This amazing trek runs beneath the magnificent Salkantay mountain (6.271m/20575ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes. Your first two days are dominated by the impressive “Apus” of Salkantay and Humantay, as you pass through the high puna landscape. On the third day you descend to the warm cloud forest, to reach Aguas Calientes on the fourth day. The impressive Sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu is visited on the last day of the program. This tour is an interesting alternative for those not having found spaces on the Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek (or Salcantay Trek), was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
This trek perfectly combines the cultural and natural beauty; we will enjoy the magnificent Nevado of
Salkantay (4600m / 20575f) … This is the God of the mountains and you can observe this God in Machu Picchu. This route will bring us back to the time of the Incas, accompanied by the spirits of other mountains, Duch as the Tucarhuay and the Humantay, which peak higher than 5000 meters (16404 feet).
CUSCO – MOLLEPATA (MARCOCCASA) – SORAYPAMPA.
We start to pick up you on the hotel around 05:00 am; we will leave Cusco at 05:30 am, the bus driving taking 4 hours to Anta-Mollepata, passing by the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo. Through the bus is clearly to see the white snowcapped mountain like Salkantay and Huamantay the holy Gods of the Incas, the spectacular scenic on the upper part and lower valleys with colorful landscapes.
We head towards Marcoccasa (3400m/11154 ft.), passing the Mollepata town (3000m/9843 ft.) our first stop (there are toilet facilities, souvenirs and optional short breakfast).
In Marcoccasa we will meet with the horsemen and the rest of the group and start our trek. We start
hiking within a magnificent valley, surrounded by the most important snow -capped mountains such as
the Humantay (5217m/17116f) and the Salkantay (6264m/20551f). Our campsite will be at Soraypampa (3700m/12139f). Soraypampa is located on the middle of the glaciers valleys at night clear appreciate the constellation on the sky.
SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHALLWAY.
After breakfast, we prepared to continue our walk, we will set off towards the Salkantay pass
(4600m/15092ft, considered the strongest of the trip) which offers an exceptional view of the snow – capped Salkantay (6264m.). Thereafter, we will descend again and will have time to enjoy the
increasing vegetation of the ecosystem. After our lunch we will continue our trek up to Challhuay
(3000m/9842ft), here is our second camp, amidst the tropical forest.
CHALLWAY – WIÑAYPOCO – LA PLAYA.
Around 06:00 am. The wake up with coca tea; this day will be memorable for the great variety of Flora and Fauna. After descending to a dimmed forest and enjoying the diversity of species of orchids, bromelains and many other plants, we will see coffee grown, cacao and fruit trees, bananas, pomegranates and avocados.
Moreover, we will have the pleasure to meet local families of Wiñaypoco (2650m/8694 ft) and La Playa (2100m/6890 ft), our third camp will be in La Playa.
LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN.
Early in the morning, after our breakfast, our trail leads us to the archeological complex of Llactapata (2650m/8694ft) located amidst an electric array of vegetation. From here, we will have a beautiful view of the mountain of Machu Picchu.
Afterwards, we will continue down to the hydroelectric station (1950m/6398ft). Here, we will take the train towards Aguas Calientes (2050m/6726ft), where we will spend the night in a hotel.
AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO.
After breakfast at 05:30 am, we will leave our hotel and head for Machu Picchu (2400m/7874ft) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 06:00 am. After, we will have a guided tour around the archaeological site for two hours by the same professional guide who accompanied us during the trek, including information about life and culture of the Incas; you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750m/9022ft) on your own, take pictures, among others.
The same day, we will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 14:55 hrs. or at 18:10 hrs. to return to Cusco (by train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco).
Until then, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the Hot Springs in the town of Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Arrival / Departure Transfer in Cusco
- Transportation: All scheduled transportation Bus and train (Expedition train ticket to Cusco or tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco), private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to Mollepata.
- Tourist train from the hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
- Bus ticket up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Camping equipment: We provide four people capacity tents for two persons, brand new four season tents, Therm-a-rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, seats, tables, tent for Guides and helpers, kitchen gears.
- Accommodation: 03 nights camping, 01-night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Entrance fees: To the National Park of Salkantay and Machu Picchu.
- Meals: 4 breakfasts; 4 hot lunches; 4 hot dinners delicious meals prepared by professional chef food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, snacks, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime every day (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn), we offer vegetarian option if you request; we provide available boil water each mourning for your water bottles.
- Guides: Spanish-English speaking professional and Official tourist guide, 2 guides over 8 people.
- Cook: Professional chef and Chef Assistants, carrier.
- Horseman and Mules: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears in duffel bags that we provide; Muleteers, for up to 8kg. Of a customer’s personal equipment (1).
- Insulation.
- Mattresses.
- Others: First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office for US$25.00 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
- Meals: Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at Mollepata for your breakfast and you can buy some items for the trek. / Lunch and Dinner last day in Aguas Calientes; you must consider a bugged of US$ 15 to 20 in average restaurant.
- Entrance to the Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes (optional) US$4.00
- Extra costs.
- Tips for porters, cooks and guides (staff).
OPTIONAL:
- Personal porter for four days of walking
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes additional
- Sleeping Bag
- Return in Vistadome (First Class)
RECOMENDED THINGS TO BRING:
Sleeping bag, one liter of water, rain gear or poncho (plastic poncho can be purchased in Cusco), hiking boots (running shoes are not recommended), Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp, warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping, wind coat, t-shirts, shorts, long pants, sun hat, wool hat, flashlight, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, garbage bag, small towel, bathing suit (for hot springs), camera, extra batteries, snacks (such as chocolates, energy bars), emergency money and walking stick (optional) and personal things.
