DESCRIPTION
With the “Salkantay trek to Machupicchu 5D“, you can enjoy an excellent option to walk an alternative route to the traditional Inca Trail for the tour to Machu Picchu. The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m.a.s.l., descends to the cloud forest. The trail starts in Mollepata / Markocasa or Soraypampa, a couple of hours from Cusco and ends in the town of Aguas Calientes. The Salkantay trek was nominated among the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine.
Salkantay has exceptional views and at the same time, the diversity of ecological floors makes this hike an absolutely interesting journey with temperatures dropping to 1,000 meters above sea level, it is an incredible experience and the trail is not too steep.
SALKANTAY, is an excellent option for those who wish to escape the congested routes and for those who are looking for an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. This impressive excursion passes under the snowy Salkantay, the climate of the first part of the trail is dry and cold, the second part is warmer and more humid. This hike has a moderate to hard difficulty, it is recommended to have good physical preparation, arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before starting the tour for acclimatization.
MAIN POINTS OF VISIT
- Cusco (3,399 m.a.s.l.)
- Mollepata (2,976 m.a.s.l.)
- Soraypampa (3,912 masl)
- Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m.a.s.l.)
- Ausangate (6,271 m.a.s.l.)
- Chaullay (2,350 masl)
- Llactapata (1,550 masl)
- Santa Teresa (1,550 masl)
- Aguas Calientes (2,040 m.a.s.l.)
- Machupicchu (2,430 m.a.s.l.)
TOUR SUMMARY
- Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake: 13 Km – Moderate Day.
- Day 2: Soraypampa – Collpapampa: 26 km – Challenging day.
- Day 3: Collpapampa – La Playa – Aguas Calientes: 16 km – Moderate day.
- Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu: 4 Km – Easy day.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CRUZPATA- SAYLLAPATA SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE (16 KM)
- 06.00 – 06.30 hrs, the guide will pick you up at the hotel. We will pass through the town of Mollepata by the road Cusco – Abancay where we will arrive in approximately 2 h 30 min.
- Here we will make a brief rest stop before ascending to Soraypampa. We will arrive to Cruzpata – Beautiful viewpoint where we will be able to appreciate the snowy Humantay.
- Later we will arrive to Sayllapata, another natural viewpoint where we can appreciate the valley of Limatambo. And finally to Soraypampa, the icy wind of the area forces to take shelter.
- Here our first campsite will be “Lodge del Cielo”. After lunch, our excursion will take us to Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers high up on the slopes of the impressive mountain.
- The hike will take 4 hours to reach the lake, but the view is beautiful and the brave can swim. Our local tour guide will tell us about the fauna, flora and traditions inherent to this beautiful Lake, in view of the imposing Mt. Salkantay, will top off this unique experience.
- Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Camping – SORAYPAMPA
BREAKFAST – HOTEL / LUNCH AND DINNER – AGENCY
DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA – EL PASO – COLLPAPAMPA (22 KM)
- 04.00 hrs Very early in the morning we will wake up with a very hot tea, after a good breakfast.
- 05.00 hrs We will start our hike to get to the Salkantay pass, we will take the opportunity to walk early in the morning and before the sun rises.
- We will continue our journey to Machu Picchu, walking through the valley of the Blanco River and around the Humantay peak through the Salkantay peak. The highest point of the trek is the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 masl.
- At the pass we stop for a beautiful view of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in all directions, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will be on the lookout for Andean condors, often visible in this area.
- From the pass we descend to Wayracmachay (the cave where the wind lives), here we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Then we will continue walking for 03 hours downhill until we reach our camp in Colpapampa; dinner and overnight at the Sky Lodge.
- Our Sky Camp, which has a 360 degree panoramic view of the Salkantay Valley, is also a perfect place, away from the crowds and where we can get to know a little more of the local families.
- Approximately this day we will hike for 10 hours at a gentle walking style, enjoy the scenery and talk with our tour guide.
- A local man can do this trail in only 3 hours. But we will do it in 10 hours, including lunch, because most of the trails are steep and some open slopes.
