Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 05 Days

Salkantay trek is an old and remote alternative path to the Inca Trail, it has much more spectacular views and with different ecological levels we will walk among lagoons, impressive snow-capped mountains, rivers and subtropical areas of abundant vegetation and fauna.

The Salkantay trekking to Machu Picchu passes under the magnificent mountain Salkantay (6,710 m / 22,014 ft), one of the highest and most impressive of the Peruvian Andes. Its first two days will be dominated by the impressive snow-capped mountains of Salkantay and Humantay.

The third day will descend to the warm cloud forest, and you will visit thenatural hot spring, on the fourth day, a stunning view of Machu Picchu from Llactapata ruins, and finally Machu Picchu on the last day.

Day 01: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay lake.

Firstly, we pick you up from your respective hotels an then we leave Cusco around 5:00 am to reach the town of Mollepata to have our delicious breakfast, and then we continue our journey to Challacancha (3800 m/12457 ft), which is the starting point of our hike. We will hike for about 3 hours towards the Soraypampa base camp, located at 3,900 meters (12,800ft.) above sea level, and enjoy a nutritious lunch. We will then head towards the famous Humantay lagoon (4,220 m/ 13,850 ft) and admire the incredible views along the 1.5 hour walk.

The landscapes are exuberant and full of colors according to the season of the year. You will be able to enjoy the green valleys full of vegetation and incredible sceneries offered by the Humantay and Salkantay Andes mountains, while our local guide will share his knowledge about the history and interesting facts. Besides, you will have enough time to explore this unique place on your own. We will descend to our base camp in Soraypampa where we will enjoy a hot cup of coca tea, and have a freshly prepared dinner by our cooks.

Distance: 13 km / 6 hrs.

Day 02: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa.

The cooks will wake you up around 5:00 am with a cup of hot coca tea. After breakfast is time to start hiking up to the highest point of the Salkantay trail which 4,630 m.a.s.l. which takes between 3 to 4 hours to the highest point.

The Salkantay pass, where we will enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped high Andes Mountains, including Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo (4,650 meters / 15,250 feet). Passing through Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, we will discover a beautiful small lake and then begin our descent towards Wacracmachay for 3 hours (3,800 meters / 12,470 feet). There, we will have lunch and continue our descent for 3 more hours until we reach our campsite in Collpapampa. We will have tea and a delicious dinner prepared by our cook. Tonight, we will sleep in our comfortable domes at the campsite.

Distance: 22 km / 9 hrs.

Day 03: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba.

After a rejuvenating night’s sleep, we start day 3 of our Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu with a delicious breakfast. We’ll embark on a 5 ½ hour hike through the Peruvian jungle, navigating numerous ascents and descents. This section of the trek takes us through the cloud forest, where we’ll encounter coffee plantations, orchids, and various medicinal plants. We’ll arrive at our lunch spot for a well-deserved break and the opportunity to take a coffee tour.

Tonight, we’ll stay in our private jungle domes. You have the option to visit the medicinal thermal baths in Cocalmayo, Santa Teresa (not included), clean water which makes a great place for relaxing. We’ll return to our campsite at 6:00 pm for tea and a freshly prepared dinner.

(Cocalmayo hot spring and local transportation S/50.00 PEN)

Distance: 16 km / 5 hrs.

Day 04: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Ruins – Hidrolectrica – Aguas Calientes.

Today, we will enjoy the sunrise in a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, avocado, and coffee. We will have a nutricious breakfast and get ready for the next part of our trekking adventure: we will finally hike along a part of the original Inca Trail! We will walk up along the Inca Trail, enjoying the beautiful views of the Santa Teresa Valley.

After a 3 hrs ascent, we will arrive at the Inca archaelogical site of Llactapata. Our local guide will share his knowledge about the history of this place. Besides, we will get the chance to get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. We will go downhill for lunch and then continue our hike to Hidroeléctrica. You can choose to walk to Aguas Calientes for around 3 hours, or opt to board a train for $38.00 extra. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in the village on the bottom of the magnificent Wonder of the World. Tonight, we will be staying at a hotel overnight.

