Fewer places in the world have such a powerful impact on the lives of people. In Peru, the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of them.
Trek Details
Hard Difficulty Level
Weather: See below
Seasons: All year round.
Hike Trail Map: See below
Cusco Drive Time to starting point: 3hr 15min+
Town Nearest Hike: Mollepata
Beauty: Paramo,Puna, Glacier lakes, Vilcabamba mountain range views, scenic trail, Grassland area, local villages, wildlife: prairie horses and dogs, Vizcachas and andean foxes, Specatcled bear, Dwarfed deer. Birds; Condor, torrent tyranulettt, black-chested buzzard-eagle, Chiguanco thrush, hummigbirds.
Activities: Hiking trail, archaeological site tours, nature and Andean community visits.
Includes
Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
Prices from: $655 USD Per Person (Based on group size)
Itinerary:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Start time:
Between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM
Travel:
Bus to Mollepata ( local bus if less than 5 people)
Highlights of the day:
A three hour trek to Cruzpata. Panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft. Further ascent to Soraypamapa with beautiful scenery on the way.
Difficulty level:
Hard
Meals:
Lunch at Cruzpata. Dinner at the campsite.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Soraypamapa 4200m/13750ft. This places is the highest and coldest campsite of our trek.
Start time:
5:00 AM
Travel:
Trekking all day
Highlights of the day:
Ascent to the highest pass on the trek 4650m/13500ft between Salkantay mountain on the right and Tucarhuay on the left with amazing views. The mountains are snow capped and there is a possibility of snow at this height. Descend through the dramatic scenery of the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku and the start of the jungle.
Difficulty level:
Very hard
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch at Huayracpunku and dinner at the campsite in the evening.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Colcapampa 3000m/9800ft.
Other information:
Horses and mules for rent available this day. They will carry you in case this day becomes too difficult for you.
Start time:
6:30 AM
Highlights of the day:
Hike through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and many other creeks all the way down to La Playa. The scenery is varied as we pass waterfalls and see many tropical fruits and plants. After arriving at Saint Teresa we will visit the hot springs for a relaxing evening.
Difficulty level:
Moderate
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch at La Playa and dinner at the campsite in the evening.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Saint Teresa 1500m/4905ft.
Other information:
Hotels are available in Santa teresa at an extra $30.
Start time:
8:00 AM
Travel:
By foot, all day trekking. Optional train from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
Highlights of the day:
After crossing the Saint Teresa bridge and following the Urubamba river up the stream, we pass by many plantations of coca leaves and banana trees until we reach the hydroelectric station. From here we pass by the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains until we reach Aguas Calientes.
Difficulty level:
Moderate
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch on the trek and dinner at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Accomodation:
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Other information:
There are thermal springs at Aguas Calientes (10 soles) that you can visit in the evening.
Start time:
5:00 AM
Travel:
Bus to Machu Picchu
Highlights of the day:
A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu with your guide. Optional climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft. It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
Difficulty level:
Moderate
Meals:
Breakfast in the hotel at Aguas Calientes. Lunch in Aguas Calientes (not included)
Accomodation:
You will be back in Cusco to your own accommodation for this evening.
Other useful information
Prices
What you need to take
Optional services not included.
Optional items to take
Start time:
Between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM
Travel:
Bus to Mollepata ( local bus if less than 5 people)
Highlights of the day:
A three hour trek to Cruzpata. Panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft. Further ascent to Soraypamapa with beautiful scenery on the way.
Difficulty level:
Hard
Meals:
Lunch at Cruzpata. Dinner at the campsite.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Soraypamapa 4200m/13750ft. This places is the highest and coldest campsite of our trek.
Start time:
5:00 AM
Travel:
Trekking all day
Highlights of the day:
Ascent to the highest pass on the trek 4650m/13500ft between Salkantay mountain on the right and Tucarhuay on the left with amazing views. The mountains are snow capped and there is a possibility of snow at this height. Descend through the dramatic scenery of the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku and the start of the jungle.
Difficulty level:
Very hard
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch at Huayracpunku and dinner at the campsite in the evening.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Colcapampa 3000m/9800ft.
Other information:
Horses and mules for rent available this day. They will carry you in case this day becomes too difficult for you.
Start time:
6:30 AM
Highlights of the day:
Hike through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and many other creeks all the way down to La Playa. The scenery is varied as we pass waterfalls and see many tropical fruits and plants. After arriving at Saint Teresa we will visit the hot springs for a relaxing evening.
Difficulty level:
Moderate
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch at La Playa and dinner at the campsite in the evening.
Accomodation:
Camping in tents at Saint Teresa 1500m/4905ft.
Other information:
Hotels are available in Santa teresa at an extra $30.
Start time:
8:00 AM
Travel:
By foot, all day trekking. Optional train from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
Highlights of the day:
After crossing the Saint Teresa bridge and following the Urubamba river up the stream, we pass by many plantations of coca leaves and banana trees until we reach the hydroelectric station. From here we pass by the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains until we reach Aguas Calientes.
Difficulty level:
Moderate
Meals:
Breakfast at the campsite, lunch on the trek and dinner at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Accomodation:
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Other information:
There are thermal springs at Aguas Calientes (10 soles) that you can visit in the evening.
