Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Stunning Andean Peaks
Small-group tour
Multi-Day Trip
Vegetarian meal option available
Duration: 5 Days
Departure point: Cuzco Peru
Departure time: 4:00am
Accommodation: (3 nights Camp) (1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes town)
Type of Trek: Archaeological, Cultural, ecological and Adventure
Elevation: 4,600 masl / 15,090 feet (Salkantay Pass) – 2,000 masl / 6,560 ft (Aguas Calientes town)
Group Size: Min 02 – Max 16 (private options available upon request)
Best Season: April to December
Transportation: Private vehicle & train.
Detailed itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Soraypampa. (Meals: L,D) Camping.
We will pick you up at your hotel in Cuzco around 4:00am between 4:30 am. We proceed to drive nearly 3 hours to Anta – Mollepata. During the bus ride, you will see the snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Veronica: the Holy Gods of the Incas, as well as a spectacular view of the colorful valleys below. After two hours of driving we will make the first stop in Mollepata, a small village where you can grab last minute snacks or breakfast (optional). The drive will then continue until Challa Cancha (the starting point of our hike). Here we will meet with our support staff, organize all the equipment, and have introductory meeting. At approximately 9:30 am we start our trek to Soraypampa (3900m). After about 3 hours of hiking (9 km) we reach our lunch location and the basecamp for the evening. We will have a full lunch, and take a break before trekking up to the breathtaking Humantay Lake (4200m). This is an additional 5 km hike that will take 3 hours round trip- but trust us, it’s worth it! Once we reach the lake, we can observe the Humantay glacier and the stunning sunset. Soraypampa is located on the middle of the glacier valleys where at night, it is so dark it is a perfect spot to appreciate the constellations and the Milky Way. Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude Altitude Altitude Altitude Altitude: 3850m/12,000ft
Minimum Altitude: 2850 m/9,300ft
Distance Travelled: 14 km/8.5 miles
Day 02: Soraypampa – Chawllay. (Meals: B, L,D) Camping.
With an early start today in order to make it up the highest pass of the trek, we deliver coca tea to your tent and prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel you up for the morning. The distance to the top of the pass is 7 km and should take around 4 hours to complete. During the ascent through the rocky valley we can observe the magnificent Salkantay peak and may even see chinchillas running around. At the top of the pass you will see the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo. Salkantay is the second highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the main Inca Gods known as “Apu salkantay”. Hiking to the top is the most difficult part of the trek and a great accomplishment! The next 3 hours are spent descending along a gravel and rocky path to reach Huayra Machay, our lunch spot. In the afternoon we will arrive at the upper part of the rainforest, also called a cloud forest. We will cover 9 more kilometers (3 hours) until to get Chawllay Village (2900m) our campsite. The second half of the day, we will observe the thick forest, decorated with colorful orchids and native plants. The majority of the year the weather is warm and pleasant. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4650m/15,000ft
Minimum Altitude: 2900m/9,500ft
Distance Travelled: 21km/13 miles to Chawllay
Day 03: Chaullay – Santa Teresa. (Meals: B,L,D) Camping.
Today we begin our hike toward la Playa, walking through thick jungle and following the Salkantay River on a gradual trail. Enroute we stop at several family hamlets to enjoy local fruits and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange and papaya). If we are lucky, the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks” will make an appearance. Lucmabamba, our camp for the evening is small town surrounded by coffee trees and is home to many local families- here you can roam around the area and shop for souvenirs. In the afternoon you have the option of going for a soak in the hot springs to relax your sore muscles. It’s about a one hour drive to the hot springs and is highly recommended after the hard journey on the mountain. Later that evening we will enjoy a full dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 2900m/9,510 feet
Minimum Altitude: 2100 m/6,900 feet
Distance Travelled: Approx 16km/10 miles
Day 04: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes. (Meals: B, L,D) Hotel.
After breakfast at approximately 8:00 a.m. The trek begins to follow a rising trail where there can be seen plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. The trail follows the riverside of Vilcanota River finally arriving to the Oroya (canopy bridge). from here we have an option to hike to hydroelectric or to catch a small car to take us to Hydroelectric (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of MachuPicchu Sanctuary, And have the last lunch with all staff. From there, we will keep walking along the train tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes. Once in town, we check into our hotel and get some much deserved dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel. Angie’s Inn
Maximum Altitude: 2040m/6,700 feet
Minimum Altitude: 2900m/9,500 feet
Distance Travelled: 19 km
Day 05: Aguas Calientes town– MachuPicchu – Cuzco. (Meals: B,)
Tour: Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes town. At 5:30am, we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, and see the sun rise over the ruins. Your guide will spend 2 hours explaining the highlights; and give you free time to explore the ruins on your own. If you have booked any additional hikes such as (Huayna Picchu Mountain) (Machu Picchu Mountain) you will also have the time to hike these. Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes, take a train back to Ollantaytambo, at 18:20 hrs, 19 hrs and bus back to Cusco arriving at 22:35 hrs.
Considerations:
Spend some time acclimatize in Cusco at least one or two days. Many of our treks takes place above 3400 meters; the terrain can be challenging, and weather unpredictable ranging from hot and humid to rain and wind. Hikers should be in reasonable shape, and healthy. Ensure you have proper gear and be prepared for variable weather conditions throughout the day. The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a custom-designed for our customer from USA & Canada. Off the beaten paths, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more authenticity and memorable experience, with more spectacular views, the Salkantay trek offers the quiet contemplation such a sacred path. Don’t wait more ! is time to start, the locals are waiting for you to make the real adventure.
Want to take private trek? Book this trip as a private departure just for your party on your selected date. Contact us for price. info@machupicchuusa.com
Departures dates: We have the following fixed departures dates scheduled: 2016 – 2017
Sep, 29, 30
Oct, 01, 2, 3, 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,,15,16,17,18,to 31
Nov, 12, 13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,23,24,26,27,28,29, 30
Dec, 01, 2, 3, 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,,15,16,17,18,to 31
Student Discount:
$25 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid green ISIC card at the time of the trek or who is 16-years-old or younger. For those using an ISIC card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 16-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all at the booking time. Useful information & packing list go here!
The Salkantay trek Includes:
Pre-Briefing at your hotel in Cuzco 1 or 2 days before to start the hiking.
Pick up from your hotel in Cusco and drive to the trailhead.
English speaking guide Cook and cooking equipment.
Horsemen and horses (to carry camping gear, food, cooking equipment, etc) about 3 days
Accommodation for our guides, cook, porters and horsemen.
Meals (4B, 4L, 4D + wake up tea). Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge
Train ticket from Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo 2 hrs.
Bus from Ollanta to Cusco 2 hrs.
3 nights camping (2 people in each double tent).
1 night hotels in Aguas Calientes town.
Admission ticket to Machu Picchu.
First aid kit and Oxygen.
The Salkantay does NOT include:
Sleeping bags -15°, walking sticks / you can hire in our office in Cusco
Breakfast the first day, Lunch and dinner on the last day after the guided tour of MachuPicchu, you have some free time to go on exploring Machu Picchu, have lunch either in MachuPicchu or in Aguas Calientes town, etc.
Train from Hydroelectric to MachuPicchu town (tourist usually hike this part).
Bus from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu and round trip (tourist usually hike this part).
Entrance to the Huayna Picchu Mountain. ( no mandatory)