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Trip manage & run by Expert Local Tour Operator.
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Trek through the quiet and remote valley Salkantay trek 4 days.
Featured in National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the Top 25 Hikes in the World.
Salkantay Trekking is the most popular of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu. The trek is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range and passes through stunning landscapes varying from the cloud forest to the high Andes mountains. Along the way are fantastic views of second highest peak in the Cusco Region, Salkantay (“Savage Mountain”) standing at 6,271m/19.685ft. It passes through less traveled areas and combines culture and tradition with the incredible flora and fauna offered by Peru. You will be in the real Andes and the perfect conditions to get a sense of the life in the area.
Day 1 : Cusco – Soraypampa – Huayracpunko
Begin at 4:00am where we will pick you up directly from your hotel and drive 3 hours to the trailhead called Soraypampa (3800 meters). Before heading off on your trek, you will meet your horses and your horsesman (Arrieros). Breakfast will be prepared and served before you start hiking and the team will be introduced at that time. After breakfast you will get ready to begin the trek towards Machu Picchu. The first 3.5 hours will be gradual uphill until lunch. The views are amazing of the Salkantay Valley and Salkantay Mountain and they only get better! Lunch will be served at the foot of the mountain. After lunch we will continue climbing for 1 more hour, again gradually uphill, until the highest point of your trek,Salkantay Pass at 4650 meters. While the trekking will be difficult, you can take many breaks and the views are defintely worth the hike: two different valleys and Salkantay Mountain is right in front of you. You might even see some avalanches from the Salkantay glacier (not at all close enough to cause you any danger). We won’t have much time to enjoy the views though, its still another 3 hours downhill to reach our first campsite called Wayracammachay at 3800 meters. The downhill part can be slippery so trekking poles are very handy to have for this part. As you walk down you will get to enjoy the sunset and the magnificent silence of the valleys. It will be just you and the background of the roaring river behind you. Upon your arrival at the campsite, our guides and porters will welcome you to your camp and show you to your tents, which will be already set up for you. You will have some time to relax, enjoy our social/happy hour and then dinner.
Walking distance: 15 km
Trailhead Elevation: 3800 meters
Maximun Altitude Gained: 850 meters
Campsite Elevation: 3800 meters
Weather: Cold
Trail Conditions: Rocky , dusty and slippery (trekking shoes required)
Day 2. Wayracpunko – Chaullay – Cocalmayu
After an early breakfast with amazing views of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and Humantay mountains, you will get ready for the day and begin your expedition. After about 30 minutes of walking downhill, the microclimate will change and you will be entering the cloud forest. You will be walking downhill through this area for 4 hours until the lunch spot at Chawllay (2900 m). Along the way the views are spectacular looking out at the lush green valley, waterfalls, rivers, and of course, snow-capped peaks. Its a beautiful are ato inspect the flora and fauna. Lunch is always fresh and served family style (large dishes for you to enjoy as much as you like). After a short siesta you will jump in the small van to drive 2 hours to our campsite called Cocalmayu-hot springs (2600 m). The views while going by bus are of course amazing and you will be able to see the beautiful Santa Teresa valley. There will be farms along the way growing coffe, passion fruits, avocados, bananas – even a chocolate farm. Upon your arrival at the campsite, your porters will welcome you and give you the opportunity to enjoy the magical views of the mountains. You will have time for happy hour with hot drinks and jump any time to natural hot springs before and affter dinner.
