Salkantay Trekking

DESCRIPTION:

With the “Salkantay to Machupicchu tour”, you will enjoy an excellent option to escape from the congested routes like the traditional Inca Trail. This impressive excursion passes under the snowy Salkantay, the climate of the first part of the trail is dry and cold, the second part is warmer and more humid. This hike has a difficulty of moderate to strong, it is recommended to have good physical preparation, it is advisable to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before starting the tour for acclimatization.

SALKANTAY, is a Peruvian snow-capped mountain located in the Cordillera Vilcabamba in Cusco. The snowy Salkantay is an alternative route to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu, this route runs along the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, this is an ancient and remote alternative path to the Inca Trail, has much more spectacular views, crystal clear and turquoise lagoons, impressive snow-capped mountains like the Apu Salkantay and Humantay, rivers and subtropical areas of abundant vegetation and fauna.

The Salkantay Trek is an alternative route to the traditional Inca Trail for the Machu Picchu tour. The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m.a.s.l., descends into the cloud forest. The trail starts in Mollepata / Markocasa or Soraypampa, a couple of hours from Cusco and ends in the town of Aguas Calientes. The Salkantay trek was nominated among the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine.

Salkantay has exceptional views and at the same time, the diversity of ecological floors makes this trek an absolutely interesting journey with temperatures dropping to 1,000 meters above sea level, it is an incredible experience and the trail is not too steep.

The purpose of the Inca Trail from Salkantay to Machupicchu was religious and ceremonial which included rituals to honor the snow-capped peaks along the route, such as Salkantay as well as the Humantay Lake. Active travel style, unique trekking experience with lots of adventure for outdoor activities lovers. The required age is from 12 years old and those travelers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

SALKANTAY is an excellent option for those who wish to escape the crowded trails and for those who are looking for an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. This impressive excursion passes under the snowy Salkantay, the climate of the first part of the trail is dry and cold, the second part is warmer and more humid. This hike has a moderate to hard difficulty, it is recommended to have good physical preparation, arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before starting the tour for acclimatization.

MAIN POINTS OF VISIT

• Cusco (3,399 masl)
• Mollepata (2,976 masl / 9,976 fasl)
• Soraypampa (3,912 masl / 11,912 fasl)
• Humantay Lagoon (4,200 masl)
• Ausangate (6,271 masl)
• Chaullay (2,350 masl)
• Llactapata (1,550 masl)
• Santa Teresa (1,550 masl)
• Aguas Calientes (2,040 masl)
• Machupicchu (2,430 masl)

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Mollepata – Cruzpata- Sayllapata Soraypampa – Laguna Humantay (16 Km).

• 06.00 – 06.30 hrs, the guide will pick you up at the hotel. We will pass through the town of Mollepata by the Cusco – Abancay road where we will arrive in approximately 2 h 30 min.
• Here we will make a brief rest stop before ascending to Soraypampa.
• We will arrive to Cruzpata – Beautiful viewpoint where we will be able to appreciate the snowy Humantay.
• Later we will arrive to Sayllapata, another natural viewpoint where we can appreciate the valley of Limatambo. And finally to Soraypampa, the icy wind of the area forces us to wrap up warm.
• Here our first camp will be “Lodge del Cielo”. After lunch, our hike will take us to Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers high up on the slopes of the impressive mountain.
• The hike will take 4 hours to reach the lake, but the view is beautiful and the brave can swim. Our local tour guide will tell us about the fauna, flora and traditions inherent to this beautiful lake, in view of the imposing mountain. Salkantay, will top off this unique experience.
• Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Camping – SORAYPAMPA

Breakfast – Hotel / Lunch and dinner – Agency

Day 2: Soraypampa – El Paso – Collpapampa (22 Km).

