The Salkantay Trek is a really good option to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You can’t miss these unique Andean landscapes, and enjoy wonderful views.
Hiking around amazing lagoons with breathtaking views to the Andean Mountain Range, extraordinary glaciers and mountains, you’ll finally reach the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
According the National Geographic, the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is among the best 25 treks in the world.
This trekking is certainly worth it!
Mollepata
Departing very early in the morning from the hotel located in the city of Cusc, we will take a transport for a 2-hour journey until reach the town of Mollepata, a place to enjoy a short rest and buy what you need.
Soraypampa
The Salkantay trekking continues until reach Challacancha, starting point of a hike of two hours and a half until reach Soraypampa at 3,800 meters above sea level. Here, the campsite is made up of igloos with transparent roofs so you can admire the starry sky during the night.
Lake Humantay
After enjoying a lovely picnic, we are going to visit the Humantay Lagoon, starting a trek of one hour and a half one way, and the same time to come back. You can make a mystical offer to the mountains with coca leaves to ask protection during the trip.The Lake Humantay is located at 4,200 meters above sea level, and it has amazing views to the Salkantay peaks. Its clear waters create a unique landscape, and if you are brave you can take a bath here.
Soraypampa Campsite
We will back to the campsite at Soraypampa to rest and enjoy the first dinner together, and spend the night. Walking distance: 8.08 miles.
Our transport will be waiting for you to take you to the city of Cusco, and drop you off at your hotel.
Salkantay Pass
This day you will wake up very early to have breakfast and drink a hot tea, to then start the most challenging day of the entire tour. The hike starts going uphill for 4 hours until reach the highest point known as Salkantay Pass located at 4,650 meters above sea level.Be amazed with amazing landscapes and mountain views surrounded you, and admiring the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Later, we are going downhill for 3 hours and a half until reach Wayracmachay to enjoy lunch and have a short rest.
Collpapampa
The Salkantay trail continues going downhill for about 3 hours until reach Collpapampa. From this point, the Salkantay River becomes Santa Teresa River. Here we are going to spend the night in igloos with transparent roofs to enjoy the starry night again. Walking distance: 16.16 miles.
Santa Teresa
After breakfast, you will start a hike going downhill for 5 hours to the beautiful valley of Santa Teresa along a path full of vegetation. You will pass through fields of banana crops, passion fruit, coffee plantations and avocado orchards. During the trail to Machu Picchu, you will admire local flora and fauna such as condors and different kind of flowers and plants.
Hydroelectric Train Station
Arriving to “La Playa Village”, you will take a transport that will take you to the train station of hydroelectric plant. From this point, you can take the train ride to Aguas Calientes for 40 minutes (optional) or you can still be hiking along the Urubamba River for 3 more hours.
Machu Picchu
This is a special day because you are going to visit Machu Picchu finally. We will wake up very early in the morning to take the bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, and from the best point known as Guardian’s House you will get the most amazing views of this Inca site. Here, we will have guided tour of 1 hour.Machu Picchu means Old Mountain and is a jewel of Inca architecture which was built in the 15th century, and was discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Be amazed with the history of this wonder of the world and World Heritage.After the tour guide at Guardian’s House, you can visit Machu Picchu on your own or continue exploring the rest of this place with the tour guide for more 1 hour. We are going to walk through this mysterious Lost City of the Incas until being near the entrance of Huayna Picchu mountain (optional). You will have plenty time to walk around this place.
Ollantaytambo Train Station
Later in the afternoon, the train will depart the train station of Aguas Calientes to go towards Ollantaytambo.
