Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu is one of the most incredible alternative hikes, Recently named one of the best 25 treks in the world. Our unique Salkantay Trekking 4 days 3 nights will take you hiking off the beaten path to Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trekking is one of the most popular tours to Machu Picchu; this trek will take from the high cold mountains of the Andes to the warm valleys of the cloud forest. Making this journey a memorable experience!! During this 4-day tour, you’ll be able to see the second highest peak of Cusco in the Cordillera of Vilcabamba, Humantay lake, fruit plantations, coffee farms, hike Inca Trails, visit Llaqtapata, and finally arrive at Machu Picchu. To book the Salkantay Trekking, you need to make an initial payment of 50.USD per person; the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or upon your arrival in Cusco Discount: All travelers under 17 years old or students under 25 years old with a valid student ID can get a 30$ discount. Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa.- Depart from Cusco at 4:30 am and transfer to Soraypampa to begin the Salkantay Trekking. After breakfast, enjoy the 6-hike visiting Humantay Lake and stunning views of the mountains. Camp under the stars near the base of Salkantay mountain at 4000 m. Day 2: Basecamp -Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa.- Rise early with a cup of coffee and get ready to set out on the most challenging day of the Salkantay Trekking. Start hiking for 2 hours to the highest point of our trip, the Salkantay Pass (4630 m /15190 ft), and take some time to enjoy the spectacular vistas. From here, descend for 6 hours to Collpampa (2800 m / 9186 ft). Day 3: Collpapampa – Hidroelectica- Aguas Calientes.- After breakfast, start a 3 -hour hike along with the lush vegetation of the cloud forest. Upon arrival at the lunch Place at Lucmabamba, you’ll participate in a Pachamanca cooking (underground barbecue), then visit a local coffee farm. After lunch, continue hiking along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Day 4: Machu Picchu (Beat the crowds!) – Cusco.- Wake up early and take the first buses to explore the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, named one of the world’s new seven wonders. You’ll spend all morning exploring the buildings, temples, and palaces. Later in teh afternoon, take the Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco, arrival time at 7.30 pm. Optional hikes after Machu Picchu guided tour: Huayna Picchu Mountain – You need to book in advance; the walk takes 2 hours round trip, teh cost is $75 extra per person. Machu Picchu Mountain – You need to book in advance; the hikes take 3.5 hours round trip, teh cost is $75 extra per person.
Depart from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 AM and drive to Soraypampa (3870 m / 12696 ft). After breakfast with beautiful views, meet the trekking staff that will support you during the Salkantay Trekking. The hike starts with a 2 hours gentle uphill to Humantay Lake (4200 m / 13779 ft); this is one of the most popular day hikes in Cusco; you’ll explore the surroundings of the turquoise color lake, then continue for two more hours down to lunch Place. Your trekking chef will prepare fresh meals prepared with products from the area (veg, vegan, Gf options available). Continue hiking after lunch for two more hours along the Salkantay Valley to our first campsite at Salkantapamapa (4000 m /13123 ft). Upon arrival, the tents will be ready, warm water to wash, tea time, and dinner before sleep. Day 2: Basecamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa Wake up with a cup of coca tea in your tent, pack for the day, breakfast, and start the Salkantay Trekking’s longest and most challenging day. Around 7:00m, start the 2 hours ascent to the Trek’s highest point, Salkantay Pass (4630 m / 15190 ft). At the top, you’ll spend some time to enjoy the spectacular vistas of the second-highest mountain of the Cusco region. From here, descend for 2 hours to lunch place at Wayrajmachay (3905 m /12812 ft). After a nutritious breakfast, continue the second part of the day; the landscape will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas as you go down for 3 more hours until the second campsite at the village of Collpapamopa (2800 m / 9186 ft). After enjoying breakfast at the village of Collpapampa, begin your trek down the Salkantay River valley to Lumabamba for lunch (2020 m / 6627 ft). On the way, you’ll encounter with beautiful waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, orchids, and hundreds of different species of birds. Upon Arrival at Lumabamba, you’ll participate in a Pachamanca unground barbecue, where you will help to bury the food (all kinds of vegetables, meats, and fruits) while food is cooking, visit a local coffee farm, learn the harvesting process, and prepare your expresso. After enjoying the delicious pachamanca, you’ll use our transportation for 45 minutes to Hidroelectrica and start hiking the trek’s final stretch to Aguas Calientes. First, visit the Intiwatana rocks, perfectly aligned with the Sundial in Machu Picchu during the winter solstice, then start hiking along the train tracks for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in the town, you’ll check-in in your hotel, enjoy a relaxing hot shower, dinner in a local restaurant, and plan for the next and most important day. On the most beautiful day, rise very early to catch the first bus to Machu Picchu, the hotel provides breakfast, and you can leave the extra stuff you do not need to take to Machu Picchu. Once you arrive at the citadel, pass the checkpoint, you’ll start a Guided tour for around 3 to 4 hours in Machu Picchu. We begin with a short hike to Sungate or Inca bridge, exploring the citadel’s most beautiful locations, temples, palaces, and constructions. Once the guided tour is completed, take some time to discover byyourself or hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mounatin (optional and not included). After you finish with Machu Picchu, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town, enjoy lunch (not included), and take the panoramic Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo; here, our private transportation back to Cusco arriving at your hotel aropund 7.30 pm.
