Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu - 5D/4N Essential

Duration:
5 Days
Max People:
15
Min Age:
10+
Machu Picchu, Salkantay
Peru » Cusco
English
Overview

Our Salkantay trek 5 days combines exciting trekking trails where you can have the most incredible scenery as Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest ending this adventure with a hiking through the lush Peruvian jungle and Machu Picchu.

Trekking Details:

  • Duration:5 Days / 4 nights
  • Hiking Distance:64 km – 39 miles
  • Depart:Cusco
  • Difficulty:Moderate to Challenging
  • Season:March to December
  • Destination:Machu Picchu citadel
  • Type:Adventure – Camping – Hotel

Attractions You’ll See

Machu Picchu

Salkantay

Whats Included

Transportation

  • All Transfer services
  • Bus Up and Down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • rain back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Meels

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

Entrace Fees

  • Entrance ticket to Mollepata- Salkantay route
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
  • Hot Spring in Cocalmayo.

Accomodation

  • 3 nigths campsite
  • 1 night accommodation in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).

 

Does not include
  • Personal care items.
  • Tips for the guide and the horsemen
  • Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day.

 

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 – Humantay Lake – Basecamp SalkantayPampa (16km approx 7hrs)

Early pick up in your hotel, enjoy a breakfast in Mollepata then start your trek in Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l.), where we will meet our horsemen and horses, who will carry all the camping equipment and begin our hike to the Humantay lake (4200 m.a.s.l.).
After the visit to the Humantay lake we will return to Soraypampa where our cook will be waiting for us with lunch, then you’ll go to our basecamp Salkantaypampa from where we can enjoy the beautiful views of the snowy peak of Salkantay, and enjoy an afternoon tea and a delicious dinner.

Day 2 Basecamp Salkantay Pampa - Chaullay (18km approx 7hrs)

Wake up with a cup of coca tea and enjoy breakfast with fantastic views of the mountains, then reach the highest point Salkantay pass at 4600 m.a.s.l in 3 hours. From there, we will walk towards Wayrac Machaq, to have our lunch. Then, we will continue into the high jungle where we will observe large trees with their arms extended over the streams, all full of bromeliads and orchids. and downhill until the 2nd campsite.

Day 3 Chaullay – Lucmabamba – Llactapata (16km approx 6hrs)

Early wake up and have breakfast; we start hiking along the cloud forest for 3 hours. Observe the fantastic landscape of rivers, and waterfalls; after lunch, 3 hours up to Llactapata campsite located on top of a mountain right in front of Machu Picchu.

Day 4 Llactapata – Hydroelectric –Mandor waterfall- Aguas Calientes (14km approx 6hrs)

Wake up with an amazing view and the sunrise shows you Machu Picchu. Today you’ll walk downhill to Hydroelectric for lunch and continue hiking another 3-hrs to Aguas Calientes. On the way you’ll have the opportunity to visit the botanical garden of Mandor. Tonight you’ll spend the night in a Hotel. 

Day 5 Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast, we take the early buses up to Machu Picchu for the sunrise. Explore the best of Machu Picchu with your private tour guide. Once you finish, you will take the  train and bus back to Cusco.

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.

The Salkantay Trek is the only alternative road specialized in adventure for different activities such as cycling, rafts, zip lines, hiking

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.