It is an old and remote alternative trail to the Inca Trail, it has much more spectacular views and with different ecological floors, between lagoons, snow-capped mountains, abundant vegetation and fauna. This trail is an excellent option for those who want to escape the most congested routes, or for those who are looking for an alternative when the spaces of the traditional Inca Trail are busy. With our Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu of 5 D/4 N you will be able to get up close to its impressive landscapes, which the first two days will be dominated by the majestic snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and Humantay, while traveling through the high Andean landscape.
The third and fourth day you will descend to the warm cloud forest, to arrive in Aguas Calientes the next day, to finally visit the Sacred Citadel of the Incas Machu Picchu during the last day of the program.
OVERVIEW
SALKANTAY TREK AND MACHU PICCHU 5 D /4 N
DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
We start the tour recognizing your hotel in our modern tourist transport units at 5:00 a.m. approximately. Next, we leave Cusco at 5:30 a.m. heading to the district of Mollepata, where you can see several pictorial communities typical of the region, in addition to the existing fauna and flora in the area.
Next, we will have our buffet breakfast at the "Casa Mollechayoq"; after that, we will continue with the route, and we will stop for 20 min. In Cruz Pata, at about 3575 m.a.s.l. After the stop, we will start our walk for about 2 hours to Sayllapata; in the place we will have a break and lunch of 30 minutes; to continue in the direction of Soraypampa.
On the trip, we will be able to appreciate the scenic beauty of the area, as well as the snowy mountains and the Humantay lagoon. (3 hours approx. including the stops). And to finish the first day of the tour, we will camp in Soraypampa and have our corresponding dinner.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY.
We start with our breakfast in the morning to start our trek towards the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,540 m.a.s.l./15,100 ft.
In the Salkantay Pass we will make a stop of 20 minutes approx. to rest and appreciate the impressive views of the mountains and snowy peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. After the stop, we will descend to Huayramachay in approximately 2 hours. In this place we will have lunch and have a short rest. We will continue our walk for 3 more hours until we reach Chaullay (our second camp), where we will have a hot dinner and spend the night.
DAY 3: CHAULLAY – “LA PLAYA/THE BEACH” – SANTA TERESA (COCALMAYO).
We start the day with breakfast at 6:00 a.m. approximately so that at 7:00 a.m. Let's start our walk towards Sawayaco, in an estimated 5 hours; On the way we will be able to appreciate different natural elements, such as waterfalls and wild orchids. Arriving at Sawayaco (known as “La Playa”), we will have our lunch and rest a bit.
Next, we are transported for 45 min. By car to the district of Santa Teresa, where we will camp and rest. After the rest, we will go in the direction of the Hot Springs of Santa Teresa (Cocalmayo), located about 4 km. From the Camp. Finally, to have dinner and spend the night, we will return to our camp in Santa Teresa.
DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – “AGUAS CALIENTES”.
On the fourth day we will have our breakfast at 7:00 a.m. approx. And we will start our route towards the Archaeological Remains of Llactapata at 2840 m.s.n.m./ 8,136 ft. (3 hours approx.).
Next, we will have lunch and descend, for around 2 hours, to the Hydroelectric Power Plant to arrive at 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, we will take the local train for approximately 45 min. To the town of Aguas Calientes.
In Aguas Calientes, you will rest at the hotel and have dinner at the tourist restaurant of your choice. To finish the day, our guide organizes everything for the visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
DAY 5: “AGUAS CALIENTES” – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO.
Very early in the morning (05:30 a.m.), we will eat our breakfast then the transport in the first bus that will take us to “La Maravilla del Mundo/the Wonder of the World”: The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu for approximately 20 minutes. Then, we will have our guided tour for approximately 2 hours where the guide will take us to the most important places of the Citadel (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces and other religious centers).
After our visit, we will have some free time to take photos and travel on our own in the Inca Citadel Machu Picchu (time depends a lot on the train schedule that is given as it has to be half an hour before the train leaves the station). The other option is to climb the Huayna Picchu (not included) to appreciate the impressive view of the entire Citadel. Finally, we will take the train back from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo for 2 hours, then go by car to the City of Cusco and your hotels respectively so that you have a rest in approximately 1 hour.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY: SALKANTAY TREK AND MACHU PICCHU 5 D /4N
CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Pick-up from the hotel at approximately 05:00 a.m.
Departure from Cusco at 05:30 a.m. towards the District of Mollepata where in the route you will be able to appreciate several Andean towns.
Transfer in our bus, Cusco to Mollepata for 2 and a ½ hours.
Buffet breakfast in the village of Mollepata in “Casa Mollechayoq”.
We will continue the trip by car until we reach Cruz Pata for approximately 20 minutes.
From Cruz Pata in a row we will walk to Sayllapata in approximately 2 hours where we will have a lunch and rest about 30 minutes and then continue our walk towards Soraypampa.
On the way to Soraypampa, you will appreciate a natural beauty, such as the snow-capped mountain of Humantay and its Humantay lagoon in approximately 3 hours (including stops).
