5 Day Trekking Salkantay Snow Peak Route to Machu Picchu from Cusco

4.2 (5 reviews) Cusco, Peru
Duration5 days
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 9 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Hike for four days on the Salkantay Trek, a scenic alternative to the more traditional Inca Trail, and visit the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – on the fifth day. Pass imposing glaciers, lush tropical valleys and high mountain jungle terrain, taking in spectacular views of the natural landscape at every turn. You’ll camp under the gaze of Salkantay Mountain, climb to Huayracpampa Pass, hike past stunning waterfalls on the way to Llucmabamba and board the train for Aguas Calientes before touring Machu Picchu!

Options

Expedition Train

5- day Salkantay Trek with expedition train ticket option
Pickup included

Vistadome Train

5-day Salkantay Trek with vistadome train ticket option
Pickup included

What's included

  • Bipersonal tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, cooks and kitchen personnel, tables, benches
  • Professional guide
  • 3 nights accommodation
  • Assistant guide for every nine clients
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel pickup & drop-off.Note: Some hotels are in areas where the access by vehicle is not permitted.
  • Warm meals during the trip: 03 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 03 dinners, 03 teas, 04 snacks.
  • Gratuities
  • Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
  • Walking sticks (available for rent)

What to expect

Day 1: CUSCO / MOLLEPATA / ACHUPATA
  1. Mollepata
    8h
    Very early in the morning, we will go toward the small village of Mollepata, characterized by a temperate climate and vegetation of the high jungle region. On our way, we will visit the archeological complexes of Quillarumiyoc and Tarawasi. We will also observe the Humantay snow-capped mountain. We will continue our journey to Soraypampa, from where we will start our trekking to another wonderful landscape, the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. Finally, we will get to the lagoon of Soroy Cocha, point of our first camp.
Day 2: SOROY COCHA / KELKAMACHAY / COLCAPAMPA
  1. Cusco
    8h
    After a hearty breakfast, we will go on our trekking around the Salkantaypampa snow-capped mountain. We will climb up to reach the Huayrapampa pass, located at 4,600 meters above sea level. Next, we will head toward the Huayrapampa community, where we will eat lunch. Last, we will continue to get to Colcapampa, place where we will camp. If we wish, we can enjoy the hot springs of Colcapampa
Day 3: COLCAPAMPA / PLAYA
  1. 8h
    We will start our day with healthy mate to wake up reinvigorated. After breakfast, we will continue with our trekking. Unlike the previous days, we will descend and enter the high jungle or ceja de selva, where we will observe all lush vegetation, breathtaking waterfalls up to 80 meters, as well as attractive varieties of orchids, birds, insects, and other animals native to the area. Finally, we will get to our camp in Sawayaco
Day 4: PLAYA / LLACTAPATA / AGUAS CALIENTES
  1. Aguas Calientes
    8h
    Very early, we will start our trekking toward the village of Lucmabamba. We will take an ascendant road through the subtropical forest to reach the Inca Complex of Llactapata, also known as the "Town of Heights", which is located at the foot of a mountain on the left bank of Cusicacha River. From Llactapata, we will observe part of Mach Picchu and the mountain ranges of the forest. Next, we will go on towards the hydroelectric plant, from where we will see the Valley of Urubamba River. We will depart to Aguas Calientes by train. Overnight at one of the hotels in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
  1. Machu Picchu
    8m
    Early in the morning, our guide will take us to the Lost City of the Incas to visit the Inca complex and its terraces, steps, ceremonial shrines and urban areas. Magic is all around the place. We will have time to peacefully explore the city on our own. At the arranged time we will return to Cusco by train and be transferred to our hotel.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

This activity includes roundtrip transfer from your hotel, apartment or home. Some locations are in areas where the access by vehicle is not permitted. Send your details in order to arrange your pickup and drop-off in a nearby place.

Additional information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Trek difficulty level is moderate
  • It is recommended that your bring a: rain jacket, coat, sunscreen, hat, down sleeping bag and hiking shoes
  • Note: hikers should have spent at least 2 to 3 days acclimatizing to the higher altitudes in the Cusco region prior to embarking on this trek
  • Maximum of 9 passengers per tour
  • Recommended travel is between April-November. The months of December-March are rainy season
  • Please note: Poroy Station will be closed from 1st January to 30th April 2017. The Vistadome, Expedition and Executive trains will be departing from Ollataytambo or Pachar station, located approximately 1.5 hours from Cusco, during this period. Transfers to the stations from Cusco are included.
  • Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.2 (5)
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