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Overview
- Duration:1 day 0 nights
- Travelers:1 - 12 guests
- Tour Type:Tour Grupal
- Language:English, Español
The Salkantay Trek 5 Days is widely recognized as one of the most breathtaking hiking adventures in South America, offering an extraordinary alternative route to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. Operated with unyielding passion, expert logistics, and top-tier mountain safety by Fox Adventures, this iconic journey takes you far beyond the crowded tourist trails and deep into the rugged heart of the Peruvian Andes. Over five unforgettable days, you will witness dramatic transitions in landscape—from the pristine, turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and the towering snow-capped peaks of Mount Salkantay to the lush, biodiversity-rich cloud forests where the high mountains meet the Amazon basin.
Designed for intrepid travelers who crave a perfect balance of wilderness adventure, cultural immersion, and mountain comfort, the Salkantay Trek 5 Days invites you to conquer wild mountain passes by day and unwind in cozy glass-roofed domes and jungle ecolodges by night. Under the starlit Andean sky, you will savor delicious, chef-prepared meals crafted from local ingredients while sharing stories around the table. Join Fox Adventures for a full-sensory expedition that delivers pure challenge, rich history, and breathtaking natural beauty, culminating at the world-famous gates of Machu Picchu.
Tour Details
Choosing the Salkantay Trek 5 Days means embarking on a multi-day alpine expedition rated from moderate to challenging, making it ideal for active adventurers with a solid baseline of physical fitness and a passion for high-altitude trekking. Spanning 5 days and 4 nights, your Salkantay Trek 5 Days reaches its highest elevation at the formidable Salkantay Pass, standing at an impressive 4,650 meters (15,255 feet) above sea level. Because of the elevation gains and long hiking days, Fox Adventures strongly recommends spending at least two full days in Cusco prior to your departure to properly acclimatize. Throughout the journey, you will be supported by a dedicated crew—including professional bilingually certified mountain guides, talented expedition chefs, and horsemen who carry your heavy duffel bags up to the jungle edge. Your night stays are thoughtfully arranged to maximize comfort, featuring glass-roofed domes in Soraypampa, cozy mountain ecolodges along the trail, and a comfortable hotel night in Aguas Calientes before entering Machu Picchu. Finally, Fox Adventures coordinates all ground transportation, train upgrades, and official citadel tickets, allowing you to focus entirely on every step of this bucket-list trek.
What to Bring?
To ensure your Salkantay Trek 5 Days is safe, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable through rapidly changing mountain microclimates, proper packing is essential. You will be provided with a duffel bag to pack up to 6 kg of personal belongings for the horses, while carrying your daily essentials in a comfortable 20- to 30-liter daypack. For clothing, dressing in technical layers is key: bring thermal base layers for freezing high-altitude nights, quick-dry hiking pants, long-sleeve shirts, a warm fleece or down jacket, and a fully waterproof rain jacket and pants. Footwear is critical on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days, so make sure to wear sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support, along with camp sandals or light shoes for the evenings. Do not forget cold-weather accessories like a warm beanie and gloves for chilly mornings, as well as a swimsuit for the Cocalmayo hot springs. Essential gear includes a headlamp with extra batteries, a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder, a quick-dry towel, travel-size biodegradable toiletries, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent for the cloud forest. Lastly, it is strictly mandatory to carry your original passport (the one used for booking), personal medications, and cash in Peruvian Soles for tips, snacks, or optional hot spring entries.
Highlights
- The Crown Jewel of Trekking: Conquer one of the top-ranked trekking routes in the world, linking alpine glaciers directly to the Amazonian cloud forest. Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pass: Stand before the stunning, emerald-turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and touch the sky at the magnificent 4,650 m (15,255 ft) Salkantay Pass. Unique Mountain Accommodations: Spend your nights gazing at the stars from glass-roofed domes in Soraypampa and relaxing in charming jungle ecolodges.
- Cocalmayo Thermal Baths: Soothe your tired muscles in the natural, mineral-rich hot springs embedded in the tropical canyon of Santa Teresa.
- Machu Picchu Citadel: Complete your epic journey with a comprehensive guided exploration of the legendary Incan sanctuary.
Includes/Excludes
- Pre-trek briefing and hotel pick-up in Cusco by the Fox Adventures team.
- Private ground transportation to the trailhead at Soraypampa.
