Early Morning Awakening: The second day starts at 5 AM with the kitchen team serving coca leaf tea known as “te despierto” to help with altitude acclimatization. Following this there will be about 30 minutes to get ready and pack for the day’s activities.

Breakfast: Breakfast is usually served at 5:30 AM. After eating there will be a brief period for final backpack checks and using the bathroom before the hike to the highest point of the Salkantay trek begins.

Ascent to Salkantay Pass: The trek from Quiswarniyoc (altitude not explicitly stated in the text) to the highest point Salkantay Pass (approximately 15420 feet or 4700 meters above sea level) starts around 6 AM. The uphill walk from the campsite to the pass takes between 3 to 3.5 hours at a steady pace with scheduled breaks every hour for rest and regaining energy. While the ascent is manageable with proper acclimatization the primary challenge is adapting to the high altitude.

Time at Salkantay Pass: Upon reaching the summit there will be time to appreciate the impressive views photograph the surrounding mountains and experience the proximity to Salkantay Mountain (approximately 20574 feet or 6271 meters above sea level). The guide will often share insights about the area and might include participants in a local ritual to show gratitude to the Apus the mountain gods in local beliefs. Approximately 30 to 45 minutes will be spent at the peak.

Descent to Lunch Spot: The descent begins with a 2-hour trek from Salkantay Pass (approximately 15420 feet or 4700 meters above sea level) to the lunch spot at Wayracmachay (altitude not explicitly stated in the text). Here the kitchen team will be waiting with a nutritious lunch.

Post-Lunch Rest and Second Descent: After lunch there will be a short rest period if weather permits. The final descent for the day is from the lunch spot to the second campsite at Chawllay (approximately 9514 feet or 2900 meters above sea level). This descent lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours and while slightly steep it offers remarkable views as the landscape transitions from the Andes to the Amazon region.

Arrival at Chawllay: Upon arrival at Chawllay (approximately 9514 feet or 2900 meters above sea level) the second campsite the guide will show participants to their accommodations for the night. The day concludes with a delicious dinner prepared by the cooking team. This itinerary for Day 02 is designed to balance challenging ascents and descents with ample opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty and cultural significance of the Salkantay region.

SUMMARY FOR DAY 02:

• Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
• Accommodation: Mountain Sky Hut
• Difficulty Level: Challenging
• Maximum Altitude: 4700 meters at Salkantay Pass
• Hiking Distance: 22 kilometers (approximately 14 miles)
• Estimated Trekking Duration: 9 to 10 hours
• Camping Altitude: 2900 meters
• Weather Forecast: Warm and hot at lower elevations.
• Additional Note: Day 02 is considered the most physically demanding day of the entire trek however the entire day is allocated to complete it and reach Campsite 02. It is also noted as being the most visually stunning day due to the mountain views and the presence of Salkantay.

Morning Start: The day starts with wake-up tea at 5:30 AM as the kitchen team assists with waking everyone followed by time to pack and prepare for the day’s hike. Breakfast is served around 6:00 AM to prepare for the trek ahead.

Trek from Chawllay to Lucmabamba: The hike begins at approximately 6:30 AM from Chawllay (approximately 9514 feet or 2900 meters above sea level) heading towards the third campsite Lucmabamba (altitude not explicitly stated in the text). This 4-hour trek is mainly on flat terrain through the Santa Teresa valley offering opportunities to see various flora and fauna and culminates in an immersive coffee tour experience upon arrival in Lucmabamba.

Lucmabamba: Coffee Tour and Zipline Adventure: After a 4-hour hike arrival at Lucmabamba a region known for its exceptional coffee is expected. Here a local family at the Coffee Park will guide visitors through the entire coffee cultivation process from planting to harvesting and roasting. Lucmabamba is renowned for its coffee and there will even be a chance to brew and taste freshly prepared coffee. Additionally the exciting Salkantay Zipline experience is offered in this area and can be enjoyed either before or after lunch following the coffee tour. Guides will help organize these activities to ensure everyone has the chance to add extra excitement to their adventure. Lucmabamba provides a combination of cultural immersion and thrilling activities making it a memorable part of the journey to Machu Picchu.

