Salkantay Trek (5 Days/4 Nights)

Nowadays, the Salkantay Trek is quite famous and frequented by many trekkers from different countries of the world, because it offers you sights that are much more spectacular, on diverse altitudinal levels, such as small and colorful lagoons, the impressive Salkantay and Humantay glaciers, little streams that spring from the snowcapped Mount Salkantay itself, as well as subtropical areas, with their abundant flora and fauna.

• Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa
• Day 2: Soraypamapa – Chaullay
• Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa
• Day 4: Santa Teresa – Machupicchu Pueblo (Ex Aguas Calientes)
• Day 5: Machupicchu Pueblo – Visit to Machu Picchu –Cusco.

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa

To start-off on that great Salkantay Trek adventure, we´ll pick you up at your hotel at 4:30 a.m., for a 2-hour trip, aboard our vehicle, to the village of Mollepata, where we´ll have a light breakfast. Afterwards, we´ll ride on to the community of Cruzpata, where our cook, muleteers and mules will be waiting to load our camping and kitchen gear.

Then, we´ll hike, about 2 hours and a half, to the Community of Soraypampa, where we´ll spend our first night, at a campsite. From there, we´ll already be able to contemplate the spectacular landscape offered by the snowcapped mounts Salkantay and Humantay.

After lunch, we´ll go on a short 1 hour and a half hike, uphill, to the Humantay Lagoon which is part of the Salkantay Trek´s circuit and, today, it has become one of the most popular attractions, in Cusco´s region.

Day 2: Soraypamapa – Chaullay

At 6:00 a.m., we´ll have breakfast, after which we´ll start hiking, uphill, to reach the Salkantay Pass which is this trek´s highest point, from which we´ll enjoy impressive views of the Vilcabamba Cordillera´s glaciers, as well as of the High Amazonian Jungle, full of flora and fauna typical to that ecological level. Then, from there, we´ll start descending towards Wayracpunku (Wind´s Gate), where we´ll stop for a short while, to have lunch.

Then, our hike will go on, as we´ll be entering the high jungle area, where we´ll have plenty of chances to observe the tropical forest´s typical vegetation, full of different species of trees and plants. Finally, we´ll get to our next campsite, in Chaullay.

Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa

After a succulent breakfast, at 6:00 a.m., we´ll start hiking, downhill, towards the high jungle. There, we´ll have the opportunity to see numerous wild plant species, such as orchids, begonias, bromeliads, ferns and trees, as well as coffee, banana, orange plantations, etc., on one of our trek´s best sections.

After 5 long hours hiking, we´ll get to the little village of Playa, where we´ll pause for lunch. Then, later on, we´ll walk in the direction of the village of Santa Teresa, where we´ll spend the night at a campsite. There, we´ll have sufficient time to stroll around, and go to the famous Cocalmayo Thermo-medicinal Baths, to relax, after a hard hike and, in the evening, we´ll gather round a bonfire, with all the expedition´s members.

Day 4: Santa Teresa – Machupicchu Pueblo (Ex Aguas Calientes)

Dawn will catch us in the tropical area, full of history and nature. There, breakfast will be awaiting us, ready to enjoy it. Then, we´ll go on hiking to the pedestrian village of Machupicchu Pueblo.

Getting to Machupicchu Pueblo will take us about 7 hours, hiking along the railroad tracks, and passing by Machu Picchu´s Hydro-electrical Plant, as we´ll be stopping in different places, to contemplate the spectacular landscape around us, that will even allow us to sight the Incan City of Machu Picchu, at some point, on our way.

We´ll spend the night at a hotel, in Machupicchu Pueblo.

Day 5: Machupicchu Pueblo – Visit to Machu Picchu –Cusco.

Today, we´ll get-up around 4:30 a.m., to hike up to the Incan City of Machu Picchu, which will take us about 1 hour and a half, following an ascending path, with numerous steps, through the exuberant subtropical jungle, to get to the archaeological complex, on time to see the dawn.

Then, our guided visit will last about 2 hours, around that wonder´s most important sectors and architectural compounds. Finally, you´ll have some free time to explore the Incan city on your own, or to hike to the top of either Mount Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu, or to go take a walk to the Inti Punku or the Incan Bridge.

Afterwards, we´ll hike back down to the pedestrian village of Machupicchu Pueblo, to have lunch and, later on, in the afternoon, you´ll board the train that will take you to Ollantaytambo, where our staff will be waiting, to take you back to your hotel, in Cusco.

END OF OUR SERVICES

Included:

• Information briefing with the guide, the evening before the trek
• Tourism bus: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata)
• Professional tour guide, cook and assistant
• Meals: 4 lunches, 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts (Vegetarian: Optional)
• Dining tent and cooking tents with tables and chairs. Experienced Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent.
• Mules to carry tents, mattress, food, cooking equipment Hot water for washing purposes.
• Boiled water to fill in your bottles each morning.
• PeruRail train ride from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes.
• Hostel in Aguas Calientes (Private rooms). Double or Triple Accommodation.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Admission Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex.
• First-aid kit and 1 oxygen tank
• Train: Machupicchu Pueblo – Ollantaytambo (1 hour and a half)
• Bus: Ollantaytambo – Cusco (1 hour and a half)

Not Included:

• The bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes US$ 12 or (45 minutes down-hill walk to Aguas Calientes)
• Water to drink on Day 1
• Sleeping bag (minus 8 ºC)
• Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu
• Additional horses
• Breakfast on the first day, and lunch and dinner, on the last day
• Hiking sticks
• Tips (Optional).
• Travel insurance: We highly recommend you to hire a good travel insurance that covers the whole duration of your trip.

• Comfortable daypack.
• Sleeping bag (Minus 8ºC)
• Sturdy Hiking boots
• Warm clothes and trekking pants. not jeans
• Layers for variable temperatures specially at night
• Flash light with extra batteries
• Camera, extra film & batteries
• Sunprotection, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses
• Thermals, wool socks, Gloves / scarf and woolen hat for cold nights
• Insect repellent, Rain poncho, a good rain jacket
• Extra plastic bags especially in wet season and plastic garbage bags to line your back pack
• Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel
• Bathing clothes for the hot springs
• Water bottle, water purifying tablets optional
• Personal medical kit with a simple whistle
• Original passport and ISIC student card if applicable
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks,Trekking poles.