Salkantay Trek Panaka Journey 5 Days 4 Nights

5.0 (18 reviews) 5 days Free cancellation

out of 5

18 reviews

5.0

Salkantay Trek Panaka Journey 5 Days 4 Nights — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Salkantay Trek Panaka Journey 5 Days 4 Nights, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Unlike other treks, our Salkantay experience blends adventure, culture, and comfort in one journey. You’ll hike through dramatic landscapes — from snowy peaks to lush cloud forests — and explore hidden Inca sites before reaching Machu Picchu. Along the way, enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our chefs, a traditional Pachamanca experience, and even a hot jacuzzi under the stars. Our small groups, professional bilingual guides, and super porters ensure a safe, personalized, and unforgettable adventure. With exclusive details like live Andean music and champagne dinners, this trek goes far beyond a hike — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime cultural immersion.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Panaka Travel

Ages: Infants (8–17 years) · Adults (18–55 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Live show with Andean music & dances (Day 3)
Included: Personal porter to carry up to 7 kg (14 lbs) of your duffel bag
Included: Hot jacuzzi and shower (Day 3 experience)
Included: Cooking experience (Pachamanca meal)
Included: Lunch
Included: 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Included: Dinner
Included: Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Included: Breakfast
Included: Pre-trek safety briefing at your hotel (1–2 nights before departure)
Included: Inca Trail permits (entrance to Machu Picchu, non-transferable)
Included: Professional bilingual guide service (English, Spanish & Quechua)

Not included

Not included: Domestic flights (can be arranged upon request)
Not included: Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, extra drinks, etc.)
Not included: Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Itinerary

Day 1 · Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantay Pampa – Ichupata

Humantay Lake

2 min Admission included

Start your trek with a 4:00 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and a scenic 3-hour drive to Soraypampa (3,800 m). After breakfast with your chef and trekking team, begin with a round-trip hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake, surrounded by snowy peaks. Descend and continue the Salkantay trail for 2 hours toward Salkantay Pampa, where you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. Afterward, hike gradually uphill for 2 more hours to reach Ichupata campsite (4,000 m), located at the base of the Salkantay Glacier. Here, you’ll spend your first night in personal tents under the stars, surrounded by stunning mountain views.

Camping

Day 2 · Salkantaypampa – Inca Frozen Pass – Inca Canal

Salkantay Trail

2 hours Admission included

Wake up with views of glacier peaks and enjoy breakfast before starting a challenging ascent. Hike about 4 hours uphill to reach Inca Chiriaska (Salkantay Pass) at 5,100 m, the highest point of the trek. This “frozen” pass offers breathtaking panoramas of the Salkantay Glacier. After enjoying hot tea, descend 1.5 hours to the lunch spot with views of Palcayoc peak. Continue 3 more hours downhill until arriving at Inca Canal Mirador campsite (3,600 m). From here, you will admire Salkantay’s northeast face and the Pampaccahuana community. Rest and enjoy dinner at this unique campsite.

Camping

Day 3 · Inca Canal Mirador – Paucarcancha Ruins – Huayllabamba Community

Paucarcancha Ruins

4 hours Admission included

Begin your day with tea and breakfast while gazing at Salkantay Mountain. Today’s hike is more relaxed, starting with a cultural visit to a local family’s home to share experiences of Andean life. Continue with a 4-hour downhill hike to Paucarcancha, an Inca archaeological site where your guide will explain its history. After exploring, walk half an hour to your campsite near Huayllabamba (2,950 m). Here, take part in preparing a traditional Pachamanca, an Andean dish cooked underground with hot stones. Later, relax in a jacuzzi and hot shower, followed by dinner and a live cultural show with local music and traditional highland dances.

Camping

Day 4 · Huayllabamba – KM 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes Town

Mirador de Llactapata

2 hours Admission included

Today you will hike part of the original Inca Trail, with spectacular views of valleys and mountains. The highlight is visiting Llactapata, an Inca archaeological site known for its houses, water channels, and impressive terraces. After a guided tour, continue hiking for 2 hours to your lunch stop. In the afternoon, transfer by car to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll enjoy dinner before boarding a train to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m). Spend the night in a comfortable hotel such as Tierra Viva (or similar), resting in preparation for Machu Picchu.

Hotel in Agual Calientes

Day 5 · Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

Machupicchu cusco

2 min Admission included

Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before taking the bus with your guide to Machu Picchu. At the main viewpoint, capture your first iconic photos of the citadel, then begin a guided tour through temples, terraces, and sacred areas while learning about Inca history.

We will drop you off at your hotel.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

We will pick you up from your hotel lobby and near main square at 4 am

End point

We will pick you up from your hotel lobby and near main square at 4 am

Pickup points

Velazco Astete Airport

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 am to 4.30 am in our private transportation.

Using your ticket

Each person will be given tickets for admission to each location and for transportation; these are included.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.