Salkantay Trek to MachuPicchu 5D/4N

HIGHLIGHTS:

The best second inca trail to Machupicchu by Salkantay mountain is considered one of the “25 Best Treks in the World” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. This trek will take you through unique and varying landscapes, from cloud forests to grassy highlands and where sub-alpine passes meet colossal snow-capped mountains. This trek is for the adventurous.

Since the ancient Incan times, Salkantay Mountain has been considered sacred and the protector of the Quechua people. The name Salkantay derives from the Quechua language and means “Savage Mountain”. Salkantay Mountain (20,574 feet) is the highest peak in the Andean mountain range and in the Cusco area of the Southern Peruvian Andes.

The Salkantay trek begins on the south side of Salkantay Mountain and Machu Picchu and circumnavigates the mountain and ancient ruin to the town of Aguas Calientes. The Salkantay trek contains parts of the original Inca trail and provides mysterious and magical feelings associated with the history of the Inca. This trek is simply Amazing!

Daily Departure with at least 2 people

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – HUMANTAY LAGOON – SOYROCOCHA.

This Adventure of Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu one of the member of Chinchero Boutique & Tours will pick you up from your hotel before departing Cusco around 6am. We will drive roughly 3.5 hours to our trail head at Soraypampa (12,467 feet). In route to Soraypampa, we will stop in the quaint town of Mollepata to use the bathrooms, have a snack and grab a cup of coffee or tea. Once we arrive we will meet our donkeys (gear porters) and have a thorough brief on the pertinent aspects of trekking in the Andes. We will immediately be over shadowed by the giant, Mount Salkantay. We will go on a 1.5 hour day hike to aide in acclimatization and to see the beautiful, teal waters of lake Humantay.

We will hike back to Soraypampa where a delicious lunch will be prepared by our Inti chef. After lunch, we will begin to slowly ascend a mild incline for roughly 3.5 hours to the village of Soyroqocha (13,779 feet).

Upon arrival at camp, you will find your tents ready and waiting, as well as hot drinks and popcorn. We will have some free time to change clothes, get warm and rehydrate until our delicious dinner is served. This camp is especially beautiful at night, when the milky way is splashed across the sky. Photographers, this is the perfect place to take long exposures of the stars!

• Hiking Mileage: 3.1 miles
• Lowest Elevation: 12,467 feet
• Highest Elevation: 14,435 feet
• Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
• Lodging: Campsite.

DAY 2: SOYROCOCHA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRACMACHAY – QOLLPAPAMPA.

Today we will wake up to a steaming cup of coca tea and gaze upon the stunning, snow-covered Salkantay Mountain. Today we will travel through a diverse range of climatic zones, from golden grasslands to sub-alpine zones to cloud forests. After a nutritious breakfast we will begin to trek slowly towards Salkantay Pass (15,091 feet), which takes roughly 1 hour. At the pass we will have a break to drink water, eat snacks and take in the spectacular views of Mount Salkantay. Subsequently, we will hike down to Huayraqmachay village, where we will have a delicious lunch prepared for us by our kitchen crew. After lunch we will hike down to Qollpapampa village (10,170 feet) where we will camp for the night.

• Hiking Mileage: 9.9 miles
• Lowest Elevation: 10,170 feet
• Highest Elevation: 15,091 feet
• Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours
• Lodging: Campsite.

DAY 3: QOLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA.

Today we will be trekking through the tranquil cloud forest. We will hike for about five hours following the Lluskamayo River, with the prospect of seeing a variety of orchids, birds, and a magnificent waterfall. Today’s trek ends at Lucmabamba town (6,725 feet) where we will have lunch and camp for the night. After we relax for a while, we will go meet Freddy the owner of our camp and a local coffee plantation. Here we will be able to pick our own coffee beans, roast them and make our own coffee. In addition, Freddy will teach us many local traditions of the Quechua people and you can potentially buy some souvenir coffee from him.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
• Lowest Elevation: 6,725 feet
• Highest Elevation: 12,540 feet
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Lodging: Campsite.

DAY 4: LUCMABAMBA – SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.

After an early breakfast accompanied by Freddie’s local coffee from the farm, we will begin our hike which ascends to the Llaqtapata Inca ruins. This section of the trail is part of the Inca Trail, used in the past to connect Machu Picchu with the city of Vilcabamba. Once we arrive at Llaqtapata we will have our first glimpse of the ancient city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Our local guide and interpreter will introduce us to the history and culture of the Inca and Quechua people. After the lessons we will descend roughly three hours to the hydroelectric power station. From the power station We are going to walk our last stretch towards Aguas Calientes for about 3 hours along the train track.

There is a nice path next to the tracks through the warm paradise of the cloud forest. This is the same trail used by the American professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of it being lost to the outside world! Once in Aguas Calientes, you can rest a bit before dinner or walk around this alluring place that has the feel of a California Gold Rush town. There are no cars in Aguas Calientes, so it is an especially peaceful place to be. In Aguas Calientes we’ll have a family dinner and your guides will deliver the plan for the next morning. A much deserved rest so we’re recharged and ready for Machu Picchu the next day.

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
• Lowest Elevation: 5,905 feet
• Highest Elevation: 10,107 feet
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
• Lodging: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu.
• Waman Hotel Machupicchu *** o similars.

DAY 5: PRIVATE TOUR OF MACHUPICCHU.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will be ready to visit the dream of our lives “Machupichu” and your guide will take you to the most important places within the Inca city Machupichu.

That will really bring it to life by detailing the history, meaning and myths of this sacred place of the Incas of Machupiccchu and you will enjoy the Historic Sanctuary in all its splendor.

Once we will finish to explore every single of corner , we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes and to enjoy our lunch.

Your Guide will coordinate the time of  the tren to return to Ollantaytambo and  then we will transfer you in our private bus or van back to your respective hotel, Chinchero or Cusco.

Optional:

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: Mountain that is next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45 minute hike to the top. This hike offers unparalleled views of the famous Inca sanctuary and also panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape.
• This activity can be done after your tour in Machu Picchu. The cost is $ 35 per person to walk. Arrangements must be made at least a month in advance, due to popularity.
• Difficulty: moderate to challenging
• Machu Picchu Mountain: it has the most spectacular view, it is a 1.5 hour walk to the top. Located southwest of the Machu Picchu citadel with a height of 3,050 m (10,007 ft), this hike offers unparalleled views of the famous Inca sanctuary and also panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape. The cost is $ 35 per person to walk.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.

INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for orientation. Here we provide you with duffle bags that will be on horse-back during the trekhorse-back during the trek
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+.
• Professional Cook
• Horses to carry all equipment and 7 kg of your personal items
• Pick-up and transportation from your hotel
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, etc) or allergy please advise us upon booking and re-confirm the day of our briefing
• Wake up tea: Every morning our staff will bring tea to your tent
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Golden Sunrise Machupicchu ****** ,
• Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
• Oxygen bottle
• First aid kit
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)round trip)
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Transportation Ollantaytambo-Cusco.
• Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us). US$25.00
• Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 5.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$35.00
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance (We highly recommend insurance for your entire trip).

THINGS TO BRING:

• Original Passport
• Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain ponchojacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitisersanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries or Head lamps.Head lamps.

THIS TOUR RUNS ONLY AS A PRIVATE SERVICE!