SALKANTAY TREKKING

Dia 1: Cusco to Soyroccocha

We leave Cusco at 06.00 am in a private transportation and start a scenic morning scenic bus-ride to our trail starting point at Challacancha. Along the four-hour drive, we cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), then Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft) and finally Challacancha, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction we start our hike, following the paths of the locals on a soft ascent towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft). After lunch in Salkantaypampa, we start our sometimes steep 2 hrs ascent to our camp at Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). This will be a cold night so very warm clothes are essential.

Dia 2: Soyroccocha to Collpapampa

We depart early after breakfast and start a 1,5-hour ascent, which brings us up to the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4525m/14842ft) where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range with the south face of Salkantay towering above us, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. A long though easy descent along the Salkantay River, brings us late afternoon to our second camp at Qollpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in.

Dia 3: Collpapampa to La Playa

Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. We pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko and the Andean community of Lucmabamba. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp at the village of La Playa (2155m/7068ft), where we can refresh in the river before dinner.

Dia 4: La Playa – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we cross the river and start climbing for 2-3 hours up to El Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we board a train that takes us to Puente Ruinas (short, scenic 30-minutes train ride), a campsite located just at the basement of the Machupicchu Mountain. We camp and dine at this place.

Dia 5: Aguas Calientes / Machupicchu to Cusco

We wake up early and board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.

What is included
» Pre-departure briefing
» Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Challacancha (starting point of the trek)
» Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field
» One inflatable sleeping pad per person
» One sleeping bag per person: our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
» One pillow per person
» Dining tent with tables and chairs
» Kitchen tent
» Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
» English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
» Chef and cooking equipment
» Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 4
» Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 9kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 4
» 1 emergency horse every 6 persons – days 1 to 4
» Wranglers – days 1 to 4
» Accommodation for all our staff
» Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day).
» Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
» Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
» First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
» Train ticket from the Hydroelectric power plant to Aguas Calientes (day 4)
» RT Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes (day 5)
» Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker, Vistadome or Hiram Bingham service, upon request) (*)
» Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco

What is not included
» Breakfast on the first day
» Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
» Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the program while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/10.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
» Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.