Salkantay 5 Days Trek to Machu Picchu

Overview

SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS

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 SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS.

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.

Hiking distance: 19 km / 12miles
Duration: 9 hours
Camp altitude: 2,800 m / 9,087 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea and dinner.
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata

Enjoy a rest in the village while admiring the view of the mountains. After breakfast, you will prepare for the most beautiful day of this experience to the legendary city of Machu Picchu. Today you will walk through narrow trails along the river, pass wooden bridges, small waterfalls, and banana plantations until you reach the beach village (2,000 m / 6,561 ft).

Lunch today will be at the same place where we will spend the night. After lunch, we will continue to an organic farm, where you will be able to taste the best coffee in the area. This area is characterized by its coffee cultivation where you will be able to participate in the coffee process. From the beans to the exquisite beverage.

After this beautiful experience. We will have time to relax by visiting cocalmayo hot springs which is optional and is not included in the package can be arranged with your guide.

Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Hiking time: 6 hours
Camp altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Beach – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

This day will be a quite demanding day where we will walk about 24 km. From the beach to the town of Aguas Calientes. The first 3 hours will be a pure ascent, with a magnificent view where you can see the sunrise, and reach the place called Llactapata from where you can see Machupicchu this view will be unique where you can be closer to the ancient Inca city Machupicchu after an arduous hike.

You will also find Inca constructions in this area, the 3 hour trail is considered part of the original Inca trail from Machupicchu to the Amazon. Your guide will be able to inform you more about the area, following the tour you will descend to the ahobamba valley where you will have lunch at a family’s house, always making an economic support to the local people. Once lunch is finished, you will continue with the hike towards the hydroelectric plant. The walk from this place to Aguas Calientes will be along the side of the railroad track and at the same time will border the entire citadel of Machupicchu.

Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to the hotel, where you can take a shower, visit the town or go to the hot springs. You will have dinner at a local restaurant while we plan for the next and most awaited day of the Salkantay Trek, your visit to the beautiful Machupicchu Citadel.

Distance: 24 km / 14.5 miles
Duration: 9 hours
Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,318 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: 3 star hotel
Difficulty: Challenging

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the most important day of the Salkantay Trek. You will visit one of the seven wonders of the world, a city abandoned for unknown reasons during the 16th century by the great Inca Empire. We will start in the early morning, have breakfast at the hotel and take the first buses to reach Machu Picchu at dawn. Once there, our expert guide will take you to tour the highlights of the citadel: temples, palaces, squares and enclosures, while revealing the mysteries hidden in this spectacular Inca city, nestled on the peak of a mountain. The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours. If you have tickets, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Mountain (Machu Picchu Mountain).

After finishing with the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, pick up your belongings from the hotel and take the expediton train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, the Guiding Cusco team will take you back to Cusco aboard our private transportation. You will arrive at the hotel around 7:30 pm.

Duration of the tour: 3 hours in Machu Picchu
Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 / 7,972 ft.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy

Includes

INCLUDED

Briefing: The night before your trip, our guide will give you information about your Salkantay Trek.
Transportation
Professional Bilingual Guide: All our guides are graduates of the institutes and universities licensed in our Cusco, who grew up and were raised with teachings that our ancestors left us that is to show their culture.
Guided tour of 2h of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Bus tickets down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
Entrance tickets to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass.
Food: we adapt to the type of food you have, whether vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, ETC.
04 breakfasts.
04 lunches.
04 dinners.
Water: The kitchen service will provide us with cold boiled water to fill your travel containers.
Expedition tourist train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. It will be in a miniban of the company Guiding Cusco.
First aid kit.
Duffle bag for your 5 kilos: a suitcase for you to organize 5 kilos that you will take to the Inca Trail among them: change of clothes for 4 days and sandals to be able to rest every day in camping places.

NOT INCLUDED

First breakfast, last lunch.
Expenses during the tour.
Bottle of water.
Walking sticks, (you can rent with us).
Sleeping bag, (you can rent with us).
Air mattress, (you can rent with us).
Tips for the staff on the trail: tips are always appreciated, but always according to your satisfaction, it may not be customary for you, but it is of considerable importance to the people who cared for your food and health during your Inca Trail vacation.

What to Birng

What to Bring

Original passport
Good backpack (small and comfortable)
Water storage: (Camelbacks or 2-liter water bottle).
Comfortable hiking boots (light, good soles)
Trekking poles

What will you have in your backpack during the Inca Trail trek?

You need to bring a small and comfortable backpack for hiking. We recommend not to exceed 25 liters; this is for Machu Picchu where large backpacks will not be allowed.

Water: We provide drinking water every day after the first lunch. For the first morning, you should bring 2 liters of water.
Rain gear (rain jackets, rain pants, waterproof hiking gloves, ponchos).
Sun protection (sunscreen, sun hat)
Hat, warm gloves
Camera, extra batteries, soles
Alcohol gel
Toilet paper
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips.

What will you carry in the duffel bag?

During the Salkantay Inca Trail Tour, porters will carry up to 5 kg of your personal belongings. With your sleeping bag and air mattress 7 kg; this equipment you can bring your own or rent from Guiding Cusco

4-5 t-shirts (long sleeve, preferably absorbent t-shirts)
3 comfortable walking pants
5 sets of underwear
5 sets of hiking socks
1 warm jacket – very cold at night
Comfortable camping shoes (sandals or sneakers)
Camping towels (quick drying). Small hand towels are provided.
Soap (in a sealed container)
Battery charger (enough for the 6 days)
Plastic bags: to organize clean and dirty things.
Sleeping bag (-10C °), you can bring your own or rent it in GUIDING CUSCO
Ear plugs for the night
Toiletries, Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Personal medication
First aid kit: Band-Aid’s, moleskin, etc.

Price

“Salkantay trek to machupicchu” can leave any day of the week, from march though january. We stop operating in february, becouse of rainy season, maintenance of the route and campsite.

PRICE 2024

Group Price: US$ 400.00 per person
REQUIRED pre payment: US$ 200.00 per person.
BALANCE. (CUSCO): US$ 200.00 (Usually paid in cusco 2 or 3 days before the star of your adventure)

This small group adventure is guaranteed to opérate whit just 2 people.

The payment can be made through the Openpay link that has an additional charge of 5% for online deposit, and half of the payment will be made without any additional charge as it will be in our offices or directly to the staff in charge of Guiding Cusco that will visit your hotel.

HOTEL IN AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN.

Most treks to machupicchu ends in aguas calientes town, so you will spend the last night in a hotel in the town. rather tan camping (including a shared room in a standard 3-star hotel). If you need a hotel upgrate or prefer a sigle room, you can pay an extra fee. Please enquire for more details.

EXTRA HIKES AROUND MACHUPICCHU.

Complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip:

HUAYNA PICCHU mountain (highly recommended): US$ 70.00
MACHU PICCHU mountain: US$ 70.00
HUCHUY PICCHU mountain: US$ 50.00
Single supplement(hotel at aguas calinetes town). US$ 35.00
Extra night at aguas calientes town. US$ 60.00
Vistadome train (from aguas calientes town – ollantaytambo). US$ 70.00

EXTRA EQUIPMENT FOR THE TREK OF SALKANTAY

Additional ítems you can rent for this trip:

Sleeping bag : US$ 20.00
Trekking poles(1 pair): US$ 20.00
Inflatable mattress. US$ 20.00

PRICE GUARANTEED

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So please , before booking , ensure you have read all our important tour information.

STUDENT DISCOUNT.

Student discount apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we requirea copy or clear photo of the Passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates.

US$20.00 off