Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu 5Days/4Nights

Tour Description

• We do not require permits for this alternative trek
• 5 Day trek to Machu Picchu – You will appreciate Snow Mountains, flora and fauna of Peru.
• Hot springs
• Professional English speaking guides

Places to Visit

Day 1            Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

Day 2            Soraypampa  – Chaullay

Day 3            Chaullay – Santa Teresa

Day 4            Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes

Day 5            Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

ONE DAY BEFORE THE TREK

Briefing about Salkantay trek.  Date and time to be determined by our company.

*Your briefing is usually programmed one day before your program and usually in the morning. However, if your program starts on a Monday, your briefing will be programmed for the Saturday prior to your program and during the morning only. Therefore, please consider this when booking your flights to Cusco

Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco (3,350m) – Mollepata (2,909m) – Soraypampa (4,000m)

An early rise at around 6am! We drive from Cusco by private bus for approximately 2 hours to Mollepata. Mollepata is a small village situated in the Apurimac Valley which is well known for its citrus produce. Here we stop for a short period to purchase our last groceries. Then we drive for around 1.5 hours to Soraypampa. Here we set up the equipment for our campsite, have lunch and then we have a, short hike to the Lagoon of Soraypampa. Here you will view of the magnificent snow mountain of Humantay (5,917m). We spend around 4 hours total on this hike, return to campsite afterwards and have dinner before settling in for the night. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay (3,050m)

Here we meet up with our wranglers and their horses that will carry our equipment during the trek. An early start to the day as we have a steep climb ahead of us. Our ascent takes around 3 hours until we reach the high pass at 4,800m near the magnificent glacier peaks of Salkantay (6,271m) and Humantay (6,100m) the second highest peak in the Cusco area. After admiring the beautiful landscape, we begin our descent to Huayracmachay (3,800m), approx. 2.5-3hrs from the pass, where we have our lunch and a good rest. After lunch we continue walking for around 3-4 hours until our campsite

at Chaullay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa (2,200m)

We leave from Chaullay early as well after our breakfast – we pass through Colcapampa. In this part of the trek we will walk on a narrow trail on the mountainside, finding some species of orchids and different kinds of plants, and some cornfields and fruit fields. After walking for 5 hours we will reach La Playa from where we take a small truck to Santa Teresa town. The truck journey is approx. 45 minutes. Upon arrival in Santa Teresa we set up our tents and have the chance to visit the medicinal hot springs waters close by – approx. 30 minutes from Santa Teresa town (optional activity). In the evening we have dinner at our campsite and rest up for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (1,900m)

We have breakfast and after a take a journey by bus (1 hour) to Hydro-Electric Station. From here we start walking

following the train line towards the town of Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours (10km). Enroute we stop and have a box lunch. On arrival in the town your guide will take you to your hotel. We include dinner tonight in a restaurant. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

It is an early start to Machupicchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We take the first bus up to the ruins of Machupicchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, and maybe even climb Huaynapicchu or Inca Bridge. Afterwards you can come back down to the town for lunch. Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco in Private Transportation leaving you in your hotel. (Breakfast)

GROUP SERVICE

• Join other travellers : US$ 690 per person
• Group Discounts : 5+ persons = US$ 670 per person

PRIVATE SERVICE

Close your group for only you and your family and friends! Add on $100 per person to close your group.

*Please consult with us if you are a group of 15+ persons and want private service for discounted rates*

Discounts:

STUDENTS/CHILDREN 15YRS OR UNDER – Less $20 per student/child (see notes)

Included

• Professional English speaking Mountain Guide
•  Pre-Briefing at our office
•  Collection from hotel to start of the trek
• Transportation to start of Trek and return
• Entrance into Machupicchu
• Roundtrip Bus up to Machupicchu from Aguas Calientes
• All meals except Breakfast 1st Day and Lunch/Dinner last day (Buffet Style Peruvian Cuisine). We also cater for vegetarians and various dietary requirements.
•  Boiled water to fill in your bottles each morning.
•  7kg Personal luggage allowance to put on the horses – ie extra clothes, sleeping bag (you just need to carry a small daypack with everything you will need during the day).
•  Personal Duffle Bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
• Spacious tents / Inflatable Sleeping mats / All camping equipment
• Horses to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
• Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
• IncaRail or Expedition train ticket for group services
• 2-Star Hotel on the 4th night of the Trek – we can upgrade if you prefer at additional cost.

Not Included

• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
• Single Room Supplement if required – $ 40 per person
• Sleeping Bag – $ 28 per bag for entire trek
• Saddle Horses – If you are unsure about walking the entire way we recommend you hiring a horse – $ 95 per horse for entire trek
• Thermal baths in Santa Teresa (5 soles) – taxi cost separate
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
• Climb up Huayna Picchu Mountain – $ 15 payable in advance to secure the permits
• Gratuities

Optional

• Sleeping Bag
•  Walking poles
• Inflatable mattresses
• Inflatable pillows
• Saddle Horses – If you are unsure about walking  the entire way we recommend you hiring a horse – $ 95 per horse for entire trek ( including horseman)
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (1o Soles – price subject to change without notice)
• Thermal baths in Santa Teresa ( 5 soles – price subject to change without notice) – taxi cost separate
• Single Tents ( for persons not happy to share) – $ 55 per tent
• Upgrade train service to Vistadome. The cost is $ 50 per person ( Trains subject to availability)

Interested in climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain?

Please note that you need to reserve permits for Huayna Picchu Mountain in advance as they are subject to availability. There are 400 permits available per day and the cost to add on Huayna Picchu to your program is $ 16 per person.