Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa:

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco shortly after 4 a.m. to go by private van to Mollepata. This is a spectacular scenic drive through the Anta plains with beautiful and panoramic views across a vast plateau of the majestic Salkantay and other mountains covered with snow. Then marvel at the spectacular winding descent into the Valley of Apurimac River. After 2½ hours we stop in Mollepata to have breakfast and shop for last minute supplies. There will be time for leg-stretching or to use the bathrooms, before continuing to Challacancha. There we will meet with our support staff. They will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 8:30 a.m. we will start our trek toward Soraypampa (3900 meters above sea level) if we keep a regular pace we will take 3 hours approximately to reach Soraypampa for lunch at our first campsite. After lunch in the afternoon we have an option to go up to see Humantay Lake a glacial lake below the peak of Salkantay at (4200meters above sea level). This side tour takes 3 hours to hike back and forth from the camp. Alternatively, if we are moving at a slow pace; we will have lunch in Soraypampa. Either way our camp will be at Soraypampa. Sleeping tents will be ready and we will have a warm delicious dinner in the evening.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Soraypampa Camping DOMES.
• Maximum Altitude: 3850 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2850 meters.
• Temperature during day: 13ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 03ºC – 12ºC
• Hiking Distance: 15 km approx.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay or Collpapampa:

In the morning we will wake you up with the coca tea at 5:30 a.m. and we will have a nutritious breakfast around 6 a.m. Today we will start the hardest day of the whole Salkantay trek. We will be walking up to the highest point of the trek. After 7 kilometers uphill through the magnificent landscape of rocky mountains, valleys and flood plain and changing views of Mount Salkantay above us. At the top of the trek we will have spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of Salkantay (6245) meters above sea level, the second highest mountain of the Cusco region. Then we go 2 hours downhill around 1:00 p.m. to where we will have our delicious Peruvian lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. Afterward we continue our hike approximately 3 hours downhill to our camp in Chaullay (2900 meters above sea level) or Colcapampa (3000 meters above sea level). The sleeping tents and warm wash water will be ready and waiting for you. Then after a well-earned hot meal we will retire to our tents for a well-deserved sleep.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Chaullay Camping.
• Maximum Altitude: 4650 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2920 meters.
• Temperature during day: 15ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 10ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 22 km approx.

Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa (sahuayaco) (Cloud Forest) – Lucmabamba:

Around 6.30am, we start trekking through the high jungle crossing the Lluskamayo valley with its rich variety of flora and fauna  to reach La Playa (Sahuayaco) after about 6 hours. We will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. You will taste the famous passion fruit or granadilla. We will have lunch when we arrive at La Playa. After lunch our horses will go back to Mollepata while we go on to Lucmabamba Campsite where we will spend the night. Here you can choose to go on our coffee tour or opt for a bus drive to Santa Teresa to enjoy the natural hotspring it is famous for. (Bus fares and entrance fees to the natural hot spring is not included in this tour), (coffee tour Is included).

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: Breakfast Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Lucmabamba Camping.
• Maximum Altitude: 2920 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2156 meters.
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 13ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 16 km approx.

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes:

We will have our delicious breakfast at 6 a.m. Then we will walk for about 3 hours up to Llactapata and along the original Inka Trail to Llactapata. From this beautiful archeological site we will be able to see part of Machu Picchu and into the amazing Urubamba valley. Afterwards we have another 3 hours down hill until we arrive to the hydrolectric where we are going to have lunch. Then we will walk for 3 more hours or take a 45 minute train ride to Aguas Calientes to your hotel. After you have settled in we will get together for dinner and a briefing on how to get the most out of your visit to Machu Picchu tomorrow.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Maximum Altitude: 2750 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2150 meters.
• Temperature during day: 15ºC – 27ºC
• Temperature during night: 13ºC – 17ºC
• Hiking Distance: 13 km approx.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Sanctuary – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco :

After an early breakfast at the hotel you will walk 1 hour 30 minutes or take bus up to Machu Picchu, so we can be the first ones into Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise. You will have a private 2 hour guided tour followed by free time in which you will be able to go on to explore Machu Picchu by yourself.  If you have booked the Huayna Picchu in advance climb or the walk up Machu Picchu mountain this is the time for you to set off.
Afterward Machu Picchu you will go back down to Aguas Calientes town to catch the train to Ollantaytambo. There our private van will meet you and take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel or hostel.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast
• Maximum Altitude: 3410 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2130 meters.
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 13ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 3 km approx.