Caminata Salkantay a Machu Picchu 4 Días y 3 Noches
Experimenta una de las rutas más impresionantes hacia Machu Picchu en una aventura más corta pero más intensa llena de paisajes en constante cambio. El Trek Salkantay 4 Días es ideal para viajeros activos que desean experimentar una verdadera aventura andina, cruzando montañas nevadas, valles de gran altitud, bosques nubosos y finalmente llegando a Machu Picchu.
En el primer día, viaja desde Cusco a Soraypampa, donde comienza el trek en medio de un paisaje montañoso espectacular. Dependiendo del itinerario confirmado, puedes visitar el impresionante Lago Humantay antes de pasar la noche en el primer campamento. En el segundo día, cruza el impresionante Paso Salkantay, el punto más alto de la ruta, antes de descender hacia paisajes más cálidos y verdes. Los días siguientes te llevan a través de bosques nubosos, comunidades rurales y la ruta hacia Aguas Calientes antes de concluir con una visita guiada a Machu Picchu y el regreso a Cusco.
Este trek se opera con alojamiento tradicional en campamentos, ofreciendo una experiencia simple pero cómoda inmersa en la naturaleza. El programa incluye logística organizada, guías profesionales, transporte, comidas durante el trek, equipo de camping y apoyo continuo durante el viaje.
Es la opción perfecta para viajeros con tiempo limitado que aún desean experimentar la esencia del Trek Salkantay: montañas, aventura, naturaleza, senderismo y una llegada memorable a Machu Picchu.
- Tipo de Tour: Trekking, naturaleza, aventura, montañas, campamento y Machu Picchu.
- Ideal Para: Viajeros activos, parejas, amigos, mochileros, grupos pequeños y quienes buscan una experiencia auténtica de trekking.
- Duración: 4 Días / 3 Noches.
- Inicio / Fin: Cusco / Cusco.
- Dificultad: Moderada a Desafiante.
- Distancia Total de Caminata: Aproximadamente 50 km / 31 millas, dependiendo de la ruta y organización del servicio.
- Altitud Máxima: Aproximadamente 4,630 m / 15,190 pies en el Paso Salkantay.
- Alojamiento: Campamentos tradicionales y 1 noche de hotel en Aguas Calientes, de acuerdo con el itinerario confirmado.
- Idiomas: Inglés y español.
- Comidas Incluidas: De acuerdo con el itinerario confirmado.
- Temporada: Disponible durante todo el año, sujeto a condiciones climáticas y requisitos operacionales.
- Machu Picchu: Entrada y tour guiado de acuerdo con disponibilidad y circuito confirmado.
Why Travelers Enjoy This Tour
This tour is an excellent option if you want to reach Machu Picchu through a more adventurous and less traditional route. Instead of traveling directly by train, you will hike through mountains, valleys, rivers, and cloud forest landscapes that show a very different side of Cusco.
One of the most special moments of the journey is crossing the Salkantay Pass, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wide high-altitude scenery. It is a demanding day, but also one of the most memorable for many travelers, as it allows you to feel the strength of the Andes in a very direct way.
Also, as a 4-day version, the route maintains the essence of the Salkantay Trek but with a more compact rhythm. It is ideal for travelers with less time who still want an intense, authentic, and well-organized experience before visiting Machu Picchu.
What Makes This Experience Special
What makes the Salkantay Trek – 4 Days special is the variety of landscapes you experience in just a few days. You will start in a cold high-mountain area near Salkantay Glacier and gradually descend into warmer valleys with rich vegetation, rivers, plantations, and trails that connect to Machu Picchu.
The presence of the Salkantay Glacier, considered a sacred apu by Andean communities, gives this trek a very special energy. Throughout the route, the mountain accompanies part of the journey and marks one of the most important moments of the trek.
This version with regular tents keeps the classic trekking essence: simple camps, meals on the route, long hikes, and direct contact with nature. It is a great option for travelers seeking adventure without luxury services, but with safe and well-organized logistics.
Best Season to Travel
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is from April to October, during the dry season. During these months, there is a higher chance of clear skies, better mountain views, and more stable hiking conditions.
From November to March, rainfall is more frequent and trails may be wet or muddy. However, landscapes tend to be greener and more vibrant. During this season, a good waterproof jacket or poncho is essential.