Walkign distance: 11 km
Weather: warm / hot
Campsite elevation: 2600 m
Day 3. Cocalmayu – Hidroelectric – Aguas Calientes – Hotel
Our porters will gently wake you up with a hot glass of coca tea, coffee. Once you are ready for the day, you will have breakfast with amazing views of the valley, Also you can be able to do ZIP LINE on that valley (opcional). After breakfast It will take about 4 hours 15 minutes rolling hill until you arrive to Hidroelectrica where you will enjoy your lunch. You will have a fabulous meal and rehydrate and then continue for 3 hours until you arrive to Aguas Calientes along the railway which in 1915 was explored by Professor Hiram Bingham when he was looking for the lost city of the incas. Along the way you may see some flora and fauna that are very authentic from the area such as the bird gallito de las rocas (cock of the rock). Gallito de las rocas is considered to be the national peruvian bird. Hopefully tyou will see some woodpeckers, oropéndolas, avocado plantations and also pass by the farm that is owned by the family who guided Hiram Bingham in 1915 to Machu Picchu. You will have some beautiful views of Machu Picchu from different angles as you approach as well. Finally you will arrive to Aguas Calientes where your guide will take you to your hotel and give you some time to settle in and enjoy a well deserved hot shower. Dinner will be around 7 pm with your porters where you will say goodbye to them.
Walkign distance: 18 km
Aguas Calientes elevation: 2000m
Weather: Hot
Day 4: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Inkas)
Wake up time is at 4:30am, breakfast is at 5:00am at hotel and then we will line up to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (they are first come, first serve – like a shuttle). The bus takes 25 minutes to get up the seitchback road to Machu Picchu (which opens its gates at 6:00am. Please make sure you bring your original passport – the same one that you used to book your trip because the rangers will ask for it (you can get a Machu Picchu stamp on your passport if you like as well). Your guide will help you find the perfect spots ot get perfect pictures of Machu Picchu (which will immediately become your Facebook profile photo!). You can enjoy the sunrise, if the weather is good. Then you will have your 2-hour guided tour. You will have some extra time to explore the site on your own, if you have booked Huayanpicchu or machupicchu mountain your guide will show you where to begin this hike (please remember you need to be arranged in advance and it cost $25 per person).
Huaynapicchu takes 2 hours and Machupicchu 3 hours roundtrip, but if you did not book for this mountains you can still clumb to the Sun Gate 1.5 hours or to the Inka Bridge (45 minutes) with great views. Once you are done exploring, you can make your way back to the buses and head down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy some lunch. After lunch you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and we will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
What is Included?
- Trekking briefing the night before at your hotel with your trekking guide where your guide will overview the trek and provide the duffle bags which will be carried by our horses
- Pick up from your hotel
- Transfer in private transport to Soraypampa( trailhead )
- sleeping tents (we only put 2 in each tent) very spacious, large and comfortable with plenty of room to fit your trekking gear and your day packs
- Foam mats to put under your sleeping bag (carried by horses)
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs (very confortable)
- English-speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 10 people)
- 3 meals per day, tea social/happy hour every afternoon, snacks every morning
- Portable private toilet tent
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Chef, cooking equipment and kitchen tent
- Porters, horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment)
- Emergency horse in case anybody gets tired or wants to ride it just for a photo
- Drinking water every morning, lunch, happy hour, and dinner time and water for washing your feet and hands
- Expedition Tourist class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then a private Van to transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Bus to/from Machu Picchu (roundtrip)
- 2 hour Private Guided tour of Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore on your own
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes double or triple rooms, private bathrooms, hot showers, wifi, and storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
- Climb to the Sun Gate, inka bridge.
- 8 kg /17 lb luggage allowance to be carried by our horses (you will trek only with your day pack which is way more confortable than carrying a big bag!)
- We are a locally owned Peruvian company with the best adventure guides, professional chefz, and amazing porters and horsemen.
- We will create a the trip of a lifetime experience for you.
- Taxes included
What is not included?
- Lunch on the last day
- Sleeping bag (this can be rented from the company for $25 for the entire trek)
- Walking sticks (this can be rented from the company $20 for the entire trek)
- Optional inflatable sleeping pad (7cm/3″) (you can rent from the company $20)
- Optional Huayna Picchu Climb ($25 per person)
- Your original Passport (student card if your book as student).
- A small day pack with water to drink
- Comfortable shoes or runners
- Camera and rain jacket or poncho
- A fleece or jacket, basic toiletries
- Hat for the sun , sunscream, insect repelent for mosquitoes
- Some extra money for lunch, drinks, snacks and souvenirs