Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 Days)

Overview

Our 5-day Salkantay Trek is an unforgettable adventure that blends nature,culture,and thrill on the way to Machupicchu.This journey takes you to the stunning Humantay Lake,the towering Salkantay Mountain,and through the lush Lucmabamba Valley,where you’ll visit a local coffe park and learn about tradicional coffee-making.You’ll unwind in the soothing hot springs of santa Teresa and hike along the original inca trail to the llactapata ruins,where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking first view of machupicchu. This ancient Inca-era footpath offers an alternative to the famous Inca Trail. Your Salkantay trek also includes a professional guide, most meals, accommodation, entrance fees and transportation.

Tour Plan

DAY 1: Cusco -mollepata - Sorayapampa - Humantay Lake

We pick you up from your hotel between 4.00 and 4.30AM and head for 2 hours to the district of mollepata In mollepata we will have breakfast.Then we will continue. by bus 1 hours to soraypampa,you will meet the team of muleteers and horses, marking the start of the salkantay trek.Before beginning the hike, all equipment and duffle bags will be handed over to the muleteers and horses.The trek from soraypampa to humantay lagoon starts at elevation of 3,900 meters and ascends to 4,200/13500ftt.The initial part of the trek involves a gradual ascent .In total hike to the lagoon takes approximately 2hours and then you'll have free time to enjoy the breathtaking views,take photos,and listen to the guide's insights.After visiting the lagoon, the descent begins towards the campsite.This part of the trek involves a 1.50 hour downhill until campsite.In our camp is our lunch prepared by the cooking team, in the afternoon,there is free time and we will appreciate the impressive salkantay snow-capped mountain along the way .Then we have tea time and dinne. We will spend the nith in our andean cabins from Soraypampa our first Campsite.

Meals: Lunch,afternoon tea and Dinner
Distance:12 kms/ 7.45 Kilometres
Dfficulty: Moderate

DAY 2: Sorayapampa - salkantay pass - chaullay to collpapampa

The second day of the trek is the most dificult,as it consists of 20 kilometros of trekking and takes you to the highest point of the whole trek,[4,630m\15,190ft] meters above sea level.The cooks will wake you up around 4.30 am with a cap of hot coca te and then get ready for the nutritious breakfast.After breakfast ,it is time to start hiking up to the highest point of the trek 4,630m.This will take 4 hours of uphill hiking at a regular to slow pace. Once you are at the highets point, you will have time to enjoy the mountain,take pictures,learn abaut the mountain gods,and take part in a small tradicional andean ritual for the apus mountain god. then 2 hours dawn until lunch Huayracmachay after lunch continue for 3 hours downhill hiking to the second camp,chaullay or collpapampa,which is located at [2,900m/9,515ft].At camp chaullay. There is also an optional hot shower offered by locals that can be used for 10 soles.You can also buy some drinks such as beer,soda,water,after hot tea,and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance: 22 km/13.7 miles
Highest Point: 4650 m/15,190 ft

DAY 3: Chaullay - Playa sawayaco -santa teresa cocalmayo- Lucmabamba

On the third day,we will wake up in the beautifull but warm jungle .We'll wake you up around 5.30 am with a cap of coca tea as the cooks are preparing the delicious breakfas . Around 6.30m,we'll begin our 5 hour hike along of the jungle .Along the trail,you'll see plantations for coffe,bananas,abocados,coca, passion fruit,and more.Once we arrive at la paya sahuayaco,We will take local transportation to the third campsite lucmabamba,whichis about a 30 minutes drive. AT camp,we'll share a delicious lunch before heading out to the hot springs of cocalmayo[optional].Cocalmayo is about a 1hour by car ride from camp.We'llspend 2 hours relaxing in the hot springs and then we back to camp ,our camp we have tea time and dinner,and a group bonfire.All of these activities are optional.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance: 16km/9,94 miles
Highest Point: 2,900m/9,514ft

