Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu (Glamping) 4 Days and 3 Nights

Day 01: Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa

Turquoise lakes, snow-capped giants, and a night in Luxury Domes.

4:30 AM – 5:00 AM – Pickup: We start the adventure early. We pick you up from your hotel for a 3-hour private drive to the trailhead.

Breakfast Stop: We pause in Mollepata. Note: First breakfast is not included. We recommend trying a local restaurant to support the community and fuel up.

The Trek Begins: After a short drive to Challacancha, we meet our horsemen and horses. They will carry the equipment while we hike for approximately 4 hours to Soraypampa.

Lunch with a View: We enjoy lunch surrounded by the breathtaking Humantay (4,120 m) and Salkantay (6,271 m) mountains.

Humantay Lake Hike: In the afternoon, we ascend (1.5 hours) to the famous turquoise Humantay Lake. After taking photos, we descend back to camp (1 hour).

Accommodation: Tonight, experience the magic of the Andes in our LUXURY DOMES. Located at Soraypampa (3,800 m), these domes offer comfort in the highest and coldest point of the trek (-5°C).

BEAR IN MIND – DAY 1

• Walking Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)
• Walking Hours: 4 hours + Humantay Hike
• Highest Point: Humantay Lake (4,200 masl)
• Campsite Altitude: 3,800 masl (Cold!)
• Highlight: Sleep in Luxury Domes

Day 02: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay

Conquer the Salkantay Pass and descend into the Amazonian brow.

5:30 AM – Power Breakfast: We wake up early to prepare for the most challenging day of the salkantay 4 day trek.

The Summit Push: We hike uphill for about 4 hours to reach the Salkantay Pass (4,630 masl). Located between two massive peaks, this is the highest point of the journey. Note: Be prepared for snow or rain from Nov-Feb.

Andean Ceremony: At the summit, your guide will perform a traditional ceremony to thank the Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Descent to Cloud Forest: We descend towards Huayracmachay for lunch. Afterwards, we continue downhill into the “high jungle.” The landscape changes dramatically; look for waterfalls, orchids, parrots, and hummingbirds.

Accommodation: We arrive at our second campsite, Chaullay (2,900 m), where the weather is fresher. Tonight, we rest in comfortable STANDARD DOMES.

BEAR IN MIND – DAY 2

• Walking Distance: 21 km (13 miles)
• Walking Hours: 9 to 10 hours
• Highest Point: Salkantay Pass (4,630 masl)
• Campsite Altitude: 2,900 masl
• Highlight: Sleep in Standard Domes
• Physical Grading: 4/5 (Demanding)

Day 03: Chaullay – Santa Teresa Valley – Aguas Calientes

Tropical trails, waterfalls, and the road to Machu Picchu town.

6:00 AM – Jungle Trek: After breakfast, we trek through the Santa Teresa valley. We cross the Lluskamayo River and pass small brooks, surrounded by waterfalls and tropical vegetation.

Flora & Fauna: Enjoy the walk through the upper jungle for 5 to 6 hours until we reach Playa Sahuayacco. You will see coffee plantations, banana trees, and coca crops.

Transfer to Hidroelectrica: From La Playa, we take local transportation to the Hidroelectrica train station, where we will have lunch.

The Final Walk: We walk for approximately 2.5 hours alongside the train tracks towards Aguas Calientes. This flat scenic route is filled with lush greenery.

Overnight in Hotel: We arrive in Aguas Calientes and check into your Hotel. We end the day with dinner at a local restaurant and a briefing from your guide regarding the visit to Machu Picchu.

BEAR IN MIND – DAY 3

• Walking Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
• Walking Hours: 5 to 6 hours hike + 2.5 hours track walk
• Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (2,050 masl)
• Weather: Warm and Humid
• Physical Grading: 3/5

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The Lost City of the Incas awaits.

4:00 AM – 4:30 AM – Early Start: We wake up early for breakfast at the hotel to beat the crowds.

Ascent to the Citadel: You have two options:

1. Hike: A 1.5-hour uphill walk (Free).
2. Bus: A 25-minute ride starting at 5:30 AM (Not included: approx. $12 up / $12 down).

6:00 AM – Sunrise: We enter Machu Picchu as it opens. Witnessing the sunrise over the ruins is an unforgettable moment.

Guided Tour: Your guide will lead a 2.5-hour tour, explaining the history and mysteries of the Inca Citadel. Afterward, you have time to explore on your own.

Optional Hikes (Advance booking required):

• Huayna Picchu: 45-min steep climb.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: 1.5-hour climb.

Return to Cusco: Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (optional). You will then board the touristic train back to Ollantaytambo (Departure: 2:55 PM – 9:50 PM, subject to availability).

Transfer: At the station, our driver will be waiting with your name on a sign to drive you back to Cusco.

