Salkantay Trek Classic 5 Days

Salkantay Trek – Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata  – Challa cancha- Soraypampa.

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.

• Accomodation: Camping in Soraypampa.
• Meals: lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay-  Challhuay.

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.

• Accommodation: Camping, Chaullay 3,250m.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Chaullay- Collpapampa – Lluscamayo – La Playa.

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.

• Accommodation: camping in la playa.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: La Playa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes.

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.

1. Relax option

   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.

2. Adventurer´s option

   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.

• Hotel in Aguas Calientes:
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

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:

1. Climb to Huayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest goint to Huayna Picchu, where you can observe the immensity of Machupicchu. (We suggest you book in advance).
2. Walk to Montana; you will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 3 hour) up to the top of Machu Picchu mountain.

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.

• Meals Included: Breakfast

What includes in the Salkantay Trek?

• Pick up from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Transport from Cusco to the beginning point of Salkantay trek  in private car.
• Entry fee to Machu Picchu.
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide.
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
• Inflatable sleeping mattress.
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food).
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen.
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals.
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Train ticket (Expedition class) from Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
• One night hostel stay in Aguas Calientes in.
• Two way bus ticket to Machupicchu.
• Dinner in the town of Aguas Calientes .

What is not included in the Salkantay Trek?

**** Airfare is not included. You need to book your own flights (latam).

• Breakfast on the first day morning.
• Entrance fee to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance fee to Wayna Picchu.
• Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day).
• Tips for the guide, cook and horseman.
• Additional horses for passenger’s luggage.

You should bring to the Salkantay Trek:

• Original Passport.
• Original University student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount).
• Walking sticks (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites).
• Change of clothes for the whole period of Salkantay trek.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Swimsuit (if you wish to take a bath in the Hot Springs of Machu Picchu).

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature.
• Rain gear or rain poncho, which you can buy it in Cusco.
• Waterproof trekking shoes are recommended for Salkantay trek.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you – see below).
• Headlamp or Flash light.
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
• Sun block, Insect repellent – minimum recommended 50%.
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out.
• Cash in soles for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket, we suggest you to book it in advance. it cost $50.00 USD additional.

Salkantay  trek packing list

• The most essential ones are:
• Original passport
• A good rain gear or poncho
• Sun-screen and bugs-sprite
• Sun hat and warm gloves
• Head-lamp or torch
• Your own medications
• Cereal bars and dry-fruits
• A down sleeping bag
• Hiking shoes and trekking poles
• Some cash in soles
• A small day-pack with essential items

Salkantay trek cost.

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.

Salkantay trek distance.

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.

Salkantay trek difficulty.

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.

Salkantay trek altitude sickness.

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.

Salkantay vs Inca Trail

• Salkantay trail is harder and longer than the classic Inca Trail. Higher in altitude, more scenic and more challenging in every way. This trek is open almost 8 months a year. But is not suggested in the wet season. Part of the train goes in the cloud-forest, so you may suffer mud-slides or mud-avalanches in the rainy season. Salkantay trek does not required trek permits and it could be started at any time. Salkantay trail is the second touristy route in Cusco region. So there are at least a couple of hundreds of hikers every day in the peak season.
• Inca Trail is slightly shorter and lower in altitude than Salkantay. It needs to be book in advance and only limited number of people can have access. So you need trek permits from the government office. It is open 11 months a year, except February. The Inca Trail is the only trekking route arriving directly to Machu Picchu through the Sun gate. The other hiking trails arrive to Aguas Calientes. The Short Inca Trail is the ideal one to visit Machu Picchu in the wet season. Because it allows you to see the site twice and is the best option for those who want to hike up to Huayna Picchu.

Salkantay Trek Reservations