Salkantay and Machu Picchu in 3 Days from Cusco
Explore the Salkantay Pass, the jungle foothills, and Machu Picchu on a three-day trek, camping in Chaullay and spending the night in Aguas Calientes.
Highlights
- High-mountain landscapes at the Salkantay Pass
- Camping in Chaullay and an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes
- Guided Tour of Machu Picchu and Return by Train
Service Details
- Type of experience: Multi-day package
- Duration: 3 days
- Departure from: Cusco
- Group: Medium
- Difficulty: High
- Guide: BILINGUAL Professional Guide
Overview
The 3-day, 2-night Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu combines high-mountain landscapes with the jungle fringe and a guided tour of the Inca citadel. The route departs from Cusco toward Soraypampa, crosses the Salkantay Pass, and descends to the Chaullay campsite.
The second day continues through the area’s vegetation and farmland toward Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night at a hotel. On the third day, you’ll visit Machu Picchu according to the itinerary included with your ticket and return by train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a transfer to Cusco.
This is a challenging trip: the itinerary includes hikes of approximately seven to eight hours on the first two days. Please review the details regarding meals, included equipment, and optional services to help you pack.
Créditos fotográficos: Aguas Calientes — Jorge Láscar (CC BY 2.0). Imágenes adaptadas de tamaño para la web.
Itinerary
Departure from Cusco to Soraypampa to begin the hike through the mountains. The route ascends to the Salkantay Pass and descends via Huayracmachay to Chaullay, where dinner is served and the group spends the night camping. The itinerary includes about seven to eight hours of hiking.
- Destinations: Cusco · Soraypampa · Salkantay · Chaullay
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
- Accommodations: Camp in Chaullay
After breakfast, the hike continues along the edge of the jungle, passing through vegetation and coffee plantations along the way. After lunch at Hidroeléctrica, the group continues on to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a rest at the hotel. A visit to the hot springs is optional.
- Destinations: Chaullay · Hydroelectric Plant · Aguas Calientes
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Take the bus from Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu with a guide, following the tour route and the schedule indicated on your ticket. Afterward, head back down to the town to board the train to Ollantaytambo, where transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Destinations: Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu · Ollantaytambo · Cusco
What's Included
Includes
- Information and assistance prior to departure.
- Tourist transportation to Mollepata.
- Professional BILINGUAL guide.
- Camping equipment: dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment (all carried by our muleteers).
- Entrance ticket to the Humantay Lagoon.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu Sanctuary.
- Consettur bus to the Inca city of Machupicchu.
- We will provide you with a duffel bag prior to your departure (1 day before).
- The baggage allowance is 5gk / 11.02. (per person).
- Professional cook.
- Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners (Options: Vegetarian, vegan, celiac, etc.)
- Please note (first breakfast and last lunch is not included).
- Medical kit and oxygen balloon.
- Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Transfer back to Cusco: Private tourist transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (Day 3)
Does not include
- Sleeping bag $20 USD
- Canes $10 USD
- Day 1: Breakfast
- Last day: Lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Personal equipment.
- Travel insurance.
- Additional costs or out-of-control delays such as bad weather, protests, political instability, etc.
- Additional income (Huayna Picchu - Machupicchu Mountain).
- Option: if you feel tired after the hike on day 2, you have the option of taking a train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (Cost: USD $36.00).
Frequently Asked Questions
The guide classifies the trek as high difficulty and estimates about seven to eight hours of walking over the first two days.
The information sheet lists them among the services not included. Check with your rental company when planning your trip.
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