Salkantay to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
Starting from only USD 470/person.
This trek combines ecological zones with exuberant and diversity vegetation, flora
such as orchids, trees, plant of banana, coffee papay and coca plant and fauna with
numerous species of insects,reptiles,birds and mammals, the most representative
of these area the spectacled bears (tremarctus ornatus), the trail goes over the
high passes (5000 m),grasslands with unforgettable views of the magnificent mountains
such us Salkantay mountain (6270m) part of the vilcabamba mountain rage through
the cloud forests and finally into the subtropical vegetation arriving on the final
day to Machupicchu.
Level of difficulty (low, medium, high): medium-high
Required fitness level (low, medium, high): medium-high
DAY 1: CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPA-WAYRAQMACHAY (12km, HOURS 5)
Pick up from your hotel is at 5:30am. A 2 hour drive in our private bus will take
us to Mollepata (2’800m). We’ll pass various typical local villages like Anta ,Ancahuas
and Limatambo. In Mollepata you have opportunity to have breakfast and buy any last
minute snacks and drinks. After another 2 hour bus drive we will reach Soraypampa
(3’800m), the start of our trek. It will take us 2 ½ hours through a spectacular
mountain landscape and vast grassy planes to reach Soyrococha (4’400m), which is next to
Salkantay mountain. Here we will be served lunch and take some rest to regain strength
for the uphill march to Salcantay pass (4’600m), the highest point of this trek.
The descent to our first base camp Wayraqmachay (4’000m) will take us about 2 ½
hours.
DAY 2: WAYRAQMACHAY TO PLAYA SAHUAYAKU (16km, hours 8)
After a good sleep we get up early in the morning and after breakfast we start to
hike downwards passing other camp sides (Rayanniyoc, Andenes) and eventually get
to Challhuy (3’200m). On the way we will encounter different species of local flora
such as coffee plants, avocado trees and orchids. After a short break with a snack
we will continue going down to Collpapampa – a nice thermal bath. It’s another 3
hour walk downhill to L
usca Mayu where we will have lunch. After lunch we are keeping on walking downwards
and will reach our camp side Playa Sahuayaco (2’050m) in the late afternoon.
DAY 3: PLAYA SAHUAYAKU - LLAPTAPATA - HIDROELECTRICA - TO AGUAS CALIENTES (17km, hours 9)
Our first stop this morning is Lucmabamba which we will reach after 40 minutes. From there we will gradually hike up for about 2 hours to finally get to Llapta Pata a beautiful archeological site which has connections to the Inca sites Machu Picchu and Sayacmarka. We will have plenty of time to explore this nice Inca site and will then start our descent to Hydro-Electrica (power plant) which will take us about 1 ½ hours. A pleasant 3 hour walk will bring us to Aguas Calientes where we will stay in a hostal for the night. After having stored our baggage we will go out and have dinner together in one of the many restaurants.
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO
This last day starts very early. We will wake you up at around 04:30, have breakfast
and then take one of the first buses to Machupicchu. There are two good reasons
to be at the entrance of Machupicchu very early: 1.) It is well worth the effort
to get up early as the Inca city is quietest in the early morning and you will have
plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the sun rise over Machupicchu. 2.) Only
400 people (the first 400) are allowed to hike Waynapicchu per day. Our guide will
give you a tour around Machupicchu telling you about the history of Machupicchu
and the most important buildings. Of course he will also take you to the classical
post card picture spot (Funerary Rock Hut), this vantage point offers a terrifc
view of the whole complex. After that you will have free time to explore the site
on your own again. If you would like to climb Wayna Picchu you find some additional useful information in our FAQ. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machupicchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch. Usually we take the bus at around 1:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the
ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machupicchu by bus, the guides give you
time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You
will get your train and bus tickets back to Cusco in the restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
INCLUDED:
- Transportation: Bus from Cusco to start of the trek in Soraypampa. Bus from La Playa
(Sahuayaco) to Santa Teresa. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu. Bus from Machupicchu
to Aguas Calientes and Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
- Accommodation: Hostal in Aguas Calientes on the 3rd night (based on 2 people sharing
one room)
- All meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners. Food includes pancakes, omelets,
soups, fresh fruits, chicken, fish, meat, rice, pasta and hot drinks including coca
leaf tea which is very effective against altitude sickness. Tea time every afternoon
(tea, coffee, biscuits and popcorn). Every morning and afternoon warm water to clean
yourself up. We can also provide vegetarian meals and special diets. Just let us
know in advance or during the briefing on the evening before the trekking.
- Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish). Always 2 guides for 8 people.
- Horsemen and horses to carry the tents, food, cooking equipment and your personal
equipment such as mattress, sleeping bag and clothing to change. A maximum of 6
kilos per person. An emergency horse in case someone needs help and is not able
to continue walking.
- Camping equipment. 2 people will always share a spacious 4 people dome igloo tent
with plenty of space for your backpacks. Blow mattress, chemical toilet, cooking
equipment, dining tent, kitchen tent, first aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Entrance fees to Machupicchu.
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel in Cusco.
EXCLUDED:
- First breakfast at Mollepata (day one)
- Last lunch at Aguas Calientes (day
four)
- Sleeping bag (15 US$ to rent)
- Tips and the extra spending