ALTERNATIVE SALKANTAY – SANTA TERESA – MACHUPICCHU 5DAYS / 4NIGHTS
Inca Trail - Salkantay
You cross a pass at 4510m and then it´s a relaxing walking down. You pass some remote villages, have fabulous views at for example Veronica, Salkantay, other snow peaks, green valleys and the river Urubamba, maybe you can see condors and surely you´ll meet very friendly people.
Day 01: Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa
Early in the morning we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you in a private bus to Mollepata passing picturesque and traditional towns like Iscuchaca , Ancahuasi and Limatambo, as well highlands plateaus and landscapes with great views of snowcapped mountains that belong to the cordillera Vilcabamba. The bus trip will last 3.00 hours and then the hike is for 6 hours. The trail climbs up from Mollepata sharply to Marqhok'asa pass through the pastures, farming lands, afterwards descending until the campsite through the high brush down to Soraypampa (3750 masl.
Day 02: Soraypampa to Colpapampa
Early in the morning you leave Soraypampa and keep going up the beautiful valley walking just below the majestic snowcapped mountain named Salkantay (6271 masl) after 1:1/2 hours the trek becomes steep zigzagging for a while after that we get the pass named Salkantay pass, 4600 masl from where you will be rewarded with superb views . The trail descends through an old moraine passing great pastures down to the camp of Huayroqmachay located at 4000masl. This campsite is subject to change according to the guide's criteria and the evolution of the group.
Day 03: Colpapampa to Lucmabamba
Wake up with lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. Continue to the north down to the lush jungle through different ecosystems watching birdlife like hummingbirds, trashes, finches, tanagers, sparrows, guans, parrots, etc It will be a long descending day towards the cloud forest where people live taking advantages of nature, also you will pass great waterfalls. At the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl).
Day 04: Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes
Inca Trail - Salkantay
Leaving la playa the trek continues through plantations of coffee, banana, and tropical fruits. Afterwards the trail climbs up to Patallacta from where you descend until Hidroelectrica ( 1800 masl) and continue to Aguas Calientes where we will set up camp just below Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary , this afternoon you can go to have a bath in the natural hot springs a great place to relax after this challenging trek .
Day 05: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Cusco
Early in the morning we take a bus up to Machu Picchu with our expert guide to explore full day in this Inca enigmatic treasure. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco and you will be transfered to your hotel.
What is included:
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek.
English speaking professional guide
Meals: 4 Breakfasts/ 4 Lunches/ 3 Dinners
Cook and cooking equipment
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
1 emergency horse
Hostel in Aguas Calientes
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Gear:
Igloo tents: 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
Mattress per person
Dinner tent
Toilet tent
Kitchen tent
Tables & seats
Table set
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
What is not included:
Breakfast on the first day
Entrance fee to Salkantay
Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated around 9.00pm, dinner being at your own expense too.
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes
What you need to bring and carry:
A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters
Flashlight and batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
Sun block
Insect repellent
Toilet paper
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)
Small tonel
Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs)
Cash in soles and US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
Original passport
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
Optional services to be hired:
An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
If you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee will be charged
An extra horse to carry your additional personal items (above the included
6kg) days 1 to 5: US$ 70.00. A horse can carry up
Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost
Sleeping Bag
Available discounts:
Students: (students require a valid International Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age)
ALTERNATIVE SALKANTAY – LLACTAPATA – MACHUPICCHU 5DAYS / 4NIGHTS
Inca Trail - Salkantay
Day 01: Cusco – Mollepata - Soraypampa
04.00 am. Departure by our private transport to Mollepata 2900 mts. A beautiful scenic journey through Limatambo, with stops for panoramic views of the “Apu Salkantay” where we have breakfast. One can see awesome chains of magnificent snow capped mountains and the lush Apurimac River Valley. After we arrive to our trailhead, called Cruzpata 3200 mts. we meet our Arrieros “ horsemen “ and trekking staff, (Cook, and Assistants). We trek for about 3hrs before lunch through traditional Andean communities like Cruzpata, Challacancha where we stop for lunch. We continue walking for approx 2 hrs through unspoiled Andean villages to Soraypampa 3850 mts, our first campsite.
Day 02: Soraypampa - Chaullay
After an early breakfast we start trekking from approx 07:00am for 3 hours to start our ascent of the Apacheta pass 4590 mts. From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay ,a stunning snow capped mountain (6264 mts) the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. 2 hrs dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hrs downhill walk to Camp in Rayan-niyoc at 2890 mts or Camp at Chaullay 2920 mts for experienced trekkers . To be decided by the guide depending on the groups abilities and weather and walking conditions. B L D + Camping Facilities. (Walking distance aproximately 16 Km to Rayan-niyoc or 23 km.to Chaullay for experienced hikers)
Day 03: Chaullay – La Playa
We start the trek 07:00 am. 3 hours easy hiking to Uscamayuc, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called Ceja de Selva, we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here coca and banana crops can be observed, time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird " Gallito de las Rocas " stop at Wiñaypoq’o for Lunch + free time to rest . 3 hour walk to our last campsite in La Playa 2350 mts .A small village is located here with electricity and a shop! Dinner + Camping Facilities B L D (Walking distance aproximately 15 km.)
Day 04: La Playa – Aguas Calientes.
Approx 07:30 am we begin our trek to the village Lucmabamba, here we see the remains of an Inka trail, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow the Inka trail climbing up for 4 hrs to Llactapata 2700 mts. From here, we can see Machu Picchu (Inca city) and enjoy some free time to rest, 2 hrs. Downhill to the hydroelectric plant 1870 mts. where we have the last lunch with all staff. At 15:20 pm. we will take 45 minute train journey to Aguas Calientes town 2000 mt. Special Dinner and great beds in the " Hostal Viajeros ", optional hot spring baths. B L D. ( Walking distance aproximately 12 km.) * Walking poles recommended for the 2 final hours downhill
Day 05: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco
Inca Trail - Salkantay
Early walk or bus for 25 minutes to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, guided tour for 3 hours and plenty of free time for further exploring, photos and optional climb of the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or the Gate of the Sun. Generally around 1pm people walk down the steps back to Aguas Calientes for the Buffet lunch and at approx 16:00 hrs we take our return train to Cusco arriving around 9:00 pm to Cusco City.
What is included:
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek.
English speaking professional guide
Meals: 4 Breakfasts/ 4 Lunches/ 3 Dinners
Cook and cooking equipment
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
1 emergency horse
Hostel in Aguas Calientes
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Gear:
Igloo tents: 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
Mattress per person
Dinner tent
Toilet tent
Kitchen tent
Tables & seats
Table set
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
What is not included:
Breakfast on the first day
Entrance fee to Salkantay
Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu, 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 around 9.00pm, dinner being at your own expense too.
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center,
. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes
What you need to bring and carry:
A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters
Flashlight and batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
Sun block
Insect repellent
Toilet paper
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)
Small tonel
Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs)
Cash in soles and US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
Original passport
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
Optional services to be hired:
An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
If you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee will be charged
An extra horse to carry your additional personal items (above the included
5kg) days 1 to 5: US$ 70.00. A horse can carry up
Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost
Sleeping Bag
Available discounts:
Students: (students require a valid International Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age)
