Salkantay 5 Days 4 Nights

Overview

SUMMARY.

This is the second most travelled trek to Machupicchu. It has a duration of 5 days or 4 days, passing many ecological levels having as main attraction the nature. The most important thing is to get very close to the Salkantay mountain and then descend to where tropical fruits such as bananas, papaya, etc. grow. Also on this route you can have a tasting of arabic coffee that many people are dedicated to this agriculture, passing a small stretch of Inca trail called llactapata from where you could see machupicchu. and after all this attraction arrives to machupicchu.

HIGHLIGHTS

the natural hot springs of cocalmayo.
High Andean communities of salkantay.
Tropical fruits.
Lakes, mountains with glaciers.
Plantations of: coffee, avocado, banana.
Orchids.
Part of Inca trail.
Machupicchu.
Book with confidence and flexibility.

DAY BY DAY SUMMARY OF 5 DAYS SALKANTAY TREK.

DAY 1: cusco – mollepata – lake humantay – soraypampa.

The tour starts with pick up from your hotel in Cusco. Transport to Mollepata, where you will have breakfast in a family’s house, prepared with local products. Afterwards you will camp in the middle of two beautiful mountains: Salkantay and Humantay. Under thousands of stars.

DAY 2: soraypampa – salkantay pass – huayracmachay – chaullay.

The most difficult day will be this day. As you will also reach the highest point of 4,630masl. Arriving very close to the second highest mountain in Cusco. After an ascent you will have an intense descent of 1700 meters. Here the vegetation changes completely and you will arrive at the camp of Chaullay.

DAY 3: chaullay – wiñaypocco – playa.

This is the most beautiful day where you can see vegetation such as: fruit plantations, orchids, some medicinal plants, etc. It is a very relaxing day and in the afternoon you have the option to visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo to relax your muscles.

DAY 4: Playa – llacctapata – hydroelectric – aguas calientes.

This is one of the long days in terms of distances but with an incredible view, about 3 hours of Inca trail uphill from above you will be able to see Machupicchu from quite a distance but you will also find archaeological remains and thus reach the town of Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5: aguas calientes – machupicchu – ollantaytambo – cusco

A long awaited day for everyone as this day will be Machupicchu from very early in the morning you will get ready to go up with your tour group to explore the wonder of the world and then back to Cusco and so ends this 5 day adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lagoon – Salkantaypampa

We will start the Salkantay Trek by picking you up from the door of your hotel around 4:30 a.m. We will travel for 2 hours to the village called Mollepata where you will have breakfast and then another hour to the beginning of the trail. Also, you will meet the cooking team and muleteers, who will carry all the equipment and accompany you along the route.

The first part begins with a 3-hour hike through an ancient Inca canal to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 11,2467 ft). It will be an excellent training for the following days. Once in Soraypampa, we will have a welcome lunch in the mountains, of course at the hands of our talented mountain chef.

Later, we will continue the ascent to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). It will be a 2 hour hike to the top. Once there, you will have time to relax, explore the surroundings, and enjoy the spectacular view that this turquoise lagoon offers. We will then continue for two more hours through a beautiful valley with meandering streams until we reach our first campsite (Salkantaypampa) near the base of Salkantay Mountain. From this camp, we will have a spectacular uninterrupted view of the Salkantay mountain and the night sky. Get ready to have dinner and sleep under millions of stars.

Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.5 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Camp altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa

Today you will wake up very early with a cup of hot coffee or coca tea and admire the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. After breakfast, we will begin the 2-hour ascent to the highest and most challenging point of the trail, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). Once at the top, we will stop to appreciate the incredible beauty of this place and explore the surroundings, including a beautiful lake at the base of Salkantay Mountain (6,270 m / 20,754 ft).

We then continue downhill for 3 hours to the lunch spot at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). On the way, you will see the Vizcachas (Lagidium Peruanum), a unique type of Chinchilla endemic to Peru.

After a well-deserved lunch, we prepare for the final stretch of the day, a 3-hour descent from the highlands, where the air is dry and cold, to the lush cloud forest, where the climate is warm and humid. Without a doubt, this is one of the fastest changes in scenery and temperature you will experience. We will camp next to the village of Collpapampa.