Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
4-Day Sallantay Trek to Machu Picchu
c4 Days from $ USD 486
4-Day Sallantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Experience the 4-Day Salkantay Trek and Horseback to Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek 4 Days – Spectacular excursion along the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu in the open air of hiking and horseback riding through the Andes and the Amazon area of northwest Cusco. Visit, feel, and explore Peru’s wrinkled mountains on your next vacation.
On the first day of the Salkantay 4 Days Trek, we ride a horse from Soraypampa to the Salkantay Pass for 02 and a half hours; From the Salkantay Pass, we begin the 5-hour descent to our basic lodging in Challway. We hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the following days.
4-Day Salkantay Hike to Machu Picchu
For the Salkantay Trek 4 Days / 3 Nights adventure circuit, we spend the first night in basic lodging and the following nights in 3-star hotels in the town “Of Machu Picchu Pueblo.” if visitors require camping with mountain gear, we can provide it! We work with the people of the Andes and Amazon area to develop families in remote areas.
Overview
Salkantay Trek 4 Days Summary
CUSCO, PERU, SOUTH AMERICA – LATAM “Latin America”
The 4-day Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s most exciting adventure experiences. On the first day, we ride a horse to the top of the Salkantay pass, then hike descend the Andes Mountain range towards the cloud forest to connect with the Inca trail of Lucmabamba to have the first impressive view of the citadel of Machu Picchu from the viewpoint of Llactapata.
Continuing with the adventures through the Andes in the open air, heading the penultimate day to the short Inca trail of km 104 to go up to the viewpoint and ruins of Inti Punku to have another superb dramatic view of Machu Picchu in all its exclusivity, the last day we have a visit guided walking through the interior of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa “Horseback” – Challway “Hiking”
- Day 2: Challway – Lucmabamba Inca Trail – Aguas Calientes
- Day 3: Short Inca Trail – Inti Punku – Aguas Calientes
- Day 4: AM Visit Machu Picchu | PM Return to Cusco
Note: If the whole group of explorers requires to go to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo to enjoy one of the best baths with a spectacular climate, they can do it and not go to the Inca Trail of Lucmabamba trek.
If the group decides to update the itinerary, they will also have the opportunity to do the Amazon zip line with the suspension bridge plus the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. We board the train service to Machu Picchu Pueblo in the afternoon to continue with the Short Inca Trail the next day.
Trip Details
Trip details 4-Day Salkantay Hike
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Hiking distance: 50 km – 31 miles
- Departure: Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Season: April to December
- Destination: Machu Picchu
- Type: Adventure – Camping – Hotel
Photo Gallery Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek 4 Days Highlights
- Splendid adventure through the Salkantay Trek 4 Days 3 Nights hiking circuit
- Explore the marvelous hikes along the Salkantay trails in Peru toward Machu Picchu
- Are you looking for alternative hiking adventures? Visit the 04-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu guided tour.
Why You´ll love the Salkantay Trek 4 Days
The 4-day Salkantay trek circuit to Machu Picchu is one of the wonders of adventure in Peru due to the series of microclimates, landscapes, difficulties in walking, etc., so it is recommended to breathe fresh air through the Andes and from the Amazon jungle of the northwest of the Cusco region.
We work with local families from the different lodges along the Salkantay trail network to provide personal family growth.
Salkantay Trek 4 Days Itinerary
In this part of the link of the Salkantay Trek 4 days, we detail the itinerary day by day to have an idea of the journey to be made through the Andes and Amazon of Salkantay towards the steep mountains of Machu Picchu and thus arrive at the beautiful and great citadel Inca of Machu Picchu in a journey of 4 days of adventures in different landscape and climatic zones.
BRIEFING Salkantay Trekking 4 Days
Please note that you will need to attend the pre-hike briefing at 6:00 p.m. the day before the first day of the hike. We organize the informative talk at the hotel reception where the travelers are staying.
We recommend arriving at least a day before your excursion to acclimate to the altitude before your hiking adventure. Spending a full day in Cuzco (3,249 m/10,659 ft) relaxing and drinking plenty of water is usually enough to acclimate most people.
