Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Characteristics Classic Salkantay Trail Tour (Cusco – Peru)

Specifically these are the characteristics of the Salkantay Trail Tour (Cusco) classic 5D/5N  o Mount Salkantay Tour that you should keep in mind before starting this impressive tour:

• Location: Salkantay – Located in the Vilcabamba mountain range (alternative trek to Machu Picchu)
• Type of tour: Trekking, cultural, adventure
• Good: for those with moderate (fair) or good physique
• Difficulty: Difficult

Considerations: Within the Camino Salkantay tour, in order to include the Humantay Lagoon (Turquoise Lagoon) and Llacatapata (Incredible place + camp with Machu Picchu in the distance) we have to leave in the afternoon of the day before the trek, therefore the 5.5 days and 5 nights.

Season: From March 1 to January 10.

Closed: From January 10 to February 28 (due to the rainy season).

As an alternative to the classic Inca Trail tour, Mount Salkantay is one of the best alternative routes to Machu Picchu. Not counting the fact that it is one of the most complete.

The Salkantay Trail to Machu Pichu is one of the most sought-after and famous routes in Cusco, after the well-known Inca Trail. It is undoubtedly the best alternative route to live the impressive experience of the paths that our ancestors, the Incas, traveled for years.

The most impressive part of this tour is when you reach the highest point, the Salkantay pass at about 4700 meters above sea level, near the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. Although the joy of observing the vertiginous valleys of the Cusco jungle, is not far behind. An unparalleled experience!

Itinerary Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

AFTERNOON 1: Transfer to the GLASS CABINS

We will begin this excursion along the Salkantay route towards Machu Picchu in the late afternoon. The guide will pick you up at 3 p.m. at your respective hotel. Right at that moment, you will meet the group of hikers. Then we will go in our private transport on a 3.5-hour trip to the Crystal Cabins in Soraypampa, located at 3,800 m.a.s.l. We will arrive just in time to take pictures of the sunset over the peaks of the glacier.

In the glass huts, the guide will lead you to your room, before enjoying a delicious dinner, accompanied by some hot drinks.

Also at night you will have a privileged view of the stars in the night sky.

Because you will likely have checked out of your hotel before your departure time, the meeting point for this walk is at our office located near the main square.

NO WALK TODAY!

• Elevation: 3,800 masl
• Weather: Cold, windy, rainy in the wet season

When you book this option, choose the day you want to start the trek (day 1). The departure is the night before where you will stay in our private lodge and enjoy the first dinner prepared by a specialist chef from Alpaca Expeditions.

Day 1: (The trek begins) SORAYPAMPA CAMP – HUMANTAY LAGOON – SALKANTAY PASS – WAYRACPUNKO

After having spent the first night of rest, you will have to get up early to enjoy breakfast, accompanied by a beautiful landscape, moments before the walk.

During this morning, there will be a brief team presentation between all the hikers and the Alpaca Expeditions staff, this to ensure that your trip is a positive and familiar experience. After a brief introduction, your duffel bag will be given to the muleteers so that they can transport it to the next camp.

The walk on this day will begin by visiting the Humantay Lagoon, where you will walk approximately 1.5 hours along a constant ascent. Once in the lagoon, you can enjoy the serene views of the crystal clear blue water of the Humantay lagoon.

If the sky is clear, you’ll see the first rays of the sun peeking through the snow-covered peaks. If you are brave, you will also have the opportunity to touch the almost frozen water so that you can stay young forever!

The advantage of visiting the Humantay lagoon in the early hours of the morning is the quiet environment, with no other hikers besides those in the group. Due to the popularity of this location, this is not something that everyone can enjoy!

In the beauty of such a magical and wonderful place, then you will begin to walk back to the starting point, to continue with the walk to the lunch spot in the Soyroccocha area. This walk will be approximately 3 hours on ascending terrain and progressively.

En route, you will pass through places like Salkantay Pampa and enjoy exceptional views of the surrounding peaks and snow-capped mountains.

After lunch and a well-deserved rest, you will continue with a walk, approximately 1 hour more to Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m.a.s.l. the highest point of the walk. You will be treated to this step with hot drinks before continuing!

