HIKING TO SALKANTAY TREKKING MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS
Consider Salkantay trek if permits to access the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are sold out. This hiking will take you to Machu Picchu across the Andes. Because of excessive crowds for Inca trail, the Peruvian government decided not only to limit daily access to Machu Picchu but also to impose strict Inca Trail Regulations (only 500 persons a day that means 200 tourist and 300 support team).
On Salkantay trek, you'll hike in the shadows of this impressive mountain, interact with its inhabitants and explore its forgotten Inca ruins. You'll arrive at Santa Teresa (the backdoor of Machu Picchu) where you'll catch the train to Aguas Calientes for an early-morning visit to Machu Picchu. Salkantay route to Machu Picchu (or Salcantay Trekking to Machu Picchu), is considered among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, it's a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits connecting the picturesque town of Mollepata - Cuzco with Machu Picchu.
Salkantay (6271m/20,568ft) is a Snow Mountain located less than fifty miles northwest of Cuzco city in southern site of Peru in the Cordillera Vilcanota. 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 or wild". It is one of the highest peaks in the Andes, and the twelfth highest in Peru. However, as a range high point in deeply incised terrain, it is the second most topographically prominent peak in the country, after Huascaran.
Difficulty Only recommended for experienced Hikers and must spend 3 days acclimatizing in Cusco before start this hike.
Timing: 5 days 4 nights
Starting Point: Cusco hotel
Ending Point: Cusco hotel
The price includes:
US$ 450 pp. Group Service
The prices includes Machu Picchu entrance fee (126 Peruvian Soles, about US$50), bus up and down from Aguas calisntes to Machu Picchu (US$19), tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Expeditions class (US$55), Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco US$ 20 and all local sales taxes (18%). There are no hidden charges in our trek prices.
Discounts:
US$20 discount on the above prices to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and to children under the age of 16 years old (scans of your ISIC card or child's passport must be provided at the time of paying the trek deposit in order to qualify for the discount). International Youth Travel Cards (IYTC) or other forms of student identity are not acceptable. We can also offer a US$10 per person discount for group bookings of 5 persons or more, provided just one person in the group is responsible for making the booking and sending the trek deposit. Unfortunately we do not offer travel agent discounts or commissions.
Trek itinerary - 4 days hiking to machu picchu
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Suyroccocha.
Early pick up from you hotel and four hours travel by private van to Sayllapata; the starting point of the trek. Then we commence the hike until Suyroccocha.
Day 2: Suyroccocha - Chaullay.
Early breakfast and we continue the ascent toward the Salkantay pass (4,600m), then we decent through the moraine until chaullay. Here is where the cloud forest starts.
Day 3: Chaullay - La Playa (Sawayaco)
After the breakfast we hike through Santa Teresa valley with the presence of dense vegetation and sub-tropical plantations and lot of wildlife.
Day 4: La Playa (Sawayaco) - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast we continue toward the Llacatapata zone from where you can observe Machu Picchu and Huaynapicchu Mountain; then we descent to hydroelectric place and take the train to Aguas Calients town.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu-Cusco.
Full day will be dedicated to explore the stunning Machu Picchu; in the afternoon you will return by train to Cuzco
SALKANTAY TREK INCLUDES
- 5-day trek on the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu with local guide, cooks and porters, Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners.
- Accommodation: Hotels one night in Aguas Calientes town, camping three nights.
- Transport: Private van, hiking, train.
- Guide: English spiking local guide
- Small group experience; Max 12
FULL ITINERARY Trek itinerary - Salkantay Trek
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Suyroccocha.
The adventure starts when we pick you up from you hotel at 5:00am and travel in our private bus to Sayllapata. It's a beautiful four hours scenic journey through small and picturesque towns like: Izcuchaca and Limatambo; we will stop for breakfast at Mollepata town, here also you can purchase some items for the trek (don't forget some coca leaves to offer to the mountain spirits). From Mollepata we continue one hour bus journey until Sayllapata; where we will meet our Arrieros or horsemen and trekking staff (Cook and Assistants). We commence trekking with a gradual climb for about two hours trough a pristine Andean valley until soraypamapa where our lunch will be served; in the afternoon we continue toward the base of Salkantay mountain with impressive views of this snow mountain; the last hour will be hard because the trail ascent zigzag up to the camp of Suyroccocha. From the camp you will be rewarded with splendid mountain scenery this is the coldest camp.
