The astonishing 5 day Salkantay trek to Machu picchu was cataloged between the 25 best treks Worldwide, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. This Salkantay trek goes on parts of a beautiful and stunning Inca route, located not far away from the Classic Inca Trail. Where a massive snow capped mountain collide with the subtropical cloud forest. The fantastic Salkantay trek, is an Inca pilgrimage style. It offers you some of the most exquisite views as you go from the high-land, down into the sub-tropical area.
This fascinating Salkantay trek is mainly done in 5 days, 4 nights or alternatively 4 days and 3 nights – mail us for any additional details. Salkantay trek is the second most touristy route to Machu Picchu. But it is also possible to take shorter versions of Salkantay trek, depending on the level of fitness and interest of each traveler.
For this 5 day Salkantay trek to Machupicchu our guide will meet you at your hotel in Cusco at 5:00 a.m. Then you will start driving on parts on the Andes, until you arrive in the town of Mollepata. At this town travelers can buy breakfast and purchase any last minute supplies. From here we will have a bus ride for 45 minutes to reach out the beautiful spot of Challacancha, the trail-head for our Salkantay trek.
This is a totally beautiful route for Salkantay trek and is mostly used by the local people. You will walk through some foresty area for 3 hours and 30 minutes to arrive to Soraypampa for lunch. After lunch there will a walk for one and a half hours to the beautiful Lake Humantay, after to explore this wonderful place, we will hike back down to the camp in Soraypampa for the night.
We will continue with the Salkantay trek after breakfast, there will be a 2 hours uphill walk to the foot of Humantay; we will arrive at a glacial moraine where we can observe Chinchillas. Approximately one hour later, we finally reach out the Salkantay pass. Which is the highest point of the whole Salkantay trek (4,650 meters/13451 feet). You will be surrounded by two great holly mountains – Salkantay (6271m) and Humantay (5850m).
Salkantay is the second tallest mountain in the Cusco region and at the Pass, the mountain itself looks very close to you. There is also a great view of some other mountains like: Humantay and Pumasillo . We then descend to Huayracmachay for lunch (approximately 2.5 hours from the pass). In the afternoon we will descend to the beautiful campsite at Chaullay (Approximately 4 hours). This part of Salkantay trek goes through the lush cloud forest.
The third day of Salkantay trek Peru starts with a delicious breakfast. We will descend for one more hour to the Collpapampa village. You will enjoy the beautiful landscapes the trail lead us back into the cloud forest, following the left hand side of the River “Alto Salkantay”. We will be able to observe some species of palms, orchids, bromeliads and typical vegetation of the cloud forest. At this part of Salkantay trek, it is also possible to see different types of birds, insects and butterflies. In comparison to the previous days of the Salkantay trail, this is easier hiking as we descend slowly along the Valley to La Playa (2050m).
Camping options: Remember that Salkantay trail has became very popular route that suffers from degradation and over use and is currently not regulated. The third night´s camping offers a number of options, which you should talk to your guide about. These options are linked to the group´s wishes, and also depending on what you plan to do the next day. La Playa is NOT a remote campsite – for those that want to get away from the crowds you should talk to your guide about camping at Santa Theresa is also not a remote campsite and people can have parties.
You have two options today, depending on your interest and fitness. Discuss each of the options with your guide. Remember that Salkantay hike is the second most touristic route in the Cusco region and inevitably this means you will encounter other people (it’s not a “wilderness” experience).
Important note: The following options are decided by “group majority” – if you are joining a “trekkers wanted” group then the decisions will be made by the group at your briefing or on the trail. An advantage of forming your own, private group is that you can nominate ahead of time which option you wish to select.
After breakfast you will take a local transport to the impressive Machu Picchu Hydro-power plant (not included in the price) where we will have lunch and in a little while we will start an easy walking for 3 more hours along the train tracks to arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes.
We leave early and climb for about three hours through the cloud- forest to the top of the mountain, where is located a very interesting Inca town (ruins) called Llactapata. Don’t let your guide talk you out of this!! This will be one of the hardest sections on the Salkantay trek, but it is also a very interesting introduction to Machu Picchu! From here we have our first view of Machu Picchu, in the saddle of the opposite mountain. We then descend very steeply for three hours to the impressive Machu Picchu Hydro-electric place for lunch and later we will walk for 3 more hours along the train tracks to arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes the end of Salkantay trek.
In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up and there will be a short drive by bus that will take you to the citadel of Machupicchu. A guided tour is provided visiting the Main Plaza, the Sun Temple, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana), the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple, Sacred Rock.
It will be an unforgettable experience at this mysterious and charming place, considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the zone on your own or you can take the hiking options:
In the afternoon at the scheduled time, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, and then take the Train back to Cusco. The journey by train takes approximately 3.4 hours.
In the evening, upon arrival to the Train station of Cusco, you will be received and transported to the hotel.
**** Airfare is not included. You need to arrange your own flights.
Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket, we suggest you to book it in advance. it cost $30.00 USD additional.
The cost for Salkantay trek is varied, depending of the number of participants in the group. Also it is up to the quality service provided by the tour operator. The good price range goes between $ 550.00 to $ 650.00 USD per person. If you find anything cheaper than those prices, it does not guarantee a good service during the trip. Which could ruin your whole Machu Picchu experience. Any higher cost to our suggestion will be also consider overpriced and that is totally usual to expect in the free tourism market.
There are several versions of Salkantay trek, depending on the interest and time availability of the trekkers. But the most popular hike option taken by the majority of travelers is the 5 day classic Salkantay trek. Which has a total distance of 51km / 32 miles and that goes from the high mountains of the Peruvian Andes, down to the lush cloud-forest. But is totally possible to take shorter or longer trek options. Sometimes it could be link up with other hiking routes as Ancascocha trail or classic Inca trail.
Due to its high altitude Salkantay is difficult – challenging trek, especially in the second day when you reach out 4650 m / 15230 ft. For people planning to hike this trail we suggest arriving in Cusco at least 3 day before to go to Salkantay. It is necessary to get a good acclimatization to the altitude to do this trek. Also is recommended to hire a horse to ride it and arrive to Salkantay pass. Which is the most difficult section of this trail.
If you leave at sea level or lower altitude than Cusco is very obvious that you will be affected by the altitude sickness. The best way to prevent this problem is a progressive acclimatization, spending two nights or more at each level you rise. Alternatively you can take 125mg or 250mg of acetazolamide (Diamox) twice or three times per day starting 24 hours before ascent and continuing for 48 hours after arrival at altitude. But possibly side effects will come to you, increasing the urinary volume, numbness, tingling, nausea, drowsiness, myopia and temporary impotence. This is not just for Salkantay trek, its expected for everybody not physically active.