- Professional, highly experienced English/Spanish-speaking mountain guide.
- 4 nights of accommodation (1 night in glass-domes/huts in Soraypampa, 2 nights in jungle ecolodges, 1 night in a shared hotel room in Aguas Calientes). All meals during the trek (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners prepared by our professional chef team). Horsemen and pack horses to carry duffel bags (up to 6 kg per person) up to Santa Teresa.
- Official entry ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel (Circuit allocation based on availability).
- Return transportation service back to Cusco (dropping off at Plaza Regocijo). First-aid kit and emergency medical oxygen bottle on trail.
- Sleeping bag rental (available through Fox Adventures for $15 USD). Trekking poles rental (available for $10 USD per pair).
- Entrance fee to Humantay Lake (S/. 20 Soles per person).
- Optional visit to Cocalmayo Hot Springs (S/. 30 Soles entry + S/. 50 Soles roundtrip transport).
- Consettur bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Lunch on Day 5 in Aguas Calientes or Cusco.
- Optional train return upgrade from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Vistadome or standard train services).
- Add-on hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ($70 USD extra, subject to strict availability). Personal travel insurance and voluntary tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
Cancellation policy
Itinerary
FULL ITINERARY:
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake Your grand adventure on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We will set out on a scenic drive through the Andes to the town of Mollepata, where we will stop to enjoy a delicious breakfast and fuel up for the trail. From there, our private transport continues to the official trailhead at Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). After meeting our horsemen and prepping our gear, we will embark on an optional steep hike up to the mesmerizing Humantay Lake (~3 hours roundtrip). Standing beside its radiant turquoise waters beneath towering glaciers is an unforgettable introduction to the Andes. In the evening, we will return to our camp in Soraypampa to settle into unique glass-roofed domes, savoring a warm dinner while staring up at the starry night sky.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay We wake up early to conquer the most challenging and rewarding day of the Salkantay Trek 5 Days. After a hearty breakfast, we begin a steady ascent toward the highest point of the route: the majestic Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft). As we reach the summit, you will be rewarded with jaw-dropping, close-up views of the massive snow-capped Mount Salkantay. After taking time to soak in the mountain power and capture photos, we begin a dramatic descent out of the freezing alpine air and down into the lush, warming cloud forest. By late afternoon, we will arrive at our ecolodge in the peaceful village of Chaullay (2,950 m / 9,678 ft) for a well-earned dinner and a restful night.
Day 3: Chaullay – Playa Sahuayaco – Santa Teresa (Hot Springs) Day three of your Salkantay Trek 5 Days brings a complete change of scenery as we hike through vibrant jungle valleys filled with cascading waterfalls, wild orchids, and coffee plantations. We will trek along the river until reaching Playa Sahuayaco, where we will enjoy lunch and learn about local tropical crops. From Playa, a short transport takes us to our ecolodge near Santa Teresa. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the famous Cocalmayo Hot Springs—a natural paradise where you can soak in warm thermal waters surrounded by towering canyon walls. Tonight, we relax in Santa Teresa with a delicious dinner prepared by our culinary team.
Day 4: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes After breakfast, we take a short morning drive to the Hydroelectric station, which marks the final stretch of our hike toward the base of Machu Picchu. From Hydroelectric, we begin a scenic 3-hour trek along the railway line that snakes alongside the Urubamba River, framed by dense jungle foliage and towering cliffs. This relaxed, flat walk offers captivating glimpses of the high peaks above. By mid-afternoon, we will arrive in the bustling town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you will check into your hotel, explore the town, and enjoy dinner as we go over the final preparations for tomorrow's grand finale.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Citadel – Return to Cusco The moment you have been waiting for! Following an early morning breakfast at your hotel, we head to the entry control of the Machu Picchu Citadel. You will embark on a fascinating 2-hour guided tour through the ancient stone streets, temples, and agricultural terraces of the Incan sanctuary, uncovering the rich history and mysteries of this World Wonder. Once your tour concludes, you will begin your journey back to Cusco. You can opt for the classic trekking exit by walking back to Hydroelectric to catch our return bus, or upgrade to the scenic train ride back to Ollantaytambo. From either point, Fox Adventures private transport will bring you safely back to Cusco, dropping you off near Plaza Regocijo with memories that will last a lifetime.
