Considered by many to be one of the most incredible ways to visit Machu Picchu, the Salkantay trek has been considered by NatGeo as one of the best treks in the world. This 5-day and 4-night hiking route has a similar difficulty to the classic Inca trail, crosses the imposing snowy Salkantay and then reaches the Wonder of the World. Did not find availability for the Inca Trail? Don’t worry, the dream trip awaits you on the journey around Apu Salkantay over 4500 m.s.n.m.
- Starting point: Cusco
- Arrival point: Cusco
- Activity: Archaeological, Cultural, Camping, Ecological, walk.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypamapa
We begin our service leaving Cusco at 5:00 a.m. with a private company transport to get to Mollepata (2900 masl), where we will stop for 40 minutes for breakfast and present the group to accompany us for the next 03 days . of the walk, then we have 30 more minutes to reach Marcoqasa and start our adventure.
We will have a five hour walk to the Soraypampa camp; During the tour we will be able to enjoy the company of the majestic snow-covered Humantay mountain (5480 masl), walking over the Andes mountains until we reach the Soraypampa camp where lunch and a short rest awaits us, then we will continue climbing for an hour and half to be able to appreciate a beautiful turquoise lagoon located very close to the glacier at the foot of the Humantay mountain, forty minutes to appreciate it and have the explanation of the professional guide, after only the way back to the first Soraypampa camp (3900 masl); At approximately 6:00 pm dinner arrives and then we will rest to be ready for the adventure of the next day, which will be the most difficult of all.
- Total travel distance: 16 km
- Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours.
- Camp altitude: 3,900 masl. Approx.
- Overnight at Soraypampa camp.
Day 2: Paso Salkantay – Huayracmachay – Chaullay
After an energetic breakfast, we prepare for our walk, since we will have a long and hard day, since we will reach the highest point of our trip. We will ascend for 04 hours from Soraypampa to the Salkantay pass (4,600 masl), during the tour we can enjoy different landscapes of the high Andean area such as lagoons and appreciate the change of ecological floor, from the Quechua area of the Puna area, if the weather favors us we can enjoy the majestic Apu Salkantay (6270 masl), since it is the second highest snowy mountain in the department of Cusco and one of the most important of the Inca culture, after an explanation of the area by our specialized guide and photographs panoramic views of the place, it will be time for you to enjoy your mountain snacks
Then, the descent will begin to the town of Huayracmachay where we will have lunch, we will also have a few minutes for a deserved nap and then we will continue with our descent to the town of Chaullay, where we will spend the second night in the last part of the walk, we will observe the geographical change between the cold and dry area and the humid tropical zone, we will also enjoy the change in flora and fauna, we will see different types of birds, as well as different orchids, until we reach the camp.
- Total travel distance: 19 km
- Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours.
- Camp altitude: 2,750 masl. Approx.
- Night in the Chaullay camp.
Day 3: Collpapampa – Sahuayaco – Lucmabamba
This day will be unique and unforgettable, because we will see during the walk a great variety of flora and fauna, from CHAULLAY, passing through the COLLPAPAMPA community and continuing the descent through the local vegetation, observing the hot springs in a valley , near the course of the Santa Teresa river, where you can also see various varieties of orchids and large waterfalls, we will also feel the great climate change because this day it will enter the area of the tropical called high jungle, after reaching Lucmabamba we will have lunch made by our chef.
After lunch it will be time to learn about the local customs and traditions of the people and have the opportunity to see how they produce coffee, from the coffee plantation, the processing and the final product, so that they can enjoy an authentic sample of Peruvian coffee.
Optional: Santa Teresa where we can visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo.
- Total Travel Distance: 16 km
- Estimated Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours.
- Altitude of the camp: 2,400 masl. Approx.
- Overnight in Lucmabamba camp.
Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
On this day we will climb around 3 hours through an original Inca trail until we reach the first archaeological zone of this trail, this part of the mountain has a large number of flowers, shrubs and vegetation typical of the high jungle, once we arrive to the archaeological zone of Llactapata, we will also have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu from a different mountain range. After being in Llactapata and the guided tour, we have to go towards the Hydroelectric where we will have lunch, and then continue towards the town of Machu Picchu, where we will spend the night in a comfortable hotel with private rooms, water shower Hot, Cable TV and Wi-Fi. Around 19:00, we will have dinner and last preparations for the most important day of the circuit, the visit of the sacred city of the Incas MACHUPICCHU.
