terraces. After free time, descend (downhill bus not included) and take the train back to Cusco, with a transfer to the hotel on arrival. Meals: breakfast.

Suggested hotels

Flower's House
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Aguas Calientes

Economy category in Aguas Calientes.

Chakana Hotel
Standard
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Economy category in Aguas Calientes.

Hatun Samay
Standard
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Tourist category in Aguas Calientes.

Waman Machu Picchu
Standard
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Tourist category in Aguas Calientes.

El Mapi (Hab. Sup.)
Superior
Aguas Calientes

First category in Aguas Calientes.

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (Hab. Sup.)
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First category in Aguas Calientes.

El Mapi (Suite)
Superior
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Superior first category in Aguas Calientes.

Casa del Sol (Vista Pueblo)
Superior
Aguas Calientes

Superior first category in Aguas Calientes.

Sumaq (Deluxe Garden View)
Luxury
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Luxury category in Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu Pueblo Inkaterra (Sup.)
Luxury
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Luxury category in Aguas Calientes.

Sumaq (Deluxe River View)
Luxury
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Superior luxury category in Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu Pueblo Inkaterra (Sup. Deluxe)
Luxury
Aguas Calientes

Superior luxury category in Aguas Calientes.

Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.

What's included

Included: Camping and kitchen equipment
Included: 1 night's accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Included: Transport Cusco / Mollepata (bus) – Hidroeléctrica / Aguas Calientes / Cusco (train)
Included: Transport from La Playa to the Hidroeléctrica station (camping equipment and personal items only, 5 kg)
Included: Meals as per itinerary (vegetarian option)
Included: Cook, muleteers and mules for the camping equipment and personal bags (5 kg per person)
Included: Entrance to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Included: Uphill bus (one way) from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Included: Emergency horse
Included: First-aid kit and oxygen

What's not included

Not included: Downhill bus to Aguas Calientes
Not included: Sleeping bag
Not included: Domestic and international airfare
Not included: Domestic and international airport taxes and visa fees
Not included: Excess baggage fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks not included with meals
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included

Optional services

Optional, at extra cost: Santa Teresa hot springs — Transport from Lucmabamba to Santa Teresa and entrance to the thermal baths, available as an add-on service.

Booking & policies

Are the prices shown net or retail?

Rates are net (wholesale) and reserved for travel agencies and tour operators, who sign in to see them and add their own margin. Public visitors see an indicative retail “from” price; the net rate is never shown outside the agency portal.

How is a booking confirmed?

Most bookings are confirmed immediately and the voucher is emailed within minutes. When a service shows “In process”, RUMBO LIBRE is confirming final availability with the receptive operator at destination — usually within 24 to 48 business hours.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations follow Clause 7 of the Terms: more than 30 days before the service, no penalty and a full refund; 15 to 30 days, 25%; 8 to 14 days, 50%; 3 to 7 days, 75%; less than 72 hours before commencement or a no-show, 100%. Certain destinations — Patagonia, the Amazon region and high-demand dates in peak season — apply stricter terms, stated in the quotation. The schedule above is indicative: the conditions that apply to each booking are those confirmed in the quotation, and may be stricter in high season, on public holidays or where a supplier applies its own policy.

Can dates or passenger names be changed after confirmation?

Amendment requests must reach RUMBO LIBRE at least 72 business hours before the service begins. Changes are managed with the receptive operator subject to availability, and any resulting rate difference applies. For private services, a name change may require re-issuing the booking at the current rate.