SALKANTAY TREKKING TO MACHU PICCHU 5D/4N

 Introduction

When thinking about Trekking Machu Picchu, the first thing that comes to mind is the Inca Trail Trek.

Because of excessive crowds the Peruvian government decided not only to limit daily access but also to impose strict Inca Trail Regulations. We understand how frustrating it is to not be able to get a permit because you didn''''t book 4 months in advance and there are no permits left. 

The famous Salkantay Trek (or Salcantay Trek), recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits. Connecting the city of Cusco with Machu Picchu, The Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests. 

Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cuzco in south central Peru by the Cordillera Vilcabamba and rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20574 ft) Mt. Salkantay is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped for thousands of years by local indians. The name Salkantay is a quechua word meaning "Savage Mountain". 

Our classic Salkantay trek is a custom-designed alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity. With more spectacular vistas, the salkantay trek offers the solitude and quiet contemplation such a sacred path deserves.

 Itenerary

1 DAY : 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.

2 DAY: SORAYPAMAPA –COLLPAPAMPA.

The sunrise is impressing, when the majestic snowy-peak of Salkantay is the first thing we see after getting up. At 7:00a.m. we have a breakfast and then we start our walk, which will take 7-8 hours today. Where we can contemplate clear different ecological levels,  and entering in kind of canyon which takes us till the foot of Salkantay. After three hours walk we have our Lunch, then we continue till the pass of Salkantay (4.600mas.) from where we descend and contemplate the beginning of the forest. This day we reach Collpapampa, where we spend the second night.

3 DAY: COLLPAPAMPA-LA PLAYAN.

We start our walk with an exceptional view of the snow-peak Salkantay (6271masl). Then we descend till a riverbank where we have a delicious lunch and continue our walk through the cloud forest where we have the opportunity of seeing how the environment changes, passing from mild to hot. In the afternoon we arrive in La Playa where we camp.

4 DAY: LA PLAYA -HYDROELECTRICA –MACHUPICCHU.

This day we take an interesting way which takes us along the Inca trail till we reach hydroelectric where we take our lunch and in the afternoon we get in to a train which takes us to Aguas Calientes, where we accommodate ourselves in a beautiful hostal.

5 DAY: AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHUPICCHU-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.  

*Price per person (2010): US$280. Click here to book the Tour.