Meals: L-D
Accommodation: camping
Maximum Altitude: 4000 masl
Minimum Altitude: 2850 masl
Distance travelled: 12km approx
Day 2: Suyroccocha - Chaullay.
Today our adventure will take us through a totally different change in environment, from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We will start to hike at 7:00am and after one hour hike we will arrive to the highest point (4600 meters above sea level). Here we will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6271 meters above sea level) which is the second highest mountain of the Cuzco region, we will see also the snow capped mountains Humantay and Chullunku, white river, small lakes and moraines. At this point there is an Apacheta (offering place) where you can leave a piece of rock carried from the bottom or some coca leaves as a present for the mountain spirits. In Inca times the walkers used to leave at the top their shoes, clothes, jewels or some food as an offering for the Mountain spirit. Then we continue two hours downhill trough old moraine to Huayrocmachay where our lunch will be served; in the afternoon we continue downhill to our camp in Chaullay. (2920 meters above sea level).
Meals: B-L-D
Accommodation: camping
Maximum Altitude: 4600 masl
Minimum Altitude: 2920 masl
Distance travelled: 16 km
Day 3: Chaullay - La Playa (Sawayaco)
Today is trek will be more gentle down through dense vegetated valley with the presence of birds and flowers; we start the trek at 7:00am, We will walk for about 6 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will pass by the community of Collpapampa where people farm potatoes and different types of corn, here also start the cloud forest and you will have the opportunity to see waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds that can be observed along the trail. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous Peruvian national bird called the "Cock of the Rocks". The guide can change the itinerary and continue to Santa Teresa where you will have the option to be in the hot springs.
Meals: B-L-D
Accommodation: camping
Maximum Altitude: 2920 masl
Minimum Altitude: 2350 masl
Distance Travelled: 16 kms
Day 4: La Playa (Sawayaco) - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes.
Today we will trek and other mountain and the weather will worm since the altitude is low and the zone belongs to the cloud forest. We will start at 7:00am and continue 45 minutes down to Lucmabamba community from where the trail ascent toward Llacatapata pass (2,700m) from here you can observe Machu Picchu and Huaynapicchu mountains; after a good rest we continue downhill through coffee, banana, orange and other tropical plantations to Hydroelectric place where our lunch will be served; in the afternoon we will take the train to Aguas Calientes town and have accommodation in the hotel. This night the guide will explain us about the tour of next day.
Meals: B-L-D
Accommodation: Hotel
Maximum Altitude: 2700 masl
Minimum Altitude: 2000 masl
Distance travelled: 12km approx
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu-Cusco.
Full day can be dedicated to explore Machu Picchu. We will have early breakfast and take the bus at 5:30am for 25 minutes up to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, guided tour for 3 hours and plenty of free time for further exploring, photos and optional climb of the Huaynapicchu Mountain, Temple of the Moon, or the Sun Gate. Normally around 1:00pm people return down to Aguas Calientes town for lunch and at approximately 16:30 hrs we take our return train to Ollantaytambo with bus connection arriving to Cuzco city around 9:30pm.
Meals: B
WHAT IS INCLUDED - SALKANTAY TREKKING
- Transportation: Tourist bus from Cusco to Sayllapata starting point of the trek and Tourist train Expeditions class from Aguas Calientes to Cusco; bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Camping equipment: We provide four people capacity tent for two persons, brand new four season tents, Therm-a-rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toiled tent, seats, tables, tent for Guides and helpers, kitchen gears.
- Accommodation: Rooms based on double occupancy: 1 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes town.
- Entrance fees: to Machu Picchu.
- Meals: 4 breakfast ;4 hot lunches; 4 hot dinners delicious meals prepared by professional chef food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn), we offer vegetarian option if you request; we provide available boil water each mourning for your water bottles.
- Guides: English speaking professional guides, 2 guides over 8 people
- Cook: Professional chef and Chef Assistants.
- Horses: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears as well to carry your personal items (6kls per person) in duffel bags that we provide; Muleteers.
- Others: First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED - SALKANTAY TREKKING
- Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office for US$ 20 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
- Breakfast: on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at Mollepata for your breakfast and also you can buy some items for the trek.
- Meals: Lunch in Aguas Calientes town on the final day you must consider a bugged of US$ 15 to US$20 in average restaurant.
- Entrance fees: to Waynapicchu mountain
- Entrance to the thermal baths in (optional) US$ 3.
- Tips for the staff.
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