PRESENTATION OF SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS
Cusco – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass - Santa Teresa
The adventure guide and the vehicle driver go to the explorers’ hotel to pick them up and start the trip to Soraypampa.
We make the first stop in the town of Mollepata to have breakfast, “optional does not include,” then we continue the journey following a dirt road until we reach the heights of Soraypampa.
In Soraypampa, the horses await us to ride towards the Salkantay pass “we ride the horses for approximately 03 hours” throughout the tour, impressive panoramic views of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, the Andes Mountain ranges give a spectacular landscape view for lovers of the photograph.
Once at the top of the Salkantay pass, we begin to descend the mountain towards the community of Challway; we have about 05 hours of walking on the Salkantay trail; the trail is rocky, so we recommend hiking poles to have a whole hiking experience.
Once in Santa Teresa, we stay in a basic hotel to rest in its rooms with incredible panoramic views.
It is essential to mention bringing a flashlight in case it gets dark on the descent to Challway.
WE RECOMMEND taking your mountain equipment only what is necessary since everything we have will be carried by each of us “the less weight, the better to enjoy the adventure.”
Optional: COCALMAYO HOT SPRINGS “Santa Teresa 1,555m/5,101ft.”
Go to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo to enjoy 02 hours of relaxation in the Hot Spring. If visitors opt for this option, the Inca Trail Lucmabamba trek does not take place; this decision is a group.
Synthesis of the hiking
- Land trip start time: 05:00
- Travel time from Cusco to Soraypampa: 3.5 hours
- Horseback and walking kilometers:
- Salkantay Horseback riding from SORAYPAMPA 3,930m/12,839ft. to SALKANTAY PASS: 5.5 km/3.4 miles / 03 hours horseback ride
- Walking distance: From Salkantay Pass to Challway 13.7 km/ 8.5 miles. 5-6 hours “Downhill”
- Hiking Difficulty: Challenging.
- Lowest trekking site: Challway
- Highest hiking place: Salkantay Pass 4,645m/15,239ft.
- Local and familiar Hostel: At Challway 2,890m/9,481ft.
- Meals: Box Lunch and Dinner.
Food
Box Lunch, and Dinner
Physical Level
Demanding
Walking Distance
13.7 km/ 8.5 miles.
Hiking Time
5-6 hours
Min Altitude
2,890m/9,481ft.
Max Altitude
4,645m/15,239ft.
Map Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Chaullay – Lucmabamba Inca Trail – Aguas Calientes
Today we start the activities neither too early nor too late to enjoy a day full of spectacular adventures through the Andes and the Amazon of Machu Picchu. At 07:30, after breakfast, we start the 50-minute trip to the start of the Inca Trail of Lucmabamba.
Once we reach Lucmabamba, we start with the ascent of the Lucmabamba Inca trail until we get to the mountain pass. Then we turn the Pass to reach the ruins of Llactapata to have one of the best panoramic views of Machu Picchu from this beautiful mountain of Lucmabamba.
We have lunch at the Llactapata restaurant with a view of the beautiful mountains. After lunch, we descend the mountain for about 2 hours until we reach the banks of the Aobamba River; we follow the course of the river until we reach the Hidroeléctrica train station and to the town of Aguas Calientes.
NOTE: Reasons why we didn’t walk between Challway towards La Playa Sahuayaco or Lucmabamba! It’s because the route is more of a dirt road than a walking trail; That is why we avoid this section and offer walks along the Lucmabamba Inca Trail plus the Intipunku Short Inca Trail to cover the best experiences of walking through Inca Trails combined with the Salkantay trail.
Compendium of day 02 of Salkantay Trek 4 days
- Time to start the adventure: At 07:30
- Local shuttle service from Challway to Lucmabamba: 50-minute drive
Hiking information: Lucmabamba Inca Trail
- Walking distance: 10.2 km/ 6.3 miles. 5 hours from Lucmabamba 2,035m/6,676ft. to Hidroeléctrica
- Hiking Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
- Highest hiking place: Lucmabamba Pass 2,814m/9,232ft.
- Lowest trekking site: Hidroeléctrica 1,815m/5,954ft.
