SALKANTAY TREK 4 DAYS TREK ONLY: All the Highlights in Less Time, Machu Picchu Ticket Not Included

The day begins early, at 5 AM, with a cup of coca leaf tea (“té despierto”) brought by the kitchen team to help with altitude acclimatization. You’ll have about 30 minutes to get ready and pack before breakfast, served at 5:30 AM. After breakfast, you’ll have a short window for last-minute checks before setting off on the most challenging hike of the trek.

The ascent to Salkantay Pass begins around 6 AM. From Quiswarniyoc, the climb to the highest point of the trek — 4,700 meters above sea level — takes about 3 to 3.5 hours at a steady pace, with regular breaks every hour to rest and recover energy. The climb is manageable for well-acclimatized trekkers, with altitude being the main challenge rather than the terrain itself.

Once at the pass, you’ll spend 30 to 45 minutes taking in breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain up close, photographing the surrounding peaks, and learning from your guide about the area’s history and culture. Many groups also take part in a traditional ritual to give thanks to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits of Andean belief.

From here, the descent begins: a 2-hour hike down to Wayracmachay, where the cooking team will have a nutritious lunch waiting for you. After a short rest (weather permitting), you’ll continue with the final descent of the day, heading toward Chaullay.

This descent takes between 2.5 and 3 hours and, although slightly steep, offers incredible views as the landscape transitions from the high Andes to the lush Amazon cloud forest. At Chaullay, your driver will be waiting to take the group by vehicle (about 1 hour) to Lucmabamba, where you’ll spend the night at our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes.

Upon arrival at Lucmabamba (2,200 meters above sea level), your guide will show you to your accommodations. The day wraps up with a well-deserved, delicious dinner prepared by your cooking team a perfect way to recharge after a day that balances physical challenge with unforgettable Andean landscapes and cultural moments.

Day 2 Summary

• Difficulty: Challenging (the most demanding day of the trek)
• Highest Elevation: 4,700 m / 15,420 ft (Salkantay Pass)
• Hiking Distance: 22 km / 14 miles
• Hiking Time: Approximately 8–9 hours
• Overnight Elevation: 2,200 m / 7,218 ft (Lucmabamba)
• Weather: Cold at high altitude, becoming warm to hot as you descend into the cloud forest.
• Good to Know: Day 2 is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. Cross the spectacular Salkantay Pass and descend into the cloud forest, enjoying breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding snow-capped peaks at your own pace.

Included on Day 2

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Overnight stay in our Sky Star Crystal Domes at the Lucmabamba Lodge
• Professional English-speaking trekking guide
• Private transportation from Chaullay to Lucmabamba
• Horse service to carry your duffel bag (up to 7 kg / 15 lbs)

Night 2 Sky Star Crystal Domes: Spend the night in our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes at Lucmabamba Lodge. These unique 360° panoramic domes feature fully transparent walls and ceilings, allowing you to experience the surrounding nature from every angle. Relax in complete comfort, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the cloud forest, and fall asleep beneath a sky full of stars before waking up to spectacular mountain views.

Today’s adventure starts at a more relaxed pace, with wake-up at 6:00 AM and breakfast at 6:30 AM, giving you time to pack before setting off around 7:00 AM from the Lucmabamba campsite toward the archaeological site of Llactapata.

The hike to Llactapata follows an original, well-preserved section of the Inca Trail and takes about 3 hours uphill. From this site, you’ll enjoy one of the most rewarding views of the entire trek: a unique, distant perspective of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and the surrounding mountains, showing the citadel’s location within its dramatic landscape. After exploring the Llactapata ruins and taking in the views, you’ll begin the descent toward Hidroeléctrica.

This descent is the steepest of the trek, taking around 2 hours — trekking poles are especially useful here. Upon arriving at Hidroeléctrica, you’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant, followed by some time to rest before continuing your journey.

The final part of the day consists of an approximately three-hour walk from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), following the route alongside the railway tracks. Along the way, you can enjoy the surrounding scenery and see Machu Picchu from the valley.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, your guide will accompany you to your accommodation. If you do not yet have a Machu Picchu entrance ticket, your guide will assist you and accompany you to the Ministry of Culture office, where you can complete the process to purchase your ticket. There, you will be able to check the available visit date, entry time, and circuit.

Once this process is completed, you will continue with the scheduled program. Dinner will be served at approximately 7:00 PM at a local restaurant, followed by a final briefing from your guide with the necessary information for your Machu Picchu visit, according to the date, entry time, and circuit indicated on your ticket. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.

Day 3 Summary

• Difficulty level: Challenging
• Hiking distance: 24 km (approx. 15 miles)
• Trekking duration: 8 to 9 hours
• Maximum altitude: 2,700 meters at Llactapata
• Aguas Calientes elevation: 2,000 meters above sea level
• Weather: Hot
• Good to know: Day 4 combines a journey through Inca history at the Llactapata archaeological site with a scenic descent through the Amazon cloud forest, surrounded by untouched nature.

Day 3 Inclusions

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Transportation of your duffel bag (7 kg)
• Guide for the entire trek

Night 3: Tonight you’ll rest in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) at a basic hotel featuring a private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, towel, and soap.

Day 4 of the Salkantay Trek is planned for your visit to Machu Picchu. However, your actual visit date will depend on the date, entry time, and circuit available on your Machu Picchu entrance ticket.

If You Have a Machu Picchu Ticket for Day 4

If you already have a confirmed entrance ticket for Day 4, please send us your entry time and circuit details. Machu Picchu Team will assign a guide according to your ticket, and your guided tour of Machu Picchu is included in your Salkantay Trek package.

If You Do Not Have a Ticket for Day 4

If you were unable to obtain a Machu Picchu ticket for Day 4, you will need to stay additional time in Aguas Calientes until you obtain an available ticket. During this process, you should remain in contact with our customer service team and inform us as soon as your ticket is confirmed. Once you send us your confirmed visit date, entry time, and circuit, we will coordinate and assign a guide for your Machu Picchu guided tour.

Optional Return Transportation to Cusco

Once your Machu Picchu visit date and time are confirmed, we can also assist you in arranging your return transportation to Cusco, if requested. Return transportation is not included in the tour price and has an additional cost. You can choose between:

• Return by train: We can assist you with purchasing your train ticket and coordinating your return to Cusco. The price depends on train availability, departure time, and current ticket price.
• Return by car via Hidroelectrica: We can arrange transportation from Hidroelectrica to Cusco for an additional USD 15 per person. There is only one daily departure, at approximately 3:00 PM from Hidroelectrica.

All return arrangements can be coordinated once we know the confirmed date and entry time of your Machu Picchu ticket.