Camp – COLLPAPAMPA
BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER – AGENCY
DAY 03: COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES (32 KM)
- 05.00 hrs Very early we have breakfast and then walk through the Santa Teresa river valley on narrow trails for about 5 hours through more populated rural areas. We will pass by banana trees, passion fruit, avocado orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee from this region is considered the best organic coffee in the world.
- Then we will board a car from “La Playa Village” to the hydroelectric village train station, we will continue our hike along the side of the railway road until we reach the village of Aguas Calientes, it will take about 3 hours.
- Upon arrival, we check into the hotel for a celebratory dinner with our tour guide and a final briefing for our Machupicchu tour experience. We retire to our hotel and spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes.
NOTE: Those who prefer not to walk from the Hidroelectrica station to Aguas Calientes can take the 40 minute train ride experience, the price is not included. You will meet the rest of the group at the Aguas Calientes train station.
Hotel – AGUAS CALIENTES
BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER – AGENCY
DAY 04: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
Machu Picchu, ancient Andean Inca village, located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru, in the Andes mountain range at 2,430 meters above sea level, is located in the Cusco region, province of Urubamba, district of Machupicchu. Machu Picchu would have been one of the resting places of the Inca Pachacutec, ninth Inca of the Tahuantinsuyo between 1438 and 1470.
Machu Picchu is considered, at the same time, a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its peculiar architectural and landscape characteristics and the veil of mystery that has been woven around it in much of the literature published about the site, have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, as well as one of the 7th wonders of the modern world.
- Tour to Machu Picchu: 05.00 hrs After an early breakfast at the hotel, we go to the bus station to go up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (30 minutes).
- Our guide will give an introductory guided tour of the Inca city. Machupicchu guided tour: The Inca city of Machupicchu opens at 06.00 hrs.
- We will be between 06.00 and 07.00 hrs. after showing our entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, we will go up to the best view point to take a picture of the guardian’s house, after 30 minutes of free time our guide will give us a detailed and extensive information about the city of the Incas for about 1 hour. After the guided explanation of the guardian’s house, you will have 02 options:
- A one-hour hike, an excellent option to get the best panoramic images of the entire Andes. Those arriving from the Inca Trail to Machupicchu arrive through the Sun Gate; later you can return to the Inca city and visit on your own and at your own discretion the Inca city.
- We will continue to the Inca city for another hour, passing the middle square, the temple of the 3 windows and much more, once we arrive at the Sacred Rock very close to the entrance gate to the Sacred Mountain Huaynapicchu, The guide will give you some free time to explore the Inca city on your own.
- After the visit, you will descend to Aguas Calientes and then board the Expedition train at 16.22 hrs to arrive at Ollantaytambo train station, where you will meet our transportation and we will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 20.30 hrs.
VERY IMPORTANT
- To climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (not included in the price, spaces are limited, you must reserve at least 6 months).
- According to Machupicchu’s regulations, once we enter the Sacred City we are not allowed to return by the same roads “there are many signs about which route we must follow, we can only stop in some places or simply return to the place where we were before”, so we advise you to enjoy every minute you can be in each Inca site.
- According to Machupicchu’s regulations, entrance tickets can only be used once, meaning that once you leave the city of Inca, you will not be able to return unless you obtain a new ticket.
BREAKFAST – AGENCY / LUNCH AND DINNER – PASSENGER
INCLUDES
This tour includes
- Transportation Cusco/Mollepata
- Professional bilingual Salkantay guide with adventure experience
- Experienced professional bilingual cultural guide with experience in Machupicchu.
- Entrance ticket to Salkantay / Humantay Lake.
- Entrance ticket to the Inca site of Machu Picchu
- 1 duffel bag: personal luggage, up to (5 kgs).
- Loading of mules / horses on days 1, 2 and 3,
- On day 4, your luggage will be transported by car or train to Aguas Calientes.
- Dining and kitchen tents
- Professional trekking chef with an assistant
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (vegetarian, vegan or special menus available at no extra cost)
- Boiled water: From your first lunch to your last breakfast, you can fill our waters at every meal.
- Wake up with tea: Every morning at camp,
- Tea time every day during the hike: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc.
- Hygiene products: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to wash your hands and every morning there will also be a bucket of warm water to wash your personal hygiene.
