Salkantay Trek / Machu Picchu

Trek Details:

Altitude Range : 2,850 / 4,600 m.a.s.l. (9,350 / 15,092 ft)
Duration : 5 Days / 4 Nights
Difficulty : Moderate
Season : March / January
Activity : Nature / Adventure

Program:

Day 1 Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa

Pick up will be between 4:30 and 5:00 AM from your respective hotels. Departure by tourist bus towards Mollepata, a small village located at 2,850 m (9,350 ft), with a mild climate and cloud forest vegetation. Around the village we will be able to appreciate some snow-capped mountains belonging to the Salkantay mountain range, including Salkantay 6,200 m (20,341 ft). Enjoying this landscape, we begin our hike which will last approximately 7 / 8 hrs, surrounded by cloud forest vegetation. Along the route we will have lunch and then continue until reaching Soraypampa, the site of our first campsite.

Day 2 Soraypampa / Challhuay

The sunrise is impressive as we will see the majestic Salkantay. After breakfast we continue the trek, which this time will last approximately 7 / 8 hrs. We will clearly observe the ecological transition and the difference between altitudinal levels. We will enter a type of canyon leading us to the foothills of Salkantay. After three hours of hiking we will have lunch. Continuing our exploration of Salkantay we will arrive at the Salkantay Pass 4,600 m (15,092 ft), then descend and contemplate the beginning of the jungle. This day we will arrive at Challhuay where we will spend the night.

Day 3 Challhuay / Playa

This marks the beginning of a warmer climate typical of the cloud forest. After breakfast we continue our journey through valleys where we may observe various birds, mammals, insects, and other native animals. We will have the opportunity to observe the lifestyle of the local inhabitants and enjoy the hot springs (Collpampa) and waterfalls (Waynapoco). Optional. Afterwards we continue our trek, lasting approximately 4 to 6 hours before lunch (Sahuayacu or Playa), then we take our bus to Santa Teresa where we will spend the night.

Day 4 Playa / Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Hotel

After breakfast we continue our hike for approximately 40 minutes until reaching the banks of the Vilcanota River, where we will use the cable basket crossing. Our journey will last approximately 3 hrs towards the hydroelectric station where we will appreciate the Urubamba River valley, the immense waterfall descending from Machu Picchu mountain, and the northeast side of Machu Picchu. This will be the ideal place for lunch before visiting the Intihuatana at Km. 121. After our visit we will wait for the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes where we will rest in a comfortable hostel.

Day 5 Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Cusco

We will have breakfast very early and transfer to the archaeological group of Machu Picchu for a guided visit of the different sectors such as: The Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana and other important sites. Free time. In the afternoon return by train to the city of Cusco.