SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS

SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – QUISWARNIYOC PRIVATE CAMP

We will pick you up at your hotel, leave Cusco around 5:45 am and start our 2-hour drive to the town of Mollepata. Once in Mollepata, we will make a stop for a delicious breakfast.

Once our breakfast is finished, we will continue our trip for 1 hour approx. until we reach Soraypampa where we will meet the muleteers and the horses that will carry our equipment, food and personal belongings. From there, we will start the uphill hike of approximately 2 hours until we arrive at Humantay lake. During the journey, you will be able to see the whole panorama of snow-capped mountains and the great diversity of flora and fauna.

When we arrive at the lake, you will have free time to explore, take photos and listen to our tour guide explain the meaning of the Humantay lake.

Afterwards, we will walk downhill for 2 hours and have lunch at our exclusive campsite, Quiswarniyoc. After lunch, you will have free time to explore the beautiful area and for an optional hike to the Salkantay Viewpoint for panoramic views of the entire area. 

DAY 2: QUISWARNIYOC – SALKANTAY PASS – WAYRACMACHAY – PRIVATE CAMP CHAULLAY

We will wake up early to equip our belongings and prepare for the nutritious breakfast that will be served around 5:45 am. 

After breakfast it is time to start climbing to the highest point of the hike. This will take 3 to 4 hours of uphill walking until you reach the highest point that is the salkantay pass at 4,650m.a.s.l., appreciating the Andes mountain range, where you can appreciate the apu Salkantay, sacred mountain from Inca times, in addition to impressive avalanches that occur in the place.

Once you’re at the highest point, you’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, take pictures, learn about the mountain gods, and participate in a small traditional Andean ritual for the mountain god “Apus”. Next, we will start descending for 2 hours before we rest with a delicious lunch and continue for 3 more hours of downhill walking to the second campsite, Chaullay, which is located at 2,900 meters and marks the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon. At Chaullay campsite, we will provide you with your camping gear, hot tea and dinner.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – PLAYA SAHUAYACO – SANTA TERESA – HOT SPRINGS

For this beautiful hike, we will start with an early breakfast, after our breakfast around 7:00 am, we will start  5-hour hike along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River, after 5 hours of walking we will arrive at Playa Sahuayaco.

Along the trail, you’ll see plantations of coffee, bananas, avocados, coca leaves, passion fruit, and much more. Once we arrive at Playa Sahuayaco, we will take the tourist transport to the third camp, Santa Teresa, which is located one hour from the Playa Sahuayaco.

At the campsite, we will share a delicious lunch before heading to the hot springs of Colcampayo (optional). Colcamayo is about a 15-minute drive from the campsite. We will spend a couple of hours relaxing in the natural, clean water of the hot springs before returning to the camp for tea time, a hot dinner and a group campfire. 

DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

For this beautiful hike, we will start our day with a delicious breakfast around 5:30 am, and then we will go in our tourist transport for 45 minutes to Lucmabamba.

Upon arrival, we will begin the 3-hour hike uphill along the original Inca trail until we arrive the Inca ruins of Llactapata. Once at the Inca site, you’ll have plenty of time in Llactapata to enjoy views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountain, and if the weather is good, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse once again of Salkantay Mountain.

Then, we will walk downhill for 2 hours, arriving at Hidroelectrica for a nutritious lunch and a well-deserved rest, after a break we will walk for 3 hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Once you arrive to the small village, we will take you to the hotel where you can take a shower and rest before the final dinner at 7:00 pm. After dinner, you will head to bed, eager for the last day and final reward: Machu Picchu. 

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Finally, we head to see the impressive Machu Picchu. We will wake up around 4:00 am to prepare for the trek to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. Each person will be given a packed breakfast and we will begin the 30-minute walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint where you must show your passport, Machu Picchu ticket and student ID if applicable. After passing the first checkpoint, we will climb the stairs for about an hour to reach the main gate of Machu Picchu at 6:00 am.

Upon arrival at the citadel of Machu Picchu, we will begin our visit by our expert guide, the tour is around 2 and a half hours to know the main points such as: the main square, urban sector, the circular tower, the solar clock, the Inca cemetery, etc.

After the tour, we will move to Aguas Calientes. Finally return to Cusco.

INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:

• Briefing of the 5-day trek in Salkantay at 7:00 pm one day before departure
• A duffel bag to pack 7 kilos of your belongings that will be transported by horses during the walk.
• Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide.
• Professional chef and kitchen team.
• Horses to carry up to 7 kilos of personal luggage and other required equipment
• Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Private transportation to Salkantay trail.
• 4 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 4 dinners
• 3 nights camping
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Mountain Sky cabins with thick mattresses, glass door, night and panoramic lighting for the first and second night
• Personal pad (double foam – 2.5 inches thick)
• Pillows in the first and second camp.
• Transportation from La Playa Sahuayaco to Santa Teresa
• Transport from Santa Teresa to Lucmabamba to do the Llactapata trek
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Guided tour for Machu Picchu
• Return trip from Aguas Calientes to Cusco BY TRAIN or WALKING AND CAR according to your choice
• Vegetarian/vegan options available upon request at no extra charge
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle for emergencies.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Entrance to the Humantay lake charged by the local government of Mollepata = 20 soles
• Sleeping bags: If you don’t have one, you can rent with us for $10 USD for the entire hike
• Entrance and transportation to the hot springs of Santa Teresa (20 to 25 soles)
• Travel Insurance
• Extra expenses
• Tips.

RECOMMENDED LUGGAGE FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS:

• A backpack to carry water, snacks, camera, sunscreen, valuables, jacket, raincoat, etc. We recommend carrying a backpack of 25 – 30 liters, but if you want you can carry a backpack day or any size as long as you feel comfortable with it.
• Sleeping bag minimum minus 5 cº. If you don’t have one, you can rent with us for USD 15 dollars for the entire trek.
• Trekking poles – We recommend for people with knee problems, ankle or who are used to using hiking poles. If you do NOT have one, you can rent a pair of trekking poles for USD 15 dollars from us.
• Original passports
• Wool hat or cap
• Sun hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• 3-4 t-shirt, if you have long sleeves better
• Layers (sweater, fleece)
• 2 – 3 pairs of long pants If you have leggings, you can do in leggings
• Hiking shoes
• 2-3 pairs of wool socks
• Rain gear (pants, jacket, if you don’t have you can buy a rain poncho) is crucial, especially for the rainy season.
• A small lighthouse
• A small towel
• Shorts
• Sunglasses
• Toothbrush and other personal toiletries.
• Toilet paper
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Sandals and Flip Flops
• Bottle of water
• Swimwear
• If you have thermal clothes you can wear it that is not so important, you will use it at least for the first night which is 4000m
• Some snacks such as chocolate, cereal bars, candies, nuts, energy bars, etc.
• Extra money in soles

COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

The tours are in shared service, that is, you will join a group for the excursions, which means that you will share the bus with other travelers like you.  And you will have a Tour Guide for all the group. This is also an opportunity to meet other people.  

We also have the option for private service, that means, you will have a private transport at your disposal for the tours and a professional tour guide just for you. To consult the prices of this private service, write to the corporate mail libertyperutravel@gmail.com