Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu - 7D/6N

Duration:
7 Days
Max People:
7
Min Age:
12+
Machu Picchu, Salkantay
Peru » Cusco
English
Overview

This tour is full of beautiful landscapes and visits to the city of Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo, Humantay Lake, Salkantay, Santa Teresa, Colcalmayo (hot springs), Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes), Machu Picchu Citadel ( wonder of the modernworld).

Attractions You’ll See

Machu Picchu

Salkantay

Whats Included

Transportation

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

Meels

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

Entrances Fees

  • All entrance tickets for the places mentioned in the program.

Accomodation

  • 03 Accommodation nights Cusco
  • 01 Accommodation night in Aguas Calientes.

Services

  • Professional bilingual guide
  • chef and assistants.
  • horsemen in case of Salkantay trekking.
  • Spacious dining tent and kitchen.

 

Does not include
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Walking poles.
  • National and International flights tickets.
  • Food (lunch and dinner) in Cusco.
  • Extra horse to carry your personal belongings.
  • Personal expense.

 

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.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco - City Tour

You will have the morning free before we pick you up for the CITY TOUR in Cusco, at 1:45 pm. First, we will visit Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun) and Santo Domingo Convent, as well as several of the impressive archeological remains of the city such as Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay. Our tour will end in the main square. At this time, you may want to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants. Alternatively, we can make arrangements to drop you off at your accommodation.

Coordinate with the guide what you want to do

Day 2 Sacred Valley of the Incas - Ollantaytambo - Chincheros

We will have breakfast and leave for the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 8:30 am, where you will see the small town of Pisac including its local market with artisan products and plaza.

We continue our journey along the bank of the Vilcanota River towards Urubamba where you will have a buffet lunch. Then, we’ll travel to Ollantaytambo to the Inca archeological remains.

We will return to Cusco through Chincheros, another tourist center and colonial city, to visit the church and the square. We return to Cusco at the end of the day and you will spend the night at your accommodation.

Day 3 Cusco - Soraypampa

We will begin our adventure picking up each passenger from their respective hotels before embarking on a 3:30 hour bus. Halfway through the tour, we will stop in Mollepata at an altitude of 2900 m.a.s.l. for a 30 minute break, then we continue with our trip directly to the last bus stop in Challacancha, where we will meet our horsemen and horses, who will carry the all camping equipment and we begin our trek to Soraypampa at (3900 m.a.s.l.).

Arriving we will establish a camping area from where we will enjoy the beautiful views of the snowy peak of Salkantay and we will have a break for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the Humantay Lake at (4200 m.a.s.l.) before starting our return to the camping área in Soraypampa, around 5:00 pm. Where our camping team will be waiting for you with an afternoon tea and our delicious dinner.

Day 4 Soraypampa - Chaullay

Early in the morning we will have our breakfast and then we will start a 3-hours trek until we will reach the highest point of our expedition, the Salkantay Pass (4600 m.a.s.l.). From there, we walk towards Wayrac Machaq, to have our lunch. Then, trekking 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. This walk will take about 5 hours to reach our camp in Chaullay for dinner and rest.

Day 5 Chaullay - La Playa - Hidroelectric - Aguas Calientes

After having breakfast around 6:30 am, we will go to Sahuayaco – La Playa (2080 m.a.s.l.). We will have lunch at this place. Then we’ll continue our trip in a transport to Hidroeléctric.

After some relax in this place, we will continue walking down the railroad that leads through this great Inca jungle to our final destination: Aguas Calientes.

We walk around 3 hours and you will find different ecological farms and possibly the curious wildlife upon your arrival. Where you will spend the night in your accommodation to meet at night, in a restaurant and enjoy a great dinner. Then we will have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. We suggest visiting the city, which is wonderful after sunset.

Day 6 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

We are ready around 4:00 am to go up to Machu Picchu, the trek will follow an ascending path crossing the high jungle, just in time to see the spectacular sunrise. After passing the control entrance around 6:00 am our group will have a private guided tour for 2 hours in the Inca citadel, later the passengers will be free to enjoy Machu Picchu by themself. In the afternoon, according to the train’s departure time, the group will descend walking to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where everyone will be picked up and transferred to Cusco.

The group must be at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure. The Salkantay trekking ends when you arrive at your accommodation.

Day 7 End of the tour

You can enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before a driver transports you to the airport for your departure flight or the bus station for your next destination

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.

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is an archeological center that preserves the remains of an Inca city, built in a green environment of mountains and rivers, a mystical and mysterious place; in addition, it is a patrimony of humanity and one of the most desired destinations in the world.

It is located at 2,400 m. a. s. l. in a cloud forest between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest of Peru.

How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima?

To get from Lima to Machu Picchu you must travel to the city of Cusco by plane or bus.

When to go to Machu Picchu?

It is possible to go all the year, the minimum temperatures vary between 8 ºC and the maximum around 20 ºC.

There are 2 seasons in Machu Picchu: the dry season and the rainy season. The first one takes place between April and October, it is characterized by little rain and a sunny climate. The rainy season runs from November to March and is characterized by constant rains.

How much luggage can I take on the train?

On trains to Machu Picchu you can only take hand luggage that should not exceed 5 kilos (11 pounds).

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.
  • Ask a Que