Pre-Trek Briefing – 7:00 PM at the Machu Picchu Team Office in Cusco
The day before your Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu, you’ll attend a mandatory briefing at 7:00 PM at the Machu Picchu Team office in Cusco. This is your opportunity to meet your trekking guide and fellow hikers before the adventure begins. During the briefing, your guide will explain the complete itinerary, daily hiking schedule, weather conditions, altitude, safety recommendations, and your exact hotel pick-up time. You will also receive your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and, if your package includes it, your train ticket for the return journey. You’ll be provided with a duffel bag for up to 7 kg (15 lbs) of personal belongings, which will be transported by horse throughout the trek. If you have extra luggage that you won’t need on the hike, you can safely store it at our office free of charge until you return to Cusco. If needed, this is also the perfect time to rent trekking poles or a sleeping bag, settle any remaining balance on your reservation, and ask your guide any questions before starting your Salkantay adventure. Please bring only your passport to the briefing for ticket verification.
Professional Guide for the Salkantay Trek 4 days and Machu Picchu
Your Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu is led by a certified professional guide with extensive experience in high-altitude trekking and the Salkantay route. Your guide will accompany the group throughout the entire journey and also lead your guided visit to Machu Picchu, following the circuit and entry time indicated on your ticket. For your safety, every guide carries a first-aid kit and an emergency oxygen tank during the trek. Our guides are fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication, reliable assistance, and a safe, informative experience from the beginning of the trek until your visit to Machu Picchu.
Hotel Pick-Up Between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM
Your Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu includes early-morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Pick-up is scheduled between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM, depending on your accommodation’s location and the day’s route. Your exact pick-up time will be confirmed during the pre-trek briefing the evening before departure. Please be ready in your hotel lobby at the confirmed time. If your accommodation is located close to our office, you may also meet the group directly at the Machu Picchu Team office at 5:00 AM. All arrangements will be confirmed with your guide during the briefing.
Private Transportation from Cusco to Soraypampa
Your tour includes private transportation in a comfortable tourist vehicle from Cusco to Soraypampa, the starting point of the Salkantay Trek 4 days. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, allowing you to travel comfortably before meeting the trekking support team and beginning your hike.
7 kg Duffel Bag Service
During the pre-trek briefing, you will receive a duffel bag for up to 7 kg (15 lbs) of personal belongings. The bag will be transported by horse during the trek and delivered to each campsite, allowing you to hike with only a small daypack for your daily essentials. At the end of the trek, you may return the duffel bag to our office in Cusco or leave it there for safekeeping until you collect your remaining luggage.
Meals Included: 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 3 Dinners
Throughout the Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu, our experienced chefs prepare fresh, nutritious, and energy-rich meals for the group. Your tour includes 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and daily snacks. Vegetarian, vegan, and other special dietary requirements can be accommodated at no additional cost. Please inform us in advance so our team can prepare accordingly.
Vegetarian, Vegan, and Special Dietary Options
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other special dietary options are available at no additional cost. Please inform us of your dietary requirements when booking so our cooking team can prepare suitable meals throughout the trek.
Professional Cooking Team Throughout the Trek
Our dedicated trekking chefs travel with the group and prepare fresh, nutritious meals throughout the journey, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and other special dietary requirements can be accommodated upon request, helping every traveler stay well nourished and energized during the trek.
Kitchen Equipment and Dining Utensils
All necessary cooking equipment, kitchen supplies, and dining utensils are provided and transported to each campsite by our support team. This allows our chefs to prepare and serve every meal safely, efficiently, and under the best possible conditions.
Muleteers and Pack Horses
A dedicated team of muleteers and pack horses supports the trek by transporting the camping equipment, food supplies, and each traveler’s duffel bag, with a maximum weight of 7 kg (15 lbs), including the sleeping bag. Thanks to this service, you only need to carry a small daypack with your daily essentials, while the rest of your belongings are delivered to the next campsite in advance.
Two Nights in Our Sky Star Crystal Domes
our trek includes two nights in our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes, designed with panoramic transparent walls and ceilings for an immersive experience surrounded by nature and under the stars. Each dome includes comfortable mattresses and pillows. You only need to bring a sleeping bag or rent one from us during the pre-trek briefing. The domes are normally arranged for two guests but are spacious enough to accommodate three or four people who wish to stay together.
One Night in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Your package also includes one night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). The room includes a private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, towels, and basic toiletries, allowing you to rest comfortably before your visit to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket Included
Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included in the tour price. Our first priority is Circuit 2 – Route 2-A (Classic Route), which offers the iconic panoramic viewpoint and access to many of the citadel’s main archaeological sectors. If Route 2-A is unavailable, we will prioritize Circuit 2 – Route 2-B (Lower Terrace), another excellent option that includes a classic viewpoint and access to important areas of Machu Picchu. Because these routes are in high demand and have limited availability, we recommend booking at least 3 to 4 months in advance. If neither route is available, our reservations team will secure the best available alternative according to the official availability provided by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Your tour includes an approximately 2.5-hour guided visit to Machu Picchu, led by one of our professional guides and organized according to the entry time and circuit shown on your ticket. During the tour, your guide will explain the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the citadel while accompanying you through the authorized route. Depending on the circuit and current regulations, you may also have a short period of free time to enjoy the views and take additional photos. The guided service is included for all travelers, including those who purchased their Machu Picchu entrance ticket separately or obtained it in Aguas Calientes. Our team will coordinate the guide service according to the circuit and entry time assigned to each ticket.
Return Trip from Machu Picchu to Cusco
After your visit to Machu Picchu, your return transportation to Cusco is included according to the package you selected at the time of booking. Whether you chose the train return or the car return via Hidroelectrica, your transportation back to Cusco is included in your tour.
- By train: Your train departure is typically scheduled for 2:30 PM, 2:55 PM, or 3:20 PM, depending on availability. Before boarding, you’ll have time to explore Aguas Calientes, grab lunch, and relax — just be sure to reach the train station at least 30 minutes before departure (a 1-hour walk or a $12 USD bus ride). The train to Ollantaytambo takes about 1.5 hours, where a Machu Picchu Team transfer will be waiting to take you back to Cusco by car (about 2 hours), arriving around 6:30 PM at Plaza Regocijo.
- By car (via Hidroeléctrica): This option starts with a 3-hour hike from Machu Picchu to the hydroelectric station, departing no later than 11:00 AM. The hike includes a 30–40 minute descent followed by 1.5 to 2 hours of flat walking along the train tracks. You’ll need to arrive at the hydroelectric station by 2:30 PM to catch the 3:00 PM car back to Cusco, a journey of 6 to 7 hours, arriving around 10:00 PM at Plaza Regocijo.
Free Luggage Storage in Cusco
Machu Picchu Team offers complimentary luggage storage at our main office in central Cusco, just a few steps from the Plaza de Armas. The service is available every day, including Sundays, from 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM, allowing you to safely leave any extra luggage before your trek and collect it upon your return.
Emergency Oxygen and First-Aid Equipment
For your safety, every guide carries an emergency oxygen cylinder and a fully equipped first-aid kit throughout the trek, allowing them to provide immediate assistance when necessary.
End of the Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu: Drop-Off at Our Cusco Office
Your Salkantay Trek 4 days to Machu Picchu ends at the Machu Picchu Team office in Cusco, where you can collect any luggage left in our complimentary storage service. Travelers returning by train usually arrive in Cusco at around 7:00 PM, while those returning by car via Hidroeléctrica generally arrive between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on traffic and road conditions. Our luggage storage service is available daily from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Your belongings will remain safely stored until you return
