Our Salkantay Trek

Day 1: Early morning transfer to Sayapata (4 hours), the trailhead for Salkantay. Set off walking 5-6 hours to Salkantay pampa (4200m), from where you will have impressive views of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay, Tucarway, Rayuska and Salcantay. What a great start of the trip! Night camp in Salkantay pampa.

Day 2: Early wake-up for a long hike up to the Salkantay Pass (2 hours), located between two huge mountains, Salcantay on the right and Tucarhuay Humantay on the left. From the pass, the views of the two snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here. After a rest, you will continue your walk downhill towards Huayracpunku, where you will have lunch. Then the walk continues in direction of the jungle until you reach your second campsite, Colcapampa (3000m).

Day 3: Today you will pass through valleys with wonderful views of waterfalls and tropical fruits and plants. If you are lucky, you will be able to observe the famous bird called the 'Cock of the Rocks'. In 3-4 hours you will walk to Lucmabamba, where your hosts Enrique and Teofila will be awaiting you. After lunch, they will show you around their coffee plantation to gain an insight in their agricultural way of life. After dinner you can have a hot shower and get into your comfortable bed for a good night's rest.

Day 4: From Enrique’s house, you will start walking early in the morning treading the well-preserved Inka Road. The cloud forest surrounding the path is a paradise for birdwatchers. From the top (2-3 hours uphill) you will walk down for several hours with an almost continuous view of Machu Picchu - truly breathtaking! Upon arrival at the hydroelectric station you will have lunch and wait for the train to Aguas Calientes, or just walk, it's only another 3 hours! Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: In the morning you will be treated to a guided tour of one of the true wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. Afterwards you will check out of your hotel and return to Cusco by train.

Enrique is a local farmer and the warmest of hosts. Staying with him provides a secondary income to his farm and a much needed secondary income stream for his family. Enrique's Farm is also part of a longer alternative Coffee Route to Mahcu Picchu that has been designed by our partners in Peru. This alternative route takes you from Cusco to Mahcu Picchu by way of Julia's, Alejandro's and Enrique's farm. It is a way to see a very different side of Peru whilst making sure your money goes to some very deserving families.