Throughout the year, weather can change quickly. You may experience cold, strong sun, wind, rain, or humidity, so we recommend dressing in layers and coming well prepared.
Who This Tour Is For
This tour is ideal for active travelers who want a trekking experience before visiting Machu Picchu but have less time than the classic 5-day itinerary. It is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, nature, and authentic Andean adventures.
You do not need to be an expert trekker, but you should have good physical condition. The route includes long hikes, ascents, descents, altitude changes, and a demanding day crossing the Salkantay Pass.
It is also a great option for backpackers, couples, friends, and small groups looking for an alternative to the Inca Trail with impressive scenery and a more flexible experience.
Incluido
- Guía profesional bilingüe
- Briefing pre-trek
- Transporte desde Cusco
- Apoyo logístico de trekking
- Equipo de camping
- Comidas durante el trek
- Equipo de cocina
- Transporte de equipaje
- Entrada a Machu Picchu (de acuerdo con disponibilidad)
- Autobús entre Aguas Calientes y Machu Picchu
- Tren de regreso a Ollantaytambo
- Transporte a Cusco
- Botiquín de primeros auxilios y oxígeno de emergencia
No Incluido
- Almuerzo y cena en el último día
- Refrigerios personales y bebidas
- Bolsa de dormir (a menos que esté incluida)
- Bastones de trekking (a menos que estén incluidos)
- Seguro de viaje
- Entrada a Huayna Picchu o Montaña Machu Picchu
- Gastos personales
- Propinas
- Servicios no mencionados
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Camp
Your adventure begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Travel by tourist transportation through the scenic Andes to the Mollepata region and continue to Challacancha, where the hike officially begins according to the confirmed itinerary.
As the journey unfolds, you'll witness dramatic changes in the landscape, from fertile Andean valleys and rural communities to towering mountain scenery. The first day serves as an excellent introduction to the Salkantay Trek, offering beautiful trails and increasingly impressive views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
Upon reaching Soraypampa, one of the most important camps along the route and located near the majestic Salkantay Glacier, you'll prepare for the optional hike to Humantay Lake. Weather and group pace permitting, this rewarding excursion leads to one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the Cusco region.
The ascent to Humantay Lake can be challenging due to the altitude, but the pace is gradual with plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the scenery. Upon arrival, take time to admire the turquoise waters, capture photographs, and experience one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the trek. Afterward, return to camp, where dinner and comfortable camping facilities await as you prepare for the following day's adventure.
- Hiking Distance: Approximately 10 km / 6.2 mi (including Humantay Lake)
- Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Starting Altitude: Approximately 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Maximum Altitude: Approximately 4,200 m / 13,780 ft (Humantay Lake)
- Camp Altitude: Approximately 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Weather: Cold afternoons and nights with possible wind
- Sites Visited: Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
- Accommodation: Regular Tent Camp
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayracmachay – Chaullay / Collpapampa
After breakfast, begin the most challenging and spectacular day of the Salkantay Trek. Today's route leads to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek, surrounded by towering mountains, expansive valleys, and breathtaking views of the majestic Salkantay Glacier.
The ascent requires endurance, patience, and a steady pace. Along the way, there will be regular stops to rest, hydrate, and take in the incredible scenery. Upon reaching the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft), you'll have time to enjoy the panoramic views, take photographs, and celebrate reaching one of the most important milestones of the journey.
From the pass, begin a long descent toward Wayracmachay, where the landscape gradually transforms from rugged alpine terrain into greener and more temperate surroundings. As the altitude decreases, the environment becomes noticeably warmer and more lush.
Continue toward Chaullay, Collpapampa, or a nearby campsite, depending on the operational itinerary. This is a demanding yet rewarding day, offering some of the most dramatic scenery and memorable moments of the entire trek.
- Hiking Distance: Approximately 22 km / 13.7 mi
- Hiking Time: 8 to 9 hours
- Maximum Altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Weather: Cold in the morning and at the pass; warmer during the descent
- Sites Visited: Salkantay Pass, Wayracmachay, and Chaullay or Collpapampa
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Accommodation: Regular Tent Camp
Day 3: Chaullay / Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, continue into a completely different ecosystem. This stage of the trek showcases one of the most remarkable transitions along the Salkantay Route, leaving behind the cold high-altitude mountains and entering a warmer, greener, and more humid environment.