Budget Note: Traveling on a tight budget? Ask us about returning via bus from Hidroelectrica instead of the train!

BEAR IN MIND – DAY 4

• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,050 masl
• Activity: Guided Tour + Exploration
• Weather: Humid and Hot
• Meals Included: Breakfast only

Why Choose the Salkantay Trek 4 Days?

This Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days is the ideal balance of adventure and time management. It offers the same breathtaking views of the Salkantay trek 5 days 4 nights but in a more compact itinerary.Ready for the challenge? Secure your spot on the path of the Incas. Contact us today to book your salkantay trek tour.

Includes:

• Bilingual and certified Tour Guide
• A briefing about the trek with your guide the day before
• Pick up from your accommodation in Cusco
• Private transportation to go to the Trail Head
• Andean ceremony, offering to the mother earth on the Salkantay Pass
• 1 Bus up from Aguas Calientes to MachuPicchu
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
• Guided Tour in MachuPicchu
• 1 nights in Luxury Domes, 1 night in standard Dome, 1 night in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• A duffel bag where you can put inside 07 kilos from your personal stuff including your sleeping bag (it will be carry by the horses or mules until Hidroelectrica)
• Pick up from Hidroelectrica to back to Cusco, transports leaves in between 14h00 to 14h30 (Returning by bus)
• Train ticket to Ollantaytambo (if you book this trek returning by Train)
• Pick up from Ollantaytambo to back to Cusco (If you book this trek returning by Train)
• Confortable Mattresses in each dome
• 3 Meals per day during the trek (food served in a buffet style)
• Professional Cook
• Availability of meals to your preference (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pesquetarian, etc)
• First Aid Kit, with Oxigen ballon.
• A Survivor T – shirt, for each member of the group

Doesn’t includes:

• Transport to go from Playa Sahuayaco to Hidroelectrica (30 S/)
• Entrance fees to Waynapicchu Mountain or Mountain Machu Picchu. (it has an extra cost of 60 dollars per person) If you want to visit one of these mountain and back  to Cusco by bus from Hidroelectrica you have to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes or take the train to back to Cusco the same 4th day. This to have enough time to visit MachuPicchu and one of these mountains.
• Sleeping bags (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional one, which can support until -15 degrees celcius or 5 degrees farenheit)
• Walking sticks (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional black diamond pair)
• Mineral Water (you can buy bottle of mineral water in every campsite)
• First Breakfast and last lunch and dinner
• Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Pichu (Round trip bus cost 24 dollars but just one way cost 12 dollars)
• Tips for the team (Is not obligatory but if you wish to do it, it will be welcome)

• Original Passport
• A valid student card if you book this trek as student (25 years old as máximum)
• Travel Insurance card (you have to le tus know the name of your Travel Insurance company and you travel Insurance Number)
• Day Pack
• Rain coat or Rain Poncho
• Cold Clothes (For the first and Second day)
• Trekking shirts and trekking pants
• Waterproof hiking shoes
• Bottle of Water
• Flash Light
• Toilet Paper
• Sun Block
• Sun Glasses
• Caps or Hats
• Gloves (for the first and second day)
• Insect Repellent (30% DEET Recommended)
• Sleeping Bags
• Walking sticks
• Camera with extra batteries
• Extra money especially in soles to buy thing along the trek

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE.

PRICES FOR 2025-2026

SALKANTAY 4D/3N RETURNING BY BUS FROM HYDROELECTRIC

• 545 USD ESTUDENT
• 575 USD ADULT

SALKANTAY 4D/3N  RETURNING BY TRAIN

• 605 USD ESTUDENT
• 635 USD ADULT

IF YOU WANT TO BOOK THIS TREK AS A STUDENT, PLEASE YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

STUDENT PRICE:

To have a student price you have to comply with the following rules of the Peruvian government since we get the discount at the time of buying the Machu Picchu tickets from the Peruvian government. The Peruvian Government has 02 rates for foreigners that are ADULT / STUDENT.

TO ACCESS THE STUDENT RATE YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING:

The student card must be an original student ID given from the university in PVC material. It must have been printed on the cardUniversity Information, Student name It must have a valid expiration date / valid only for one year if you visit Machu Picchu in 2026 the expiration date must be 2026 or 2027 If is more of that this is not Valid, Discount for students, not more than 25 years old

ISIC cards are not valid for the discount

If you meet these requirements, send us a photo of your student ID to this email at the time that you are booking the tour to buy tour Machu Picchu tickets as a student: info@localtrekkersperu.com

If you do not meet the requirements, it is better to buy the trek as an adult because if you buy your Machu Picchu tickets with the student rate without meeting the requirements, they will not let you enter the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for not meeting the requirements. that the Peruvian government requires since Machu Picchu is administered by the Peruvian government.