- Medical kit and oxygen cylinder
- Train Tickets: Aguas Calientes/Ollantaytambo
- Transfer back to Cusco: Private tourist transport
This tour does NOT include
- Sleeping bags
- Consettur bus to the Inca city of Machupicchu
- Canes
- First Breakfast and last lunch after Machupicchu
- Personal clothing and equipment.
- Travel insurance
- Please note that our agency staff is well paid, so feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation 6 – 8 USD per day per traveler for all trek staff” – Again it is optional and May vary according to your satisfaction.
- Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes. USD $ 34.00
- Additional costs or delays beyond management’s control (landscape, bad weather, itinerary modification due to security issue, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)
- Visit to the Hot Springs in Machupicchu town S/.10.00
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu Mountain or Waynapicchu.
Recommendations
- Original passport
- Small backpack
- Complete rain gear or poncho
- Gloves (warm)
- Trekking pants
- Breathable long sleeve polo shirts
- Flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Swimwear
- Sandals
- Cold weather jacket
- Long sleeve sweater
- Mountain shoes
- Sun cap and bandana
- Casual mountain clothing
- Water purification tablets
- Toiletries
- Photo and video camera
- Binoculars
- Refillable water bottle (Hydration pouches are recommended)
- Snacks: cereal bars, chocolates, cookies, dried fruits.
- Cash: coins and small bills in soles
PRICES
TOUR IN GROUP SERVICESalkantay trek to Machupicchu PRICE PER PERSON Minimum 02 people | |
| GROUP SERVICE TOUR | |
Por que elegir a Cusco Tours Perú
Asesores Expertos
Nuestros asesores expertos están aquí para ayudarte a planificar y organizar tu viaje a Perú de manera excepcional.
Con un profundo conocimiento y experiencia en el país, te brindarán asesoramiento personalizado, recomendaciones de destinos y actividades, así como información detallada sobre la cultura, la historia y la gastronomía peruana. Ya sea que estés interesado en explorar las maravillas arqueológicas de Machu Picchu, navegar por el misterioso Lago Titicaca o descubrir la selva amazónica, nuestros asesores te guiarán para que vivas una experiencia inolvidable en Perú.
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En resumen, una experiencia de viaje implica un itinerario cuidadosamente diseñado, servicios organizados y la búsqueda de momentos únicos y significativos para los viajeros, brindándoles la oportunidad de disfrutar de un viaje inolvidable.
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Estos testimonios auténticos reflejan la calidad y el impacto positivo que Cusco Tours Perú tiene en la vida de nuestros viajeros. Nos enorgullece ofrecer experiencias excepcionales y significativas en Machu Picchu.
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Nuestra experiencia en viajes Culturales y de Aventura nos permite diseñar itinerarios emocionantes y personalizados, adaptados a tus preferencias y nivel de experiencia.
Getting to know the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
Frequently asked questions from Travelers
What is the best time to travel to Cusco?
The best time to travel to Cusco is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During this period, the weather is generally dry and sunny, with daytime temperatures ranging from 18°C to 22°C. Nights can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping around 5°C, especially in June and July.
The rainy season in Cusco runs from November to March, and during this period you can expect regular rains, especially in January and February. Rainfall can be heavy and can cause disruptions to transportation and tourist activities.
Keep in mind that, although the dry season is the best time to visit Cusco in terms of weather, it is also the busiest time in terms of tourism.
What is the weather like in Cusco?
The climate in Cusco varies according to the time of the year.
- The dry season (April to October): During this time, the weather in Cusco is generally dry and sunny, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 20°C. Nights can be cold, with temperatures dropping as low as 5°C. This is the best time to visit Cusco, as weather conditions are ideal for exploring the city and outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking.
- Rainy season (November to March): During this season, Cusco experiences frequent rains and cooler temperatures, with an average temperature of 16°C. Nights can be cooler, with temperatures dropping as low as 3°C. Rainfall can be quite intense and prolonged, which can make outdoor activities difficult.
It is important to keep in mind that the weather in Cusco can be unpredictable, even during the dry season. It is advisable to wear appropriate clothing for the weather and be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and rain.
What to see in Machu Picchu?
- The Intihuatana, The Temple of the Sun: a large ceremonial building, probably dedicated to the god Inti, the sun god in Inca mythology.