From Salkantay Pass, it will only be 3 hours of downhill hiking to our last Wayracmachay campsite. Upon your arrival at the campsite, the support staff (porters and muleteers) will have your tents ready along with your sleeping bags. In the same way they will provide you with warm water to be able to wash yourself, so that you can change into something more comfortable.

Then we will have a moment of joy where we will share a hot drink (coffee and chocolate), followed by dinner. If time is short, you can enjoy the clear sky, along with a brief introduction to the visible Inca constellations.

• ➡ Walking Distance: 18km
• ➡ Elevation Gained: 850 meters
• ➡ Descended Elevation: 850 meters
• ➡ Weather: Cold, windy, rainy in the wet season

Day 2: WAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY – CCOLLPAPAMPA LORETA (HOUSE OF THE HOBBITS)

For this day the support staff will wake you up early, bringing a hot drink to help you start the day on the right foot.

Hopefully when you open your tent, you will see the sunrise over the peaks lifting the clouds from the glaciers, where you will have some time to pack up and enjoy a good breakfast prepared by your mountain chef.

Around 7 a.m. The day’s walk will begin approximately 4 hours downhill until reaching the lunch spot in Ccollpapampa (2,700 m.a.s.l.). On this walk, you will begin to notice the micro-climate of the fauna and flora that changes as we descend. you will go from the cold views of the glacier to the warmer surroundings of the green jungle. We will see many different species of orchids, as well as ferns, begonia flowers, and hummingbirds.

After lunch and a well-deserved rest, you will continue with the walk to the next private campsite called Loreta, which is  at 2400 m.a.s.l. This walk will be  approximately 4 hours on variable terrain and downhill. Along the way you will appreciate beautiful waterfalls, rivers and again different flora and fauna, here you will see another tropical forest microclimate, where local people are dedicated to the cultivation of coffee, passion fruit, papayas, oranges and avocados.

Upon your arrival at the camp, the support staff will give you a warm welcome, then direct you  to the place of accommodation. After that, you will have time to enjoy a free hot shower, hot tub, and you can even swim in our pool. There will also be time for you to walk through our ecological garden so you can see some of our coffees, avocados, chili peppers, tomatoes, pineapples and part of the landscape. Tonight’s dinner will be in our property overlooking the Salkantay River, which you will have the joy of listening to while you fall asleep.

• ➡ Walking distance: 18 km
• ➡ Night elevation: 2,400 meters
• ➡ Elevation dropped: 1,400 meters
• ➡ Climate: Warm and hot

DAY 3: LORETA – SAHUAYAKU BEACH – LUCMABAMBA COFFEE FARM – LLACTAPATA (Camp in front of Machu Picchu)

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, the shortest, but most exciting day of the trek will begin, as this day you will experience the most beautiful places along the route on this trek to Machu Picchu.

You will explore the tropical forest and have a visit to a local organic coffee farm. Here you will have the opportunity to see some of the orange and avocado plantations, and be able to taste the varieties of freshly processed coffee. There will be a brief introduction about the region’s coffee and its importance as the main agricultural product, then you will be told that coffee in this region was introduced after the Spanish conquest and most of it is exported abroad (North America, Asia and Europe).

After having the visit to the coffee farm, you will continue with the trek to Llacta pata, traveling along a section of the Inca route for approximately 2.5 hours. In this section of the Inca trail from Llacta pata you will see incredible views of the Santa Teresa valley, and once in Llacta pata you will have the first view of Machu Picchu, including the main archaeological attractions such as Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the Inca site of Llacta pata and take pictures. From here it will take us an additional 15 minutes downhill to the campsite lunch area, owned by a local family that only Alpaca Expeditions have permission to stay at this campsite.

You will discover that Llacta pata is a great place to enjoy the sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu. After lunch you will have free time to enjoy the views and relax. Once again we will have a moment to share with a hot drink (coffee or tea), your chef will prepare a delicious meal for dinner, and once the stars come out you will be able to enjoy the Milky Way and the Inca constellations -as well as that the Inca astronomers did to predict the weather-.