• 04.00 hrs Very early in the morning we will wake up with a very hot tea, after a good breakfast.
• 05.00 hrs We will start our hike to reach the Salkantay pass, we will take the opportunity to walk early in the morning and before the sun rises.
• We will continue our journey to Machu Picchu, walking through the valley of the Blanco River and around the Humantay peak through the Salkantay peak. The highest point of the trip is the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 masl.
• At the pass we stop for a beautiful view of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in all directions, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will be on the lookout for Andean condors, often visible in this area.
• From the pass we descend to Wayracmachay (the cave where the wind lives), here we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Then we will continue walking for 03 hours downhill until we reach our camp in Colpapampa; dinner and overnight at the Sky Lodge.
• Our Sky Camp has a 360 degree panoramic view of the Salkantay Valley, it is also a perfect place, away from the crowds and where we can get to know a little more of the local families.
• Approximately this day we will hike 10 hours at a gentle walking style, enjoy the scenery and talk with our tour guide.
• A local man can do this trail in only 3 hours. But we will do it in 10 hours, including lunch, because mostly the trails are steep and some open slopes.

Camping – COLLPAPAPAMPA

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner – Agency

Day 3: Collpapampa – La Playa – Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (32 Km).

• 05.00 hrs Very early we have breakfast and then walk through the Santa Teresa river valley on narrow trails for about 5 hours through more populated rural areas. We will pass by banana trees, passion fruit, avocado orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee from this region is considered the best organic coffee in the world.
• Then we will board a car from “La Playa Village” to the hydroelectric village train station, we will continue our walk along the side of the railway road until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes, it will take about 3 hours.
• Upon arrival, we check into the hotel for a celebratory dinner with our tour guide and a final briefing for our Machupicchu tour experience. We retire to our hotel and spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes.
• NOTE: Those who prefer not to walk from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes can take the 40 minute train ride experience, the price is not included. You will meet the rest of the group at the Aguas Calientes train station.

Hotel – AGUAS CALIENTES

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner – Agency

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

Machu Picchu, ancient Andean Inca village, located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru, in the Andes mountain range at 2,430 meters above sea level, is located in the Cusco region, province of Urubamba, district of Machupicchu. Machu Picchu would have been one of the resting places of the Inca Pachacutec, ninth Inca of the Tahuantinsuyo between 1438 and 1470.

Machu Picchu is considered, at the same time, a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its peculiar architectural and landscape characteristics and the veil of mystery that has been woven around it in much of the literature published about the site, have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, as well as one of the 7th wonders of the modern world.

• Tour to Machu Picchu: 05.00 hrs After a very early breakfast at the hotel, we go to the bus station to go up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (30 minutes).
• Our guide will give an introductory guided tour of the Inca city. Machupicchu guided tour: The Inca city of Machupicchu opens at 06.00 hrs.
• We will be between 06.00 and 07.00 hrs. after showing our entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, we will go up to the best view point to take a picture of the guardian’s house, after 30 minutes of free time our guide will give us a detailed and extensive information about the city of the Incas for about 1 hour. After the guided explanation of the guardian’s house, you will have 02 options:
• Climb to the Sun Gate. a one hour hike, an excellent option to get the best panoramic images of the entire Andes. Those arriving from the Inca Trail to Machupicchu arrive through the Sun Gate; later you can return to the Inca city and visit on your own and at your own discretion the Inca city.
• Or we will continue to the Inca city for another hour, passing the middle square, the temple of the 3 windows and much more, once we arrive to the Sacred Rock very close to the entrance gate to the Sacred Mountain Huaynapicchu, The guide will give you some free time to explore the Inca city on your own.
• After the visit, you will descend to Aguas Calientes and then board the Expedition train at 16.22 hrs to arrive at Ollantaytambo train station, where you will meet our transportation and we will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 20.30 hrs.

VERY IMPORTANT

• To climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (not included in the price, spaces are limited, you must book minimum 6 months).
• According to the regulation of Machupicchu, once we enter the Sacred City is not allowed to return by the same roads “there are many signs about which route we must follow, we can only stop in some places or simply our return by the place where we were before”, so we advise you to enjoy every minute you can be in each Inca place.
• According to Machupicchu regulation, the entrance tickets can be used only once, it means that once you leave the Inca town, you will not be able to return, unless you get a new ticket.

Breakfast – Agency / Lunch & Dinner – Passenger