Salkantay and Rainbow Mountain Trek – 7 Days / 6 Nights, Cusco

About this activity

Experience the Salkantay, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain trek in 7 days, an ideal experience for travelers who want to see the main icons of Cusco in a single adventure. Explore Lake Humantay, circle the imposing Salkantay mountain, reach Machu Picchu via unique Andean routes, and culminate with the authentic Rainbow Mountain.

Enjoy expert guides, exclusive camps, and reliable logistics that guarantee a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable experience. This tour is perfect for adventurers, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts who are looking for a complete and well-organized experience.

Highlights

Humantay, Salkantay, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain in one trip.
Exclusive camps and comfortable services.
Professional guides with Andean knowledge.
Diverse landscapes: glaciers, valleys, and cloud forest.
Small groups and complete logistics.

Hiking Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Audio Guides Archaeology Tours Likely to Sell Out

At a glance

Duration: 7 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Audio guide: English, Spanish
Guide: English, Spanish
Written guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Salkantay Trekking

Ages: Adults (18–70 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Pre-departure briefing
Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Included: Basic hiking equipment: Sleeping bag, trekking poles, rain poncho, backpack cover, and hand towel.
Included: Experienced Mountain Guide
Included: Safety: First aid kit, Walkie-talkies, oxygen, and emergency satellite pones
Included: Lunch
Included: 3 nights camping accommodation (Sky Camp, Mountain Sky View, Super Jungle Domes)
Included: Dinner
Included: 1 night in a superior 3-star hotel at Aguas Calientes
Included: Breakfast
Included: Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
Included: One-way bus tickets (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu)
Included: Transportation of personal belongings.
Included: 2 nights in a superior 3-star hotel at Cusco
Included: All private transport and transfers during the tour
Included: Entry fees to Salkantay Trek and Humantay lake
Included: Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) for your travel gear.
Included: Private Camping Facilities & Equipment
Included: Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo tourist train
Included: Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail
Included: Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain (Vinincunca).
Included: Cultural immersion at a local coffee farm.
Included: Expert chef, porters, and horsemen

Not included

Not included: Clothing and personal hiking equipment
Not included: Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Not included: Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Itinerary

Day 1 · Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humatay Lake - Sky Camp

Cusco

2 hours

We start very early, picking you up at your hotel around 5:00 a.m.
Mollepata

2 hours

We will travel two hours to Mollepata to enjoy breakfast and continue on to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike. Here you will meet the team that will accompany you throughout the adventure.
Stop 3

3 hours Admission included

You will begin a three-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), covering 7 km (4.35 miles) to our exclusive Sky Camp. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delicious lunch and a short rest.
Humantay Lake

3 hours Admission included

In the afternoon, you will hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), a 3 km (1.86 mile) round trip that takes approximately three hours. You will have time to admire its turquoise waters and take incredible photos.
Stop 5

10 hours Admission included

We will end the day with a hearty dinner and a night of rest under the stars in your comfortable igloo-style dome.

Overnight at the Sky Camp

Day 2 · Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa

Stop 1

one hour Admission included

We start the day with coca tea and an energy-packed breakfast before beginning the ascent to Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point on the route.
Stop 2

4 hours Admission included

The climb is considered difficult and takes three hours to cover the 7 km (4.34 miles) to the summit, with spectacular views of the apus and the imposing Salkantay mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft).
Colcapampa

4 hours

From the summit, we will descend 7 km (4.35 miles) to Huayracmachay, where we will enjoy a revitalizing lunch. Then we continue to the cloud forest with a 9.5 km (approx. 3.5 hour) hike to Collpapampa (2,950 m/9,678 ft), where our exclusive Mountain Sky View camp is located, surrounded by nature and local wildlife.
Stop 4

10 hours Admission included

We end the day with a comforting dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Overnight at Mountain Sky View Camp

Day 3 · Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes

Stop 1

one hour Admission included

We start at 6:00 a.m. with a cup of hot mate and an energy-packed breakfast before beginning the hike to Zona Propiedad through the beautiful Santa Teresa Valley. Along the way, you will see waterfalls, rivers, orchids, banana, coffee, and avocado plantations, and, if you are lucky, even a cock-of-the-rock.
Stop 2

2 hours

Upon arrival at Zona Propiedad, our private vehicle will be waiting to take us to La Playa to visit an organic coffee farm where we will learn about the coffee process from bean to export. We will then continue by vehicle to Lucmabamba (2,000 m/6,562 ft) to enjoy lunch and settle into our Super Jungle Domes camp.
Stop 3

10 hours Admission included

In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the surroundings.

