Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4Nights
After spending some time in the Inca Empire’s capital, Cusco, join us on the Salkantay Trek to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu. The finest alternative path to the Inca citadel takes you to the gorgeous Humantay Lake, the majestic Salkantay Mountain, through the interesting cloud forest, and finally to the edge of the Peruvian rainforest.
You’ll spend each night in excellent lodging and eat some of the best food available – in the heart of the mountains! Experienced experts will accompany you during the journey, teaching you about the region’s history and wildlife. Enjoy this road in luxury and with good company.
Highlights
- National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine ranks the Salkantay Trek among the top 25 treks in the world.
- Experience one of the greatest hiking excursions in Peru and South America.
- Apart from the Inca Trail, Salkantay is one of the most well-known and less traveled paths to Machu Picchu.
- Visit breathtaking destinations such as Humantay Lake and the majestic Salkantay Mountain.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soyroccocha.
You’ll head to “Soraypampa” in the early hours and eat a delicious meal before rising to “Humantay Lagoon”. You will spend the night in our Camp “Soroccocha”.
Day 2: Soyroccocha – Apacheta Pass – Colpapampa.
Today you’ll hike a difficult trek up to “Abra Salkantay” to see the “Salkantay” Peak before descending through the cloud forest. You will spend the night at our campground in Collpapampa.
Day 3: Colpapampa – the Hot Springs – Lucmabamba.
You’ll join a trek through the gorgeous jungle and see an organic coffee plantation. In the afternoon, you will rest in the thermo-medicinal waters of “Cocalmayo”. Our “Jungle Domes” will keep you surrounded by nature at night.
Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca ruins – Aguas Calientes.
In the early morning, you’ll trek to the “Inca archaeological site” of “Llactapata” and see “Machu Picchu” for the first time before taking the train to “Aguas Calientes”.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – and back to Cusco.
Today is an excellent day! You will spend the morning touring “Machu Picchu” before returning to “Aguas Calientes”. Then you’ll take the train to “Ollantaytambo,” where our private transportation will take you back to “Cusco.”
Itinerary
PACKAGE DETAILS |Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soyroccocha.
Today is the day; you’ll have an early start and be picked up from your hotel at 4:00
a.m. After a few hours, we’ll stop at “Soraypampa” for breakfast while taking in the beautiful views of the mountain glaciers of “Humantay (19,356 feet)” and “Salkantay (20,396 feet).” After breakfast Take the 2.5-hour round-trip trek to the blue “Humantay Lake”. Next, climb for one and a half hours to “Salkantay Pampa”, where you may enjoy a delicious lunch in front of the spectacular glacier.
Next, we travel to our first campground, “Soroccocha,” located at the foot of the magnificent “Salkantay Peak.” We’ll be treated to afternoon tea and canapés at camp. The tents will be put up, allowing you to relax down before supper.
Day 2: Soyroccocha – Apacheta Pass – Colpapampa.
Before breakfast, the hike guid will wake you up with a steaming mug of tea or coffee. After a healthy and tasty breakfast, we resume our “Salkantay trek” with an hour-long climb to the route’s highest point, “Apacheta pass”. At the pass, take a well-deserved rest and photographs while admiring the magnificent snow-capped
peaks of “Huayanay, Humantay” and Salkantay towering above us, as well as the lakes and rivers below.
Next,we spend 30 minutes admiring the stunning and panoramic turquoise Salkantay Lake. Next, we head down to “Rayanniyoc” for the lunch. Then we hike for a few hours to our last destination for the day, a camp near the little settlement of Colpapampa. Hot beverages and snacks will be ready for you when you arrive.Following you’ve refreshed yourself, you may enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our professional chefs. After the excellent dinner, go to bed early to preserve energy for the next adventurous day.
Day 3: Colpapampa – the Hot Springs – Lucmabamba.
Today, we will begin the day about 6:00 a.m. with hot tea and breakfast before departing the camp. We start trekking towards our next destination, Lucmabamba. Then we’ll head along hiking trails, where we’ll view a range of delights such as birds, fruit plantations with blossoming orchards, cacao, and coffee plants. We’ll arrive at our lunch location in plenty of time to unwind.
Following lunch, we’ll visit a coffee farm near the campground. Here, we embark on a peaceful tour and learn about the origins of Peruvian coffee, which is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. We start by exploring the fields, learning about the many sorts of beans and choosing our own. Then we roast and ground them to make coffee. Finally, we can prepare and enjoy our own coffee mug ! It’s a very special experience.
Around 3 p.m., we’ll take local transportation for a half hour to Cocalmayo, where you may bathe in the natural hot springs. We return to camp ready and comfortable for supper, prepared using the fruits and veggies we harvested today.
Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca ruins – Aguas Calientes.
Following an extensive breakfast, we continue our trek via the isolated and old “Inca Trail” for three hours to the “Puncuyoc Pass”. During this trip, you will enjoy amazing views of fruit farms and diverse valleys. Our next stop is the “Inca Ruins” at “Llactapata”. Enjoy seeing the Citadel of Machu Picchu from across the valley, as well as the “Aobamba Canyon” and the nearby mountains, “Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu”.
The next step is a two-hour journey to the “hydroelectric plant”. This is Cusco’s principal power resource; it generates sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity. We stop nearby for lunch, where we eat another full and tasty meal.
