Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, 4 or 5 Days

The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is a 75 km walk that links the high Andes with the Peruvian jungle, and you can do it in 4 or 5 days; the route below is the five-day one. A guide who speaks English and Spanish leads the way, and a professional chef cooks along the route.

The first day goes by road to Mollepata and then on foot to Soraypampa (3,800 m) and the turquoise Laguna Humantay (4,200 m). On day two you climb to Salkantay Pass (4,630 m) and descend through changing landscapes to Collpapampa (2,770 m). Day three crosses the Santa Teresa jungle, with suspension bridges, waterfalls and plantations, to Lucmabamba, where a guided look at coffee production and the Cocalmayo hot springs await. Day four ascends to the Llactapata viewpoint (2,700 m), with a first view of Machu Picchu, and ends in Aguas Calientes. The last day is the visit to Machu Picchu, with a guided tour of about 2.5 hours.

• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners on the trail, with vegetarian and vegan options
• Nights in cabins and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
• A horse and duffel bag for 6 kilos of your belongings
• A ritual with coca leaves

You return to Cusco by car or by train. Machu Picchu entrance and the sleeping bag or poles to rent are not part of the base tour, and a briefing is held the day before.