Distance: 19 km / 6 hrs.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

The grand finale!, We will wake up very early this morning for our visit to the famous Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. This complex is considered a jewel of Inca architecture, comprising a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories, and terraces. We will take a guided tour to explore and learn about Machu Picchu, a Wonder of the World. After the tour, you’ll have free time to take photos and discover this magical place on your own.

In case you decide to return by transport from Hidroeléctrica to Cusco you have to get the entrance to Machu Picchu at the earliest time of 6 am or 7 am, so that you have time to return to Hidroeléctrica because our transport returns at 2:30 pm from Hidroeléctrica to Cusco arriving aprox. 9:30 p.m. (Main Square)

Optional:

For those who have chosen to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you’ll do so at your designated time (1st group: 6 am to 8 am, 2nd group: 9 am to 11 am), and it is required to buy another ticket for Machu Picchu or Waynapicchu Mountain (US$ 55.00)

Likewise you have to buy a return train ticket, in this case from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo ($ 70.00), otherwise you will not have enough time to get to Hidroelectrica and get on our transport back to Cusco, because to go up and down and the time of visiting on the top of Waynapicchu or Machu Picchu mountain will take at least 3 hours.

Distance: 4 km / 1.5 hrs.

Includes:

• Pick up from your hotel the day of the trip.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Transportation back from Hydroelectric train station to Cusco.
• Visit to the archaeological site of Llactapata.
• Professional guide for all the trip.
• 04 breakfasts, 04 Lunches, 04 Dinners.
• 07 Kgs extra to carry the horse.
• 01 roll mattres.
• 01 duffle bag.
• 03 camping nnights (local domes)
• 01 hostel night in Aguas Calientes town.
• First aid kit.
• Oxigen bottle for all the group.

Not Includes:

• Machu Picchu or Waynapicchu Mountain (US$ 55.00 – For 2nd time)
• Train ticket back from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo 14:55 pm, 15:20 pm or 16:22 pm, depending on schedule availability. (Additional cost US$ 70.00 – Highly recommended)
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (US$ 24.00 or US$ 12.00 bus up or down)
• Sleeping bag (US$ 20.00)
• Trekking poles one pair for the whole trek  (US$ 15.00)
• Entrance fee to Humantay Lake (US$ 6.00)
• Entrance to Cocalmayo hot spring and local transportation (US$15.00)
• Breakfast day 01
• Lunch day 05
• Water

Our Recommendations:

• Original Passport
• Student card with current expiration date printed on the card
• Travel Insurance
• hiking water proof boots
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Sun hat and gloves
• T-shirts / shirts
• Hiking poles
• Comfortable hiking zip off trousers
• Rain pants
• Bathing suit (For hot springs in Cocalmayo)
• Sun protection cream (Factor 25 recommended)
• Insect Repellent for mosquitos 15 % of deet at least
• 01 Water bottle to refill water or you just can buy water on the tour
• Water purifying tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Toiletries (towel, soap, brush, toothpaste, toilet paper …)
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Headlight
• Extra contribution suggested in soles money for tipping porters, cook and guide. In addition, for any emergency.
• Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 1 or 2 days. We offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek.

Group Service Cost:

Salkantay Trek / with return by car from Hidroeléctrica

Adult Price US$ 290.00 

Student Price US$ 270.00

Salkantay Trek / with return by train (Highly Recommended)

Adult Price US$ 360.00 

Student Price US$ 340.00

If you like to apply for the student price you need to comply with the next requirements Peruvian regulation for students. If you are a student, you need to send us a copy or picture of both side of your STUDENT CARD also a picture or photo of your PASSPORT in order to verify, to get discount. The student card must be an original student ID gives from the university in PVC material, and it must have the next requirements printed on it: University information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machupicchu, the discount until 25 years old. ISIC cards are not valid for the discount.