- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
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- FAQ
The Salkantay Trek is the number one alternative after to Inca Trail. This trek wasnamed among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure TravelMagazine. The part around Mount Salkantay has some outstanding views and thedescent later down to 1,000 m above sea level is quite gorgeous and not too steep. Withhigh snow-capped mountains, lowland jungle, a perfect mix of trekking, culture, and nature. The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m, descends into the cloud forest andpasses the Inca ruins Llactapata, with a view of Machu Picchu.
Zero plastic bottles on the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu
What you need to bring
- Original Passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us).
- Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
Extras (Need to book in Advance):
- Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 70.00
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 70.00
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired
Optional extras:
- Sleeping Bag US$30.00
- Walking Pole US$12.00
- Single Tent Supplement US$35.00
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 5:00 am
Cusco - Mollepata to Soraypampa
Today's trek begins at the small village of Challacancha high above the Rio Blanco Valley. Following a wide, well established track we will gently make our way up the
side of the valley covering a distance of about 16km /9.9 miles and climbing 1200m /3937ft. The views throughout the day are fantastic, all around us are green mountains, along the path are a wide variety of native plants and flowers with birds flitting in and out and towards the end of the day we'll see the snow-capped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay (the Savage) looming high above us.
Our campsite for tonight is at Soraypampa (4000m / 12750ft.).
After Lunch time, our excursion takes us to Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers far above on the slopes of the impressive Humantay. Our 1-hour walk there is followed by another short 20-minute, which is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth it.
Day 2
Time : 5:00 am
Soraypampa to Colcapampa
Today we continue our journey towards Machu Picchu, walking up the Rio Blanco valley and circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay Peak. The scenery throughout
the day goes from one extreme to another; starting from the high Puna covered in Ichu grass we make our way up and over Salkantay pass where everything is rock and ice and then descend the far side down to the warm and lush cloud forest below. Along the way we'll see a variety of wildlife from the small finches that scrape by at the higher altitudes to hummingbirds and toucans in the cloud forest, there is also a chance to see Andean Fox, White-Tailed Deer, and Viscacha (rabbit-like Chinchillas).
Our campsite for tonight is at Colpapampa (2900m/9514ft), it is recommended you put on insect repellant from this point on as the mosquitoes in the area have a nasty bite.
Day 3
Time : 6:00 am
Colpapampa - La Playa
This day we walk along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. Our destination is the village of La Playa about 12km down the valley from Colpapampa. Our route takes us along the Lluskamayo River through an area that is teeming with life, and that has various coffee and fruit plantations. The scenery in this area is not as stunning as the previous day but the warmth and lush vegetation are a welcome respite from the high mountains we've left behind.
Tonight we will stay at the village of La Playa (2400m/7874ft.) which is well connected and there are plenty of places where you can buy snacks and refreshments, you can also try some of the locally grown coffee. If you are interested there is the option to visit some hot springs that are close by, let know to your guide in advance so that he can organize this for you.
Day 4
La Playa to Aguas Calientes
Today we tackle the last day of our trek. Before we reach Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The main focus of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata sat on the mountainside high above. Following an original Inca Trail we'll arrive to Llactapata by early to mid morning and can enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu that we get from here.
After a tour of Llactapata in which we'll learn about the Inca people and their culture we'll head back down the mountainside to the Hydroelectric Station from where we'll walk to Aguas Calientes.
Day 5
Time : 6:00 am
Machu Picchu!
After a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We will have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have, permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco Hotel.
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to Challacancha
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 3 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- 3 star hotel for final night
- Inflate sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance Ticket to Machu
- Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Note* About Salkantay trek Campsites:
Campsites may change depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on restriccions undertaken for safety reaseons by the Peruavian Goverment.
- Train from Km 122 to Aguas Calientes add $ 40.00
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 5
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain add
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for theduration of your trip.
- Gratuities at your discretion.
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