PAT TK 137 : Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

4:30 am Pick up from hotel, by our tourist bus, we´ll travel through the Andes, reaching the village of Mollepata, where you can gear up on last minute supplies or anything you may have forgotten back in town (water, rain poncho, bug spray, etc). Once the horsemen have taken the large packs and all last-minute supplies have been purchased, it’s time to start the Salkantay Trek.

The Salkantay trek on this first day is for the majority of the time simply walking on the road that runs all the way back to Soraypampa. While the views are stunning and the trail occasionally takes a steep shortcut through the cow pastures, the scent of eucalyptus invades you as you head up out of Mollepata and out into the wide open valleys that dominate this section of the Andes, and it feels incredible to breathe the thin, mountain air and slowly slip further back into the middle of nowhere.

Soraypampa is an utterly surreal location, nestled at the base of towering 3,600 mts or 8,528 fts andean peaks such as Salkantay Mountain at 6264 mts or 20,551.18 fts.  Soraypampa is our protector of Apu Salkantay: windswept, barren, freezing, and utterly enchanting.

The second day is far and away the hardest day of the Salkantay Trek. It’s long, it’s cold, and you have to make your way over the 4,650 mts – 15,256 fts Salkantay Pass. Nonetheless, waking up at sunrise amidst the sprawling grasslands of Soraypampa, the sun illuminating the 6264 mts or 20551.18 fts Andean peaks springing up from behind you makes for an energizing and mesmerizing start to the day.

The climb to the pass takes anywhere from 3-4 hours, and it is a fairly steep grind of narrow switchbacks and steady uphills until the rock structures of the pass finally come into view. Unless hiking in June or July the trail should most likely be devoid of any snow or ice, although hail, sleet, ice, and rain are possible at any time of the year.

Once having crossed the pass it is the start of a long path downhill where you will eventually drop over 1,700 mts or 5577 vertical ft until you arrive to our campsite in Challway. The trail weaves its way down the flank of the mountain and parallels to the Salkantay river that grows exponentially as you make your way down the valley, finally making it an hour or so before sunset to the village of Challway.

The trail from the village of Challway to lunch at La Playa is when you make the noticeable change from the mountains down into the jungle. Trickling streams amongst the sub-alpine plains give way to raging waterfalls and streams.  The vista of the river valley and the occasional stream crossings are enough to occupy your mind for the 4 hour trek down to lunch. In la Playa the mosquitos and gnats start coming out in force, So the insect repellent will be our best best way to keep them away. We will continue to Santa Teresa which is the first actually town that you’ll encounter along the Salkantay Trek, and is also famous for the Santa Teresa hot spring that bubble up right outside of town.

After breakfast we will walk for four hours until you reach the Urubamba River and have lunch by the hydro-electric station there. The walk to Aguas Calientes is along the train tracks, 12 kilometers (7.5 miles).

Walking along the train line will be much more enjoyable than you could spect as a wide path undulates beside the tracks. Almost the entire distance is shaded by jungle foliage, trees and flowers, the incline is very gradual. This is the perfect cool down after 4 days of trekking. Overnight at Aguas Calientes.

At the arranged time, we will take a bus from Aguas calientes to Machu Picchu. The Sacred City of Macchu Picchu is an incredible spectacle of architecture, culture, and history. It is special place, and watching the sun break the mountains and illuminate the city of stone is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The setting for the ancient city is absolutely stunning.

Once we reach the archaeological site we will begin a guided tour around the citadel that will last about 2 hours. During the tour you will find temples, palaces, squares and streets of military and agricultural areas. The beauty of Machu Picchu is exalted by the extraordinary scenery where it is located. Around the citadel, the National Reserve covers an area of 32.500 hectares and includes a constellation of archaeological monuments which we believe that were built as part of the complex of Machu Picchu and not in an isolation way.

At the arranged time with the guide, we will descend to Aguas Calientes town to take back your train to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.