Salkantay Trek is one of the best alternatives that will allow you to visit Machu Picchu, after 5 days and 4 nights in a 73 kilometers route. It is a great adventure that will allow you to appreciate high and massive mountains, exuberant vegetation, streams, rivers and more. It also includes thermal waters that will help you relax your body after the physical effort of walking. You can also enjoy some snow at one of the highest points of the road, 4,650 m above sea level. Finally, on the last day we will have the great guided tour of Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from any hotel, hostel or airbnb in Cusco.
We will leave Cusco at 04:30 on bus, until Mollepata, a nearly 2:30-hour journey. After breakfast we start the uphill hike towards Cruzpata (3.100 meters above sea level), on a light slope where we can see many typical plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a villagers’ irrigation waterway, We’ll have lunch in Cruzpata and relax in our first campsite soraypampa after enjoying our lunch we will have the option to go the humantay lake or relax the rest of the day.
After a 1 and ½ hour ascent, we will arrive at the impressive Lake Humantay (4220 meters/13,850 feet) where we can enjoy the turquoise color of the lake and the snowy Humantay Mountain peak. Then we will make our 40 minute descent to our campsite in Soraypampa for tea time, which is at approximately 6:00 pm and after we will eat a delicious dinner prepared for us by our chef. Finally, we will spend the night in our tents.
After an early energizing breakfast we resume the hike from Soraypampa at around 6:30 a.m, along the spectacular Peruvian highlands. From that spot we can enjoy the magnificent views of the Salkantay Mountain, a stunning snow-capped 6.264 meters high, the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, and also the snowies Humantay and Huayanay, the white river, beautiful small lakes and moraines. After a five-hour hike, we’ll have lunch in Huayracmachay, and afterwards a further 2-3 hours downhill hike to the campsite at Chaullay, located at 2.920 meters above sea level, making a 20 Km total trek approximately! Meals for this day are breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Wake up with a lovely highlands, mountains view and a good coca leaves morning tea. On day 3 the hike begins at 07:00 am, for 3 hours, and we will get to a high region of the Peruvian Jungle, actually to its western border, where we can see many kinds of subtropical plants, fruits, flowers, typical birds and so on. There, banana trees, coffee plantations and more can be observed; it’s a great chance to take amazing pictures and enjoy nature. At the end of the day we will see delicious passion fruit fields. On the way you will have a delightful experience, meeting local people who live in the region. The hike lasts approximately 9 hours! Our campsite will be at the village called La Playa (2.400 meters above sea level), to spend the night. Meals for this day are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hiking distance covered on day 3 is approximately 15 Km.
After a delicious breakfast, at around 08:30 am we resume our hike, uphill and seeing plantations of coffee, bananas, passion fruit and a wonderful view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We go along the banks of the Vilcanota river until arrival to Oroya (canopy bridge for watching birds). From Sahuayaco you will have the first amazing glimpse of the Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu mountains. From the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric we’ll take the train to the day’s final village, Aguas Calientes, next to the Machu Picchu complex, where after dinner you stay overnight at a hostel or optionally at a hotel. Meals for this day are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hiking distance covered on day 4 is approximately 10 Km.
We are hiking up to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and then explore the citadel and enjoy the ancient place in the quiet morning hours, on a complete professionally guided tour of the Inca citadel for about two hours. In the afternoon, we will gather in Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit around and relax in its famous hot springs. From Aguas Calientes we board the train back to Ollantaytambo (from 18:45 to 20:15 ride) and then connect with the transfer back to Cusco city, (from 20:25 to 22:30 ). Only breakfast for the last day. In conclusion, the Salkantay trek of 5 days and 4 nights is a great adventure that will allow you to appreciate barren and lush green mountains, streams, rivers and hot springs that will help you relax your body after the physical effort to walk; you can also feel the temperature change along the hiking mountain paths of the tour of Salkantay; you can also enjoy some snow in one of the highest points of the road, 4,650 mts/15, 200 feet above sea level. Finally, the last day (the fifth) you will enjoy the grand tour of Machu Picchu. So do not wait more and book the Salkantay Trek now for your adventure.
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This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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