Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu

The amazing Salkantay trek to Machupicchu is one of the most famous treks in Cusco and the best alternative route to get to Machu Picchu. It takes you through different types of landscapes from the typical Andean as far as the snowcapped mountains and a way down to the tropical forests and finally to the jungle.

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA

We start to pick you up from the hotel at 05:00 am, the bus driving lasts 4 hours to Anta – Mollepata, on the way is possible to see the white snowcapped mountain like Salkantay and Humantay the Gods of the Incas, there is spectacular scenic on the upper part and lower valleys with colorful landscape. Two hours driving to the first stop in Mollepata town there are toilet facilities, souvenirs and optional short breakfast, to soon continue at Challacancha the trail head. There we will meet with our support staff. There we will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Around 9:30 a.m. we will star our trek to Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l) the first section of the path are paved rock trail there are the old water channel still supply to new habitants, the begin is 9 km in 3 hours to Soraypampa the lunch place as well base camp, after lunch and nap to continued hiking up to the Humantay lake (4200masl) 5 km in 3 hours round trip, bottom the glacier the most spectacular views to the back ground valley and sunset, Soraypampa is located on the middle of the glaciers valleys at night clear appreciate the constellation on the sky.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 3850 Masl

Minimum Altitude: 2850 Masl

Hiking Distance: 12 Km Approx.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRAMACHAY – CHAULLAY

Early wake up with the first daylight at 05:00 am to packing the staff, breakfast and soon to start hiking up to the highest point of the trail Salkantay Pass (4650 masl – 15,255 ft) the distance is 7 km in 3 hours, on the ascent through the between the rocky valley bottom the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6200 masl – 20,341 ft). We reach the top of the trek. We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo, Salkantay is considerate the second highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the Incas God called “Apu”. Get the top is the most ancient time on the trek, 2 hours downhill on the serpent trail and gravel rocky path to get Huayracmachay lunch spot, on the afternoon entrance to the upper part of the amazone jungle as well called “cloud forest” 9 km in 3 hours on the wide trail in the thick forest are decorate the hills with colorful sceneries and the wild life and native plant, mostly of the year weather is warmed and temperate to finally arrived to Chaullay Village (2900 masl – 9,514 ft) the base camp into the jungle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 4650 Masl

Minimum Altitude: 2900 Masl

Hiking Distance: 22km To Chaullay

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA – COLCAMAYO HOT SPRINGS

Around 6:00 am the wake up with coca tea; breakfast and hiking straight to la Playa crossing on the thick jungle and following on the bank of the Santa Teresa river on the gradual trail there are stopping in several family hamlet to enjoy the local fruit and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange and papaya) If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks”, the trail distance is 16 km the hiking time is 5 hours on the down valleys is clearly to see the cedar tree very useful for the local people on the economic, La playa is small Town with the basic facilities (toilet, electricity, shopping and souvenir) as well the lunch point, following the plan We will driving the collective bus to Santa Teresa Town around 1 hour camp site, to get early at this base camp on the afternoon optional driving 15 minutes to the hot spring highly recommended after the hard journey on the mountain, Then back at the campsite for happy hours and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight in the Tents

Maximum Altitude: 2900 Masl

Minimum Altitude: 1600 Masl

Hiking Distance: 16 Km from Chaullay to La Playa Sahuayaco.

DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Today is a flexible day; we have different options to do:

RELAX OPTION  01 : You will take motorized transport from SANTA TERESA to HYDROELECTRIC for 45 minutes where we will have lunch and visit an Inca ruin. After this, we will walk for 3 hours more along the train tracks to arrive to AGUAS CALIENTES town. TRANSPORTATION PRICE: S/. 10 SOLES additional.

ADVENTURER´S OPTION  02 : We start hiking from SANTA TERESA to HYDROELECTRIC 2.5 hours approximately along the car road on the way we have the chance to see the new hydroelectric power plant and also we are going to enjoy the magnificent view of the URUBAMBA river once in hydroelectric we have our lunch and then hiking to AGUAS CALIETES town 3 more hours along the train track.

THE CRAZIEST OPTION 03 : you have the chance to do the highest and longest ZIPLINE in South America. After doing the ZIPLINE in the morning we will take transport to the Hydroelectric Station. After this, we will walk for 3 hours more along the train tracks to arrive to AGUAS CALIENTES town. ZIPLINE PRICE: USD 10 DOLLARS

Any options that you may take you can decided in SANTA TERESA and also any option that you take we wake up at 6:30 am, breakfast around 7:15 am and living to do our activities around 8:00 am

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Wake Up Time: 6:30 Am with Coca leaf Tea.

Breakfast Time: 7:00 Am.

Accommodation: At The Hotel In Aguas Calientes.

Maximum Altitude: 2050 Masl.

Minimum Altitude: 1600 Masl.

Hiking Distance: 19 Km From Hydroelectric To Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

the long-awaited day of the trek, early wake up on the hotel is better for visit Machupicchu, We suggestion start early visit Machupicchu the check point is open from (6:00 am until 17:00 pm) optional going up by bus or foot, on the morning look empty the city with less tourist the first 2 hours guiding tour in the City, (temples, palaces, priest house, sundial, industrial sector and farming fields) after that is start your free time to climbing up to Huaynapichu or Machupicchu mountain (book in advance to get your ticket) both mountains hiking time taking3 hours approx. or trekking to the sun gate the main entrance of the Inka Trail, therefore you’ll stay and enjoy the city for more than 7 hours on the afternoon We organized the train (18:20 pm) back form Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then bus driving to Cusco to arrive at 22:00 pm approx. the bus drops you off at your hotel in Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast,

Wake Up Time: 4:00 Am At The Hotel In Aguas Calientes

Train Ride: 1:45 Hours From Aguas Calietes To Ollantaytambo

Bus Ride: 30 minutes From Ollantaytambo To The Hotel In Cusco.