Epuerto Perú Travel & Tours

Salkantay to Machu Picchu - 5 Days

Duration 5 Days

Location Cusco,Perú

Description

The Salkantay hike is an ancient and remote alternative to go to Machu Picchu on foot, has much more spectacular views and with diverse ecological floors we walk between lagoons, impressive snow-capped mountains like Salkantay and Humantay, crossing rivers and subtropical areas of abundant vegetation and fauna. This impressive trek passes below the magnificent Salkantay mountain (6,710 m), one of the highest and most impressive in the Peruvian Andes. Your first two days will be dominated by the impressive snows of Salkantay and Humantay as you travel through the high Andean landscape. On the third day you will descend into the warm cloud forest, arriving in Aguas Calientes on the fourth day. The impressive sacred citadel of the Incas Machu Picchu is visited on the last day of the program. The Salkantay excursion was recently named by National Geographic Adventure Travel among the 25 best tours in the world.

Itinerary

Día 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa (B)(L)(D)

Transfer from the hotel to the bus station, at 5.00 a.m., where we start our 5 day trip. There we will take a bus to Mollepata to arrive around 9.00 a.m. Hrs. Before starting the excursion, we will pass by the ranch to take the horses that will transport food and camping equipment and make the trek easier. We will take the trail to walk for approximately 4 Hrs. observing the diversity of flora and fauna typical of this site. Afterwards, we arrive at Silcakancha, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we continue on the trail for approximately 3 hours to reach the first camp, Soraypampa (3400 meters above sea level), dinner and overnight.

Día 2: Soraypampa – Challway (B)(L)(D)

We wake up early and after a hearty breakfast, we leave Soraypampa. This is a slightly more difficult day because we will climb up to the pass very close to the snowy Salkantay; this is the highest point of our excursion. From here, we can see the spectacular "Cordillera de los Andes", and the typical flora and fauna of this region. After lunch, we will continue with the descent to Colpapampa, where we will have dinner and spend the night in tents. From this point, called "cloud forest", we appreciate a very interesting ecosystem, mainly because of the numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.

Día 3: Challway – La Playa – Santa Teresa (B)(L)(D)

After breakfast, we start the third day at approximately 6.30 a.m. until we arrive to Lluscamayo, where we have lunch. This day we will see an Inca bridge, some waterfalls, orchids, and wild strawberries. In the afternoon we arrive at "La Playa" village, after a leisurely 2 hour walk. From here we take the local transport to Santa Teresa (about 1 hour). On the way we can see a variety of plants, fruits like oranges, bananas, papayas, lemons and others. Arrival to Santa Teresa, dinner and overnight in tents.

Día 4: Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (B)(L)(D)

After breakfast we leave Santa Teresa and continue walking. On the way we see 2 Inca bridges, one of them over the sacred Urubamba River. After 3 hours of walking, we arrive at the hydroelectric train station. Lunch.

After a refreshing rest of about an hour and a half, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we have dinner and accommodation in a hostel. Optional visit to the famous hot springs.

Día 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)

Includes

Professional English speaking guide
Public bus from Cusco to Mollepata.
Horses to transport the equipment.
Complete meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners). Snacks on the way)
Camping equipment (tents and mattresses).
Kitchen utensils and crockery. - First aid kit + Oxygen Balloon.
01 night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Downhill only)
Return by train (Backpaker) to Ollanta and bus to Cusco.

Does not include

1st day breakfast, lunch last day, sleeping bag.
Entrance to the hot springs on the 3rd day from Santa Teresa s/10. 00, bus ticket from hot springs to Santa Teresa s / 10.00.
Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes $8.00, bottled water.