Salkantay Trek 5D/4N

Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa

We start the day picking you up from your hotel at 4:30 am. Then we will travel in a tour bus, passing through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo and arriving at Mollepata (2900 meters/9500 feet) around 7:30 am. Here we will have our first breakfast and we can leave our 5 kilos for our riders. After, we will take a 1-hour shuttle ride to Challacancha (3380 meters/11,090 feet). From this point, we will begin our 3-hour hike, arriving at Soraypampa (3900 meters/12,800 feet) around 1:30 pm. There we will eat our first lunch and set up our first campsite. After lunch, we will go to the beautiful Lake Humantay.

Lake Humantay:

After a 1½ hour ascent, we will arrive at the impressive Lake Humantay (4220 meters/13,850 feet) where we can enjoy the turquoise color of the lake and the snowy Humantay Mountain peak. Then we will make our 40-minute descent to our campsite in Soraypampa for tea time, which is at approximately 6:00 pm and after we will eat a delicious dinner prepared for us by our chef. Finally, we will spend the night in our tents.

(12 km/7.4 miles) – 5 hours

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Colpapampa

At 5:00 am we will eat a nutritious breakfast so that later we can continue our hike. We will leave from Soraypampa at 5:30 am and hike for 3 hours to the highest point at Abra Salkantay, where we can enjoy views of the snowcapped mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo (4650 meters/15,250 feet). As we pass through Salktanaypampa and Soyrococha, we stop to see a small lake, then we will begin the descent towards Huarachmachhay (3 hours) (3800 meters/12,470 feet). Here we will eat lunch and then we will continue the hike, taking note of the drastic change in landscape. After, we will continue our descent towards Colpapampa (3 hours) (2900 meters/9500 feet) where our second campsite will be.

(22 km/13.7 miles) - 10 hours

Day 3: Colpapampa – Playa Sahuayaco – Lucmabamba

We will have breakfast at 6:00 am and shortly after begin hiking for 5½ hours through the jungle over many ascents and descents. In this area, we will pass by many coffee and orchid plantations as well as many other plants used for medicinal purposes. We will arrive at our lunch spot in Playa Sahuayaco where we will take a bus (Lucmabamba campsite). Here you have the option to visit the thermal baths located in Cocalmayo (Santa Teresa), which is not included in the package. We will return to our campsite at 6:00 pm for tea and later dinner.

(14 km/8.7 miles) - 5 hours

Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

In Lucmabamba before starting the walk we will have breakfast at 6:30 am. All will be ready to continue where we will walk 3 hours up to Llactapata and if the day is clear we will be able to observe from the distance part of Machu Picchu after 2 hours downhill until Hidroelectrica where we will have lunch in a restaurant. After lunch we will continue our hike for 3 more hours towards Aguas Calientes where we will stay in a hostel and have dinner at 6:30 pm.

(22 km/13.7 miles) – 6 hours

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The grand finale! We will wake up very early this morning for our visit to Machu Picchu, where we will have a guided tour of the citadel to see and learn about temples, terraces, and all of the incredible stone structures that make Machu Picchu a Wonder of the World. After the guided tour you will have free time for more photos and to continue exploring on your own. For those who have previously selected to climb *Huayna Picchu Mountain or *Machu Picchu Mountain, you will do so at your designated time (1st group: 6 am to 8 am, 2nd group: 9 am to 11 am)

After your tour in the park you will return to Aguas Calientes where you will wait for your return train to Ollantaytambo at 6:20 pm. From Ollantaytambo we will take our final return bus back to Cusco.

Included:

  • Briefing - Meeting with guide night before trek at 6:00 pm
  • Camping Equipment - Tents, sleeping pads, cooking/dining tents, tables, chairs, utensils
  • Experienced Guides - Minimum 3 years experience
  • First Aid Kit - Including oxygen tank
  • Transportation - Private pickup and return
  • Entrance Tickets - Machu Picchu and train ticket
  • Accommodation - Covered camping sites and hostels as specified
  • Food - 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, coca tea

Not Included:

  • Ticket to Mollepata – Salkantay (20 soles)
  • Personal expenses
  • First breakfast
  • Last lunch
  • Sleeping bags (rent for US $20.00)
  • Trekking poles (rent for US $10.00)
  • Day 5 final dinner
  • Tips for staff
  • Transport for luggage on 4th day

Price per Person: 350 USD