SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N
 

ITINERARY.-

DAY 01 : CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA

We leave Cusco very early, passing villages like Izcuchaca and Limatambo and then after 3 hours we arrive in Mollepata. After a light breakfast we start our long but slow walk till the sector of Silca where the lunch is waiting for us. After a short break we continue our walk in beautiful landscapes till Soraypampa, where we spend our first night.

DAY 02 : SORAYPAMPA - CHALLWAY

Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We will start the hike around 7:00 in the morning. We will hike to a place called Pampas Salkantay, then go toward the left side of the snowy peaks of Umantay located next to the Apu Salkantay. At midday, we will be on the highest point ( 4600 meters above sea level). We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6264 meters above sea level) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. Around 1:00 p.m., we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Around 7:00p.m., we will recuperate from the trek and eat dinner.

DAY 03 : CHALLWAY - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

Around 5:00a.m., we will start our trek and we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise. We will walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the “Forest Cloudy Brow” where waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. salcantay pass river crossingIf we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks'. Once at Playa Sahuayaco, we will take a local bus to drive us to the hydroelectric train station. At around 1:30p.m., we will have our lunch at the hydroelectric. At 3:20p.m., we will take a train from the hydroelectric to the town of Aguas Calientes (2000 meters above sea level). Here, you have the option of going to the thermal hot springs. We will have dinner at 7:00p.m. and accommodation at the hotel or hostel of your choice.

DAY 04: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

This day we go by bus or walking to Machupicchu where our guide tells us in three hours about the times and history of Incas, when we have the opportunity to appreciate Machupicchu in all its splendor. In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes to take a train. Then, in Ollantaytambo we change to a bus which takes us to Cusco.  

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private bus to Mollepata (starting point of the trail).
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
• Our tents are 3-season, 2005-new, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• One foamy sleeping pad per person.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Kitchen tent.
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people).
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3.
• 1 emergency horse every 6 persons – days 1 to 3.
• Meals, daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day).
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Transfer train station-hotel included if returning on 4th day.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too.
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is US$ 1,50. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips: please beware that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not according to your wish.

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

• An extra horse to carry your personal items (days 1 to 3): US$ 12.00 / day. A horse can carry up to 20 kg.
• An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Please beware that if you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included (24.00US$ adults, 15.00US$ students).
• Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost of US$ 30.00 per person.
• Sleeping Bag rent: US$ 4.00 / day. Our sleeping bags are –10ºC-comfort and mummy form and include a sleeping bag liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
• Therm-a-rest inflatable mattress rent: US$ 5.00 / day.
• Massage sessions: US$60.00 per 1-hour session (US$50.00 per session if at least 2 sessions are booked). Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco, attending most 4 and 5-star hotels in the city. Our service includes pick-up from your hotel and transfer back after the session, as well as the service of our therapists in any of the following treatments: relaxing massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude problems, aroma therapy, therapy with honey, therapy with glass, therapy with stones, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and puddle of flowering. We recommend massage sessions before and after the trek. Sessions can be arranged both in Cusco and in Aguas Calientes.

WHAT WE RECOMMENED THAT YOU BRING.

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 4.00 / day)
• Mattress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
• Original passport

Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail) Inca Trail – Important Notice

VERY IMPORTANT:

The Peruvian government has introduced a S/127.00 (45.00USD) Nuevos Soles as entrance fee for the Salkantay Trek. This fee is not included in the price and needs to be paid in cash at the beginning of the trekking. Plase make sure to take the exact amount in Peruvian Nuevos Soles.