Food
Local brekfast, Lunch and Dinner
Physical Level
Demanding
Walking Distance
10.2 km/ 6.3 miles.
Hiking Time
5 hours
Min Altitude
1,815m/5,954ft.
Max Altitude
2,814m/9,232ft.
Map Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes to Short Inca Trail to Inti Punku and Aguas Calientes
At 05:30, we start the walk following the train lines for 1 hour and a half until we reach kilometer 104 of the railway. At kilometer 104, we cross the suspension bridge to reach the control of the Inca Trail network; We show our passports and documents to enter the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
After the control of Chachabamba, we ascend the Inca trail until we reach the ruins of Wiñaywayna and Inti Punku. From the Inti Punku viewpoint, we have magnificent views of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains.
We descend the last hiking trail towards the Inca watchman’s house sector to have the classic views of Machu Picchu as in the postcards. After this magnificent walking experience, we board the bus to go down to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Excerpt of the hiking
Start time of the walk: 5:30 a.m.
Walking kilometers:
- Aguas Calientes to KM 104: 06 km/3.7 miles / 1-5 hours of hiking
- KM 104 to Inti Punku and Machu Picchu: 11km/6.8 miles / 5-6 hours of hiking
Hiking Difficulty: Challenging – Moderate.
Highest hiking place: Inti Punku 2,715m/8,907ft.
- Lowest trekking site: Aguas Calientes 2,065m/6,774ft.
Food
Hotel breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner
Physical Level
Moderate
Walking Distance
17 km/10.5 miles
Hiking Time
6-7 hours
Min Altitude
2,065m/6,774ft.
Max Altitude
2,715m/8,907ft.
Map Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
Visit Machu Picchu | Afternoon Return to Cusco
Explore the lost citadel of the Incas on a 02-hour guided tour, visiting the most important temples of Machu Picchu.
Hiking & Tour Summary
- Bus service to Machu Picchu (up and down)
- Two-hour guided tour inside Machu Picchu.
- NOTE: NO FREE TIME according to the new regulations of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary since 2015. If you require more time, book a new entrance ticket
AFTERNOON, board your train service to POROY and Return to Cusco City.
Information about the train service from MACHU PICCHU TO OLLANTAYTAMBO
- Railway company: INCA RAIL
- Train Travel Route: MACHU PICCHU TO OLLANTAYTAMBO
- Class: THE VOYAGER 44
- Train departure time from Aguas Calientes train station: 14:30
- Travelers must be inside the train facilities: At 14:00; otherwise, you will not be allowed to board the train.
- Arrival time at OLLANTAYTAMBO train station: 16:04
When you arrive at the OLLANTAYTAMBO train station, go to the waiting area where our staff will wait for you. Look for a sign with your name on it.” Group Name: Salkantay Trek 4 Days
Private transfer service from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco “Hotel.”
Cusco Overnight: Travelers organize and reserve their hotels
Food
Hotel breakfast
Physical Level
Easy
Walking Distance
Stroll
Hiking Time
2-hour guided tour
Min Altitude
2,065m/6,774ft.
Max Altitude
2065m/6,774 ft.
Map Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
What to Bring
- You must bring your original passport to show to the train service, Salkantay Hiking Trails, and Machu Picchu
- Daypack
- Small travel bag for Machu Pichu (You can store your main suitcase safely at Hotel Cusco.)
- Water bottle “It is forbidden to introduce non-recyclable plastics in Machu Picchu; take precautions and bring reusable bottles.”
- Good sturdy shoes or walking boots
- Warm fleece jacket
- Layers of warm clothing “In Cusco, get some baby alpaca wool.”
- Hats (to protect yourself from the sun and also to keep warm)
- Rain gear, Waterproofing
- Essential Sunglasses
- High SPF sunscreen “In cream.”
- Insect repellent “In cream allowed inside the citadel; let’s conserve flora and fauna of the seventh world wonder.”
Notes of Salkantay Trek 4 Days:
* Travel Tour Operator 100% for the Salkantay Trek 4 Days
Salkantay Trek 4 Days Price Information
PRICES PER PERSON [U.S Dollar] 2025l
- Solo Travel is USD 1,344
- 02 participants USD$ 875. “Prices reduce if more people are in your group.”