Lunch at the Star Domes in Lucmabamba: A delicious lunch will be served at the exclusive Star Domes in Lucmabamba where the night will also be spent in panoramic glass domes surrounded by the natural beauty of the Santa Teresa Valley. After lunch there is time to relax or participate in optional activities for the rest of the day as the trekking for the day concludes after lunch. The Star Domes offer a unique and comfortable setting for relaxation and enjoying the experience.

Afternoon Options Post-Lunch: The afternoon is free for relaxation with the option to visit the Santa Teresa hot springs a particularly rewarding experience after three days of hiking. The additional cost for visiting the hot springs is about 40 soles which covers transportation to and from the springs (about an hour each way) and the 10 soles entrance fee. Participants can decide whether to join this activity at the campsite with coordination from the guide or choose to rest at the Lucmabamba campsite.

Visit to Santa Teresa Hot Springs: If the hot springs are chosen local transport will take participants there for about 2 hours at the springs before returning to the Lucmabamba campsite. A delicious dinner prepared by the cooking team will be waiting at the campsite usually served around 7 PM.

Evening and Preparation for the Next Day: After dinner information and details for the next day’s itinerary which leads to Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level) the base town for Machu Picchu will be provided.

SUMMARY FOR DAY 03:

• Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
• Accommodation: Star Domes – Crystal domes
• Difficulty Level: Easy Day Hike
• Hiking Distance: 15 kilometers (approximately 10 miles)
• Estimated Trekking Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Camping Altitude: 2000 meters
• Weather Forecast: Hot and humid during the day chilly at night
• Additional Note: This third day of the Salkantay Trek provides a more relaxed exploration of the Amazonian part of the route featuring the coffee tour and the optional visit to the Santa Teresa hot springs.

Morning Start: Wake-up is at 6:00 AM allowing time for packing followed by breakfast served at 6:30 AM. The hike starts around 7:00 AM from the Lucmabamba campsite (altitude not explicitly stated in the text) towards the archaeological site of Llactapata (approximately 8858 feet or 2700 meters above sea level).

Hike to Llactapata: A 3-hour ascent on an original and well-maintained Inca trail leads to the small archaeological site of Llactapata (approximately 8858 feet or 2700 meters above sea level). From Llactapata a unique view of Machu Picchu (approximately 7972 feet or 2430 meters above sea level) Waynapicchu and the surrounding mountains can be seen offering a different perspective of Machu Picchu’s location. Time will be allocated to explore the Llactapata ruins and appreciate the view after which the descent towards Hidroeléctrica (altitude not explicitly stated in the text) will begin.

Descent to Hidroelectrica Central: The path from Llactapata (approximately 8858 feet or 2700 meters above sea level) to Hidroeléctrica (altitude not explicitly stated in the text) is considered somewhat steep arguably the most significant descent of the trek. Trekking poles are highly recommended for this section. It’s a 2-hour descent from Llactapata to the Hydroelectric station where lunch will be provided.

Lunch and Rest at Hidroelectrica Central: Upon arrival at the hydroelectric station a delicious lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Following lunch there will be time to relax before continuing towards the town of Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level).

Final Hike to Aguas Calientes: The last part of the day involves a 3-hour walk along the railway from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level) the base town for Machu Picchu. During this walk parts of Machu Picchu can also be seen from the valley. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes the guide will escort participants to their hostel for the night where they can rest shower and prepare for the final dinner in town.

Dinner in Aguas Calientes: Dinner is scheduled for around 7:00 PM at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level). After dinner final preparations for the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu will be made.

