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Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Salkantay, a wild mountain by its name in Quechua, is the highest peak of Peru located in the department of Cusco, constitutes one of the main elevations of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, an extension of the Eastern Cordillera, a mountain branch of the Peruvian Andes. It reaches an altitude of 6,271 meters. It presents two summits covered by snow, known as China Salkantay and Salkantay female, separated by a port that opens to the Santa Ana Valley in the province of Urubamba. Both the mountain pass and the fluvial course that is born there are called Salkantay. This river pours its waters into the Urubamba on its left side. In our journey we will cross beautiful Andean landscapes, also we will pass through an abra of 5000 meters. and we will have the possibility to observe Condors and Alpacas in their natural habitat.

 
This five-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is an outdoor adventure that offers a challenge of spectacular natural beauty and loads of spirituality. The majestic Salkantay ice peak is one of the traditionally sacred mountains in the Vilcabamba mountain range, directly south of Machu Picchu. Its alignment with the Pleiades, Cruz del Sur, and Yana Phuyu, dark constellations that formed an integral part of the concept of the sacred geography of the Incas. This Apu or deity of the mountain, served as a reference for the cardinal astrological observations, in particular during the solstice of June and December and solar equinoxes. For this program, our staff will be responsible for providing you with all the necessary facilities and requirements taking into account your safety and pleasant journey.
Overview
Itinerary
Includes
Before you go

Quick Itinerary 

Day 1: Cusco - Challacancha -  Soraypamapa

Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Mountain - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa

Day 3: Collpapampa - La Playa

Day 4: La Playa - Llactapata - Aguas Calientes

Day 5: Hiking to Machu Picchu

 

Highlights Salkantay to Machu Picchu

  • Cordillera of Vilcabamba, where the Salkantay massif is located, is a beautiful and lonely area, dominated by the imposing Salkantay apu, it has numerous high elevation peaks such as Tucarhuay (5,910 m.a.s.l), Veronica mountain (5,682 m.a.s.l) and Huacayhuilca (5, 361 m.a.s.l.). 
  • The route from Salkantay to Machu Picchu is without a doubt the best choice for people who enjoy trekking and mountain.
  • There are 5 days of walking with local guide, cook, muleteer and horses,the routes are between 4 and 7 hours
  • The Trekking of Salkantay offers the possibility of knowing the life of the local people. You can also interact with the guides and muleteers who accompany you, sharing with them long cultural talks
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Climb up to Huayna Picchu mountain (optional)
  • The Salkantay Trekking allows you to enjoy the Andean food prepared by the staff of chefs. You will also taste the gastronomy of the Amazon jungle as it comes down from the mountainous terrain, very rich in fruit and vegetables.

Crew A Travel Tour Group representative in Cusco and profesional guide, chef, muleteer in the Salkantay trek

Accommodation: Camping (03 nights), Hotel(1 nights)

Meals: 04 Breakfast, 04 Lunches, 04 Dinners, 03 afternoon tea

Transportation: Private transportation, train

More of the good Adventures:

More Information:

Day 01: Cuzco - Soray - Huayracmacha (L, D).

We have an early start, leave your hotel at 5:30 am and drive approximately three hours through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo, to reach the town of Mollepata (9514f.asl / 2900m.asl). Here we will stop for a litlle breakfast and can attend to any last-minute needs before we continue to Sayllapata, a village where we will meet our team. Then we embarked on a trip of incredible scenic beauty. The walk offers spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain (20397f.asl / 6217m.asl) and the Valley of the Apurimac River. We will break for lunch around 1:00 pm Then we will walk for approximately three hours at an approximate altitude of 13,780 feet (4,200 meters) on the beautiful lake below the Humantay Glacier (17,443m / 5317m.asl). Then we will descend to our camp in Soraypampa (12139f.asl / 3700 masl), where the sleeping bag and the tents will be ready, as well as dinner. We can expect a very cold night (32 º F / 0 º C or less) (A / C)

Cuzco - Soray - Huayracmacha

 

More Information:

  • Start: Mollepata (2,811 m)
  • End: Soraypampa (3,916 m)
  • Length: 19Km
  • Slope: + 1280m
  • Time: 6 - 7 hours counting stops.
  • Difficulty: 2/10, for the height, more than anything. Very easy technique

Day 02: Huaracmachay - Collpampa (B, L, D).

The second day is the most difficult of the trek, forcing us to ascend to 15,256 feet (4,650 meters), the highest point of our trip, in order to cross the Salkantay Pass. At the end of the day, we will have made a descent through a variety of spectacular ecosystems and landscapes. Starting at 7 in the morning, the first will be a hike to Salkantay Pampa, then the curve to the left side of the snowy peaks, Humantay adjacent to the Apu Salkantay. Around noon, we will reach the mountain pass of Salkantay. Here we are going to take a break to enjoy the incredible panoramic view. Then we headed quickly to low altitude and rest for lunch in Huayracmachay. This is followed by a three-hour walk to Collpampa, for dinner around 7 pm and a good night's rest.


