Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu Experience Hiking

Price

1,076$ per person

Duration

5 Days

Destination

More than 1

Travellers

Information
Tour Plan
Location
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This fantastic trek runs below the sacred Salkantay Mountain (6271m/20569ft), incredibly beautiful and among the highest in the Peruvian Andes, moving through the communities of Quechua and unknown Inca ruins, and finally arrives at Aguas Calientes on the afternoon of your trip’s fourth day. Climbing down this cloud forest area we come up to the Pass of Patallacta. Here you get great views of Machu Picchu from a different perspective. This trek is open for everyone and is a popular alternative to the trek of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Salkantay Trek was honorably named one of the 25 Best Treks in the World by the National Geographic Travel Magazine. Don´t hesitate, the trek is of moderate difficulty.

What's included

Destination

Machu Picchu , Peru Treks , Salkantay Trek Discover Destinations

Departure Location

Cusco

Return Location

Cusco

Price includes

24 hour support by our local staff
Accommodation in Hotel with breakfast included
Accommodation in personal tents (camping)
All entrance fees and excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All ground transportation
All transfers airport, train station or bus station transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off
All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff
Guided tours by local quality English speaking guides
Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available)
Train tickets

Price does not include

Anything not specified in the itinerary description
Domestic flight tickets
Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Guidance in other languages
International flight tickets
Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
Sleeping bag
Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation
Walking sticks

Highlights

Exhilarating day hikes and wonderful camping.
The Ultimate Hiking Adventure to a Legendary Lost City
Trekking to Salkantay Mountain and visit the Machu Picchu citadel.
Camp high in the Andean mountains during Salkantay trek.
Hike in the footsteps of the Incas and visit incredible Machu Picchu.
Explore magnificent Machu Picchu, with an overnight in Aguas Calientes .

PRICES PER PERSON (*)

1 person = US$ 1,758
2 people = US$ 1,076
3 people = US$ 929
4 people = US$ 858
5 to 6 people = US$ 790
7 to 8 people = US$ 718
More than 9 people = US$ 689
Prices per person in US dollars.
The price for one person is based on a single room.
Prices are based on the number of people traveling together in double, twin or triple room.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOUR PACKAGE

Trip code	STM5D01
Travel style	PRIVATE TOUR
Type of activities	Hiking & Trekking.
Group size	To suit group requirements.
Departure dates	Guaranteed departures any day with one person. Departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to November.
Trekking grade	Moderate to strenuous – this trek requires a medium level of fitness. During this trek you will be required to walk up to 5 to 8 hours in one day. Some previous experience is required. Minimum 2 days at altitude recommended.
Min age	10+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Private tour means, the tour will run exclusively for you without strangers with private guide, vehicle and driver are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually, or in a family or friends group.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Day 1

Transport to Marcoccasa, Hike to Soraypampa & Humantay Lagoon

Start off by leaving the Hotel in the morning at 05:00am and travel by our private transport to Mollepata town an amazing 3 hours; our convoy will stop at the town of Mollepata (2,803m/9,196ft) and take a break for about an hour so that people can have breakfast.
We can see magnificent views of the chains of snowcapped Vilcabamba, the colorful village of Mollepata and the lush Apurimac River Valley.
After 45 minutes we arrive to our trailhead of Salkantay Trek in Marcoccasa (3,600m/11,811ft) where we get to meet our Arrieros “horsemen“; we start the hike around 10:00AM. We start trekking with a slow climb of 250 meters for approximately 2 and a half hour through an immaculate Andean valley landscape before arriving to Soraypampa (3,800m/12,467ft) where we spend the night.
Optional: around 2:00pm we take an acclimatization hike on the slopes above campsite to Humantay Lagoon, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay (4,200m/13,780ft), but the views are amazing, and those brave enough can even go for a dip.
We return to our campsite for dinner.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2

Soraypampa to Collpapampa (Crossing the Salkantay Pass)

Our Salkantay trek will begin after breakfast with a moderate climb of about 3.5 hours until we arrive at Abra Huayracmachay (4,638m/15,216ft).
We can admire the breathtaking views of the second highest peak of Cusco from this place. We can even see the amazing snowcapped Mountain of Salkantay (6,264m/20,551ft) and the snowcapped mountains of Huayanay and Humantay, small lakes, moraines and white river.
You can carry a piece of rock from the bottom and leave it at Abra Salkantay as a present to that place (in the Inca age, walkers used to leave their shoes, jewels and clothes or just a piece of rock as an offering).
We resume our walk downhill for 2 hours and then stop to have our lunch at Huayracmachay (3,850m/12,631ft). We start descending from here towards a supposed cloud forest where climate is more tropical.
The descent along the Salkantay River is long but easy and we reach our second camp in late afternoon at Collpapampa (2,890m/9,481ft).
Here we will camp for the night and have a well-deserved dinner. The camp is near a natural pool of hot spring where we can enjoy and rest the night after a challenging day.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3

Hike from Collpapampa to Lucmabamba (Descending into the Cloud Forest)

Breakfast, we will begin our trek this is the third day of the trek and is slightly relaxed than the rest. However, it is full of spectacular views and chances to appreciate the intriguing wildlife that populates this region.
You will commence your hike after breakfast alongside the pleasing Santa Teresa River banks. You will be able to look at coffee, banana and avocado plantations on the way and also the local flora.
You can appreciate the vegetation change which becomes increasingly lusher and greener.
Today, we resume our Salkantay Trek with a simple walk along the banks of the Santa Teresa River. We will be able to see the famous bird known as “Cock of the Rocks”, if we are lucky.
You will arrive at your La Playa (2,100m/6,890ft).
La Playa is a small town so it is not a remote camp in this camp there are many people; for this reason we move down to find a campsite more quiet and uncrowded at Lucmabamba (2,050m/6,726ft), where you can use the shower and toilet facilities.
Enjoy a peaceful evening and a tasty dinner by the cool waters of the river.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

First view of Machu Picchu, Train to Aguas Calientes

After a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for 3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8976ft), where we come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers ever get a chance to admire.
We can see both, the Mount Salkantay as well as Machu Picchu from here and also rest for a while, the Llactapata Ruins add to the beauty of the location, which have been recently reinstated. We take a short break to explore the Llactapata Ruins.
A two hour downward spiral to the River Aobamba through green bamboo forests, coffee plantations and vast orchards leads us to Machu Picchu’s hydroelectric plant (1,870m/6,135ft). Here, we will eat our final lunch with the tour staff that accompanied us on the trip.
The entire staff, including the cook, will depart after lunch but we carry on to the town of Aguas Calientes with our reliable guide.
After lunch we board a train for one hour and 15 minutes journey to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000m/6,561ft) where, an exclusive dinner and a comfortable bed await us at the Hotel of Aguas Calientes.
Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Visit Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel; at 06:00am take first bus to Machu Picchu citadel, you will ride a bus to Machu Picchu archeological site (2,430m/7,972ft) and tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site: an unforgettable experience. Your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets.
Around 07:30am the guided tour begins, your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
From 10:30am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate.
From 12:30pm to 13:30pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
From 13:30pm to 15:00pm take lunch at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.