In Soraypampa will be our first camp where we will have a dinner and overnight.
SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY
Breakfast in the morning to start our trek until the Salkantay Pass (4,540 masl.) which is the highest point of the whole route.
At the Salkantay pass, we will stop for 20 minutes to rest and enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snow-covered peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo.
Then, we will start descending in 2 hours, close to Wayramachay where we will have lunch and have a brief rest.
We will continue our trek for 3 hours until Chaullay our second camp, where we will have a warm dinner and overnight.
CHAULLAY – THE BEACH (SAWAYACO) – SANTA TERESA
Early breakfast at approx. 06:00 a.m. Beginning of the walk at approx. 07:00 a.m. from Chaullay to Sawayaco for an approximate time of 5 hours where you will be able to appreciate different places like waterfalls and wild orchids.
Arrival at Sawayaco known as “La Playa” (the Beach) to lunch and take a short break.
Then, transport for 45 minutes by car to Santa Teresa to the camp and have a short break.
After the rest, we will head towards the Hot Springs approximately 4 kilometers.
Then, we will return from “Thermal Waters” to our camp in Santa Teresa for dinner and overnight.
SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – “AGUAS CALIENTES”
Breakfast at approximately 07:00 a.m. After breakfast, we will begin our walk to the Archaeological remains of Llactapata (recently discovered archaeological remains) for about 3 hours (including a visit to the Archaeological remains).
After the visit, we will have a walk of descent for 2 hours until the Central Hidroelectrica to arrive at approximately 03:00 p.m.
Then, we will take the local train for about 45 minutes to the village of “Aguas Calientes” or walk for 3 hours by rail.
In “Aguas Calientes”, you can rest in your hotel and dine in tourist restaurants of your choice.
Our guide will organize everything for the next day for the visit to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
“AGUAS CALIENTES” – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Breakfast at the hotel at 05:30 a.m. Pick-up from your hotel by the professional guide at 06:30 a.m.
Afterwards, climb to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu by bus for 20 minutes.
Entrance to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu with our professional guide who will take you to the sites of mysterious Inca buildings (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces and other religious centers) in approximately 2 hours.
Free time to take photos and tour on your own in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Return by bus to the village of “Aguas Calientes” for our lunch.
Return by train from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo in 2 hours.
Transfer by car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco in 1 hour and respectively to your hotels for having some rest.
INCLUYED
SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE TOUR SALKANTAY TREK 5 D /4 N
Pre-departure information.
Pick-up from your hotel in the morning.
Personal tents: 2 people in each tent, 4 people-capacity to allow more comfort and an insurance to store backpacks.
English-speaking professional and official tourist guide.
Chef and kitchen equipment.
Accommodation in “Aguas Calientes”.
Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) days 1 to 4.
Meals (4B, 4L, 4D + daily snack in the morning + tea service every day except the last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no additional cost.
One bag of textile snacks per person, to avoid the use of plastic bags that pollute the environment.
Personal biodegradable toilet soaps.
Other: Hot water every morning and afternoon for washing / boiling water to fill your water bottle every morning and night, and during lunch if requested with sufficient time ahead.
To get a tourist ticket to visit the Huayna Picchu (we recommend you buy the excursion and the entrance to Huayna Picchu two months in advance as there are only 400 spaces available per day).
Trekking Canes.
Mule drivers.
Train ticket from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo.
Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. Vegetarian food option.
1 blanket per person.
1 pillow.
NOT INCLUYED
SERVICES THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TOUR SALKANTAY TREK 5 D /4 N
The first breakfast in Mollepata.
The last lunch in “Aguas Calientes”. Bus ticket from “Aguas Calientes” to Machu Picchu (round-trip).
Entrance ticket to the Hot Waters of Santa Teresa.
Drinks: Mineral water, soda, beers, chocolates.
Extra horse to ride or for any extra backpack.
Sleeping bag.
Flashlight.
Tip.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT YOU MUST TAKE IN THE TOUR SALKANTAY TREK 5 D / 4 N
Original Passport
Sleeping bag
Cold and rain jacket
Hiking outfit (for five days, polo shirts, pants)
Hiking shoes
Mosquito repellent
Cold hat or cap and gloves
Swimsuit, towels and sandal
Sunblock and sunglasses.
Rain jacket or poncho
Extra Money
35-liter Standard Backpack
Head and hand flashlight
Personal medicines
Water purification tablets
Toilet paper
MORE INFORMATION
BASE INFORMATION TOUR SALKANTAY TREK 5 D /4 N
Distance to travel: Approximately 50 km Walking time: From 20 to 35 hours including rest and stop for lunch. Maximum Altitude: 4,540 masl. Difficulty: Moderate and with downhills. Temperature: Cold with winds in the afternoon, semi-warm. Duration of the tour: Tour 5 days and 4 nights. Types of tours: Hiking, adventure, archaeological and scenic. Travel period: All the time. Frequency of trips: Every day of the year.
PRICE
Please ask for a personalized quote. The price is customized depending on the final accommodation options, travel dates and other preferences.
