Salkantay Trek 5 Days

Day 1: Cusco - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Salkantaypampa

At 5am we pick you up at your hotel and drive in our private van for 3.5hours to Soraypampa. Along the way  you can enjoy some spectacular views of villages, Iscuchaca, Limatambo, stunning valleys and the spectacular Salkantay snow-capped mountain. At the trail head (Soraypampa) we power up with our breakfast while obsorbing the exhilarating views of Humantay (5900m/19,356ft) and Salkantay (6217m/20,396ft) mountain glaciers. Puting on our comfortable shoes we take a 2.5 hour return hike up to see the turquoise Humantay Lake. We will explore it for about 30 minutes then hike back to Soraypampa where you will have your lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking up to the Salkantaypampa (4150 m / 13615 ft). Salkantaypampa is located on the middle of the glacier valleys where at night it is so dark with no ambient light making it a perfect spot to appreciate the constellations in the sky.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles
• Time: 6hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Salkantaypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa

After a scrumptous breakfast, get ready, get set to go..on a moderate climb on your day 2, within an hour you will reach the Salkantay Pass - Highest point of the trek (4,650m/15,367ft). From here we transpire with nature at it’s purest form, feeling at one with the massive snowcapped mountains, Salkantay (6,217m/20,717ft),Once we reach the top of the trail, we will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo.

Salkantay is considered the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region . Hiking to the top is the most difficult part of the entire trek.  You will feel so accomplished!  The next  3 hours are spent heading downhill on the serpent trail along gravel and rocky paths to reach Huayracmachay, our lunch spot.

In the afternoon we will arrive at the upper part of the rain forest, also called a “cloud forest”.  We will cover 9 km in 3 hours until we to get Collpapampa Village (2900 masl – 9,514 ft) our base campsite.  

Then we will take the local transpotation to Lucmabamba where we will camp.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accomodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 16 kms/10 miles
• Time: 9 hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Challenge

Day 3: Colpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba

Around 5:30 am wake up call with coca tea!  Next, we have breakfast and afterward start hiking straight to La Playa; walking through the thick jungle and following the riverbank of the Salkantay River on a gradual trail. On the route, we stop at several family hamlets to enjoy the local fruit and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya).  If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks”.

The trail distance is 15 km and the hiking time is 7 hours until we reach Lucmabamba, our base camp. Lucmabamba is a small town surrounded by coffee trees and can provide the basic facilities (toilet, electricity, shopping, and souvenirs) and serves as our lunch point.  

In the afternoon you will go to harvest the coffee then peel them.  In the evening, you will grap coffee to roast then grind them and at the end you will prepare your own coffee expreso.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 15 km / 9,32 miles
• Time: 5 to 6 hrs approximately
• Difficulty : Moderate.

Day 4 : Lucmabamba - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes.

After another hot drink enjoyed in your sleeping bag, you will be treated to the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. From here, we walk in the footsteps of the Inca, along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft).

Along the way, be amazed at the incredible views of deep valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located right across the valley front Machu Picchu. There, we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.

From there, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco. Nearby, we have lunch before we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner and go to our hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Distance: 15 kms/09 miles
• Time: 9 hrs approximately
• Difficulty : Moderate.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu- Cusco

An early morning will reward you with another momentous day of exploring the “Lost City of the Incas”. Your tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction as you absorb the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin.

Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Machu Piccchu Inca City and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.This will give the tourist free time to take photos, scroll on their own wherever your interests take you.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. 

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requeste and it has to be done by booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
• Our trekking include circuit 2A or Circuit 2B (If the tickets are available, for it, please book in advance).

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

Added Values For Free

Price & Availability

“This unique Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers”

Prices:

Group Service

• US$ 595 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

Private Service                              

• US$ 735 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 2 to 3 hikers
• US$ 695 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 4 to 6 hikers
• US$ 655 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS) – 7 to 8 hikers

***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.

****We will provide you with a duffle bag, to put your belongings up to 7 kgs.

Discounts

• 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Group of 5 or more: US$30. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

Extras

• Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: US $30 – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$57 per person (For the return to Cusco (Poroy) at 4:43 pm)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Machu Picchu Mountain – US$70 per person  (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Single supplement US$30 per night (for solo travellers with single room)

Added Values  For Free

• TRANSFER – from the Airport to Hotel (Cusco Only)
• DUFFLE BAG AND TRASH BAGS – included in the trekking price!
• EXTRA PORTER is included in the price, the porter will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs /14p like sleeping bag, mattress, clothes etc.
• BOILED WATER is included along the Inca Trail.
• OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
• EMERGENCY HORSE is included in the price which can be riden if you get tired or sick.

Essentials

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

For Your Duffel

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

Inside Your Daypacks

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs