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Salkantay Trek by Sky Camp

9 days / 8 nights • Extreme adventure in the Peruvian Andes

Duration 9 Days / 8 Nights
Availability All year round
Category Adventure / Trekking
Group Organized Group

The Salkantay Experience

Make your way through the Peruvian Andes and discover an environment full of natural wonders and extensive mysticism. The Salkantay Trek will take you through the most impressive landscapes of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the cloud forest before reaching Machu Picchu.

This 9-day experience will allow you to experience the lush nature of the Cusco region while fully immersing yourself in the powerful energy of the Andes. Keep reading and learn all about this exceptional trek to Machu Picchu!

Detailed Itinerary

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Day by day

DAY 1 Arrival in Cusco
  • Reception at Cusco airport and transfer to the hotel.
  • Welcome with coca tea to help with altitude sickness symptoms.
  • Hotel check-in and explanation of places of interest with a city map.
  • Recommendations for restaurants, exchange offices, shops and more.

Important Note: Cusco is located at 3,399 m / 11,152 ft above sea level. We recommend taking a few hours to get used to the altitude before exploring the Historic Center.

Optional Visit: Qosqo Center of Native Art - presentations of typical Andean music and dances (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). Entrance included.

Accommodation: Cusco

DAY 2 Archaeological City Tour in Cusco
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Walk through the historic center with local guide (exclusive tour for Inka Rainbow passengers).
  • Afternoon - Archaeological City Tour: Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha Temple.
  • Exploration of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
  • Return to Cusco around 6:00 PM.

Optional visit: Qosqo Center of Native Art (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). Entrance included.

Accommodation: Cusco

DAY 3 Sacred Valley of the Incas and Aguas Calientes
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Taray viewpoint.
  • Visit to Pisac and its archaeological site.
  • Lunch in Urubamba.
  • Tour of Ollantaytambo.
  • Return to Cusco.

Accommodation: Cusco

DAY 4 Hike to Salkantay | Dreaming Under the Stars
  • Pick-up at 4:00 AM towards Mollepata.
  • Arrival at Challacancha and meeting with cooks and porters.
  • Hike to Soraypampa (3 hours).
  • Arrival at Sky Camp, lunch and rest.
  • Hike to Humantay Lagoon.
  • Dinner and night under the stars.

Information: Distance 10 km | Difficulty Moderate to Challenging | Maximum Altitude 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

Accommodation: Sky Camp

DAY 5 Salkantay Trek | Conquering the Salkantay Pass
  • Energizing breakfast and hot coca tea.
  • Hike to Salkantay Pass (3 hours).
  • Rest and photos with Apu Salkantay.
  • Continuation towards Huayracmachay for lunch.
  • Descent into the cloud forest.
  • Arrival at the Chaullay campsite.

Information: Distance 22 km | Difficulty Challenging | Maximum Altitude 4,630 m / 15,190 ft

Accommodation: Chaullay

DAY 6 Salkantay Trek | In the Heart of the Jungle
  • Breakfast with bird sounds and morning mist.
  • Hike through the Santa Teresa Valley (rivers, waterfalls, orchids).
  • Arrival at Lucmabamba, lunch and rest.
  • Option: free afternoon or visit to a coffee farm.
  • Dinner and night at Jungle Domes.

Information: Distance 18 km | Difficulty Moderate | Maximum Altitude 2,900 m / 9,514 ft

Accommodation: Jungle Domes

DAY 7 Salkantay Trek | The First Encounter with Machu Picchu
  • Hike along part of the ancient Inca Trail.
  • Visit to the Llactapata ruins (facing the Inca Citadel).
  • First view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
  • Option 1: Train to Aguas Calientes (additional cost).
  • Option 2: Walk along train tracks to Aguas Calientes (3 hours).

Information: Distance 25 km | Difficulty Challenging | Maximum Altitude 2,800 m / 9,186 ft

Accommodation: Aguas Calientes

DAY 8 Machu Picchu Group Tour
  • Transfer to the bus to go up to the Machu Picchu citadel (30 minutes).
  • Guided tour of the Machu Picchu Inca Citadel.
  • Time to explore and feel the energy of the place.
  • Return to Aguas Calientes and train back to Cusco.

Additional services (optional): Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge, return on Vistadome train, hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance reservation required).

Accommodation: Cusco

DAY 9 Transfer to Cusco Airport
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Transfer to the airport 2 hours before flight departure.

Quick tip: If your flight departs in the afternoon, you can visit museums in the historic center (entrances included in the Tourist Ticket).

End of our services!

Tour Information

Includes

  • 4 nights of hotel in Cusco with breakfast
  • 1 night of hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast
  • 3 nights camping during the hike
  • Cusco city tour (courtesy of Inka Rainbow)
  • Archaeological City Tour in Cusco + water bottle (group max. 17 people)
  • Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour with buffet lunch + water bottle (group max. 17 people)
  • Salkantay Trekking by Sky Camp (Regular service)
  • Machu Picchu guided tour (Regular Service)
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Tourist Bus Hotel in Cusco > Soraypampa
  • All tours in Organized Groups
  • First aid kit and oxygen tank
  • Specialized team - Cooks, Porters and Guide
  • Specialized camping equipment
  • Food on the hike: 04 morning coffees, 04 lunches and 04 dinners
  • Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu (round trip)
  • Tourist Train Aguas Calientes > Ollantaytambo
  • Entrances to all archaeological complexes on the itinerary
  • Private transfers: Airport ↔ Hotel, Station ↔ Hotel, Hotel ↔ Airport
  • 24-hour assistance in Spanish and English

Not Included

  • Travel insurance
  • Domestic or international air tickets
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned above
  • Extra expenses: tips, laundry, phone calls
  • Optional services (Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge, Vistadome train, Huayna Picchu)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difficulty level of the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay Trek has a challenging difficulty, especially on day 5 when reaching Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft above sea level. Good physical condition and prior acclimatization in Cusco are required. We have a support team, cooks and porters to make the experience more comfortable.

What type of accommodation is there during the trekking?

The trekking includes accommodation in equipped campsites: Sky Camp (with views of Humantay Lagoon), campsite in Chaullay, and Jungle Domes (domes in the middle of the jungle). The tents are high quality and sleeping mats are provided.

How do I prepare for the altitude in Cusco?

We recommend arriving at least 2-3 days in advance to acclimatize. Drink plenty of water, avoid heavy meals, drink coca tea, and do gentle activities. The itinerary includes City Tour and Sacred Valley for gradual acclimatization before the trekking.

What should I bring for the trekking?

We recommend bringing: sleeping bag, sunscreen, hiking shoes, sunglasses, insect repellent, personal hygiene products, cookies, chocolates, water bottle, extra soles in cash, binoculars, cap or hat, pants, ponchos, towels, rain cover, and swimwear.

What happens if it rains during the trekking?

The trekking operates under any weather conditions. We provide rain ponchos and the tents are prepared for rain. Our guides are trained to handle adverse conditions and ensure the safety of the group.

Can I climb Huayna Picchu mountain?

Yes, but it requires advance reservation (minimum 3-4 months in advance) because spaces are limited. It has an additional cost. Consult us at the time of booking to check availability.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations more than 60 days in advance: 90% refund. Between 30-60 days: 70% refund. Between 15-30 days: 50% refund. Less than 15 days: no refund. We recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations.