Salkantay Trek tour leads you toward the ruins of Machu Picchu is the very best decision for everyone who want to be in touch with fantastic Andean nature and visit remote villages less known and do not often frequented by tourist. By taking Salkantay tour visitors will really get off the beating track, avoiding less crowded environments and will enjoy along the way wonderful landscapes and fine Inca buildings. Undoubtedly the Salkantay trek is the better option to get to the great Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, right after the famous Inka Trail. Walk back in time and feel the magic of Machu Picchu exploring its temples and don’t leave Machu Picchu without climbing the popular Wayna Picchu Mountain, a huge rock that appearsin each and every typical photo of Machu Picchu.
Salkantay trek itinerary
DAY 1: Cusco to Mollepata, Challacancha and Soraypampa
Salkantay tour starts to pick up you at the hotel around 05:00 am, the bus driving taking 4 hours to Anta – Mollepata through the bus is clearly to see the white snow capped mountain such as Salkantay and Huamantay the holy Gods of Inca’s culture, the spectacular scenic on the upper part and lower valleys with colorful landscape. A couple of hours driving at head the initial stop in Mollepata town you will find toilet facilities, souvenirs and optional short breakfast, to continue to Challacancha the trail head. There we will meet with our support staff. There we will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Around 9:30 a.m. We are going to star our journey to Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l) the initial portion of the path are paved rock trail you will find the ancient water channel still supply to new habitants, the start is 9 km in Three hours to Soraypampa the lunch place at the base camp, after lunch and nap to continued hiking up to the Humantay lake (4200 masl) 5 km in Three hours round trip, bottom the glacier one of the most spectacular views towards the background valley and sunset, Soraypampa is situated on the center of the glaciers valleys during the night clear appreciate the constellation in the sky.
DAY 2: Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass, Huayramachay and Chaullay
The second day of Salkantay tour starts early with the first sunshine at 05:30 am to packing the staff, breakfast and shortly to begin hiking to the highest point of the way Salkantay Pass (4650 masl – 15,255 ft) the distance is 7 km in 3 hrs, on ascent via the rocky valley bottom the spectacular Salkantay Mountain (6200 masl – 20,341 ft). We reach the top of the trek. We are going to appreciate spectacular views of the hills and also the awe-inspiring snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo, Salkantay is considerate the second highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the Incas God called “Apu”. Get the top is the most ancient time on the trek, 2 hours downhill on the serpent trail and gravel rocky path to get Huayracmachay lunch spot, on the afternoon entrance to the upper part of the amazone jungle as well called “cloud forest” 9 km in 3 hours on the wide trail in the thick forest are decorate the hills with colorful sceneries and the wild life and native plant, mostly of the year weather is warmed and temperate to finally arrived to Chaullay Village (2900 masl – 9,514 ft) the bottom camping on the jungle.
DAY 3: Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric and Aguas Calientes
By 6:00 am we will trek to La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. We will hike about 6 hours along the way we will see water falls, orchids, coffee, banana, avocado plantations and we will taste the famous passion fruit or granadilla and also we will have a village called Colpapampa where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks”. Right after lunch time at La playa, we are going to catch a local transport to Hidroelectrica train station. Here we have two options if you are exhausted you may take a train to Aguas Calientes. Otherwise you might walk from hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes village about Three hours over the train track. One time in Aguas Calientes town we’re going to the accommodation that is included in the tour after that by 7:00 we’ll have dinner at the local restaurant.
DAY 4: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and get back to Cusco
Early get up on the hotel is much better to go to Machupicchu, Our recommendation is start early the visit to Machupicchu the check point is open from (6:00 am until 17:00 pm) optional going up by bus or foot, on the morning look empty the city with less tourist the first 2 hours guiding tour in the City, (temples, palaces, priest house, sundial, industrial sector and farming fields) after that is start your free time to climbing up to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu mountain (book in advance to get your ticket) both mountains hiking time taking 3 hours approx. or trekking to the sun gate the main entrance of the Inka Trail, therefore you’ll stay and enjoy the city for more than 7 hours on the afternoon we take the train by 18:30 to get back form Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo then to Cusco by bus arriving by 20:00 approximately. by the end of Salkantay trek the bus drops you off at your elected hotel in Cusco.
What is inclueded?
- All transports.
- Meals except last lunch and dinner.
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- 3 nights camping and 1 night at budget 3 stars hotel.
