
SALKANTAY NATURE TRAIL
to MACHUPICCHU
Duration: 5 Days / 4
Nights
Season: March -
November
Difficulty:
Challenging
This trek is ideal for
travellers wishing to get off the beaten track but still take in the
breathtaking ruins of Machupicchu. It is a wonderful trek taking you right from
the watershed of the Apurimac to the Urubamba. We traverse through beautiful
green valleys and camp next to turquoise glacial lakes. We also come across many
Inca archaeological sites and enjoy a wide variety of flora, fauna and wildlife.
On our last day we are rewarded with the magnificent view of Machupicchu. This
is a true Andean odyssey!
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco (3,350m) -
Mollepata (2,909m) - Soraypampa (4,000m)
An early rise at around
4.30am! We drive from Cusco by bus for approximately 4 hours to Mollepata from
where our trek begins. Mollepata is a small village situated in the Apurimac
Valley which is well known for its citrus produce. Here we meet up with our
wranglers and their horses that will carry our equipment during the trek. We
commence walking for approximately 1 hour before reaching Cruzpata, from where
we get our first view of the magnificent snow mountain of Humantay (5,917m). We
pass many rivers continuing on our trek for about another 3 hours before
reaching the small community and picturesque spot of Checchicancha. We stop here
to take a break and have our lunch. In the afternoon we continue walking for
about 3-4 hours to reach Soraypampa, which is nestled in-between the snow
mountains. We camp here overnight.
Day 2: Soraypampa –
Chaullay (3,050m)
An early start to the
day as we have a steep climb ahead of us. Our ascent takes around 3 hours until
we reach the high pass at 4,800m near the magnificent glacier peaks of Salkantay
(6,271m) and Humantay (6,100m) the second highest peak in the Cusco area. After
admiring the beautiful landscape, we begin our descent to Wayracmachay (3,800m)
where we have our lunch and a good rest. After lunch we continue walking for
around 3-4 hours until our campsite at Chaullay.
Day 3: Chaullay – Santa
Teresa (2,200m)
We leave from Chaullay
early as well after our breakfast - we pass through Collcapampa. In this part of
the trek we will walk on a narrow trail on the mountainside, finding some
species of orchids and different kinds of plants, and some cornfields and fruit
fields. We have opportunity to see the most beautiful waterfall on the trail.
After walking for 5 hours we will reach La Playa from where we take a small
truck to Santa Teresa town. The truck journey is approx. 45 minutes. Upon
arrival in Santa Teresa we set up our tents and have the chance to visit the
medicinal hot springs waters closeby – approx. 45 minutes from Santa Teresa town
(optional activity). In the evening we have dinner at our campsite and rest up
for the night.
Day 4: Santa Teresa –
Aguas Calientes (1,900m)
We have an early
breakfast and after a short journey by bus (1 hour) we start walking for around
2 hours to get to the Urubamba River where we cross the river by a cable. After
this we continue onto the Hydro-Electric Station, where we take lunch close by.
We then continue on our journey towards the town of Aguas Calientes traversing
at the bottom of the valley for approximately 3 hours until we reach the town
and go to our hostal where we will take our dinner and rest up before the next
day in Machupicchu!
Day 5: Aguas Calientes –
Machupicchu - Cusco
A very early start after
breakfast in order that we can arrive in time for sunrise at Machupicchu. We
take the first bus up at 5.30am. There will be a 2 hour fully guided tour around
the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have
free time to wander around and explore by yourself. In the afternoon we take the
train back to Cusco, where you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Optional
If you want you can
arrange for an extra night in Aguas Calientes. Please let us know whether you
would like this option at the time of booking your tour.
Please Note
Train times are subject
to time tables & availability at Peru Rail – they are the only train company on
the line!
What Is Included
• Transportation to
start of Trek (PRIVATE)
• Professional English
speaking Guide
• Entrance fee into
Machupicchu
• Bus from Aguas
Calientes to Machupicchu
• Meals (except
Breakfast on First Day and Lunch on Last Day)
• 7kg Personal luggage
allowance to put on the horses
• Spacious tents
• Sleeping mats
• Dining tent, kitchen
tent, latrine tent
• All camping equipment
• Horses to carry the
group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
• Emergency Oxygen
bottle and first aid kit
• Hostal accommodation
on the 4th night of the Trek
• Return transportation
in Train from Aguas Calientes to
Cusco/Ollantaytambo. (If
return is to Ollantaytambo there will
be a transfer bus to
meet you).
What Is Not Included
• Sleeping Bag (can be
rented from us)
• Breakfast on the 1st
Day
• Lunch on the 5th Day
• Bus from Machupicchu
to Aguas Calientes ($6 one way)
• Hot Springs in Santa
Teresa or Aguas Calientes
• Extras
• Gratuities
What Should You Bring
• A backpack with a
change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain jacket or poncho
(plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear,
ideally trekking or sport shoes
• Warm clothes,
including jacket, fleece and sweaters
• Sleeping bag (it can
be hired at our agency)
• Flashlight and
batteries
• Hat or cap to protect
you from the sun, rain or cold
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits,
energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Water bottle and
sterilising tablets (e.g. Micropur)
• Small towel and
Swimsuit
• Personal medical kit
(although we do have our own first aid kit)
ACCOMMODATION
We use a basic hostal in
this package that includes private bathroom and breakfast. Subject to
availability we include either Hostal Continental or Hostal Machupicchu. If they
are not available we select another hostal of the same standard. If you would
like to upgrade we are happy to assist you! Please ask for our Preferred Hotel
List in Aguas Calientes.
IMPORTANT NOTE
We are committed to
Responsible Tourism!
We are committed to
offering safe, secure and fun adventures for our passengers!
HOW TO MAKE A BOOKING ON
THE SALKANTAY TRAIL
We need you to send us
the following in order to secure your reservation with ourselves :
1) Full Passport Details
of ALL Travellers, i.e. Full Names / Passport No / Nationality. We require
this information to
purchase your rail
tickets with PERURAIL. This is the system they operate with and will not issue
tickets without the
correct passport
information. You need to carry your passport with you as from time to time
PERURAIL does ask for
Identification prior to
boarding the trains.