Trek Salkantay 5D/4N

The famous Salkantay Trek (or Salcantay Trek), named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits (at least for now). Connecting the city of Mollepata, Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests.
Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru by the Cordillera Vilcabamba and rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20574 ft) Mt. Salkantay is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped for thousands of years by local indians. The name Salkantay is a quechua word meaning “Savage Mountain”.

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

We are going to pick you up from your hotels and then we will leave Cusco early in the morning ,and go toward Mollepata Along the four hours trip by bus we will see the town of Limatambo (2100 m.a.s.l.), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the Inca times. Once arriving to Mollepata (2800 m.a.s.l.) where we will arrange our camping equipment backpacks and food onto the horses. After that, we will start our hike towards Cruzpata (3100 m.a.s.l.) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru) . In Cruzpata we will have lunch, then we will leave toward Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l.) .Along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa  From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salkantay (6271 m.a.s.l.).

Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay – Qollpapampa

After an early breakfast we will start our second day trekking after a while begin our ascent to the Apacheta pass 4,650 m.a.s.l. For approx.2h:30min, Initiating  a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation). From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m.a.s.l.) .After a 3 hours walk from the Apacheta Pass we will walk down ,and then have lunch at Huayracpunku, and then a 2 hours more downhill walk to Chaullay (2,920 m.a.s.l.) and then to the campsite Qollpapampa .

Day 3: Qollpapampa – Santa Teresa

Wake up with lovely mountain scenery ,after breakfast. We will start the  hike, this day we will hike about 9 hours ,we will reach Uscamayuc, where we will begin a walk by a sub tropical valley with different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds etc. here coca and banana crops can be observed,  with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird “Gallito de las Rocas” ,then we will arrive to a  community named “La Playa “(2400 m.a.s.l.) place where we will have lunch ,rest for a while and continue hiking to Santa Teresa village where we will find a hot spring (optiomal hot spring bath) and spend the night here.

Day 4: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast we are going start walking and go toward the Colpani village, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (where we will cross the river by cables because there isn’t any bridge). And continue hiking to the place called Hidroelectrica , from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the lunch . and then hike until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 5:00 p.m then we will stay in a hostal ,have dinner,and spend the night there.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu

Early In the morning we will leave Aguas Calientes (1,700 m.a.s.l) and go up to the Archeological  site of Machupicchu (2450 msnm)and we will have a guided tour for approx 3 hours visiting the most important,amazing places ,and then you will have time to take pictures ,explore or climb the Waynapichu Mountain where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. At Aguas Calientes we will have lunch and then we will take the train to Cusco, where we arrive in the evening.

Included

• Pick up from your hotels.
• Transportation to Mollepata.
• Meals (4B, 4L, 4D).
• Camping equipment: Tents and mattress.
• Horses or mules that carry our camping equipment, meals and part of your backpack.
• Professional English speaking guide.
• Vegetarian food option.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs, Kitchen tent.
• Cooker and cooking equipment.
• Snack and daily tea service except last day.
• Boiled water.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Accommodation on Aguas Calientes.
• Bus Aguas Calientes-Machupicchu (one way).
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu Sanctuary.
• Transportation from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (by train or train+bus ).
• Transfer to your hotels.

Not included

• Sleeping bag.
• First breakfast and Lunch at Aguas Calientes.