Salkantay Connection Inca Trail -5 Days

Duration:
8 Days
Max People:
8
Min Age:
12+
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Salkantay
Peru » Cusco
English
Overview

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best hikes in the world because of the exquisite beauty of its natural surroundings.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu path takes us through different ecosystems…From high Andean plains to the cloud forest this adventure allows us to explore mysterious archeological sites, half covered with jungle overgrowth as if we were discovering them for the first time.

Attractions You’ll See

Inca Trail

Machu Picchu

Salkantay

Whats Included

Transport

  • All Transfer services
  • Bus Up and Down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu 4th day
  • Train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.

 Meels

  • Food as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Vegetarian options available.

 Entraces Fees

  • Entrance ticket to Mollepata- Salkantay route
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
  • Entrance ticket to Inca Trail

Accomodation

  • 2 nights campsite
  • 2 nights accommodation in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)

Services

  • Professional bilingual guide,
  • Chef and assistants.
  • Spacious dining tent and kitchen.
  • Horses and horseman
Does not include

Does not include

  • Personal care items.
  • Tips for the guide and the horsemen.
  • Sleeping bag

Packing List

Trekking Accessories

Strong walking shoes for trekking
Lightweight backpack of 20 liters
Some cash in small bills.

Clothing

Hat or cap
Long sleeve shirt.
Long and short pants
Rain coat
Sweater and thick jacket.

Biodegradable Plastics

Plastic bags
Optional plastic raincoat (poncho)

Personal Care

Eco-friendly Tomatodo (canteen).
Lantern
Sunglasses
Camera with extra batteries and memory
Toilet paper

First Aid Kit

Insect repellent.
Sunblock with a 40 UV factor of at least.
Medical or personal items.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Soraypampa

The group will be picked up at the hotel to travel by bus for 4 hours. Later we’ll reach Mollepata,where we will get together with our horsemen and horses that carry the camping equipment. In this area it’s possible to see the beautiful snow-capped peak of Salkantay.

Afterwards we’ll hike for 4 hours ascending the mountain Sayllapata where it’ll be time to have our lunch. After lunch we’ll walk until reaching our campsite Soraypampa, around 5:00pm where dinner will be set up.

Day 2 Soraypampa - Chaullay

Early in the morning we’ll have our breakfast and then will begin a 3 hour trek until reaching the highest point of our expedition, The Salkantay Pass (4.600 m.a.s.l.).

From there, we’ll walk down towards Wayracpunku, to have our next meal. Afterwards, the journey will continue going into the high jungle where we’ll observe large trees with their arms stretching out over the streams, all filled with bromeliads and orchids. This trek will last around 5 hours to reach our campsite in Chaullay where we’ll have dinner and rest.

Day 3 Chaullay - Hidroélectric - Aguas Calientes

The next morning, after a good breakfast we’ll go by bus to Hidroélectric.

It’s optional to book ziplining or hot springs in the morning. After this activity the bus will bring you to Hidroélectric with the rest of the group where we will enjoy our lunch. We’ll relax here for a while, then we will continue walking along the train track that is leading through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes.

We walk for about 3 hours and along the way you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, different Eco farms and possibly wildlife curious of your arrival in the region at 5 p.m. Here the group will spend the night in a hostel.

At night we’ll get together in a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you’ll be free to walk around the town that is wonderful after sunset.

Day 4 Aguas Calientes CHACHABAMBA – WIÑAYHUAYNA – AGUAS CALIENTES

We start our trek around 6:00 am for about 2 hours until we reach kilometer 104 where we start our trek. The guide will direct you on foot to the ruins of Chachabamba where the tour will begin.

From there the journey will continue and we will pass a small and refreshing waterfall on the way to the ruins of Winay Wayna where the impressive platforms will demonstrate the skill of Andean engineering. After lunch we will continue the walk to Inti Punku (Puerta del Sol) from where we will have the first sight of Machu Picchu as a beautiful panoramic of the town on the hill.

From here we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night, have dinner and prepare for the following day up at Machu Picchu.

Day 5 MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

At 5:30 am, after breakfast, we begin the trek to Machu Picchu where we will have a guided tour of the different sectors of the archeological complex tour, including the Intihuatana or sundial, used by ancient Peruvians settlers.

To climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (optional), you can choose the 2nd group at 10:00 a.m. The walk takes only about an hour, and it’s absolutely worth it, the view is breath taking and the experience will be unforgettable.

We will board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, make sure to be at the station at least half an hour in advance. In Ollantaytambo there will be a driver waiting outside the station to bring you back to Cusco.

passing the control entrance around 6:00 am our group will have a private guided tour for 2 hours in the Inca citadel, later passengers will be free to enjoy Machu Picchu by themselves. Then we will walk down to Aguas Calientes for about 40 minutes

In Aguas Calientes we can have lunch, then we will take the train to Ollantaytambo where the transport will be waiting for us to transfer you to Cusco city, the transport will arrive to Cusco around 8 pm, the last stop of the bus will be in San Francisco square.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Salkantay trek?

Salkantay trek is another of the Inca roads that leads to Machupicchu and also other wonders such as Choquequirao and Vilcabamba discovered approximately 20 years ago.

What is in the Salkantay trek?

In Salkantay Trek we find adventure activities, local people who are dedicated to the agriculture that works the coffee, the coca among other products of the zone also we found medicinal and exotic plants and also we found types of birds.

Why is the Salkantay Way an alternative Inca trail?

It is called the ALTERNATIVE TRAIL because it is another way to get to Machu Picchu besides the already famous Inca Trail, which is in great demand and must be booked 8 months in advance.

Can Machu Picchu be visited by people of any age?

Yes, it can be visited by people of all ages. However, in order to ascend Huayna Picchu mountain, it can only be visited by people older than 12 years old.

From what time can I enter Machu Picchu?

Public access is from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What to see in Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is home to almost 150 amazing constructions, these are some of the places that stand out:

  • The Temple of the Sun.
  • The Intihuatana.
  • The Temple of the 3 Windows.
  • The Temple of the Condor.
  • The Hall of Mirrors.
  • The Ladder of the Fountains.
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain.
  • The Temple of the Moon.
  • The Door of the Sun (Intipunku).
  • The Main Square.
  • The Royal Tomb.
  • The Sacred Rock.