This 4-day Salkantay trek is a wilder, higher-altitude route to Machu Picchu—perfect for adventurers! You’ll hike through crazy-diverse landscapes: icy peaks, jungly valleys, and even Inca ruins most travelers miss. The real star? Those jaw-dropping views of Humantay and Salkantay glaciers. We’ve designed this route ourselves, so you’ll see hidden spots like the bright-blue Humantay Lake and the ancient Llactapata ruins, where you can literally stare at Machu Picchu across the valley. Trust me, this isn’t your average hike.
We’re the go-to crew for Salkantay—we’ve been doing this for years. Our secret? We avoid the crowded trails and stick to our own paths. Come see why our treks feel like a real adventure, not a tourist parade.
Adventure starts early—like 4:30 AM early. We’ll pick you up, drive 3 hours on winding Andean roads (watch for Salkantay’s snowy peak out the window!). Breakfast at Soraypampa with mountain views that’ll make you forget the early wake-up. Then, the real work begins: a 2.5-hour hike to Humantay Lake. The water’s so blue it looks Photoshopped—but it’s real. Snap pics, catch your breath, then hike back down for lunch.
Afternoon hike to Sorococcha campsite (4,400m/14,517ft). It’s FREEZING at night, but don’t worry—we’ll stuff you with hot drinks and popcorn. Crash in tents with thick foam mats.
Wake up to coffee delivered to your tent (yes, really!). Hike 1 hour uphill to Apacheta Pass (4,650m/15,367ft). Views here? Unreal. You’ll see Salkantay, Humantay, and Huayanay peaks—all sacred “Apus†(mountain spirits) in Inca culture. The guide’ll share stories; listen close—it’s cooler than any podcast.
Then, 2-hour downhill to Huayracmachay for lunch. After, descend 3 hours into the Amazon side of Peru—think waterfalls, warm air, and banana plants. Finish with a bumpy ride to Lucmabamba campsite.
Coffee in your sleeping bag? Yep. Today’s highlight: walking an actual Inca trail to Llactapata ruins. It’s steep, but the view of Machu Picchu from here? Mind-blowing. You’ll see the whole citadel—no crowds, just you and the Andes.
Hike 2 hours down to Hydroelectric (watch for wild orchids!), then take a train to Aguas Calientes. Dinner at a local spot, then sleep in a real bed at Ferre Hotel. Hot showers, people!
The Big Day! Up at dawn for the bus to Machu Picchu. Pro tip: Grab a window seat—the sunrise over the ruins is pure magic. Your guide’ll tour you for 2 hours, explaining the farming terraces, temples, and how the Incas built this place without Instagram.
After, explore on your own or hit the market in Aguas Calientes. Train back to Ollantaytambo (scenic ride along the Urubamba River!), then van to Cusco. Back by 7 PM—just in time for a celebratory Pisco sour.
Extra Costs:
Heads Up:
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
Our 4 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu may leave on any date that is best suited to you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
Private service is available for an extra $200 per person.
Pack horses included! This price includes an extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kilos. We will provide you a duffel bag in which you can put your things. We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.Â
