New Salkantay Trek + Inca Jungle Trail 5 Days / 4 Nights

The second day of the Salkantay Trek + Inca Jungle Trail is one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the journey. Today, you will reach the highest point of the route, enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, visit the beautiful Salkantay Lake, and experience a traditional Andean ceremony dedicated to the mountain spirits.

Early Wake-Up with Coca Tea

Our trekking team will wake you up around 5:00 a.m. with a warm cup of coca tea, a traditional Andean drink commonly used to help with the effects of altitude.

Afterward, you will have time to repack your belongings and get ready for breakfast.

Breakfast at the Camp

A nutritious breakfast will be served around 5:45 a.m., giving you the energy you need for the most demanding hike of the trek.

After breakfast, we will begin our ascent toward the highest point of the Salkantay route.

Hike to Salkantay Pass

We will start hiking uphill toward the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft above sea level. The hike takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, following a steady uphill trail at a slow and comfortable pace.

Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of glaciers, valleys, and the impressive Salkantay Mountain, one of the most sacred peaks in the Cusco region.

Salkantay Pass and Andean Ceremony

Once we reach the highest point, you will have time to rest, take photos, and enjoy the panoramic mountain views.

Your guide will also share the cultural and spiritual importance of the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits in Andean tradition. As part of the experience, you will participate in a small Andean ceremony to honor the Apus and give thanks to Pachamama, Mother Earth.

Visit to Salkantay Lake

After enjoying the pass, we will continue toward Salkantay Lake, a beautiful high-Andean lagoon located near the mountain. This is a peaceful and scenic spot where you can take photos and appreciate the dramatic natural surroundings of the Salkantay region.

Descent to Soraypampa

After visiting the lake and the surrounding viewpoints, we will begin the downhill hike back to Soraypampa. The descent takes approximately 2.5 hours, with beautiful views along the way.

Once we arrive, our team will be waiting with a delicious and well-deserved lunch.

Drive to Ollantaytambo

After lunch, we will say goodbye to the trekking section of the route and continue by tourist transport from Soraypampa to Ollantaytambo. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, passing through scenic valleys and traditional Andean towns.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo

Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you will check in at your hotel and have time to take a shower, rest, and recover after the hike.

In the evening, we will enjoy dinner together. Afterward, if you still have energy, you can take a short walk around Ollantaytambo, one of the most charming Inca towns in the Sacred Valley.

After breakfast at the hotel in Ollantaytambo, we will travel by car toward Abra Málaga, located at approximately 4,300 m / 14,108 ft. The drive takes around 1.5 hours, with impressive views of the Sacred Valley, high mountains, and changing landscapes as we move toward the jungle side of Cusco.

Downhill Biking from Abra Málaga

From Abra Málaga, we will begin an exciting downhill biking adventure through one of the most scenic roads in the region. The biking experience lasts approximately 3 hours, descending from the high Andes toward warmer valleys and greener landscapes.

This activity is full of beautiful views and adrenaline, but it is optional. If you prefer not to participate in the biking section, you can continue the route comfortably by car.

Lunch on the Route

After the biking activity, we will stop for a delicious lunch to recover energy before beginning the hiking section of the day.

Hike toward the Original Inca Trail

After lunch, we will walk for about 45 minutes along a local road before entering a section of the original Inca Trail. This ancient path once connected Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba, known as the last capital of the Incas.

Hiking through the Jungle Inca Trail

We will hike for approximately 3 hours along this historic trail, surrounded by impressive views of the Vilcanota Valley, tropical hills, and lush vegetation.

Along the way, you will see local plantations of bananas, coca, yucca, coffee, and other crops that grow in this warm jungle region. This part of the route offers a beautiful contrast to the high mountain landscapes of the first days, showing a completely different side of the Cusco region.

Your guide will explain the importance of this ancient Inca route, the connection between the Andes and the jungle, and the traditional agricultural life of local communities.

Transfer to Santa Teresa

After completing the Inca Trail hike, we will take transportation for approximately 30 minutes to the town of Santa Teresa.

Overnight in Santa Teresa

Upon arrival in Santa Teresa, you will check in at your hotel and have time to rest and freshen up. In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and prepare for the next day of adventure on the route to Machu Picchu.