More Information:

  • Attention: Collado Salkantaypampa at 4,600 m.
  • Start: Soraypampa (3,850 m)
  • End: Collpampa (2,920 m)
  • Length: 21Km
  • Slope: +745 m / - 1,680 m
  • Time: 8 hours
  • Difficulty: 3/10 for height, more than anything. Very easy technique

Day 03: Collpampa - La Playa (B, L, D).

We are going to wake up to a more temperate climate. After breakfast, we will start walking around 7 in the morning to a maximum of six hours. During this trip, we will enter the valley of Collpabamba, known as the "Ceja de Selva", where we will see the waterfalls, fruit trees, orchids and a great variety of wildlife. If we are lucky, we will see the country of Peru, the "Cock of the Rocks". Here we will have lunch. Finally we will sleep in Sahuayaco (la playa).

Trek to Machu Picchu by Salkantay


More information:

  • Start: Collpampa(2,920 m)
  • End: Sahuayaco - La playa  (2920 m)
  • Length: 15 Km
  • Slope: - 900 m
  • Time: 5 hours 30 min - 6 hours
  • Difficulty: 2/10

 

Day 04: La Playa - Llactapata - Hydro - Aguas Calientes (B, L, D).

After breakfast, we will take a 40-minute ride on local transportation to Lucmabamba to begin our next trek to Llactapata, an important Inca ritual center. During the three-hour walk, we will cover some beautiful lands with great diversity of flora and fauna, to reach Llactapata (8530f.asl / 2600m.asl), a temple of the sun with its alignment following the Qoricancha model in Cusco. After exploring the area and after a short break, we will take a descending path to the Hydroelectric station (6135f.asl / 1870m.asl), where we will have lunch. The last park on the trek, an approximate two-hour walk, takes us to the town of Aguas Calientes (6693f.asl / 2040m.asl). Reaching to la hidreoelectrica we follow the rail tracks heading up the Urubamba valley to our last camp site in Aguas Calientes. Spend a night in the Hotel in Aguas Calientes town.


More information:

  • Start: La Playa (2920m)
  • End: Aguas Calientes (2,040 m)
  • Length: 22Km
  • Slope: +500 m / - 50 m
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Difficulty: 2/10

 

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco (B).

After breakfast, we will take the early bus, way to Machu Picchu. There, an expert guide will share you the history and the theories about this mysterious and charming stone city prevail. We also give you free time to explore by your own, relax or meditate and have lunch next to the ruins or at a restaurant in the city. In the afternoon, we will board the train for transportation back to Cusco, and your hotel.

Machu Picchu citadel


More information:

  • Start: Aguas Calientes (2,040 masl)
  • End: Machu Picchu (2,430 masl)
  • Length: 8 Km
  • Slope: +400 m / - 400 m
  • Time: 2 hours one way
  • Difficulty: 3/10

 

Included

  • Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);
  • Early morning transfer by private bus;
  • Accommodation: Campsites (3 nights) and a Hotel in Machu Picchu (1 night);
  • Entrance fee to the red of Salkantay and Machu Picchu;
  • Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner and 4x afternoon hot beverages (please advise us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
  • Snack every morning;
  • Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 8 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 8 persons receives 2 Guides);
  • Professional Cook;
  • Horseman;
  • Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff; 
  • An emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower;
  • Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
  • Camping equipment: Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);
  • Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress); 
  • A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
  • A pillow
  • Day Pack Rain Covers;
  • Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
  • Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
  • A T-shirt of the Salkantay Trek Map;
  • A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town;
  • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
  • Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

Not included

  • First breakfast and last lunch.
  • Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu mountain (U$ 15)
  • Tipping your trek stuff is optional but customary.
  • Extra services
  • Extra money for souvenirs, etc.

Single tent:Please note that if you have booked the "Single tent" option for this tour, you will receive your own single roomand tent for all night stops.

 

What to bring on a Hike

  • Original passport
  • A valid card for international students (ISIC) if applicable
  • Main backpack
  • Water
  • Mountain boots
  • Raincoats, ponchos for the rain
  • Small sack or canvas bag
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Hat or cap for the sun
  • Sunscreen
  • Batteries
  • Swimwear
  • Cameras, binoculars
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medications
  • Extra money
  • Personal articles
  • Important: we provide with filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.

Experience

This route as it passes through the slopes of the majestic Apu Salkantay of more than 6200 m does not leave anyone indifferent. You can almost touch the glaciers that fall 1,600 meters below their summit.It has absolutely everything:

  • High mountain
  • Jungle height
  • Rain forest
  • Towns
  • Camps
  • Valleys
  • Peace and tranquility
  • Culture
  • Nature
  • Gastronomy
It is an experience that nobody should miss. Enjoy the Salkantay Trekking where you can find culture, and you can relationate with nature.

 

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Code SMTSC
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