4-Day Salkantay Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train Return
by TreXperience
Overview
This 4-day hiking tour leads through the Andes on the Salkantay Trek, ending at Machu Picchu. The route includes a hike to Humantay Lake, known for its turquoise waters, then crossing the high Salkantay Pass. After the pass, the trail descends into a green cloud forest. Along the way, the group shares a Pachamanca meal cooked underground and visits an organic coffee farm in Lucmabamba. Overnight stays include the Salka Glamp campsite near Salkantay, Andean huts in Collpapampa, and a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. The tour includes all meals on the trail except the last-day lunch, with options for all diets. The trekking chef prepares these meals. The return trip from Machu Picchu to Cusco is by the panoramic Vistadome train. The tour provides drinking water, daily snacks, camping equipment carried by mules, and supplies such as a pillow, sleeping pad, rain poncho, and hand towels. Transportation during the tour, entry tickets to the Salkantay route and Machu Picchu, a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, a first-aid kit, satellite phone, and oxygen are all included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Early Cusco Pickup and Mountain Drive
An early hotel pickup occurs around 4:30 a.m. in Cusco, followed by a scenic drive through the Andean mountains.
120 min
Breakfast in Traditional Andean Village
A stop is made in a traditional village along the route to have a warm Andean breakfast at a local restaurant.
60 min
Meet Guide and Begin Trek
The trekking group meets the guide and prepares gear before starting the hike.
180 min
Visit Humantay Lake
The trek reaches Humantay Lake, known for its bright turquoise waters and surrounded by snowy mountains, providing a quiet place to rest and take photos.
60 min
Picnic Lunch and Valley Hike
A picnic lunch made with local ingredients is served, then the hike continues for about two hours through quiet valleys beneath glaciers with Andean views.
120 min
Settle at Salka Glamp Campsite
Camp is set at the exclusive Salka Glamp site below Salkantay Mountain, used only by TreXperience, featuring spacious glamping tents with mountain views, tea time, hot dinner, and a quiet night under the stars.
Breakfast and Hot Drink in Tent
Wake up to hot coca tea or coffee delivered to the tent, followed by a large fresh breakfast to prepare for the day's hike.
Ascent to Highest Trek Point and Descent
Hike about two hours up to the trek's highest point with expanding views of glaciers and peaks, pause by a quiet glacial lake, then descend gently for three hours to a lunch spot.
300 min
Hike to Collpapampa Village
Continue hiking for about three hours as the environment shifts from high mountains to cloud forest, arriving at Collpapampa village to stay overnight in Andean huts with dinner.
180 min
Breakfast in Cloud Forest Valley
Have a relaxed breakfast in the green cloud forest valley surrounded by rivers, birds, and exotic plants.
180 min
Hike to Coffee Village and Pachamanca
Hike about three hours to a village known for coffee and fruit farms, participate in a traditional Pachamanca meal cooked underground with hot stones, visit an organic coffee farm, and enjoy fresh local coffee.
240 min
Drive to Hidroelectrica and Hike Along Tracks
Take a scenic one-hour drive to Hidroelectrica station with jungle views, then hike about three hours along train tracks passing valleys, rivers, and tropical greenery.
180 min
Aguas Calientes Arrival
Reach Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), have dinner at a local restaurant, and stay overnight in a 3-star hotel.
Morning Bus to Machu Picchu
Following breakfast at the hotel, the group proceeds to the bus station to join the queue for one of the earliest buses departing close to 5:30 a.m. As the bus ascends, daylight gradually increases, and if conditions are favorable, the sunrise and the Machu Picchu citadel can be seen illuminated by the morning light.
60 min
Guided Machu Picchu Exploration
The guide conducts a 2 to 3-hour exploration of Machu Picchu, highlighting the main temples, terraces, and prime viewpoints while recounting the site's history and lesser-known narratives. Once the tour concludes, there is an opportunity to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views, which requires prior reservation.
120 min
Return via Vistadome Train
Travel back on the Vistadome train, observing views of mountains and valleys through its large panoramic windows.
120 min
Ollantaytambo Pickup
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a driver will meet the group and transport them to their hotel, concluding the Salkantay trek.
120 min
Meeting point
ChatGPT Plus Travelers can also meet us at Plaza Regocijo at 4:30 a.m.; please coordinate this with us the day before the tour.
End point
Travelers can also meet us at Plaza Regocijo at 4:30 a.m.; please coordinate this with us the day before the tour.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
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