PAT TK 137 : Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

VILCABAMBA / CUSCO

DEPARTURES

Daily

 

 

KIND OF SERVICES

Shared (SIB) / Private

 

 

SEASON

Recommended

 

 

This route offers a different way to get to Machu Picchu through a little-explored Inca route. On the way you can see part of the Vilcabamba mountain range, areas of massifs, many peaks and huge glaciers; Some of them very impressive, such as the Salkantay, then contrasting with the green landscape of the jungle in which we will immerse ourselves to reach the foot of the Sacred Mountain of Machu Picchu. The  Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is alternative to the Inca Trail  and It presents a unique combination of culture and mistic.

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THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

  • Transfers In / Out
  • Transportation Cusco – Mollepata. (Start walking)
  • Professional bilingual tour guide English /Spanish.
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu.
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches , 4 dinners. Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost is avaiable.
  • Drinking water along the Salkantay Trek, only on meal times.
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • 1st Aid Kit
  • 01 Oxygen Ball
  • Horses  (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
  • Horse men
  • Waterproof Camping tent , double occupancy
  • 01 Sleeping Mattress per person.
  • 01 accomodation night in Aguas Calientes
  •  Return train tickets in Expedition Service (Machupicchu – Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco) transfer to Hotel.

THE PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

  • Slepping bag
  • 1st breakfast y the last lunch
  • Extra horse or porter to carry personal luggage
  • Tips

EXTRAS:

  • Walking sticks.
  • Extra porter for personal items.
  • Upgrade to Single room in Aguas Calientes.
  • Upgrade to Vistadome train.
  • Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu – There is only a limited space at Huayna Picchu (400 persons per day), so it is a good idea to book in advance.

TOUR DETAILS

Day 1 : CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA

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.

Day 2 : Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayrac Machay - Challway

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.

Day 3 : Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba

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.

Day 4 : Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Machu Picchu Pueblo

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.

Day 5 : Tour to Machu Picchu.

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.

Equipment Needed:

  • Medium backpack, sleeping bag, rain clothes (raincoats, rain poncho)
  • Towel and swinwear
  • Flashlight, spare batteries and water bottle
  • Medicines for personal use
  • Shoes with rubber sole
  • A complete change of clothes. It is important to have dry t-shirts, a thick coat to keep warm at night and several pairs of socks because the feet should be dry at night. Hat for the sun, scarf and gloves.

Additional Suggestions:

  • If you take specific medications bring them to the trip
  • Sunblock, lipstick and repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Lemon candies
  • Chocolates
  • Energy bars
  • Rehydrating powder (Gatorade)
  • Waterproof adhesive tape
  • Bring a little extra money in national currency (Nuevos Soles)

Si usted desea modificar de alguna forma este programa para su mayor satisfacción, permanecer más días en algún lugar del recorrido o visitar otros destinos, no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros y solicitar nuestro asesoramiento.

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