Salkantay Trek 5 Days
Tour Overview
This is an alternative route to the classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu, which will take you through amazing landscapes and natural beauties with exotic flora and fauna endemic to the region, we will also have the opportunity to see the famous SALKANTAY snow plow that is part of the ANDES. The hike will involve crossing valleys and mountains before reaching the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machupicchu.
Overviews
- Tourist service: history, culture, trekking and adventure (2-8 passengers)
- Duration: 05 days
- Good for: those with a sense of adventure and in good walking shape.
- Elevation: 2,940 m (9,560 ft.) – 4,600 m (15,091 ft.)
- Starting point: Client’s hotel in Urubama, Ollantaytambo or Cusco city.
- End point: same or different hotel
- Pick up time: to be confirmed one day before starting the tour.
- Mode: private service
- Difficulty: easy to moderate (must be able to go up and down stairs)
- Group size: private and semi-private 2 – 8 travelers (larger groups, contact us)
Itinerary
Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Leaving Cusco very early at 5:00 AM, we travel by bus to Mollepata, the beginning of the trek (about 3 hours). Upon arrival we have our first breakfast and prepare our horses, then walk about 3 more hours to Cruz Pata, where we have lunch.
After an hour’s rest, we continue walking to Soraypampa (3,850m ASL), where we will see the first snow-capped peak of Humantay ahead of us. We arrive at our first camp around 5:30 PM, where our porters will be waiting with hot tea, followed by dinner. This is the coldest of the camps.
Day 2: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY
After a good breakfast, we leave at 6:30 AM and climb for four hours to the first pass of Salkantay Mountain, over 4,540m ASL – the highest point of the trek. We stop for about 25 minutes for group photos, enjoying excellent views of the mountain range and the piles of stones (apachetas) around this pass.
After this, we descend for 4 hours along a beautiful trail to Chaullay, lower than the first camp at 2,900m ASL, where we have tea time and dinner.
Day 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA (Sawayaco) – SANTA TERESA
We leave Chaullay early, and after breakfast at 7:00 AM we pass through Collcapampa. In this part of the hike, we walk along a narrow trail on the mountainside, passing orchids, various plants, corn fields and fruit fields, with the opportunity to see the most beautiful waterfall of the trail.
After walking for 5 hours we arrive at La Playa, where we take a small truck to Santa Teresa town (more than 1,645m ASL), a 45-minute ride, arriving around 1:00 PM to set up our tents. From here we can visit the medicinal hot springs, only 45 minutes from Santa Teresa town.
Day 4: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC – HOT WATERS
We wake up at 7:00 AM and after breakfast start walking for approximately 2 hours to reach the Urubamba River, crossing it via a bridge. We continue for 2 more hours to a hydroelectric plant, which is also a small town and the train station for this part of the trail, passing many types of fruits, trees and plants along the way.
Around 3:00 PM we take the local train to Aguas Calientes (1 hour), where we spend the night in a hotel.
Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU. CUSCO (B)
We wake up very early at 5:30 AM, have breakfast, and take the first bus to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will explain the meaning, importance and history of Machu Picchu as we walk around the citadel and visit its most important places, for approximately 2 hours.
After the guided tour, you have the option to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, enjoying panoramic views of all of Machu Picchu. Then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cusco (about 4 hours), arriving in Cusco around 8:20 PM – the end of our services.
Inclusions
Included
- Bus from Cusco to Mollepata (trailhead)
- Horses to carry the equipment
- 6 kilograms of your personal luggage carried
- Cook and horsemen
- Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, tables and seats for cooking and eating)
- Professional English/Spanish speaking guide throughout the tour
- Meals (5 breakfasts / 4 lunches / 4 dinners)
- First aid kit and oxygen tank
- One night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
- Tourist train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Not Included
- First breakfast
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu (USD 70)
- Expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
- Last lunch
- Gratuities
Optional
- Sleeping bag rental – $25 USD for the entire trek
- Hiking poles
Pricing
Private tour price
Faqs
What is the highest point of the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek, sits at over 4,600 meters above sea level, reached on Day 2.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No, but one can be rented for $25 USD for the entire trek, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
How much luggage can the horses carry for me?
Up to 6 kilograms of personal luggage per person can be carried by horse; anything beyond that you would carry yourself in a daypack.
Is the Huayna Picchu hike included?
No, the Huayna Picchu entrance ticket ($70 USD) is not included and should be booked in advance due to limited spaces.
Is there support available in case of altitude sickness?
Yes, a first aid kit and an oxygen tank are carried by the team throughout the trek.
What meals are included?
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners are included; only the very first breakfast and the last lunch on Day 5 are not included.
Where do we sleep during the trek?
You camp for the first three nights, then stay one night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes on Day 4, before returning to Cusco on Day 5.
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