Salkantay Trek Classic 5 Days / 4 Nights – Tour Agency in Machupicchu – Cusco – Peru

Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

For a long time, Salkantay Trek in Peru has been known as an alternative trek to the famous Inca Trail, and it is an option for hikers who want to experience the beautiful mountainous scenery of the Andes, see an incredibly diverse nature of Peru and at the end be blown away by one of the South American highlights and a must-visit place which is on every traveler’s bucket list, Machu Picchu, that is why The National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine named it among the 25 best treks in the world.

Not only you will love to see more from Peruvian wilderness, learn more about flora, fauna and traditional way of life in the Andes, but also enjoy the feeling when something you want to see so desperately is well-deserved. And hiking the Salkantay Trek meet your expectations in all aspects.

Itinerary

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Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa

A life-time experience starts, we will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft), leaving for our first destination, you’ll set the tone for your trip with a stop at the Quilla Rumiyoc (3,330 m / 10,925 ft) archeological site, which has terraces and water channels that were designed to honor the moon goddess.

Then your drive brings you down to the town of Limatambo (2,550 m / 8,366 ft) and then up to the mountain village Mollepata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) where you’ll stop to have breakfast if you missed it in your hotel in Cusco or just simply to buy some stuff you may need for the trek. Afterwards, you’ll continue driving until you reach Challacancha (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), where you’ll meet our brave horsemen and the trekking staff and then begin the hike to Soraypampa, which is our lunch spot. At this point in the hike, you’ll be easing into the altitude. After couple of hours of being hiking through a pristine andean valley is Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), and you’ll find some private campsites with igloo-style domes for other trekkers who spend the night there.

While our Chef is preparing a delicious lunch for you, you’ll start a 3 hour round trip hike to the Lake Humantay (4,230 m / 13,878 ft). Where there is a gorgeous sight, with turquoise blue water surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Your guide will lead you in a meditation and make a small offering to the goddess “Pachamama” or Mother Earth.

After visiting this spectacular glacial lake, you’ll head back to Soraypampa for a well deserved hot lunch. The trek continues after lunch with a gentle climb for approximately two hours roughly through a more unspoiled high andean valley to Salkantaypampa (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), our first campsite.

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay pass – Huayracmachay – Collpapampa

Day two brings a more challenging hike. After an early breakfast you’ll hike leaving the Rio Blanco Valley behind, circling the Humantay peak on a zigzagging trail, making your way through plateaus dotted with boulders of varying sizes. You’ll arrive at a glacial moraine where a small lake is found and you might have a chance to spot vizcachas, the rabbit-like rodents that likes to scurry and burrow in the rocks. These boulders are evidence of the river that used to carve out these massive rocks.

Past the lake this trail brings you to Salkantay pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point on the trek, and from here you will be able to appreciate the second highest mountain in Cusco region right in front of you, the majestic Salkantay or “The Savage Mountain”, and also the snowed mountains of Humantay and Pumasillo. There is an option to take a short 40 minute walk back and forth from the pass to visit another turquoise water lagoon called Salkantaycocha located just off the trail.

During your descent, you’ll continue down hills through a stony trail and marshes to the small community of Huayracmachay (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), our lunch spot. After a three course meal you’ll continue your descent on a path that follows the Salkantay River. You’ll see more locals during this leg of the journey, passing by their cozy mountain abodes. What is remarkable is the scenary change from the high andean plateau to the high jungle, the vegetation and temperature will be noticeable since it will be warmer, moisturized, and greener.

As soon as you arrive to our campsite in Collpapampa (2,920 m / 9,580 ft) you’ll be greeted by our team and later on you’ll be spoiled with hot drinks and snacks before another superb dinner.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Maximum altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,920 m / 9,580 ft
Campsite altitude: 2,920 m / 9,580 ft
Distance hiked: 18.00 km / 11.18 ml
Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours

Day 3: Collpapampa – Lluscamayo – La Playa – Lucmabamba

After a nutritious breakfast you’ll hike along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. As you hike through the valley, you’ll hop over small streams and see waterfalls fed by far-off glaciers. On this hike, you will also pass through the farming villages of Wiñaypoco (2,550 m / 8,366 ft) as well as Lluscamayo (2,420 m / 7,939 ft). The biodiversity change will be obvious from birds, insects, and butterflies to orchids, ferns and bromeliads. You’ll also cross through scenic and colorful fruit orchards with orange, banana, passion fruit, avocado, among others. Also you may have the pleasure of speaking to some local families, and learn about their lifestyle on these villages.

At lunchtime you’ll arrive to the small village La Playa (2,040 m / 6,692 ft) to be delighted with a buffet of tasty meals one more time, lunch will be served on the banks of a river, before another hour-long walk along a dirt road that will take you to our third campsite Lucmabamba (2,100 m / 6,889 ft).

After lunch, to make the afternoon more enjoyable, you’ll be taken on a private tour of the coffee plantations close to the campsite, where you’ll get to learn about the Peruvian coffee, which is gaining more fame around the world. You’ll learn all about coffee from picking and shelling the coffee beans to roasting and grinding them and finally, drinking a cup of freshly-brewed coffee, definitely it is quite an experience.

At the end of the afternoon, you will go back to our camp to enjoy the last gourmet dinner served in the dining tent. Your day ends with a warm night in your tent, at the lovely and warm campsite.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Maximum altitude: 2,920 m / 9,580 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
Campsite altitude: 2,100 m / 6,889 ft
Distance hiked: 17.00 km / 10.56 ml
Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Your day begins with a 3 hour climb on a trail built by the Incas as part of the Inca network, that drew together the far corners of the empire, it will be an uphill hike towards the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, following this trail you’ll also see coffee plantations on the sides, that produce top-tier organic coffee. As you’re ascending you’ll enjoy the amazing view of Santa Teresa valley, and you’ll notice the increased humidity, signs that you’re close to the Amazon. You’ll reach first the Aobamba pass (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), before descending to the ruins of Llactapata (2,720 m / 8,923 ft). Scholars believe this area may have served as a roadside shrine on the way to Machu Picchu. From here, you’ll be able to see the a southeast view of Machu Picchu in the distance.

After visiting Llactapata you’ll head a short distance down the trail to a meadow with a panoramic view, and have lunch there while you have another chance to take more pictures of Machu Picchu, then you’ll descend through bamboo forests, ending the hike at the Hidroelectrica (1,780 m / 5,389 ft) where train station is. From there, you’ll embark on a one-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft), the small town that serves as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Once in the town you’ll go to your assigned hotel to check-in, and take a shower in your room or relax your aching muscles in the hotsprings nearby to the hotel. Afterwards enjoy your group dinner in one of the restaurants in the town.

Meals included: breakfast & lunch
Maximum altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Minimum altitude: 1,780 m / 5,389 ft
Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Distance hiked: 11.00 km / 6.83 ml
Approximate walking time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start the bus ride to your final destination, Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). The bus ride takes 30 minutes. On a two-hour tour, your guide will offer insight into structures like the Guard House and the Temple of the Sun, as well as the terraces hillsides and royal residences. Some edifices are more mysterious, and point to the Inca’s profound astronomical insight.

If you’re ready for more hiking, consider an additional side trip to the top of Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft), the mountain next to Machu Picchu that offers an incredible view of the site, many people come here just for the photographs looking for a different perspective of this world wonder.

Once you’ve toured Machu Picchu, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After lunch, you’ll hop on the train to begin your return to Cusco. A private bus will be waiting for you at the train station to bring you back to your Cusco hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel.
Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
Minimun altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft

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Not included

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