Short Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay – La Playa

After an early breakfast you start walking around 6:00 a.m., because it is the longest day. It takes about 4 hours of climbing to the Salkantay pass (4,650 m), between the Salkantay and Tucarhuay snowcapped peaks; there may be snow here.

After the rest you descend through cloud forest to the lunch area and continue toward the start of the jungle at Chaullay. From there, one hour by local transport takes you to the La Playa coffee camp, where you sleep in a dome. Distance: about 19 km, 8–9 hours of walking; the camp is at about 2,750 m.

Overnight: La Playa

La Playa – Llactapata – Hydroelectric Station – Aguas Calientes

Breakfast is at 6:00 a.m., and you climb along an original Inca trail to Llactapata, where you can see Machu Picchu in the distance. Then you descend among coca and banana plantations to the Hydroelectric Station, where you have lunch.

In the afternoon you walk about two and a half hours to Aguas Calientes, where you sleep in a hotel. If you like, you can visit the town's hot springs (separate entrance, about 10 soles). If you prefer to skip this stretch, you can take a bus to Santa Teresa, do the zip line and join the group at the Hydroelectric Station, for an extra US$ 40 per person. Distance: about 15 km, 7–8 hours.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes

Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

You wake up around 4:00 a.m. and, after breakfast, walk up to Machu Picchu (an hour and a half) or, if you prefer, take the first bus at 5:30 a.m. (25 minutes, not included) to see the citadel at sunrise. Your guide leads a tour of about 2 hours, and then you have free time; if you booked Huayna Picchu, the climb takes about 45 minutes.

Afterward you go down to Aguas Calientes to take the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo (scheduled departure between 1:37 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., depending on availability) and the bus back to Cusco, where you arrive around 10:30 p.m.