• ➡ Walking distance: 12 km
• ➡ Campsite elevation: 2,700 meters
• ➡ < strong>Elevation gained: 400 meters
• ➡ Climate: Hot and humid during the day, cold at night

DAY 4: LLACTAPATA VIEWPOINT – HYDROELECTRIC WATERFALLS – MANDOR HIRAM BINGHAM FARM – AGUAS CALIENTES

Our support staff will wake you up early, bringing a hot drink to help you start the day. You will have time to prepare for today’s activities and you will also enjoy your last breakfast prepared by the trekking chef.

The day’s walk will begin with a 2-hour descent path with views of Machu Picchu, continuing to the Hydroelectric station. The most impressive part of this area is the 300-meter-high natural waterfall, which generates electricity for the Cusco region.

From the Hydroelectric station you will continue to the famous Intiwatana (sun dial rock). According to history, this Inca stone used to work with the legendary sundial rock at Machu Picchu during the winter solstice, which was the beginning of a new farming season for the Incas.

Following the Intiwatana, you will continue the path along the railway for approximately 3 hours, which leads to the city of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Machu Picchu valley. This part of the walk will be interesting as it was the path used by the American professor, Hiram Bingham, when rediscovering Machu Picchu.

On his way to Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham met local farmer Melchor Arteaga just beyond his farm. It was there that he told her that he was looking for a place and & nbsp; that he wanted to go up to the fabulous stone city that, according to what they had told him, since it was hidden between the enormous and green mountains that surrounded his land, so much so that he was able to convince him & nbsp; so that the farmer can take him to Machu Picchu,.

In this  section you will see many species of flora and fauna, the national bird called Cock of the Rock, toucans, orioles, parrots and orchids. Finally, upon your arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will enjoy a delicious lunch.

Then you will go to your hotel to enjoy a hot shower, and a visit to the famous hot springs (10 soles, not included), of Aguas Calientes. In the evening, you will enjoy your final dinner with the trekking chef, and you will say goodbye after several days of conviviality.

• ➡ Walking distance: 14 km
• ➡ Aguas Calientes Elevation: 2,000 meters
• ➡ < strong>Climate:
• ➡ Hot: inti punku (or similar)

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU – RETURN TO CUSCO

Today will be the most important day of your excursion, because you have to make the most of the day. That is why it is recommended to have breakfast very early, to be able to get on one of the first buses that will take us to Machu Picchu (from 5:30 a.m.). The hotel will store your bags while you are in Machu Picchu, and this way, you will only be required to carry a backpack with all the essentials. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will take approximately 30 minutes.

Once in Machu Picchu, your guide will lead you to a strategic point from where you can observe the Inca architecture of Machu Picchu, they will direct you to a well-searched place from where you will observe the sunrise (depending on the weather). There you can take your postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

Then you will start the guided tour of the main sectors of the citadel, for a time of 2.5 hours. Throughout this guided tour, you will learn a little more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.

At the end of the tour, you will have some more free time so that you can continue with the photographic shots and explore what you have left to visit, or if you have arranged to walk Huayna Picchu* (it must be reserved in advance, since they run out and it costs $75 per person), your guide will show you where to start this hike, which will take no more than 2 hours round trip.

For your return from Machu Picchu, we recommend that you return to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before your train departure. The return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours, and in Ollantaytambo, our Alpaca staff will be waiting for you on your right next to the exit door of the station, ready to bring you back to Cusco in our private transport. The trip to Cusco will be approximately 2 hours and we will have you dropped off at the reception of your hotel in Cusco.

Machu Picchu mountain is also another trek, instead of Huayna Picchu mountain. This trek is more difficult and takes three hours minimum, round trip (with an additional cost of USD $75 per person).

Includes

Information meeting: The night before your trip, you will come to our office for an information meeting. You will receive your travel bag that will stay with your porters while you walk. Your bag cannot exceed 7 kg / 14 lbs and must include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

Professional guides: All our guides are graduates of Universities and Institutes of Cusco. They all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to teaching others about their heritage. Our guides are very funny and professional, they will make sure of your well-being and that you end up amazed.