After breakfast in Santa Teresa, we will head to the zipline base to begin one of the most exciting activities of the Salkantay Trek + Inca Jungle Trail. This day combines adventure, jungle scenery, Inca history, and a beautiful hike toward Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

Zipline Adventure in Santa Teresa

We will start the morning with an exciting zipline experience that lasts approximately 2 hours. During the activity, you will ride across six different zipline cables, flying over the valley and enjoying amazing views of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and jungle landscapes.

This is one of the most adventurous moments of the route and a perfect way to experience the warmer Amazonian side of Cusco.

Transfer to Hidroelectrica and Lunch

After the zipline activity, we will take transportation to the Hidroelectrica area, where we will stop for lunch before starting the final hiking section of the day.

Hike along the Vilcanota River

After lunch, we will begin an easy and scenic hike toward Aguas Calientes. The trail follows the Vilcanota River and passes through lush vegetation, waterfalls, and beautiful mountain scenery.

Along the way, you will see the Santa Teresa Hydroelectric Power Plant and the surrounding jungle landscapes that form part of the route to Machu Picchu.

Visit to Intihuatana

Before continuing the hike, we will stop at Intihuatana, a small archaeological site where your guide will explain its historical importance and connection with the Inca civilization.

From this area, you will also enjoy one of the first views of Machu Picchu Mountain, making this a very special moment before reaching the town.

Hike to Aguas Calientes

After visiting Intihuatana, we will continue walking along the train route for approximately 3 hours. This is considered an easy hike, with beautiful views of the river, mountains, and tropical forest.

By the end of the afternoon, we will arrive in Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Once in Aguas Calientes, we will go to the hotel so you can check in, take a shower, and rest after the hike.

In the evening, the group will enjoy a final dinner together before the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

The final day of your Salkantay Trek + Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu is the most exciting part of the journey: the visit to the legendary Machu Picchu Citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Early Wake-Up in Aguas Calientes

You will wake up around 4:00 a.m. to get ready for the hike up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. After picking up your packed breakfast, we will begin the walk from Aguas Calientes to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

The checkpoint opens around 5:00 a.m. Here, you must show your passport and Machu Picchu entrance ticket before continuing the hike.

Hike to the Machu Picchu Main Entrance

After passing the first checkpoint, we will begin the uphill hike to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. This section takes approximately 1 hour and follows a stone stairway through the cloud forest.

We expect to arrive at the main gate around 6:00 a.m., just in time to enjoy the magical morning atmosphere of Machu Picchu.

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Once the group is ready at the entrance, we will enter Machu Picchu for a guided tour of approximately 2.5 hours.

Your professional guide will explain the history, architecture, temples, terraces, ceremonial areas, and the importance of this incredible Inca city. You will learn why Machu Picchu is considered one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.

Free Time in Machu Picchu

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the citadel on your own, take photos, and enjoy the views.

The amount of time you can spend inside Machu Picchu will depend on your return option to Cusco and whether you have booked an additional mountain hike such as Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. These hikes must be booked in advance and require extra time.

Return Options to Cusco

After visiting Machu Picchu, you can choose between two return options: return by train or return by car.

Return by Train

The train option is the most comfortable and recommended choice if you want to spend more time at Machu Picchu or if you plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

With this option, you can enjoy approximately 7 to 8 hours in the Machu Picchu area, giving you more flexibility and a more relaxed experience.

After your visit, you will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. The train ride takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. From Ollantaytambo, our transport will take you back to Cusco, arriving around 10:30 p.m.

Return by Car

The car option is a more budget-friendly alternative, but it requires more walking and a stricter schedule.

After the guided tour and some free time in Machu Picchu, you will need to leave the citadel around 11:30 a.m. to begin the walk back to Hidroelectrica. This hike takes approximately 3 hours.

You must arrive at Hidroelectrica around 2:30 p.m. to take the return transport to Cusco. The drive takes approximately 6 hours, with arrival in Cusco later in the evening.

Important Note about Mountain Hikes

If you choose the return by car and also want to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, the schedule can feel very rushed. For a better experience, we recommend staying one extra night in Aguas Calientes and returning to Cusco by car the following day.

This gives you more time to enjoy Machu Picchu without stress and makes the final day of your adventure much more comfortable.