Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu

The famous Salkantay Trail (Salkantay being a Quechua word meaning “Savage Mountain”), named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits (at least for now). So when there are no permits left for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Inca, trekking the Salkantay trail turns out to be the best choice as it is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests, taking you through diverse landscapes and altitudes as we hike around the skirts of Mount Salkantay (6271m/20,568ft) and camp within clear sight of the peak.

Full Itinerary: Salkantay Trail 4D/3N

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

At 4:30 am we pick you up from your hotel and we travel by tourist bus to Mollepata, an Andean village where a nice and hot local breakfast is waiting for us. At 9:00 am we begin our Salkantay Machu Picchu Trek, a hike up to Tres Cruces. We have lunch with a spectacular view on the Limatambo Valley. We then continue our trek to Markokasa, while enjoying the beautiful landscape along the way: from this point we can see the Salkantay Mountain for the first time.

At about 4:30 pm we arrive to Soraypampa (3,850m or 12,600ft), our first campsite and the highest and coldest of the trip.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Huayracpunku – Collpapampa

We have a hot breakfast at around 5:30 am and begin our walk to the highest pass on this trek (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains: Salkantay (6271m/20575ft) on the right and Humantay (4120m/13500ft) on the left. Between those two giants the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here due to the high altitude that cannot prevent us from having a small and a short ceremony,

known as a Payment to Earth or Pachamama (Jaywarikuy), in which we leave some coca leaves into the rocks requesting the authorization to continue on our fabulous and memorable trip.

After the rite we can freely go back walking downhill through a dramatic cloud forest until we arrive to Huayracpunku for our lunch. We hike again after lunch in the direction of Challhuay pampa following the course of the river Salkantay until we reach our second campsite, Collpapampa (3000m/9800ft). The beautiful Andean scenery in this place is not to be missed.

Day 3: Collpapampa – La Playa – Lucmabamba – Hidroelectrica – Machu Picchu Pueblo

After breakfast at 6:30 am we start trekking through the valley with wonderful views surrounding us by the upper jungle, the Lluskamayo River and a multiplicity of little brooks. The walk is easier, with a warm climate as we are lower. We have lunch on the way at La Playa, and then get on a bus that takes us to the hydroelectric plant of Santa Teresa.

We can enjoy the remaining of the day with colorful flowers and beauty waterfalls on the way, until we arrive in Machupicchu Village or Aguas Calientes where you are accommodated in your hotel. You can rest a while and wander around that interesting city before a nice dinner in a local restaurant.
Optional: you can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes’ Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.

Day 4: Day trip to Machu Picchu

We have breakfast and then take the bus at 6:00 am up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour of approximately 2 hours is given by your quite well educated guide, after which you can explore the mysterious city all by yourselves. If you have some energy left you can also climb the Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft) on the other side: it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top but you have to book ahead to secure your place as the entrances are really limited.

Once you are full of the unique spiritual spirit protecting the site, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to get on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco. We are in Cusco at around 10:30 pm.

Note for the Salkantay Trail 4D/3N
The itinerary and campsites are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.

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Additional information

Destination	Cusco

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Cusco

DEPARTURE TIME

Please arrive at least 2 days before of the trek

INCLUDED

Transfers In / Out
Transportation from Cusco till Mollepata where we start walking
Professional bilingual Tour guide
Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu and Huaynapicchu
Bus tickets to Machupicchu Inca City and Machupicchu town
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 3 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day; every meals after the breakfast on day 4 are not included
Professional cook: all our fresh vegetables. Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost! All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip
Dining tent with tables and chairs
First aid kit
1 oxygen tank
Horses (to carry tents, duffle bags food and cooking equipment)
Duffle bag (in which you can put up to 6 kilos of your personal belongings – your sleeping bag included)
Horse men
Quadruple & waterproof camping tent (cap. 4 fitting 2)
1 sleeping mattress per person
1 night in a touristic hotel in Aguas Calientes **
Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco

NOT INCLUDED

First breakfast
Last Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Sleeping bag
Entrance fees to hot spring