Porters: We include a staff (porter) who is responsible for carrying your travel bag. There is no additional fee for this, you will not have access to your travel bag until your campsite.

Hotel: Alternative treks end in Aguas Calientes or earlier. Your last night will be in a hotel in the town, instead of camping. The 2-star hotel is included in the cost of the trek and is based on a shared room. If you wish to upgrade the hotel or prefer a single room, there will be an additional cost.

Transportation: You will have transportation included in this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 4am. and they will take you to the beginning of the path, Marccoccasa (3,300 meters). The Expedition Train from Aguas Calientes will also be included. This you can upgrade to the Vistadome train for $75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, we will take you back to the hotel in Cusco. In addition, your round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will be included.

Team: kuntur’s andean adventures has the best logistics team, since we use Eureka Timberline 4 tents that are only shared by two people. You will have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your food.

Food: The chefs at kuntur’s andean adventures prepare a variety of delicious foods that many previous hikers were delighted and satisfied. We respect all food restrictions, so make sure to add any other options you have to your booking form and let your guide know at your briefing the night before the trip. Food is typically served family style. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, we will also provide you with hot infusions (tea, coffee, chocolate, sandwiches). In the same way, you will be provided with a Snack each morning for you to enjoy during the walk, and your last meal with the chef will be after breakfast on day five. Lunch on the last day is not included.

Water: From the first lunch to the last breakfast, it will provide you with all the necessary water. The water will be provided boiled and purified, then cooled before distribution. You must bring your bottle of water and/or camelback. We recommend carrying around 3 liters. You can refill water at each meal.

First aid: each guide  has received first aid training from a doctor. We hold mandatory training sessions every February, which every tour guide must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first aid kit for basic medical situations (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. If necessary, we’ll get you out of the way as quickly and comfortably as possible, and make sure you get straight to a clinic for treatment.

Extras: We believe that it is the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Each hiker receives a small pillow to sleep on, a foam mattress to insulate, a backpack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best vacation.

Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our customers and our team. While all of our guides are prepared and trained to deal with most problems that clients have on the mountain. Just a phone call from any doctor, hospital or friend helps everyone feel confident that they are safe. Radios, which all of our guides have, are limited in range, so Alpaca Expeditions has added satellite phones to each trek. Each guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And our customers can also use them for non-emergencies. While they aren’t cheap to use, they are available in case you need to check if that puppy you left home with Grandma is okay.

NOT INCLUDED

Rentals: Every hiker needs a sleeping bag when she camps. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but recommended. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:

• ➤ Sleeping bag: $25
• ➤ Inflatable air mattress: $20
• ➤ Canes (pair): $20

Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that is next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45 minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are afraid of heights. You would do this after your Machu Picchu tour. Cost is $75. Arrangements must be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.

Day packs: kuntur’s andean adventures does not provide day packs, so you must bring your own. Try not to pack large items, to keep the backpack light, while walking. Machu Picchu does not allow backpacks larger than 25L. You will need to check your bag at the entrance if it does not meet the size guidelines. Only essentials are needed during the trek: water, snack, camera, sun hat, warm coat, rain coats, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.

Headlights: It is recommended to bring a headlamp for overnight camping. There will be no lights at the campsites, and it’s hard to get to the tent to eat or to the bathroom without one. Flashlights are acceptable if you don’t have a headlamp, but it makes some tasks more difficult.

Flights: Flying to Cusco can be complicated. Delays happen often, and it’s not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Make sure you arrive in the city at least two days before your trek start date. LAN Peru is the most reliable of airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are also acceptable carriers.

You won’t be back from your trek until 8pm on the last day, so make sure your flight isn’t until the next day when you leave Cusco.

Tipping: Tips are always appreciated and should be based entirely on your satisfaction. Although it may not be usual for you, it is of considerable importance for the people who will take care of you during your travels.

Travel insurance: it is not mandatory, but it is always recommended. For those of you who live at sea level, landing in Cusco will take an adjustment period. Most people need a day or two to adjust. In case you have difficulty adjusting to the altitude, it is suggested to have lost run protection.

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