Salkantay Trek 4D/3N
Salkantay Trek 4D/3N
Overview
The 4-day Salkantay Trek is the perfect option for those who want to experience the adventure of the trail to Machu Picchu in less time. This route preserves the best parts of the classic trek: stunning mountains, lagoons, glaciers, and tropical jungle. During the first three days, the path follows the same route as the 5-day tour, but after lunch in Santa Teresa, the group continues by transport to Hidroeléctrica and then hikes for about three hours to Aguas Calientes.
The main difference from the longer version is that it does not include the hot springs of Santa Teresa or the Llactapata archaeological site, from where Machu Picchu can be seen a day earlier.
Itinerary
Day 1: Mollepata – Chalacancha – Soraypampa
We will pick you up from your hotel starting at 4:30 a.m., departing from Cusco at 5:00 a.m. We’ll pass through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo, arriving at Mollepata, where we’ll pay a S/ 20.00 entrance fee for access to Humantay Lagoon. Around 8:00 a.m., we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast and then hand over 5 kilos of luggage to our muleteer.
We’ll board our bus again from Mollepata to Marqoq’asa (about one hour). From there, we’ll begin our hike to the viewpoint, where we can admire the Humantay snow-capped mountain and Inca water channels. We’ll then continue walking for about 3 hours and 30 minutes until we reach our lunch spot and campsite in Soraypampa.
Humantay Lagoon: ascent and visit to the lagoon located at 4,220 meters above sea level. The ascent takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the descent approximately 40 minutes.
Our tea time will be around 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner, and then we’ll retire to our cabins to rest.
Marqoq’asa y Soraypampa ( 14 km. 5 horas )
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay – Colpapampa
At 5:00 a.m., we will enjoy breakfast and then continue our trek at 6:30 a.m., starting a gradual 4-hour ascent toward the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,650 meters above sea level. Along the way, we will pass two important historical points: Salkantaypampa and Soyroq’ocha.
At the pass, we will make a small offering of coca leaves in honor of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apu Salkantay, while our guide shares insights into Inca history and religious worldview.
Afterward, we will begin a 2-hour and 30-minute descent to Huayracpampa, where we’ll stop for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
We’ll then continue descending from 4,100 m to 2,900 m, during a 3-hour and 30-minute hike through the stunning Andean cloud forest. Finally, we’ll arrive at our Colpapampa campsite, where we’ll enjoy afternoon tea, a delicious dinner, and a well-earned rest.
SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY – COLPAPAMPA(22KM. 10 HORAS)
Day 3: Colpapampa – Sahuayaco Beach – Hidroelectrica
We will have breakfast at 6:00 a.m., and then begin a 5-hour and 30-minute hike through the Andean cloud forest, following a route with ascents, descents, and flat sections. Along the way, we will observe coffee plantations, orchids, begonias, bromeliads, and various medicinal plants traditionally used in natural medicine.
Upon arriving at our lunch spot in Playa Sahuayaco, we will enjoy a well-deserved meal. Afterwards, we will take transportation to the Hidroeléctrica, from where we’ll continue with a 3-hour walk to reach the town of Aguas Calientes.
There, we will stay in a comfortable hostel and enjoy our last dinner at a local restaurant.
COLPAPAMPA – PLAYA-HIDRO ELECTRICA-AGUAS CALIENTES (17 km 6 horas)
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco
We will wake up very early in the morning to head toward the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a true symbol of the greatness of the Inca Empire.
Upon arrival, we will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours, exploring the main archaeological sectors such as temples, terraces, palaces, stairways, and agricultural platforms, while our expert guide shares fascinating insights about the history, architecture, and mysteries surrounding this majestic sanctuary.
After the tour, you will have free time to take photos and soak in the mystical atmosphere of Machu Picchu.
Later, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you may have lunch on your own or do some shopping before boarding the Expedition train, scheduled for 2:55 p.m. or 6:20 p.m., depending on availability. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo station, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, concluding an unforgettable journey to one of the wonders of the world.
Included:
- Transport The following required transport services are included within the tour:
- TOURIST TRANSPORT Cusco – Mollepata. Approximate trip: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Transportation Mollepata – Challacancha, approximately 45 minutes trip.
- Tourist transport Ollantaytambo station – Cusco (Regocijo Square).
Entrance ticket Entrance ticket to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Train tickets The schedules we work with are the EXPEDITION TRAIN at 14:55 or 18:20.
Camp infrastructure We have established campsites in each camping area, within which:- In Soraypampa: we have rustic cabins, with 13cm thick mats.
- In Colpapampa: we have domes, with 13cm thick mats.
Accommodation The accommodation included in the package is a basic hostel in the town of Aguas Calientes.
- All rooms have a private bathroom and a private shower.
- Hot shower.
- Wi-Fi
- Snack breakfast to go (includes juice, cheese sandwich, biscuit, and 1 fruit).
NOTE:
- If you want to book your own hotel or work with a specific hotel, let us know so we can coordinate the details, or we can also make your hotel reservation.
- Maximum load of 5kg per horse rider.
Support staff
- Official Tour Guide – Certified by Dircetur with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Maximum groups of 10 people due to biosecurity protocols.
- Chef specializing in high mountain cuisine – equipped with unique surgical steel cookware.
- Muleteers and horses to carry all camping and kitchen equipment.
- 5 kilos of personal belongings per passenger – Passenger’s luggage must also include the weight of their sleeping bag.
Meals All required meals during the tour are included. All meals we offer are buffet style (except for the first breakfast, the fourth lunch, and the fourth dinner which are in tourist restaurants).
- 03 Breakfasts
- 03 Lunches
- 02 Snacks (Soraypampa, Chaullay and Santa Teresa – includes chocolate, coca tea, coffee, milk, tea, popcorn, cookies).
- 03 Dinners
- We wake you up every morning with a cup of coca tea.
Security
- Oxygen
- First aid kit (only generic items; passengers must bring their personal medications).
- Communication radios.
Not included:
- Last day lunch.
- First breakfast
- Entrance to Mollepata + Laguna Humantay S/ 20.00
- Transportation Beach – Hydroelectric
- Transportation Hydroelectric Backpacks- Aguas Calientes
- Service and extra expenses. (Water along the way, snack)
- Sleeping bag 15 USD
- Trekking poles 15 USD
Recommendations
- Take with you:
- Original passport and student card of your university
- essential insurance card
- Waterproof hiking boots (with ankle guards)
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sleeping bag
- Take hot
- Hat and gloves
- tshirts
- Comfortable pants
- Rain pants
- Sun hat, swimsuit (for hot springs in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes)
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 is recommended) the sun is strong
- Insect repellent 40% DEET (for mosquitoes)
- Water bottle
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- toilet paper
- personal medication
- camera and movies
- Torch with spare batteries (lantern)
- Suggested extra contribution Money for tips porters, cook and guide. and for any emergency (300 soles)
- Walking poles (Black Diamont or Leki brand)
Optional items to carry
- Shorts
- Walking poles (with rubber tips) can also be rented with us. $10 USD The entire trip.
- Sleeping bags $20 USD the entire trip.
- plaster and bandage.
