Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5D/4N
Starting from only USD 500/person.
This trek combines ecological zones with exuberant and diversity vegetation, flora such as orchids, trees, plant of banana, coffee papayand 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 CRUZ MOQO-SORAYPAMPA (7km , hours 4)
Pick up time from your hotel is at 6:00 am. A 2 hour drive in our private bus through
some scenic local villages (Anta, Ancahuasi, Limatambo) will bring us to Mollepata
(2’800m). We stop there for about 40 minutes to have breakfast and to by any last
minute snacks and drinks. It will take us another 40 minutes by bus to get to Cruz
Moqo (3’100m) which is the start of the trail. This first section of the trail is
relatively easy and serves as a good training for the following day. On the way
to the first camp we will be able to admire impressive mountain Humantay (4’900m)
and after about 2 hour we will reach Challacanca (3’500m) where lunch is served.
It’s another 2 hour walk uphill to the first camp Soraypampa (3’900m), one of the
most beautiful base camps in the region. You will enjoy a terrific view of the second
highest mountain in the Cusco region Salkantay (6’270m) and again Humantay (4’900m).
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA TO CHALLHUAY (15km, hours 8)
We will set off very early in the morning after breakfast. Along the way to Soyrococha
(4’400m) we will enjoy a spectacular mountain landscape and vast grassy plains.
It will take us around 2 ½ hours to get there. From there our next waypoint will
be the highest pass on this trek - Salcantay (4’600m). From here we will descend
for about 2 ½ hours to Wayraqmachay (4’000m) where we are going to have lunch. The
remaining part of today’s hike is an easy 3 hour hike downhill through beautiful
vegetation to camp Challhuay (3’200m).
DAY 3: CHALLHUAY-QOLLPAPAMPA-PLAYA (Sahuayaco) (12km, hours 7 ½)
After a good sleep we get up early in the morning and after breakfast we start to
hike downwards for approximately 40 minutes to Collpapampa – a nice termal bath.
It’s another 3 ½ hour walk downhill to Lusca Mayu where we will have lunch. After
lunch we are keeping on walking downwards and will reach our camp side Playa Sahuayaco
(2’050m) after around 3 hours. On the way we will encounter different species of
local flora such as coffee plants, avocado trees and orchids.
DAY 4: PLAYA ( Sahuayaco) – LLAPTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA - 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 Machupicchu
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 5: 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 or if you still have plenty of energy you should climb Waynapichu
Mountain. This is the steep mountain dominating the background of Machupicchu. From
the top of Waynapichu you have an absolutely stunning and breathtaking view of the
complete Machupicchu area. It takes 1 hour to climb Waynapichu and 1 to 1 ½ hours
(depending if you want to make a detour to the great cavern) to return down. 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 (Cruz Moqo). 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 4th night (based on 2 people sharing
one room)
- All meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 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.
NOT INCLUDED:
- First breakfast at Mollepata (day one)
- Last lunch at Aguas Calientes (day five)
- Sleeping bag (15 US$ to rent)
- Tips and extra spending