We will return to camp to enjoy a delicious dinner and rest surrounded by the sounds of the Andean jungle.

Overnight at the Super Jungle Domes

Day 4 · Lucmabamba, Llactapata - Ahobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

Stop 1

2 hours Admission included

After enjoying an energizing breakfast, we will begin the hike by ascending for two hours along an original section of the Inca Trail. During the ascent, you will be able to appreciate the Santa Teresa Valley until you reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft).
Mirador de Llactapata

45 min Admission included

Here, the guide will give a brief explanation and you will have time to explore and enjoy the first views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from a unique viewpoint.
Stop 3

3 hours

Then we will descend for approximately an hour and a half to Aobamba, where we will enjoy lunch. Afterward, we will continue for 30 minutes to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft)
Stop 4

3 hours

At this point, we will continue with a hike of approximately three hours following the train tracks surrounded by vegetation and mountains.
Aguas Calientes

10 hours

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into the hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before resting up for the big day at Machu Picchu.

Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 5 · Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Aguas Calientes

one hour

Today is the big day. We start early with a light breakfast so we can be among the first to arrive at Machu Picchu and enjoy the visit with fewer crowds.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

2 hours Admission included

Once inside, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the most important areas of the citadel: temples, houses, terraces, squares, and agricultural areas, while the guide explains the history and significance of this unique place.
Ollantaytambo

2 hours

At the end, we will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and you will have time to buy souvenirs before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.
Cusco

10 hours

There, our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, concluding an unforgettable experience.

Hotel in Cusco

Day 6 · Cusco - Cusipata - Rainbow Mountain

Cusco

2 hours

We will start this day around 4:00 a.m., picking you up at your hotel door. We will travel for three hours to the South Valley of Cusco, where you will see llamas and alpacas in their natural environment.
Cusipata

2 hours

We will make a brief stop to enjoy breakfast and then continue on to Llacto (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the starting point of the hike.

We will follow a beautiful trail alongside a stream, advancing along a winding path between Andean mountains. During the ascent, you will enjoy incredible views of Apu Ausangate (6,372 m / 20,905 ft).
Rainbow Mountain Peru

2 hours Admission included

After 1 hour and 30 minutes of hiking, we will arrive at the Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), where you will receive a brief explanation and have time for photos.
Cusco

10 hours

Then we will begin the return trip, which will take approximately 1 hour to the starting point, where our transportation will be waiting for you. Finally, we will go to a restaurant in Cusipata to enjoy a buffet lunch before continuing by transportation to Cusco to conclude the day.

Hotel in Cusco

Day 7 · Cusco - Cusco Airport

Cusco

5 hours

Today you will start the day with a leisurely breakfast and time to get ready, pack your bags, and do some last-minute shopping if you wish. We will arrange an exact pick-up time with you to transfer you to the airport or bus station, depending on your next destination. Our team will make sure you arrive on time and without any hitches, ending your trip in complete comfort.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Hotel Inka Lam - Cusco
Lucios Hostal
Estancia San Pedro Hotel
Hotel Encanto de San Blas
Hotelmer
Kaaro House Cusco
Hotel Piedmont
Solara Art House by Amak
Yuyay Apartaments Cusco
Cusco el Conquistador
Hotel Artezana
Hostal Sofia

and 353 more pickup points

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.

We pick up all travelers from their hotels between 04:30 and 05:00 am.

Using your ticket

Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. Travelers must be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
It's recommended that you arrive in Cusco at least two days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
You will have a briefing session, which will be held in our main office in Cusco at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Our travel specialists will send you a message from +51 974 727 031 via WhatsApp for easy and efficient communication. Contact us now, and let's get started planning your unforgettable adventure!

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
Spots at Machu Picchu sell out quickly. Book this trip at least five months in advance to secure spaces.
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
Children aged 12 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
Not recommended for children under 8 years old due to walking distances and altitude.
Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required