- Total Travel Distance: 16 km
- Estimated Walking Time: 8 to 9 hours.
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,000 masl. Approx.
- Overnight at Hotel de Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will board the Bus to go up to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, if you have included the Entrance Ticket to visit the Huayna Picchu Mountain you can do the walk for approximately 2 hours round trip (This tour is without Guide). The guided visit by our Guide in the citadel of Machupicchu will be visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the royal rooms, the temple of the Three Windows and the quarries, for more than two hours approximately.
Later you will also be given free time to walk around the citadel, take photographs and be in this relax in this magical and mystical place. We return to the town of Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where we will be waiting for it, to transport it by bus to Cusco and also take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our staff will be waiting for you, for bus transportation to Cusco and also take you to your hotel.
End of Service.
Details:
It includes:
- Pick up from the Hotel in Cusco.
- Private transfer to Mollepata, starting point of the tour.
- Professional Spanish or English guide.
- Entrance ticket to Salkantay and Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary.
- Horses to carry all the equipment, tents, food, kitchen equipment, restaurants and tents.
- Emergency Horse.
- Camping tents, kitchen equipment, including tents for staff.
- First aid kit and oxygen.
- Vegetarian and special diets on request.
- All equipment, including tents for staff.
- 4 breakfasts, 4 appetizers, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. All of these meals are prepared by our chef and his assistant.
- Boiled water after breakfast, to refill your canteens.
- Hot drinks in the camp (coca tea, tea and coffee)
- 01 hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
- Guided tour of 2 hours in Machu Picchu.
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Return train to Ollantaytambo.
- Private Return Transportation to Cusco.
Does not include:
- Food and drinks not mentioned in the program.
- Sleeping bag. (You can rent in the office USD 25.00).
- Walking sticks (you can rent in the office USD 10.00).
- Travel insurance.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional USD 25.00).
- Extra horse to carry your luggage or personal backpack (Optional $ 60 USD, right to 8 kilos of luggage).
- Extra activities and tips for staff (optional).
What to bring?
- Original passport (and * International Student Card (ISIC) if applicable) [Not needed until Machu Pichu, please note that your ISIC card is not accepted as a valid student ID to obtain the student discount for a Machu ticket Pichu]
- Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired by us)
- Walking boots
- Rain jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- Tshirts
- Comfortable pants
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Reusable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
- Water (only during the first 4 hours of walking, then we will provide drinking water, previously boiled).
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera and movies
- Torch with spare batteries (headlights are useful)
- Binoculars, “to enjoy landscapes”
- Trekking sticks
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How long does the Salkantay Trek last?
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu has approximately 72 kilometers that are completed, preferably, in 5 days and 4 nights. It could be done in 4 days and 3 nights. The last day corresponds to the visit to Machu Picchu.
What is the weather like on the Salkantay trek?
Generally the weather is pleasant during the day, even hot, and cold at night. The temperature can drop below 0 ° C in some points, especially the first night. The best time to do the Salkantay Trek is from May to September, when it is colder but there is less chance of rain. The rainy season is from December to March.
Is the Salkantay Trek difficult?
No. The path does not have any technical difficulties, it is signposted and all kinds of people do it. But it is hard, you have to walk a lot and quite high.
Can you do the Salkantay Trek by yourself?
It is possible and recommended. If you ask in Cuzco agencies they will say no, but it is not true. If you dare, we have dedicated a full post to explain how to do the Salkantay Trek for free and without a store.
Is the Salkantay Trek dangerous?
Nothing. Zero. Not at all. Niente (can you say this?) We mean security in that you may be robbed, robbed, or the like during the route. We heard before doing this route that it could be, but it is absolutely false.
Is there accommodation on the Salkantay Trek?
Yes. There is the possibility of accommodation at each stage. You have all the detailed information in the entry about accommodation in the Salkantay Trek.