The final phase of your unforgettable Salkantay experience is a short hike to “Aguas Calientes” via the “National Park of Machu Picchu”. Enjoy the beautiful subtropical jungle, which is rich with orchids and epiphytes blooming on the branches of trees. Excitement rises as you get closer to the beautiful Machu Picchu! When we arrive in Aguas Calientes, you’ll have time to get settled into your hotel before we meet for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – and back to Cusco.
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for since you first stepped onto the path. After an early breakfast at the hotel, catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the dawn. It is a genuinely magnificent site that should not be missed! The trip will last around two hours. You will visit the majority of the key portions of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about Machu Picchu’s three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.
When you’ve gotten your fill of the breathtaking vistas from Machu Picchu, board the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Depending on the train’s departure schedule, there may be time for shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to a museum or hot spring.
The Expedition train will return you to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, along the beautiful Urubamba River. The canyon around Aguas Calientes is small, and the river contains several excellent portions of whitewater. View Wiñay Wayna from the train by looking up high on the rocky canyon wall! Back in Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the train station exit and transport you back to your accommodation in Cusco in our private car. Expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00 p.m.
It is included
What Is Included?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
- Entrance Ticket to Salkantay Trek Entrance Ticket to Cocalmayo Hot Springs
- Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing
Experienced Tour Guide
English and Spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National Universities in Peru . We choose themfor their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion
for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit.
Our all guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every year . Your guide will always carry a first aid
kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
24/7 Customer Service.
We have telephone service available 24 hours also you can reach us via social media.
Transportation. Transportation Transfers
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel
- Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
- 2 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes . Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transfer to your hotel in Cusco
Meal
Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
Our chef creates the tastiest cuisine in the heart of the mountain. Our passengers adore our meals!
We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, and special meals are offered at no additional cost), so please include any specific allergies or limitations on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll have breakfast, lunch, and supper, as well as hot beverages and snacks.
Water
We will give boiling water that has been filtered and chilled. You should bring a camel bag or an empty bottle. We propose a 2-liter capacity. You will be able to refill your bottles at each meal.
Wake up tea.
Every morning at the campground, you will be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our crew will deliver the tea to your tent, ensuring that you are warmed from the inside out before beginning your day.
Teatime or Happy Hour
Every afternoon before supper, the kitchen will give you with popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, and hot water. After a long day of trekking, you won’t have to wait until evening to unwind, warm up, and eat!
Day-to-day trail snacks
Before you begin your trip, your tour guide will offer you with a cloth bag containing local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, and so on. Every morning, we’ll refill it so you can enjoy your goodies while walking.
One cotton lunch pack for each participant.
To reduce the use of plastic bags that pollute our environment, we will provide you with a cotton bag for your snacks.
Accommodation
- Accommodation in Campsites
- Superior 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
What Is Not Included?.
- Meals in Cusco and Hidroelectrica Travel Insurance
- Tips for our staff Sleeping Bag Trekking Poles
Tipping is usual on any excursion to Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our team, something extra is always welcome.
Note – Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemic, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
What To Bring
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING for your day trip to Machu Picchu. ESSENTIAL
- Valid Passport
- Extra money in soles . Personal medication. Water bottle or CamelBak.
- Sunblock: factor 70 or more. Insect repellent.
CLOTHING.
- Light footwear or sandals. Trekking pants.Trekking socks. Shorts.
- Long sleeve t-shirts. Waterproof jacket. Raincoat or rain poncho.
- Sun hat to protect neck and face. Sunglasses with UV protection.
EQUIPMENT.
- Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
RECOMMENDED.
- Power bank Action Camera
- Wet wipes or baby wipes Small towel
- Snacks (energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, etc.)
FAQ
What is the experience like on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
The trek offers a diverse experience, from stunning mountain views and lush forests to the serene Humantay Lake. You’ll pass through the challenging Salkantay Pass and explore the lesser-known Llactapata Inca ruins before reaching the majestic Machu Picchu.
How difficult is the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
This trek is considered moderately difficult due to its high altitude and varying terrain. Trekkers should be in good physical condition and prepared for long days of hiking.
What should I pack for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
Essentials include sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, warm clothing for cold nights, a hat, sunscreen, a good sleeping bag, and a backpack with a hydration system. Don’t forget snacks and a camera to capture the incredible views!
What are the highlights of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
Highlights include the stunning Humantay Lake, crossing the Salkantay Pass, the scenic Llactapata Inca ruins, and, of course, arriving at Machu Picchu.
When is the best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
The best time for this trek is during the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is more predictable and the trails are less muddy.
What are the altitude challenges on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 Days / 4 Nights?
The trek reaches altitudes of up to 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) at the Salkantay Pass. Trekkers may experience altitude sickness, so proper acclimatization and hydration are crucial.
Flexible
Flexible cancellation/ change
- Cancel your tour at least 30 days in advance and it will be charged only 40% of the total amount to cover up administration expenses. Passed the 30 days it will be charged the full amount.
- The policy to reschedule or to make any amendment allows the update to be made no more than 15 days prior to the date of your tour and it is valid until December 31st
, 2022. (To reschedule Machu Picchu it will be charged USD 25 per person to cover up administration expenses. - The itinerary may be subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances, beyond the control of the operator, changes without prior notice.
- In order to protect your investment, we kindly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
- If for any reason your tour gets cancelled during the pandemic we highly recommend you to consider postponing your tour to 2025 or 2026. It will only be charged the amount of USD 25 for changing the date on the Machu Picchu entrance ticket.





