Salkantay Trek 5 Days & 4 Nights

Our tour starts very early in the morning at 06.00 am. Departure by our private transport to Mollepata town at 2,850 mts. A beautiful 3 hour scenic journey through Izcuchaca and Limatambo, with a stop for breakfast and panoramic views of the “Mountain of Salkantay” in the Cordillera of Vilcanota. We can see spectacular views of the chains of snow capped Vilcabamba, the colorful village of Mollepata, after breakfast and after 1 more hour we will go still in bus to our begining of the trek Challacancha at 3,800 masl where we meet our Arrieros “horsemen“ and trekking staff (Cook and Assistants). We commence treking with a gradual climb of 250 meters for about 2 and a half hours through a pristine Andean valley landscape before arriving to Soraypampa. There after visiting a spectacular glacial lake we have lunch, after lunch we will have the option to visit the Humantay Lake optional hike, the hike to get there will be about 3 hours round trip hike up and down, then once we will arrive at the camp site we will have happy hour and dinner, after dinner your tour guide will give you, your breafing for the next day.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3800 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 2850 masl
• Distance Travelled: 12 km approx

Our adventure begins after enjoying a delicious breakfast. approx. at 07:00am with direction to Salkantaypampa then for 2 more hours to reach at the Apacheta Pass at 4,650 masl. From this point we can appreciate spectacular views of Cusco’s second highest peak, the stunning snow capped Mount Salkantay (6,264 mts) and also the snow capped mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. In the Apacheta Pass you can leave a piece of rock caried from the bottom as a present from you to the Apacheta. (In Inca times the walkers used to leave at the top their shoes, clothes, jewels or simply a piece of rock as an offering.)

We continue 2 hrs downhill to lunch in Huayracmachay, and then, depending on the group ability, weather and walking conditions, the guide will decide whether to camp 2-3 hrs downhill walk in Rayan-niyoc at 3100 mts or travel a further 3km to camp at Chaullay 2920 mts for experienced trekkers. Very nice camping area, the once you will arrive your tour guide will organize happy hour for you and then dinner.

• Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4650 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 2920 masl
• Distance Travelled: 23 km

This day our walk will be quite easy, enjoying the landscape, we will walk accompanied by the river Santa Teresa., enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. We pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, the bustling small town of La Playa and finally our third camp at Lucmabamba (2,100m/6888ft). On the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado, as well as exuberant local flora. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as we descend. At dinner we can enjoy a glass of wine by the light of the camp-fire.

• Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:camping
• Maximum Altitude:2920 masl
• Minimum Altitude:2000 masl
• Distance Travelled:approx 14 km

Our Salkantay Tour, begins this day enjoying a nutritious breakfast, we will walk for 2 to 3 hours to reach the Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa. (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu, our Lunch spot, after Lunch We will hike to Aguas Calientes Town ( 2 and half hours hike). then accommodation at the chosen hostel.

• Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hostel
• Maximum Altitude:2750 masl
• Minimum Altitude:2000 masl
• Distance Travelled:14 km approx

This day will be the most magnificent of the 5 days of the Salkantay hike, because we will visit the lost city of the Incas; we can climb Machu Picchu Mountain in two ways: we can walk up for 1 hour and a half; or we can go up by bus for about 25 minutes; you choose which option you like best., guided tour for 3 hours and plenty of free time for further exploring, photos and optional climb of the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or the Gate of the Sun. Generally around 1:00 pm people walk down the steps or take the bus down to Aguas Calientes ($12.00 pp) for lunch and after lunch at approx 16:00 hrs we take our return train to Ollantaytambo with bus connection arriving to Cusco city around 8:00 pm.

• Meals: Breakfast.