Although less demanding than the previous day, the hike still requires good endurance. Along the way, you'll pass through cloud forest landscapes, coffee plantations, rivers, rural communities, and lush vegetation that highlight the incredible biodiversity of the region.
Depending on the confirmed itinerary, continue toward Lucmabamba, La Playa, or the Hydroelectric Station area, where you'll take a break before the final stretch to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
The last section follows the railway tracks through a scenic valley surrounded by mountains and dense vegetation. While this portion can be long, the excitement of getting closer to Machu Picchu makes it a memorable part of the journey. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, check into your accommodation and enjoy time to relax before visiting Machu Picchu the following day.
- Hiking Distance: Approximately 18–22 km / 11.2–13.7 mi
- Starting Altitude: Approximately 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
- Ending Altitude: Approximately 2,040 m / 6,693 ft (Aguas Calientes)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Weather: Warm and humid
- Sites Visited: Collpapampa, Lucmabamba, Hydroelectric, and Aguas Calientes
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch (according to the confirmed program)
- Accommodation: Basic Lodge or Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Early in the morning, take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu according to your confirmed entry time. After several days of trekking through the Andes, this is one of the most anticipated and rewarding moments of the entire journey.
Upon arrival, enter Machu Picchu with your guide and enjoy a guided tour following the confirmed circuit. Learn about the history, architecture, engineering, and cultural significance of the Inca citadel while exploring its most important sectors and viewpoints.
After the guided visit, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have free time before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, continue by tourist transportation back to Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco is expected in the afternoon or evening, depending on the train schedule and operational logistics. This marks the end of an unforgettable adventure through the Andes and one of Peru's most spectacular trekking routes.
- Hiking Distance: Light walking inside Machu Picchu
- Altitude: Approximately 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Weather: Warm and humid
- Site Visited: Machu Picchu
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Not applicable (return to Cusco)
Lista de Embalaje
Esenciales
- Mochila de día
- Zapatos de trekking
- Ropa cómoda
- Chaqueta de lluvia
- Capas abrigadas
- Gorro y guantes
- Protector solar
- Repelente de insectos
- Botella de agua
- Linterna frontal
- Medicamentos personales
- Efectivo en soles
Artículos de la Mochila de Día
- Agua
- Refrigerios
- Chaqueta de lluvia
- Capa abrigada
- Pasaporte
- Teléfono/cámara
- Power bank
- Papel higiénico
- Desinfectante de manos
- Efectivo
- Bastones de trekking
Precio
| Tour | Desde |
| Trek Salkantay 4 Días | USD 540 por persona |
- Los precios pueden variar dependiendo de temporada, disponibilidad, tamaño del grupo, tipo de servicio, categoría de tren y servicios adicionales.
- Servicio privado disponible bajo solicitud.
- El precio final se confirma de acuerdo con la fecha de viaje, servicios seleccionados y número de participantes.
Yes, it is considered a moderate to challenging trek. Because this is a shorter version of the route, some days can feel more intense than the 5-day program. It is not a technical hike, but it does require good physical fitness and comfort with walking long distances at high altitude.
This program is operated with regular camping tents. It is a simple and authentic trekking experience, fully connected with nature. You will stay in organized campsites along the route and one night in Aguas Calientes in basic accommodation or a hotel, depending on the confirmed service.
No previous trekking experience is required. However, you should be in good general health and comfortable walking for several hours per day on mountain terrain with elevation changes.
The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, located at approximately 4,630 m / 15,190 ft above sea level. This is the most challenging section of the route.
Yes, the entrance to Machu Picchu is included, subject to availability and the official circuit assigned at the time of booking.
Yes, Humantay Lake is usually visited on the first day, depending on the program, weather conditions, and group pace.
Both routes follow a similar path, but the 4-day version is more condensed and physically intense. It is designed for travelers with less time who still want the full trekking experience. The 5-day option allows for a more relaxed pace and additional time for acclimatization and rest.
The trek operates in light or moderate rain. Proper waterproof clothing is essential. In case of severe weather conditions, the guide and operations team will evaluate the safest possible adjustments to the route.
