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Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu 04 days – 03 nights

$540 per person

Tour Details

The Salkantay Trek Machu Picchu is the best option for those who want to be in contact with the Andean nature passing through remote villages and rarely visited by tourists. When making this excursion the visitors will really leave a beaten path, avoiding more crowded environments and enjoying wonderful landscapes and fine Inca buildings. Without a doubt, the Salkantay Trek is the best alternative to reach the great Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, after the famous Inca Trail.

The National Geographic Adventure Magazine classified the Salkantay trip as one of the 25 best trips in the world. The trek is typically completed in a 5 day / 4 night itinerary; however, it is possible to make the trek on a 4 day / 3 night itinerary or combine the trek with the Classic Inca Trail (see Salkantay / Combo Inca Trail below).

Return to the past and live the magic and mystery that Machu Picchu keeps, explore its temples and do not leave without climbing the popular Wayna Picchu Mountain, a gigantic rock that appears in all the classic photos of Machu Picchu. Join us on this amazing Salkantay Trekking Tour – Machu Picchu.

Located 60 km northwest of the city of Cusco, Salkantay, which rises to 6,271 m, is the highest mountain number 12 in Peru and the highest number 38 in the Andes.

SALKANTAY TREK & MACHU PICCHU

Type of Tour

Archaeological, cultural, ecological, hiking and camping

Duration:

04 Days – 03 Nights

Starting point:

Cusco

Ending point:

Cusco

GROUP SERVICE: (4 to 12 people MAX): Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is recommended for all those who love adventure, families, newlyweds and couples.

PRIVATE SERVICE: based on 2 passengers all inclusive for families with children, honeymooners and couples. Special Trek program just for you. All private groups include additional services, such as: additional porters, horses to assemble and carry your personal equipment (for alternative hikes), first class dome train, luxury hotels if necessary.

Inclusions

Transfer from your hotel
Tourist Transportation from Cusco to Mollepata
Professional English-Spanish Speaking Tour Guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 10 people
Professional Chef and Assistant
Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
Food: 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
Vegetarian food option
Camping Equipment Tents for 02 people, dining tent with tables and chairs
Sleeping mattress
Oxygen bottle, first aid kit
Train Tickets from Ollantaytambo to “Aguas Calientes”
Hotel Accommodation in the town of “Aguas Calientes”
Bus ticket from “Aguas Calientes” to Machu Picchu
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Train ticket Expedition Service from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo
Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and Hotel

Not Included

Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips to the guide and support staff, city services.
Last lunch at the end of the tour on the 4th Day.
Single tent supplement: $50 USD
Sleeping bag (optional): $20 USD
Vistadome train upgrade: 75.00 USD.

We Recommend that You Bring

Trekking daypack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho.
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
Sandals or plastic slips on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf. Thermal wear is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block cream
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
We advise you to bring water, sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
Your own medical kit with any special medications.
Small towel or sarong
Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend swimming in hot springs )
Enough cash for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day).

Itinerary

Day 1Mollepata – Challacancha – Lago Humantay – Soraypampa

4:30 am pick up from your hotels then you will be driven to the Apurimac Valley, until we reach the small town of Mollepata, located at 2,800 meters above sea level. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to see the snowy mountain (6,271 meters above sea level), an impressive sight that you will never forget. Once we reach the Mollepata area, we will prepare to begin this unique trip to the Lost City of Machu Picchu. The unit will continue to Challacancha (the starting point of our walk). Here we will meet with our support staff, organize the entire team and have an introductory meeting. Around 9:30 a.m. We started our walk to Soraypampa (3900m). After approximately 3 hours of walking (9km) we will have a full lunch and take a break before walking to the impressive Lake Humantay (4200m). This is an additional walk of 5 km that will last 3 hours round trip, but believe us, it’s worth it! Once we arrive at the lake, we can observe the Humantay glacier and the impressive sunset. Soraypampa is located in the middle of the glacial valleys, where at night it is so dark that it is a perfect place to appreciate the constellations and the Milky Way.

Day 2Soraypampa – Montaña Salkantay – Chaullay

Shortly after breakfast, we will leave the Soraypampa camp and continue our walk. In the day, we will climb the hill for a few hours, we will see the road to the impressive mountain covered with snow from Humantay and a beautiful lagoon called Yanacocha. Eventually, we will reach the highest point of the trail, at 4,600 meters above sea level, located between the Salkantay mountain and the Tukarhuay mountain. From this point, we can see the Andes Mountains, with a series of glaciers around. Then, we will descend towards Chaullay, an area with tropical climate, located at 2,850 meters above sea level. At this point, we will set up our tents, and then we will have dinner. We will spend the night in Chaullay.

Day 3Chaullay – “Playa Sahuayaco” – Estación Hidroeléctrica – “Aguas Calientes“

Early in the morning, and we will have breakfast. Later, we continue towards Lluscamayu. The landscape in this section of the trail offers exuberant vegetation, passing through native communities, beautiful waterfalls, agricultural coffee fields and some fruits typical of these regions. Later in the place called “The Beach”, our visitor will have free time to cool off on the riverbank. Later, we will take a truck that will take us from “La Playa” to the hydroelectric train station, and we will go to the train tracks to wait for the train that will take us to the town of “Aguas Calientes”. This is a popular resting place for those who do the Salkantay Trek.

Day 4Welcome to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Around 05:30 a.m., shortly after breakfast, we will take the local bus that will take us to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In a matter of 20 minutes, we will arrive at Machu Picchu. Once here, our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inca city, such as the Intiwatana (Solar Clock), the Temple of the Sun, the urban sector, the agricultural sector, among others. Machu Picchu is located 2,430 meters above sea level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful environment. It was probably the most surprising urban creation of the Inca Empire in its heyday; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem to have been cut naturally in the escarpments of continuous rocks. The natural environment, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last approximately 2 hours, and then you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own, if you have booked additional hikes such as Huayna Picchu, you will also have time to hike. You can climb the Wayna Picchu mountain, the huge mountain that appears in the background in each classic image of Machu Picchu.

Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes, take a train back to Ollantaytambo and take a bus back to Cusco. Once in Cusco, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Gallery

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu – Wayna Picchu Mountain – Machu -Apu mountain are limited, check availability: www.machupicchu.gob.pe

Please note that you must reserve and pay a deposit in advance so that we can insure your places. For high season (from May to October, 4-5 months in advance, low season: November to April, 2-3 months in advance).

Shared service price: $ 400.00

Price per person in private service based on 2 people: $ 840.00

Price of the student for persons under 24 years old, you must indicate in the comments section of the reservation.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice in accordance with weather conditions, strikes, road checks or other events that are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as close as possible.

Note: horses will carry heavy equipment; You will walk carrying only your personal package, sleeping bag and pad.

If you are considering bringing special photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or simply do not want to take anything, request an additional horse ($ 95 USD) to carry your personal belongings, so you can freely enjoy the walk (this is highly recommended if you have never walked more than 10,000 feet). The chefs will take care of all the kitchen tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions-(FAQ)

How difficult is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu?

You just need to remember that you can go at a speed that is comfortable for you. Take your time, stay calm and enjoy. Salkantay Trek is considered a moderate hike; It is not a technical hike, but the altitude can affect some people.

Are sticks or trekking sticks necessary?

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are multiple moments during the trek that the trekking poles are useful, either ascending a mountain or walking the rugged trails.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Salkantay Trek?

It is impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Their ability to adapt to height is determined by their genetic makeup and has little to do with physical form or health. Most people will not have problems as long as they take the time to acclimate properly. A full 2-day trip in Cusco (3,399 masl), taking it very easy and drinking lots of water is enough for some people, but if you can make arrangements to have a minimum of 2 days in case of interruptions in the trip, then this is what We recommend that there is also a lot to do here! The highest point you will reach while trekking in Salkantay Trek reaches 4,590 masl on the second day.

Will I need to bring water?

We recommend that you buy a 1.5 to 2 liter water bottle to take with you the first day. If you plan to drink from streams or waterfalls, we strongly suggest that you bring tablets or water purification filters. You can also buy water on the road on Day 1, during the first hours of Day 2, then again in the afternoon of Day 3 and, of course, in Machu Picchu.

Is the road still good during the rainy season?

Some people like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists, but we tell them that they are prepared for the wet weather and that they have adequate clothing and equipment.

Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu?

First you meet Machu Picchu when the sun rises over the high mountains that surround it. It is already dawn, but this impressive moment of Machu Picchu coming out of the shadows of the mountains that are coming is incredible.

Will I be able to climb Wayna Picchu Mountain?

About the entrance tickets First things first; Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu tickets must be reserved at least 4 months before; You can have every intention of reaching the top of Huayna Picchu, but if you do not have one of these tickets, it will not be one of the 400 lucky ones that will enter Huayna Picchu “that day”.

Afraid of heights?

If you suffer from vertigo or can not control your fear of heights, it is best to choose the Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket. The trails of the Huayna Picchu are vertigo and “visually terrifying”; The mountain and precipices with falls of hundreds of meters are built between the walls, direct to the Urubamba river. If you think you can not overcome your fear of heights, choose the Machu Picchu Mountain; However, if you think you can overcome this fear, the top of Huayna Picchu can offer you one of the greatest experiences of your life. The mountain Huayna Picchu has a flight of stone staircases, known as the stairs of death, and stand between you and the top of the mountain, and where is the amazing Temple of the Moon. While no one has fallen or died on these stairs, they are the main cause of many people having panic attacks, or they decide not to continue. So think it over.

Is there an age limit?

In the distance, the Huayna Picchu mountain can be intimidating, but it can be traveled by people as young as 12 years old. You will find some sections of the road where you will have to hold cables, so you must have both hands free.

How can I get a discount?

Discounts for students: This discount is made on the entrance ticket to Machupicchu by the Peruvian government. If you request a student discount, you must send us a scanned copy of your student ID (containing the photo, the full name, the name of the university and the expiration date) after continuing with the reservation form. If you can not provide us with a scanned copy of the card, we will charge you the standard adult trekking price. The recent government policy to obtain this discount also includes: The student must be under 25 years of age, the expiration date of the student’s card must be no more than one year after the start of his / her walk, it does not have to be linked to a Credit card (for example, Visa, MasterCard, etc.), graduate student cards and ISIC cards are not valid. Only student identification cards with these characteristics are acceptable. You must carry the student card with you in the Salkantay Trek, as it will be checked. Unfortunately, no other form of student identification is accepted. Discounts for children: children under 16 receive the same discount as a student. If you are claiming a discount for children, you must send us a scanned copy of your child’s passport (page containing the photo and date of birth) after continuing with the reservation form. If you can not provide us with a scan of your child’s passport, we will charge you the standard adult trekking price for your child.

Will I need extra money?

It is essential to pay for the natural hot springs in “Aguas Calientes” (10 soles), and / or the thermal waters of Cocalmayo in the town of Santa Teresa and tips for trekking, souvenirs, refreshments in Machu Picchu, bottled water, drinks, etc. You must take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

Do Tour guides speak English?

Completely fluent in English. Our guides are also one of the most popular aspects of our tours some of them being historians and archaeologists and all demonstrate a great passion for their culture and heritage.

General FAQ’s & Terms & Conditions

Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu (4 Days)

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