5 DAYS SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

PACKAGE DETAILS | SALKANTAY trek to Machu Picchu

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA.

We will leave from Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. A local bus will take us to the city of Mollepata (2900 masl), arriving approximately at 8:15 am in time to have breakfast.

During the drive, we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other snow-capped mountains, and the valley of the Apurimac River.

We will have breakfast and after we will meet up with our support staff and they will load the equipment onto horses and mules.

Around 9 am we will begin our walk toward Sayllapata (3200 masl). And around 1pm we will have a traditional Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking towards the Soraypampa village (3850 masl). We will arrive at our camp around 5:30 pm, where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACPUNCO – CHAULLAY.

After an early breakfast, we start trekking from Soraypampa at approx. 7:30 am.

From this point, we can appreciate the spectacular views of the mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow-capped mountain (6,264 m), the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, as well as the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes, and moraines.

After a 5 hr walk, we will trek downhill to have lunch in Huayracpunco and then further downhill 2-3 hrs to where we will camp, Collpapampa (2,920 m).

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA (COCALMAYO HOT SPRING)

We will begin our trek of  6 hrs toward Playa Sahuayaco around 7:00 am. During this period we will see a city called Collpabamba, also called the “La ceja de bosque nublado”, where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, various flora, and birds can be observed.

If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks”. From Playa Sahuayaco, we will head to the campsite located at the hot springs of Santa Teresa (don’t forget to bring a bathing suit).

Here we will rest and have dinner.

DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRYC – AGUAS CALIENTES

We will start our walk around 8:30 am after our delicious breakfast. We will first head to the village Colpani along a rising trail from which we can see coffee plantations, bananas, passion fruit, and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow the riverside of the Vilcanota River until we arrive in the Oroya. From here we have an option to hike a few hours or to catch a small car (25 minutes) to the Hydroelectric. Here we will have the last lunch with the whole staff, and then we will continue walking to Aguas Calientes, arriving around 4:30 pm. Here we will spend our final night in a hostel.

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

Today you can choose between walking from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu leaving at 4:30 am or  taking a bus to Machu Picchu at 5:25 am. In Machu Picchu, you will have a 2 hour guided tour and after that, you will be free to explore the citadel and take pictures.

If you desire, hike the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain there is an extra cost and it must be reserved in advance. At 6:45 pm you will take a train to Ollantaytambo and from there a bus will bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.

IT IS INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing in Willka Travel Office or at your hotel.
• Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Mollepata 
- Challacancha (starting point of the trek)
• Personal tents: 2 people in a 4-people-capacity tent, for higher comfort and a safe storage of backpacks.
• English-speaking, professional, and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups over 13 people)
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes hostel (can be upgraded)
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3
• 1 bag or duffel bag, where you can put a maximum of 6 kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 3 (carry by our horses)
• Meals (4B, 4L, 4D + daily morning snack + daily tea service, except for the last day), vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost, just let us know it beforehand.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Machu Picchu entrance fee
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition Service or Inca Rail )
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

IT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping bag, available to rent USD5 per day. Our sleeping bags are – 20ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. (Talk to one of our staff at the office)
• Entrance to Salkantay, 10 soles.
• Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu
• Entrance to the hot springs in Cocalmayo and Aguas Calientes
• Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily
• Alcoholic drinks
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain.

WHAT TO BRING 5 DAYS SALKANTAY TREK

• Original Passport
• Resistant tennis shoes or hiking boots
• Sweater and a thick jacket
• Sun and winter hat
• One bottle of water
• A good raincoat
• Long sleeve shirts
• Pants and shorts
• Insect repellent
• A sunblock with a forty degrees UV
• Lip Balm
• Toilet paper
• Personal snacks
• Binoculars
• Lantern / flashlight and batteries
• Sunglasses, plastic bags
• Personal medications.
• Personal towel, sandals/flip flop
• A lightweight backpack per person
• Camera and extra batteries
• Extra money in soles

What is the total distance traveled and maximum altitude reached on the trek?

The total distance traveled in the 5 days is about 46 miles and the maximum point reached during this hike is 15190ft above sea level. 

Do I have to carry all my luggage during the hike?

No. Our team of experienced porters will be in charge of carrying the backpacks and all the bulky luggage during the trek. Travelers will carry only their small backpack with personal items during the hike. 

Can I do the hike without previous experience and good physical condition?

As it is a demanding hike at high altitude, we recommend that you be in good physical condition and have experience with long hikes before taking on this challenge. For those who are inexperienced or not in good physical condition, we recommend the short, 2-day Inca Trail

What is the best season for this trek?

The best months to do the Inca Trail are between May and October, thus avoiding the rainy season in Cusco that goes from November to April. The months of December, January and February are the least indicated for this activity due to the high volume of rain. 

Are there toilets and hot water during the trek?

Toilets are available at all campsites, but on the first night only cold showers are available. On the third and fourth nights, hot shower is available (10 soles per person) and on the fourth night it will be in a hotel with private bathroom. 

As many of the toilets during the first 3 days are provided by the communities we pass through, a contribution is always requested for the use of the toilets and showers. 

Flexible cancellation/ change

• Cancel your tour at least 30 days in advance and it will be charged only 40% of the total amount to cover up administration expenses. Passed the 30 days it will be charged the full amount.
•  The policy to reschedule or to make any amendment allows the update to be made no more than 15 days prior to the date of your tour and it is valid until December 31st
  , 2022. (To reschedule Machu Picchu it will be charged USD 25 per person to cover up administration expenses.
•  The itinerary may be subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances, beyond the control of the operator, changes without prior notice.
•  In order to protect your investment, we kindly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
•  If for any reason your tour gets cancelled during the pandemic we highly recommend you to consider postponing your tour to 2022 or 2023. It will only be charged the amount of USD 25 for changing the date on the Machu Picchu entrance ticket.