- The Main Temple: A large structure with an impressive panoramic view of the nearby mountains.
- The Main Street: The main road that runs through the center of the city and connects the main areas of Machu Picchu.
- The Sun Gate: The main entrance to Machu Picchu and one of the most iconic points of the city.
- The thermal baths: Inca system of thermal baths.
- The Huayna Picchu mountain: an optional hike that offers even more impressive panoramic views of the ruins of Machu Picchu, the hike lasts 1 hour uphill to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain.
What to bring on my trip to Cusco?
If you are planning a trip to Cusco, there are some important items you should take with you to make sure you are comfortable and prepared for any situation. Some of the items you might consider bringing are:
- Appropriate clothing: Due to the variability of the climate in Cusco, it is important that you bring clothing suitable for different weather conditions. Include warm clothes for cold nights, comfortable clothes for walking, and comfortable, sturdy shoes for exploring the ruins and trails.
- Sunscreen: Cusco’s altitude means that the sun can be very strong during the day, so it is important to bring sunscreen to protect your skin.
- Water bottle: The altitude can also cause dehydration, so it is important to stay hydrated.
- Medications: If you take any medications regularly, make sure you bring enough for your trip. It is also a good idea to bring some basic medications for headaches, upset stomachs and colds.
- Cash: Although most places in Cusco accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash in Peruvian soles for shopping in local markets, paying for cabs and tipping.
- Plug adapter: If you are coming from another country, you may need a plug adapter for electrical outlets in Peru.
- Camera: Cusco is a beautiful place with many interesting landscapes and tourist attractions, so you will want to capture many memories in photos or videos.
How difficult is the Humantay lagoon trek?
The level of physical fitness required to trek to Laguna Humantay is moderate to high. The trek consists of a round-trip hike of about 12 kilometers, with an ascent of about 400 meters in elevation over steep, rocky terrain.
Although no previous hiking experience is required, it is recommended that hikers have a certain level of fitness and are accustomed to walking in steep, rocky terrain. In addition, since the lagoon is at an altitude of around 4,200 meters above sea level, hikers should also be prepared to hike in a lower oxygen environment.
It is important to take the time to properly acclimatize to the altitude before trekking.
Where is the Huayna Picchu?
The Huayna Picchu is a mountain located in Machu Picchu. It is located north of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and is one of the most iconic mountains in the area.
The ascent to the top of Huayna Picchu is a popular activity for visitors to Machu Picchu, as it offers an impressive panoramic view of the archaeological site and the surrounding area. However, the ascent is quite steep and can be challenging for some visitors, so it is recommended to have a good physical condition and take the necessary precautions to enjoy the experience safely.
What's Hot Water like?
Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a small town in the Urubamba River valley near Machu Picchu. It is the starting point for most visitors who want to visit Machu Picchu, as it is where the train stations are located and access to the buses that take visitors to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes has a vibrant tourist atmosphere and is a fairly small town. There is a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, souvenir shops and travel agencies to cater to visitors. Due to its location in a mountainous area, the city has many stairs and steep streets, but also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surroundings.
In addition to serving as a base for visitors to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes has some tourist attractions of its own, such as the thermal waters that give name to the city, a small historical church and some nearby Inca ruins.
Humantay Lagoon Tour
The Humantay Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon located in the Peruvian Andes that belongs to the city of Cusco. It is one of the most popular destinations for nature and trekking lovers.
The tour starts in the city of Cusco, where visitors meet with their travel agency. Then they travel by vehicle to the town of Mollepata and then to Soraypampa, from where the hike to the lagoon begins.
The trail is moderate to difficult and can be challenging for some due to the altitude. The trail is full of breathtaking views of the Andes and it is possible to see wild animals.
Once arriving at the lagoon, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the lagoon and the Humantay mountain in the background.
It is advisable to bring appropriate clothing and accessories for the activity, and enough water and food.
It is important to mention that the altitude can be a factor for some people, it is recommended to get used to it beforehand in Cusco, and bring altitude medication if necessary.
The Humantay Lagoon is a beautiful destination and a great experience for visitors who are looking for an adventure in nature and are willing to undertake this beautiful hike.