- 03 participants USD$ 718.
- 04 participants USD$ 625.
- 05 participants USD$ 583.
- 06 participants USD$ 743.
- 07 participants USD$ 526.
- 08 participants USD$ 503.
- 09 participants USD$ 501.
- 10 participants + USD$ 486.
Salkantay Trek 4 Days Upgrade
HOTEL “AGUAS CALIENTES”
Enhance Your Trip
PER PERSON & Per Night
Gringo Bill’s Machupicchu
+$25. DBL/MATRIMONIAL | +$43 Suite
Inti Punku Machupicchu
+$25. Standard | +$33. Superior | +$39. Junior Suite | +$63. Senior Suite
Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu
+$29. Traditional | +$35. Superior | +$45. Suite
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
+$35. Standard SGL/DBL | +$80 Suite
Jaya Suite Machupicchu
+$40.
El MaPi ByInkaterra
+$69. Superior Deluxe SGL or DBL | +$91. Suite SGL o DBL
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
+$244. Superior | +$271. Superior Deluxe |+$298. Junior Suite | +$389. Junior Suite Deluxe | +$488. Suite | +$555. Inkaterra Suite
TRAIN SERVICES
By PeruRail / PER PERSON
+ $50.00 Vistadome train (MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO) + Transfer to Cusco from Ollantaytambo
+ $45 Vistadome train (one way: MACHUPICCHU to POROY) Inbound Journey
+ $445.00 Hiram Bingham train (Train MACHUPICCHU – POROY) Inbound Journey
EXTRA TICKETS
+$75 Huayna Picchu
+$75 Montaña
+$60 RE-ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU
DISCOUNTS
This applies to the following services:
- Machu Picchu Fee
Salkantay Trek 4 Days College students$30 off
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Faqs Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
SHOULD I BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO DO THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU?
Yes, it is recommended to be in good physical condition. We suggest working on your body performance for at least 2 to 3 months before doing a trek like the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu. Remember that the level of trekking varies from moderate to challenging.
TO DO THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU, DO I NEED TO ACCLIMATIZE?
In general, for any trek in the Cusco region, acclimatize in the city and surrounding areas; for this, you should arrive in Cusco between 2 to 3 days before the tour of your choice. Remember to consider the season in which you will make your tour, as the weather and temperature will vary; however, it is important to consider carrying a rain poncho among the necessary accessories in your backpack.
IS IT NECESSARY TO USE TREKKING POLES WHEN DOING THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU?
Salkantay trek 4 Days is more than any other; we recommend these poles, especially for people with known knee problems because the trail is full of steep climbs and narrow Inka stairs.
Therefore, the poles will support your balance and reduce the impact on your knees.
If you don’t have walking poles for the 05 days trek from Salkantay to Machu Picchu, don’t worry because Kondor Path Tours rents them for $15.00.
Can I leave my bags at the Kondor Path Tours offices for the Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu?
If the hotel where you stay does not have this service, do not worry because you can leave your luggage in our offices; in the same way, your luggage will be safe, and you will be able to enjoy your new experience 100% and without any concern.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU?
To do the Salkantay Trek 4 Days with good weather is between April – October since we have the presence of clear skies and minor scale rainfall. Mainly the driest months are between June – August, which is winter in the Andes.
However, it is suggested to foresee the type of clothing to wear during these months, because during the day you can enjoy the sun, while at night you can feel intense cold.
Can I do the Salkantay Trek for 4 Days if I have health allergies?
To a certain extent, you can do the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu. For this, we ask you to please communicate promptly and in detail your allergic condition at the time of booking. In this way, we can give you a solution, and we will be aware of your situation because our goal is that you can enjoy your trip without any problems.
What is the trekking level of the Salkantay Trek 4 Days?
To do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, you should know that the level of trekking varies from moderate to complex. Therefore, it is recommended to be in good physical condition. In addition, it is recommended to wear good trekking shoes.
KONDOR PATH TOURS is the operator of all the tourist circuits of tours and hikes.
That means that KONDOR PATH TOURS will never transfer it to another company or a third party. All departures are 100% guaranteed.
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