DAY 4: Lucmabamba -Llactapata-Hidroelectica to aguas calientes

We will wake you up at 4.30am,giving you time to pack ,folowed by breakfast served at 5.00am.From lucmabamba to llactapata is 3 hour ascent on an original road and well-maintained inca trail leads to the small archaeological site of llactapata .From llactapata you will gain a unique view of Machupicchu,and the surrounding mountain,offering a different perspective of Machupicchu location in the mountains,and after the visit,it's time to start the descent towars Hidroelectrica.it's 3 hour descent from llactapata to the Hidroelectrica ,where you will have lunch.After lunch continuing towards the town of aguas calientes.The last part of the hike is a 3 hour hike along the train tracks to aguas calientes. Once you arrive in the small town We'll take you to your hotel where you can shower and rest before our dinner at 7.00pm in a local restaurant. After dinner,we'llhead to bed,anxious for our final day and ultimate reward machupicchu. Note;during the rainy season,the hike up the llactapata trail is nt good guaranteed due to safety concerns.When heavy rains are frequent,this trail becomes very dangerous. Llactapata is an inca ruin locate d along r finishing the trek.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance: 25km/15.530miles
Highest Point: 2450m/6,562ft

DAY 5: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

The last day of your tour is dedicated to discovering the breathtaking inca citadel of Machupicchu.We wake up early morning about 4 am to get redy for the hike to Machupicchu.You have 2 options to walk or take a bus,you decide to walk is 1 hour and a half. we will start the 30 -minute walk from your hotel to puente ruinas the first checkpoint where you will show your passport and Machupicchu ticket,and student ID if applicable.After passing the first checkpoint,we will climb 1 hour around 1,700 steps. If your ticket is for 6.00am,plan to begin the walk at 4.30am ,after breakfas at your hotel. You decide to take bus 30 minutes.If you prefer not to walk ,you can take a comfortable bus to the entrance .Tickets cost 12 dolar usd one way and can be bought the night before or in the morning. Buses begin running at 5.30 am, and depart every 5-10 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you arrive,you will meet your group and your professional guide ,who will take you on a 2-hour of Machupicchu .The tour follows the specific circuit assigned to your ticket.Your guide will explain the site's rich history ,stunning architecture, and sacred significance ,while also giving you time to take photos and enjoy the views. If you booked an additional ticket for huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain,you can begin the hike after the guide tour .These hikes take around 3hours round-trip amd must be reserved in advance due to limited availability . Returning to cusco .Two options ,after finishing your activities at Machupicchu,it's time to return to cusco .There are two return options. If you chouse to return by train.Return to aguas calientes either by walking 1.5 hours or by shuttle bus 30 minute /12 dolar usd.Board the train to ollantaymbo 1.30 minute hour journey.Upon arrival ,continue by tourist vehicle to cusco 1 hour drive .Train usually depart between 14:30pm and 15:30pm,depending on availability. You will arrive in cusco between 7.00pm and 8,00pm. If you chose to return by car via Hidroelectrica,hike from Machupicchu to Hidroelectrica ,which takes approximately 3 hours.You must arrive at Hidroelectrica by 2:00pm to catch the only available car departure at 2:30pm.The drive to cusco takes between 5 and 6 hours,with estimated arrival between 10.00pm and 10.30pm. Important.This return option only works if your Machupicchu entry time is between 6:00 am and 9:30 am.If your ticket is for a later time ,you won't arrive on time to catch the car and will need to spend an extra nigth in Aguas Calientes to return the next day.Any additional costs for lodging, food or other services will be the responsibility of the traveler.

Ticket Machupicchu
Tour in Machupicchu.2 hours exploring
Tren ticket

Included:

Pre-departure briefing.
Experience guide speaks english and spanish.
Professional cook only for our group.
Radio motorola for communication.
Camping equipment (tents and mats).
One duffle bag per person.
Day 5 return journey from aguas calientes to cusco by train or by car depending on your choice.
Day 5 if you take the option to return by train from aguas calientes to ollantaytanbo,transportation from ollantaytanbo to cusco is incluyed.
Horses and muleteers horses carry your 5-kg.
Transportation from cusco at the star of the trek.
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and afternoon tea according to itinerary.
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
Hostal in aguas calientes.
Return transportation from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (train and tourist vehicle).

Does not include:

Optional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (must be booked in advance).
Entrance ticket to humantay lagoon20 soles .
Sleeping bag.(20$0.
Santa teresa hot springs (50 soles) and entrance hot springs 10 soles.
Trekking poles(10$0.
Drink water.
buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu USD 24
showers in Chaullay (approx. 10 soles).
drinks water, snacks or personal expenses during the trek.
Tips for guides, muleteers or cooks.