SUMMARY FOR DAY 04:

• Included Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
• Accommodation: Overnight Hotel Stay in Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty Level: Challenging
• Hiking Distance: 24 kilometers (approximately 15 miles)
• Estimated Trekking Duration: 8 to 9 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 2700 meters at Llactapata
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes Base Town: 2000 meters
• Weather Forecast: Hot
• Additional Note: This fourth day of the Salkantay Trek combines historical exploration at the Llactapata archaeological site with a panoramic descent through the Amazonian forest leading to a relaxing evening in Aguas Calientes in preparation for visiting Machu Picchu. The trail to Llactapata and the site itself are located within the dense vegetation of the Peruvian Amazon offering a sense of untouched nature.

The final day of the tour is designed to be a thrilling experience centered around visiting Machu Picchu (approximately 7972 feet or 2430 meters above sea level). The day begins early with a 4 a.m. wake-up to have breakfast at the hotel. Around 4:30 am the hike towards the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (approximately 7972 feet or 2430 meters above sea level) commences. The hike from Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level) to Machu Picchu takes about 1.5 hours involving 30 minutes on a flat trail followed by an hour’s ascent via historic stone steps directly to Machu Picchu’s main entrance.

Alternative Route: Bus to Machu Picchu: For those who prefer a less physically demanding option a bus can be taken from Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level) to Machu Picchu (approximately 7972 feet or 2430 meters above sea level). This option can be booked the night before or on the morning of the visit. The first buses from Aguas Calientes depart at 5:30 am and cost $12 per trip with a travel time of approximately 25 minutes.

Arrival and Entry Procedures: The aim is to arrive at the Machu Picchu gate by 6:00 am whether by walking or by bus. At the main control point Machu Picchu tickets and original passports must be presented. Students who booked with a student rate will also need to show their original student ID.

Machu Picchu Guided Tour: After passing through the entrance controls the group will proceed to the upper section of Machu Picchu for opportunities to take iconic photographs. Time will be available to capture images and enjoy the impressive views. Following this an expert Machu Picchu guide will lead a 2.5-hour tour through the Inca citadel. During this tour the history and significance of Machu Picchu as a world wonder will be explained.

Independent Exploration Time: After the guided tour of Machu Picchu there will be around 30 minutes of free time to continue exploring the circuit independently. It’s important to note that the maximum allowed visiting time at Machu Picchu is 3 hours as per park regulations.

Post-Visit Itineraries: Following the visit to Machu Picchu the journey continues however at this point each group member will follow their pre-selected itinerary based on booking choices. Those who have reserved tickets for Waynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will receive guidance from the tour guide on how to access the entry points for these mountains. Remember that these tickets must be booked in advance.

After Machu Picchu Return Options to Cusco:

• Car Return Option: Choosing the car return option requires starting a roughly 3-hour hike from Machu Picchu (approximately 7972 feet or 2430 meters above sea level) to Hydroelectric (altitude not explicitly stated in the text). Arrival at Hydroelectric should be by 2:30 pm to catch the car that will transport you from there to Cusco (approximately 11152 feet or 3400 meters above sea level). This car journey takes about 6 hours with arrival in Cusco around 10 pm at the final stop Plaza Regocijo in the city center. This return option does not allow enough time for additional hikes to Waynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain as they require approximately 3 extra hours. To catch the car at 2:30 pm at Hydroelectric it is recommended to leave Machu Picchu no later than 11:30 am.
• Train Return Option: If the train return is selected you will need to return to the town of Aguas Calientes (approximately 6562 feet or 2000 meters above sea level) which can be done by walking for about 1.5 hours or taking a 25-minute bus ride for $12. Once in Aguas Calientes there will be time to explore the town and possibly have lunch as the last lunch is not included in the tour. Then proceed to the train station to catch the 2:30 pm or 3:30 pm train to Ollantaytambo (altitude not explicitly stated in the text) a journey of about 1.5 hours. In Ollantaytambo a transfer service from us will be waiting to take you back to Cusco (approximately 11152 feet or 3400 meters above sea level) by car a trip of approximately two hours with arrival in Cusco around 6:30 pm. The train option allows for more time at Machu Picchu and is sufficient for the optional mountain hikes. It is also a faster and more comfortable way to return to Cusco making the journey less tiring.