Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 days Typical Trek
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This is a trek that combines high forest and towering mountains in the Vilcabamba Range. It is a spectacular journey through Apurimac and Urubamba canyons with the 20,574.15 Ft peak of Salkantay (that means “Savage Mountain”) in the background, Huayanay. We also pass thermal baths and walk through subtropical valleys with their coca, cacao, coffee, banana, orange and papaya plantations, all of which make this trek a unique experience. The trek ends at the village of Aguas Calientes, where we will arrive on the fourth day after an hour train journey from the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station. Day five is dedicated exclusively to visit the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and in the afternoon, we return to Cusco by train.
Day 1: Cusco - Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa
The journey begins at 6 am with a bus ride from Cusco to the village of Mollepata, a route as spectacular as any other in the Peruvian Andes, passing through the warm Limatambo valley at 6,397.64 feet above sea level, where the Apurimac River flows by, before climbing to Soraypampa, the beginning of the trek at 12,795.98 feet above sea level. The team of muleteers will be waiting for us with their animals at the trail head. As we trek to our first campsite we will see the Humantay glacier (19,412.73 ft) and the impressive peak of Salkantay (20,574.15 feet above sea level). After a brief rest in Salkantaypampa we will walk for about one hour and a half to appreciate the beautiful lagoon of Salkantaycocha in whose waters the impressive Salkantay is reflected. We camp that night at Salkantaypampa. 13,779.53 feet. Box lunch, D.
Day 2: Salkantaypampa - Andenpata
After a good breakfast at 7 am we begin our slow walk to the higgest point of the trek, the Salkantay pass at 15,091.86 feet, where we will have privileged views of the Salkantay mountain (20574.15 feet) considered one of the most important mountain gods in the Inca Andean world, also we will be able to see the mountains Humantay, Huayanay and some lagoons, continuing the walk we arrive to Huayraqmachay where our lunch is waiting for us and after two more hours we will arrive to Andenpata, our camp site. B, L, D.
Day 3: Andenpata - Playa
We start the day with the 4 hours descent, today the temperature climbs and becomes intense, the vegetation increases considerably and there are mosquitoes in these forests. We will hike through coffee, cacao, coca, papaya, passion fruit, banana and orange plantations, around the 1 p.m. we arrived at Wiñaypoqo, where we will have the lunch in a esplanade surrounded by great variety of typical flora of the place, we will know a cascade where we can freshen up with his cold waters to continue with the walk towards the camp in San Isidro, close to Playa at 7,218.02 ft. B, L, D.
Day 4: Playa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
After the breakfast we ride a local vehicle towards Lucmabamba, this day we hike for 2.5 hours to Llactapata from where we will be able to see Machupicchu surrounded by majestic mountains and to enjoy the warm climate as well as of the quantity of species of flora and fauna that surround us. We descend then up to the Hydroelectric Station of Machupicchu for 3 hours, where we will take the lunch and will board the train to Aguas Calientes that will last one more hour. B,L.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
At 6:30 am we board the bus to the Inca City of Machu Picchu in the company of our guide for a tour on the ruins. After this tour the client can explore the place on his own and if weather conditions are favourable, clients can climb the mountain known as Wayna Picchu. In the afternoon bus trip back to Aguas Calientes and train to Cusco or Ollantaytambo. B.
NOTE: Due to the regulations controlling the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, only 400 people per day are permitted to make the ascent of Wayna Picchu. Check with our guide at the site.
Duration: 4 days walking, 1 day excursion to the ruins of Machu Picchu, 6 or 7 hours walking each day, 3 nights camping and 1 night in a basic hostel in Aguas Calientes.
Degree of difficulty: 3
Included:
- Special information meeting before the trek at a prearranged time and place.
- Transfer by tour bus from your hotel to the trail head and transfer after the trek from Cusco train station back to Cusco.
- Services of a bilingual guide qualified and authorised by the park authorities.
Services of an experienced cook. - Complete camping equipment, including a cooking tent, dining tent, toilet tent and cutlery and plates.
- 1 sleeping mat for each person.
- Horses or mules to carry the company’s equipment, food and personal clients’ belongings, 6Kg. per person.
- Meals from the first day lunch till the fourth day lunch (vegetarian option under request)
- Train ticket Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
Return train ticket to Ollantaytambo. - Bus ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Entrance fee to Machupicchu. - First aids kid oxygen bottle.
- Hotel at Aguas Calientes, in double room.
Not included:
- Sleeping bag
- Dinner on day 4 and meals on day 5
- Tips.