Salkantay Short Trek 4 Days

Day 01: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

Hike to the Shining Mountain Jewel

We start early with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco, driving to Mollepata for a quick breakfast. We then continue to Challacancha, the official trailhead. From here, you will begin a relatively flat, scenic 3-hour hike to Soraypampa, our first base camp. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch and check into your private igloo dome at our fascinating Sky Camp.

In the afternoon, we ascend to the glorious Humantay Lake (a 3-hour round trip). At the summit, you will have plenty of time to sit back, admire the turquoise waters of this alpine gem, and capture incredible photos. Afterward, we head back down to Soraypampa for a delicious dinner before you sleep peacefully under the stars inside your dome.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Sky Camp (Luxury igloos facing snowcapped peaks).
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.
• Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
• Duration: 5 - 6 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting & Minimum: 3,800 m (12,467 ft) | Max: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) | Campsite: 3,900 m (12,795 ft).

🌌 About SKY CAMP (Soraypampa): Our striking camp sits directly in front of the imposing Humantay and Salkantay mountains. It bridges heaven and earth, allowing you to sleep in weather-resistant domes with transparent roofs for stargazing, all while enjoying the amenities of a first-class vacation home (31 igloos, 2 people per dome, dining hall, and full restrooms).

Day 02: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa

Conquer the Mighty Salkantay Pass

Today is the most demanding day of the trek, but the visual rewards are unforgettable. After breakfast, we begin a 3-hour switchback ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the tour, surrounded by colossal glaciers. After celebrating at the summit, we descend into the cloud forest for lunch at Huayracmachay. In the afternoon, we continue downward into the high jungle's exotic tropical scenery. We will spend the night at the exclusive Mountain Sky View modules in Collpapampa.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Mountain Sky View.
• Difficulty: Challenging.
• Hiking Distance: 23.5 km / 14.60 miles.
• Duration: 10 - 11 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting: 3,900 m (12,795 ft) | Max: 4,630 m (15,190 ft) | Minimum: 2,900 m (9,514 ft) | Campsite: 2,950 m (9,678 ft).

🏔️ About MOUNTAIN SKY VIEW (Collpapampa): Built with deep respect for Pachamama (Mother Earth), this new glamping site offers a premium experience in the high jungle, surrounded by lush mountains, rocky rivers, and bright starry skies (29 premium modules for 2 guests, including a dining room and complete restrooms).

Day 03: Collpapampa - La Playa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes

The Final Stretch to the Foot of Machu Picchu

This morning, we hike toward the La Playa sector, taking in the vibrant flora (orchids, coffee plantations, and tropical fruits) and exotic wildlife of the high jungle. At La Playa, we will enjoy our final lunch prepared by our trail chefs and take part in an interactive local coffee-roasting demonstration. Next, we board our private transport toward the Hydroelectric train station.

From Hydroelectric, we go on an enjoyable 3-hour flat hike alongside the train tracks, bordering the Urubamba River and surrounded by dense jungle vegetation (if you prefer, you can take the Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes train, which is not included). Arriving in Aguas Calientes, we check into the hotel and enjoy a fine dinner at a local restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Difficulty: Challenging (solely due to flat distance).
• Hiking Distance: 26 km / 16.16 miles.
• Duration: 8 - 9 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting & Max: 2,900 m (9,514 ft) | Minimum: 1,800 m (5,596 ft) | Accommodation: 2,040 m (6,693 ft).

Day 04: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu Sanctuary - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Explore the Astonishing Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu The grand finale has arrived! We wake up before dawn to take the shuttle bus up to the Machu Picchu Inca citadel, experiencing the early morning light while avoiding the large tour groups. You will enjoy a 2-hour professional guided tour. If booked in advance, you can embark on optional extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain for unmatched panoramic views.

In the afternoon, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (on your own) and board the return train to Ollantaytambo. Our private transport will be waiting there to drive you directly back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Duration: 2 - 3 hours of exploring the archaeological site.
• Altitudes: Machu Picchu Citadel: 2,430 m (7,972 ft) | Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) | Huayna Picchu Mountain: 2,720 m (8,924 ft).