The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the top treks in South America and the best alternative route to the inca citadel that takes you though different environments and landscapes during the 5 days of adventure. During this experience we’ll take to some of the most amazing places around such as the Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass over 4600m altitude (15000ft), the fascinating cloud forest and to the edge of the peruvian jungle.
The highlight comes on the 5th day where we’ll head to Machu Picchu after spending a well deserved night in a comfortable accommodation in the charming village of Aguas Calientes after the first 4 days of adventure. During the 5 days our team of experts made by guides, chefs and carriers will provide you everything you need to have comfortable nights on the camping sites, delicious meals and will be in charge of carrying all the equipment and backpacks so you can enjoy the best of each days without worrying about anything else.
DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA.
We will leave from Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. A local bus will take us to the city of Mollepata (2900 masl), arriving approximately at 8:15 am in time to have breakfast.
During the drive, we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other snow-capped mountains, and the valley of the Apurimac River.
We will have breakfast and after we will meet up with our support staff and they will load the equipment onto horses and mules.
Around 9 am we will begin our walk toward Sayllapata (3200 masl). And around 1pm we will have a traditional Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking towards the Soraypampa village (3850 masl). We will arrive at our camp around 5:30 pm, where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACPUNCO – CHAULLAY.
After an early breakfast, we start trekking from Soraypampa at approx. 7:30 am.
From this point, we can appreciate the spectacular views of the mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow-capped mountain (6,264 m), the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, as well as the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes, and moraines.
After a 5 hr walk, we will trek downhill to have lunch in Huayracpunco and then further downhill 2-3 hrs to where we will camp, Collpapampa (2,920 m).
DAY 3: CHAULLAY – COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA (COCALMAYO HOT SPRING)
We will begin our trek of 6 hrs toward Playa Sahuayaco around 7:00 am. During this period we will see a city called Collpabamba, also called the “La ceja de bosque nublado”, where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, various flora, and birds can be observed.
If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks”. From Playa Sahuayaco, we will head to the campsite located at the hot springs of Santa Teresa (don’t forget to bring a bathing suit).
Here we will rest and have dinner.
DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRYC – AGUAS CALIENTES
We will start our walk around 8:30 am after our delicious breakfast. We will first head to the village Colpani along a rising trail from which we can see coffee plantations, bananas, passion fruit, and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow the riverside of the Vilcanota River until we arrive in the Oroya. From here we have an option to hike a few hours or to catch a small car (25 minutes) to the Hydroelectric. Here we will have the last lunch with the whole staff, and then we will continue walking to Aguas Calientes, arriving around 4:30 pm. Here we will spend our final night in a hostel.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Today you can choose between walking from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu leaving at 4:30 am or taking a bus to Machu Picchu at 5:25 am. In Machu Picchu, you will have a 2 hour guided tour and after that, you will be free to explore the citadel and take pictures.
If you desire, hike the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain there is an extra cost and it must be reserved in advance. At 6:45 pm you will take a train to Ollantaytambo and from there a bus will bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
INCLUDES
- Pre-departure briefing in Willka Travel Office or at your hotel.
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Mollepata
- Challacancha (starting point of the trek)
- Personal tents: 2 people in a 4-people-capacity tent, for higher comfort and a safe storage of backpacks.
- English-speaking, professional, and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups over 13 people)
- Chef and cooking equipment.
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes hostel (can be upgraded)
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3
- 1 bag or duffel bag, where you can put a maximum of 6 kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 3 (carry by our horses)
- Meals (4B, 4L, 4D + daily morning snack + daily tea service, except for the last day), vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost, just let us know it beforehand.
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Machu Picchu entrance fee
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition Service or Inca Rail )
- Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
NOT INCLUDED
- Sleeping bag, available to rent USD5 per day. Our sleeping bags are – 20ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. (Talk to one of our staff at the office)
- Entrance to Salkantay, 10 soles.
- Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu
- Entrance to the hot springs in Cocalmayo and Aguas Calientes
- Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily
- Alcoholic drinks
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Original Passport
- Resistant tennis shoes or hiking boots
- Sweater and a thick jacket
- Sun and winter hat
- One bottle of water
- A good raincoat
- Long sleeve shirts
- Pants and shorts
- Insect repellent
- A sunblock with a forty degrees UV
- Lip Balm
- Toilet paper
- Personal snacks
- Binoculars
- Lantern / flashlight and batteries
- Sunglasses, plastic bags
- Personal medications.
- Personal towel, sandals/flip flop
- A lightweight backpack per person
- Camera and extra batteries
- Extra money in soles