4650 m.s.n.m
8 person(s)
Group
Hike, Van, Train
This is an alternative route to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which will take you through incredible landscapes with various types of exotic flora and fauna. A unique and specially designed 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, with incomparable views of the snow-capped Humantay and Salkantay Mountains. Trek off the beaten path, following our unique route where you visit two incredible crystal clear glacial lakes. Hike through the Andes Mountains and camp at our private sites which are more remote, less crowded and off the typical path. Follow the remote foot path up to the forgotten Inca Ruins of LLACTAPATA with the greatest view of Machu Picchu. Orange Nation is the best choice if you want to enjoy the Salkantay trek in Peru with specialists in creating unique routes, with our customized treks to Machu Picchu like the Salkantay trek, which many tour operators do not offer.
We will pick you up at 4:30am from your hotel and drive for 3 hours in our private van to the Soraypampa trailhead. As we travel along the curvy roads in the Andes, there are views of the indigenous villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous spectacular snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. At the trailhead, we have our breakfast while enjoying the views of the glaciers of Mount Humantay (5,900m/19,356ft) and Mount Salkantay (6,217m / 20,396ft). We gradually climb through Andean valley landscapes before arriving at Sorococcha (4,400m / 14,517ft) for lunch. Onwards and upwards for one more hour we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). We are breathless with the most spectacular views of snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay, roiling white rivers, and small picturesque lakes. A short 35-minute hike takes us to the turquoise Salkantay Lake. After lunch, we have a one hour uphill of switchbacks and arrive at our first campsite at Soroccocha located at the foot of the great Salkantay Mountain. Then, you can relax with a coffee or hot chocolate while enjoying the amazing views.
After a scrumptious and hearty breakfast, we descend for 3 hours toward the rural community of Chayllay. Along the way, you will enjoy the refreshing lush green valleys and spectacular waterfalls. After lunch, we walk for 5 hours through the beginning of the Peruvian cloud forest, enjoying fruit bearing trees and varied flora and birds. Admiring the undulating hills of coffee, cacao and fruit plantations, we finally we arrive at Lucmabamba, where we spend the second night (2,050m/6,767ft).
Here we take a relaxing tour, where we get to experience Peru at the source of its coffee exportation, forging a connection to increasingly popular and world famous Peruvian coffee. We begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans and picking our own. Then, we roast and grind them into coffee. Finally, we get to brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience. However, it does not end there. Co-existing in fields of tomatoes and avocados are multiple ecosystems with unique flora and fauna. After picking our fresh produce, our trekking chef prepares it for us for our dinner.
After the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef, we continue along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours uphill to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, you will not believe the incredible views and long valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located directly across from Machu Picchu! There we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of the Grand Machu Picchu from across the canyon and admire its surrounding mountains Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.
Then, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco, where we have lunch. Then, we take the train for a half hour to Aguas Calientes where we sleep in a nice hotel with all the amenities you need after camping.
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site out of history and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.
After the tour, those people that have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to hike it on their own. When they have had their fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, a bus back down to Aguas Calientes will be waiting. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes lunch is waiting with numerous restaurants to choose from (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.
***IMPORTANT:
Our Salkantay Trek Machu Picchu 4 days may leave on any date that is best suited to you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers!
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 8 people | $ 547 USD per person |
***This price includes an extra packhorse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kg, we will provide you a duffel bag, you can put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
Please read the following information carefully; it will help answer all of your questions about our services and the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 4 days.
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210, Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Absolutely! During your trek, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are free.
FIRST, to book your trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our home page or click here on this link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the 1 day Inca Trail Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge from PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of orangenationperu@gmail.com.
Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought for Machu Picchu, the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferrable nor refundable.
If you cancel your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DEFINITELY! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your trek. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number. Please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! Most airlines are enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
Weather on Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 4 days is very varied, due to the fact that it winds its way through wildly different terrain at different altitudes. The only place where weather is a serious concern is the Salkantay Pass, and the nearby areas. Temperatures here, and at the nearby Soraypampa campsite, can fall below freezing. The other camps are much warmer, due to their proximity to the cloud forest.
We highly recommend you to bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 4 days is a 74 Km(45.98 miles) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
For some visitors, the first hours in Cusco can be summarized as: shortness of breath, a discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract soroche, quechua for high-altitude sickness.
If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. It is advisable to take it really easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.
How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.
Discovering coca
No one knew better the effects of high altitude than indigenous peoples. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. Try drinking coca tea, which is found in the lobbies of most hotels in Cusco.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Oraneg Nation Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse which will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
$547USD Per Person
It was perfect! On the first day we had a great time exploring the Sacred Valley and see the main attractions and learn about the history of this beautiful place.
I would definitely recommend the short Inka trail, I think it was the best way to get to know Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. We arrived at Machu Picchu when most of the crowd was gone and it felt really special.
You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru
Best mix of adventure, history and nature: Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
4-day trekking option seemed too intense for us, but we still wanted to experience the entrance to Machu Picchu through the ancient Inka trail, so we opted for Orange Nation’s combination of Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I couldn’t be more happy about our decision.
We booked and paid the deposit to Orange Nation / Sam travel for the 4 day Inca Trail and Machu Pichu trip back in 2019. But we couldn't travel in 2020 and 2021 - but the company honoured our agreement and so we came back in 2022.
recommends Orange Nation Peru
You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru. This tour had so many incredible things and places packed into 4 days.
recommends Orange Nation Peru
My girl and i did the Machu Pichu trek tour with Orange Nation. It was seriously the most amazing experience that we'll never forget. Gorgeous views! The long trek was worth the amazing view. The tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We considered other tours but chose Orange Nation because we liked the idea of smaller groups and this was definitely worth it. I will be using Orange Nation again next year when I come back to Peru!
recommends Orange Nation Peru
Wow, what a wonderful trekking experience! My trip to Peru was amazing thanks to this awesome tour that i took with Orange Nation. I did multiple tours with this company. I'm a solo traveler and everyone in my group was always still friendly and did not make me feel left out. I loved going off the beaten track with this company. It's much better to pay extra to go off the path for the quality experience of this amazing guided tour They definitely helped guide us and gave us a quality experience with a small group and paid special attention to each one of us. I highly recommend using Orange Nation for your next tour in Peru!
Has one of the most outstanding meal services. Our chefs have been highly trained to prepare the best peruavian and International food our treks. You should be prepared to not only have a superb trekking experience, but also a culinary one. "The food has been the highlight for all our hikers"
Christian B
10/10 Amazing experience
If you’re thinking about which agency to use, look no further- Ray and Jimmy went well above and beyond and made this a memorable, safe, fun, and professional experience.
Ray is the most knowledgeable guide I’ve ever had in any country for any excursion - during both the Short Inka Trail and the actual tour of Machu Picchu, Ray’s expertise shined through in his ability to give us a detailed background on every aspect of the history, climate, nature, flora, animals.. anything!
Likewise, Ray and Jimmy were truly the friendliest, kindest hosts that I could have imagined our group having.
Thank you both so much and I will definitely book with you again if (when) I come back!
Matt A
Awesome experience!!
Did the 2 day Inca trail with Ray and Jimmy they were great and knowledgeable. Ray not only guided us along trail to Machu Picchu but also was an excellent photographer and taught us the history. It was a group of 10 and we had a great time. Even everything going on in Peru, we always felt in good hands.
Rius
Short Inca Trial (2-Day)
This tour was the perfect experience for our (group of 10) short trip to Peru. The trail was sometimes challenging, but the views and history made it all worth it. Ray and Jimmy were our guides and imparted sooo much knowledge about the history of Peru, Inca, and beyond. I would definitely recommend!