Cusco
Personas: 10
5 Days
$ 380 /por persona
This trek offers an alternative route to the classic Inca Trail, leading you through stunning landscapes and natural beauty, showcasing the flora and fauna of the region. You’ll traverse valleys and mountains before reaching the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Connecting Mollepata, Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote trail where massive snow-capped mountains meet lush tropical jungles.
Itinerary:
We’ll depart from Cusco around 5:00 am in a private bus towards the town of Mollepata (2850 m.a.s.l.), where we’ll arrive around 8:00 am for breakfast. We’ll enjoy a beautiful and scenic journey to Limatambo, with panoramic views of the majestic “Salkantay” mountain range. After meeting our staff and loading the gear onto mules, we’ll start our hike to Cruz Pata (3300m.a.s.l.), walking for about 3 hours through Andean communities like Cruz Pata and Challacancha, where we’ll stop for lunch around 12:45 pm. After a short rest, we continue walking to the villages of Soraypampa (3800m.a.s.l.), where we’ll have dinner and camp for the night around 5:00 pm.
After an early breakfast, we’ll embark on the most challenging hike of the trip, starting at 7:00 am. We’ll trek through Pampa Salkantay towards the left side of Umantay snowcapped mountain, located next to Salkantay. By 11:00 am, we’ll reach the highest point (Salkantay Umantay pass 4850 m.a.s.l.), enjoying spectacular views of Salkantay mountain (6271 m.a.s.l.). After a one-hour break, we’ll have lunch at Huayrac Machay, then continue our 3-hour hike to the Chaullay campsite (2850 m.a.s.l.), where we’ll spend the second night.
After breakfast at 7:00 am, we’ll walk for 5 hours, passing through the village of Collpabamba, also known as the Cloud Forest Eyebrow, where we’ll see waterfalls, fruit trees, a variety of flora, coca, and birds. We’ll have lunch in Wiñaypoqo and rest for 1 hour before continuing the approximately 2-hour hike to La Playa (2350 m.a.s.l.), where we’ll spend the night.
After breakfast at 7:30 am, we’ll begin our hike to the Llactapata archaeological site, where we’ll stop at an elevation of 2850 m.a.s.l. Here, we’ll see some traces of the Incas and enjoy views of Machu Picchu mountain and other peaks in the area. We’ll have some free time to rest before descending for approximately 2 hours to the Hydroelectric plant (1870 m.a.s.l.). After lunch with the staff, we’ll depart at 3:20 pm, taking a 25-minute train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes (2000 m.a.s.l.). Optionally, you can visit the thermal baths, just 5 minutes from the town. We’ll have dinner and accommodation at a hotel.
On our last day, you’ll need to rise very early to prepare for the highlight of the trip, the majestic Machu Picchu. First, we’ll travel for about 20 minutes to Puente Ruinas, pass the first checkpoint, then begin our ascent for about 1 hour and 15 minutes (450 meters ascent) approximately, along a trail that leads directly to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy incredible views of the city along the way. On a clear day, you can see the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu; a truly unforgettable moment.
Your guide will provide a comprehensive 2 to 3-hour tour of the city before leaving you at Machu Picchu or allowing you to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (tickets must be booked in advance). After the tour, we’ll begin the descent towards Puente Ruinas for approximately 45 minutes. Finally, we’ll continue towards Aguas Calientes (25 min) where you’ll board the train back to Cusco.
Optional: You can hire an extra porter or emergency horse that can carry up to 12 kilograms.
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