Cusco - Salkantay - Machupicchu 5 days / 4 nights
Salkantay, a mountain of 4,300 meter . A remote and ancient footpath in the same region of the Inca trail, but less traveled with more spectacular views. A magnificent wilderness alternative for those who wish to escape the more congested trekking routes or those who are looking for alternative if the traditional Inca Trail has no spaces available.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
04:30 Pick Up from hotels and transfer to the bus station.
05:20 Bus from Cusco to Mollepata, arriving Aprox. at 08:30. Breakfast at a local restaurant. Set up and organize equipment, staff and horses - during the first three days passenger belongings will be taken by horses.
09:30 Starts the trek, hiking initially towards Cruz Pata. Snacks including fruit juice, granola bar, chocolate, candys and fruit.
12:00 Lunch at Cruz Pata, after lunch the hike continues towards Soraypampa at 3,850 meter msl. Tea time, including tea, coffee, biscuits, cake and pop corn.
18:00 Arrival to Soraypampa camping site, already set up for over night.
19:00 Dinner
Day 2: Soraypampa-Salkantay-Challuay
06:00 Wake up call, hot tea.
07:00 Breakfast and set up equipment to continue the trek (done by the staff). Distribution of cold very well boiled water for the day.
After Breakfast we continue on the hardest part of the hike, walking across the area of Pampa Salkantay with the impressive scenery of the snow peaks called Umantay and Salkantay at 4,500 meter msl. From here, the highest point of the journey it is possible to observe snowy peaks and glaciers of the Salkantay.
13:00 Arrival at Huayrac Pampa where lunch will be waiting for us. After lunch we hike four fours to Challhuay, located at 2,900 mtrs.Dinner and Overnight for 2nd Night.
Day 3: Challuay-Santa Teresa
06:00 Wake up call, hot tea.
07:00 Breakfast and set up equipment to continue the trek (done by the staff). Distribution of cold very well boiled water for the day.
After Breakfast we continue for a 5 hour hike, passing by the Collpabamba zone and on towards the cloudy Rain Forest through scenery like waterfalls, tropical fruit plantations and tropical vegetation.
12:00 Arrival to “ La Playa ” for lunch. After this there will be no more horses.
We will continue the trip by car for about 45 minutes until we arrive to the “Santa Teresa” camp site ( 1,650 meter msl), where everything will be ready for the night. We can also visit the hot springs of Santa Teresa.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
06:00 Wake up call, hot tea.
07:00 Breakfast and set up equipment to continue the trek (done by the staff). Distribution of cold very well boiled water for the day.
After breakfast will have a walk of one hour to the “Oroya” (Ski lift type gondola across the river) and we will cautiously cross the river. From this point you will have oportunity to take pictures of a panoramic view of Machupicchu. Then we will continue the hike for one hour to the “Hidroelectrica”.
12:00 Lunch and leisure time to relax until 15:40, when we will take the train to Aguas calientes.
17:00 Arrival to Aguas Calientes and overnight at economic class hostal.
19:00 Dinner at economic restaurant in Aguas Caliente.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu - Cusco
04:30 Wake Up Call
05:00 Continental Breakfast
05:30 Transfer by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (One way)
06:00 Hike to the Wayna Picchu (highest mountain in the Area) for sunrise and to take panoramic pictures. After this we will descend to the Citadel for a 2 hours guided tour. After this there are no more meals included.
In the afternoon we return by train (“Back Packer”) to Cusco . We have to be at the train station no later than 15:20.
15:50 Departure by train to Cusco
20:30 Arrival to Cusco and transfer to the Hotel.
Adults: $210
Students: $190
