Trip Details
Itinerary Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days
Day 1: Cusco – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa
Today our adventure will start very early. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive for almost 2 and a half hours to Mollepata. Here, we’ll have breakfast before heading to the starting point of the hike.
After recharging our energy, we’ll continue for about 40 more minutes to Soraypampa to begin the hike. The trail continues toward the Salkantay Pass on a 4-hour hike. This section is commonly known as the “Path of the 7 Snakes” because of its zigzag shape. When you reach the Salkantay Pass, you’ll feel proud of completing the toughest part of the trek.
After giving thanks to the Apus (mountain spirits) for allowing us to reach this point, we’ll descend to Huayracmachay for almost 2 and a half hours. Around lunchtime, our team will be waiting with a delicious meal after the long hike.
After lunch, we’ll continue hiking for about 3 more hours until we reach Collpapampa. Here, you’ll find our glamping site with comfortable facilities where you can relax, have dinner, and enjoy a night under the stars.
Note: The Humantay Lake visit is optional and must be done on horseback due to the tight schedule. The additional cost for the horse is USD 70 per person…. You can choose to visit the beautiful Humantay Lake by horseback (about 45 minutes each way). Along the way, you’ll enjoy amazing views of the mountains, glaciers, and local wildlife before reaching this stunning turquoise lake. After some time to rest and take photos, you’ll return the same way on horseback to continue the journey.
- DIFFICULTY: Challenging
- WALKING DISTANCE: 23.5 km / 14.6 miles
- WALKING TIME: 10 – 11 hours
- STARTING ELEVATION: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- MIN. ELEVATION: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
- CAMPSITE ELEVATION: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
Day 2: Collpapampa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Today our day starts early with a cup of tea in your room. After breakfast, we’ll begin today’s adventure. A vehicle will take you through the valley until you get to Lucmabamba. From here, you will start the hike to Llactapata. This is an archaeological site located about around 3 hours uphill. The path is full of stone steps leading to this impressive stone gateway. From here, you’ll have your first distant view of Machu Picchu.
Continuing the hike, you’ll descend toward Hidroelectrica, where we’ll stop for lunch. After recharging your energy, the last stretch of the hike awaits — 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. During this last part, you’ll walk along the train tracks, enjoying the tropical scenery.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you can freshen up and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Rest in a comfortable hotel and get ready for your long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu.
** OPTIONAL: Instead of walking 3 hours from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu, you can do a train ride for an extra 45 USD
- DIFFICULTY: Moderate to challenging
- WALKING DISTANCE:16km
- WALKING TIME: 8h
- STARTING ELEVATION:2900 mt
- MIN. ELEVATION: 2000 mt
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
The big day has arrived! After breakfast, your guide will pick you up and take you to the bus heading to Machu Picchu. You’ll enjoy a guided tour through the citadel, visiting the most important areas — plazas, temples, and terraces — on a tour of about 3 hours. Afterward, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Finally, transportation will take you back to Cusco.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
What is Included Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days?
Included
- Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu
- English speaking, experienced professional guide
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Comfortable tents (sleeping 2 people in a 4 person tent)
- All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes.
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
- Celebration dinner in Aguas Calientes (restaurant)
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
- Mules and horses (for camping equipment and personal items)
- Pack horse for 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag etc
- Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
- Pillow and comfortable foam mattress
- Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
Not Included
- Walking Poles: $15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Single Suplement: $50 USD
- Vistadome Train Upgrade: $67 USD per person (Return Only)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Huamantay Lake US$70 ech
- Train from HIdro-Electrica to Aguas Calientes: US$45 each
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of SAM TRAVEL PERU
Best Price for 2026.
The Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days is available on almost any day that suits your schedule! We only need a minimum of two people in order to book!
- From US$499 each
Packing List
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR SALKANTAY 4 DAY TREK
- Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L (you must have reusable, not disposable water bottles)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR SALKANTAY 4 DAY TREK
As a Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse which will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 3kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing suit for the thermal waters (optional)
- 2 Fleece/ thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, bring them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer to bring something larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR SALKANTAY 4 DAY TREK
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
- Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your reusable bottles
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
