This is one of the best routes for a nature hike to Machupicchu. It takes you off the beaten path through the Andean snowcapped mountains, down to the tropical forests, and finally into the jungle. The Salkantay Trek is named among the top 25 best treks in the world, according to the National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
- Professional English speaking Mountain Guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel
- Collection from hotel to start of the trek
- Private transportation to start of Trek and return
- Entrance into Salkantay Nature Reserve
- Entrance into Machupicchu
- Roundtrip Bus up to Machupicchu from Aguas Calientes
- Expert chef and assistant chef
- All meals except, Lunch/Dinner last day (Buffet Style Peruvian Cuisine). We also cater for vegetarians and various dietary requirements.
- Boiled water to fill in your bottles each morning.
- 7kg Personal luggage allowance to put on the horses –extra clothes, sleeping bag (you just need to carry a small daypack with everything you will need during the day).
- Personal Duffle Bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
- Spacious tents / Thermarest Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- Horses to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
- Train ticket from Hydroelectrica to Aguas Calientes
- Inca Rail or Expedition train ticket Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Hotel on the 3th night of the Trek
- Sleeping Bag (can be rented from us)
- Day 4 lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Hiking poles (can be rented from us)
- Climb up Huaynapicchu Mnt or Machupicchu Mnt – $25 payable in advance for permit
- Gratuities
- Optional Rentals
- Hiking poles – US$20.00 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – US$25.00
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Cusco – Sorapampa – Huayracmachay
We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and have a scenic drive of 3 hours to Mollepata. We’ll continue to Soraypampa where we meet our horsemen and pack all of our equipment onto the horses.
We will start trekking up to the highest point of the trail, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m/ 15,190ft.). The hike is a 4-hour, 7km (4.34 miles) tough ascent. When we reach the top of Salkantay Mountain, we will appreciate the spectacular views and the imposing snowy peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After the pass we will enjoy a trailside lunch and long rest. We will then continue walking to a spectacular view of a glacial lake below the Salkantay peak with a view of the Vilcabamba range. Afterwards we will continue 2 hours of downhill hiking towards the campsite in Huayracmachay. The walk downwards is on a windy rocky gravel path.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping.
❊ Max altitude:4,630 m/15,190 ft.
❊ Min altitude: 3,850 m/13,600 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 11 km/6.8 miles
❊ Estimated time: 6 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: challenging
Day 02: Huayracmachay – Lluscamayu – Lucmabamba
We will wake up very early in the morning to enjoy breakfast in the shadow of Humantay Mountain then commence a 3.5 hour downhill hike to Colpapampa. During this segment we will be in the cloud forest, one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. The scenery will continue to change throughout our hike. We will enter to the upper part of the Amazon jungle, which is called “the eyebrow of the jungle.” This part of the hills is decorated with colorful scenery, wildlife, and native plants. After admiring the beautiful landscapes we arrive in the rural Andean town of Collpapampa (approximately 5 hours walking) where we will enjoy a warm lunch and a good rest. After lunch we continue walking for 3 hours until we reach Luscamayu. The terrain undulates over rivers and past waterfalls. After this short hike we board the van for a 30 minute ride to reach the Lucmabamba camp. On the way you will visit an organic coffee plantation that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Max altitude: 3,850 m/12,631 ft
❊ Min altitude: 2,050 m/6,725 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 17 km/10.6 miles
❊ Estimated time: 7 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 03: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
Today we come within sight of our goal Machupicchu. We will begin the hike early and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a small part of the famous and highly-acclaimed Inca Trail! After a 2-hour climb we will arrive at the Llactapata Inca site right in front of Machupicchu. We will be able to see not only the ruins of Machupicchu from this spot, but also Huaynapicchu and Machupicchu Mountains.
After Llactapata, we will enjoy lunch in a meadow with a panoramic view. The final descent takes you through lush bamboo forest, until you end the day’s hike at the Hidroelectrica train station. A 45 minute scenic train ride delivers you to your final stop, the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machupicchu. On arrival at Aguas Calientes you will check into your hotel and dinner will be at the finest restaurant.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Maximum altitude: 1,900 m/6,230 ft.
❊ Minimum altitude: 2,750 m/9,022 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 13 km/8 miles
❊ Estimated time: 5 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
It is an early start to Macchupicchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We wil take the first bus up to Machupicchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you will have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, and maybe even climb Huayna Picchu or Inca Bridge. Afterwards, you can come back down to the town for lunch. Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast
❇︎ Minimum altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft.
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 2,430 m/7,972 ft.