During the Salkantay Trekking, you’ll have duffle bags carried by cargo mules and a daypack that you must take every day essential for the day. According to Machu Picchu’s regulations, it’s necessary to know that your daypack should not be larger than 25L to be allowed in Machu Picchu. In the daypack, always have with you. During the Salkantay Trekking, You’ll have a briefing held the day before the trek here. You’ll get some essential last-minute information about the expedition, and also we will provide you a duffle bag where you can put up to 7 kilos of your stuff. If you are renting from us sleeping bags (2 kilos) and Air mattress (1 kilo), this must include in the 7 kilos
WHAT TO DO IN CUSCO? Upon arrival to Cusco (3033 m / 11154ft), you need to take some time to acclimatize to the high altitude of the city. We recommend taking tours around the city like the city tour of Cusco, Sacred Valley Tour before taking the long trip to Machu Picchu. This way you’ll reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness. If you have on Schedule tours like Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake, please try to plan after the Machu Picchu Tour. WEATHER IN CUSCO? Cusco has two seasons: The rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. However, weather in the Andes is unpredictable so it doesn’t matter when you come just bring good rain gear, also prepare for sunny days. Together with our 4 seasons equipment, we will make sure you have an experience of a lifetime despite any adversity. The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it is difficult to accurately predict. You can Have beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Peru. Since Cusco city is the main destination in South America, it should not be an issue finding flights and places to stay. However, during high season you must book in advance. If you are having trouble with your bookings don’t hesitate to contact one of our travel representatives. We will be more than happy to assist you in finding the best deals and places for you. VACCINES NEEDED PRIOR TO COME TO PERU If you’re headed to Peru, you need to make sure to consult a clinic or your doctor at least four weeks prior to the trip. Vaccines for Peru vary based on your specific itinerary. A passport health travel specialist will help you decide which vaccines are best for you. Yellow fever (this vaccine may be required based on your travel itinerary), typhoid, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, rabies, routine vaccines. Visit this Page DIFFICULTY OF THE TREKS All of our treks are moderately difficult and challenging but nothing that you cannot do it. So please before you come to Peru make sure you exercise regularly and also acclimatize to the altitude. For this, we highly recommend you arrive at least two days ahead of your tour. BOOKING WITH ULTIMATE TREKKING PERU Booking with us was never easier. We only need to submit the info required below, and a 200 dollars deposit to book your entrance, train, and bus tickets. You can pay the balance once you arrive at our office. Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport), Gender, Passport number, date of birth, and Nationality HOW CAN I PAY MY DEPOSIT? PayPal: (For alternative treks and Inca Trail tour reservations a $200 deposit is needed, and $400 for the deluxe tours). The remaining balance you can pay upon arrival to Cusco city directly at our office. ALTITUDE SICKNESS OR “SOROCHE” At high altitude, the air is thinner and each body starts to react differently for the changes in oxygen levels. So basically there is less oxygen going into your body than you’re used to. To counteract you need to breathe faster and deeper and pump blood more rapidly in order to take the same amount of oxygen. This could be shocking to your body manifesting in various symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, poor appetite, lack of sleep. Cusco is at 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) so you may experience some symptoms, on the other hand, Machu Picchu is significantly lower at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). So Machupicchu isn’t really the potential problem. The best way to deal with the altitude is: Breathing exercise. Deep breaths will help you get more oxygen in your body. The best way to acclimatize faster is drinking water, resting, having normal activities. Drink lots of water. This will really help you, but lots of water and try to go to the toilet often. Coca tea. It is in every corner in Cusco city, this plant used through centuries in Cusco to reduce altitude problems. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a big no at high altitude, so avoid the first days to your trek. The celebration is at the end. Use Diamox or the equivalent in Peru to help you adapt to the altitude faster Supplementary oxygen. If needed you can ask in your hotel for free or you can contact us. We will deliver to you at no cost. NUMBER OF VISITORS TO INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU? The number of visitors to the Inca trail has a limit of 500 per day and 2500 to Machu Picchu, according to UNESCO recommendations. Therefore, it is recommended to book in advance, especially during the high season. The trains are usually full so make your reservations in advance. You can book your visit to Machupicchu only or a ticket including the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains. As long as the name is the same we can update any passport number needed. If you have an old passport and a new one, please send us a photocopy of both. If you don’t have the old you can send any ID with your name. Remember to bring both passports when you travel. DO I NEED TO CARRY MY PERSONAL STUFF? We provide a porter for your belongings (7kg), so you can go carrying only your daypack. WHO GETS DISCOUNT? If you have a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time or you are under 17. you are entitled to a discount. In order to claim this discount, you have to send us a photocopy of this card. TOILETS DURING OUR TOURS Almost all the treks in Cusco are government regulated, therefore, is possible to find public toilets. Since past experiences with our guests showing discomfort with public toilets in the trails, we introduced our latest Alternative Porta-potty toilets and hot showers on all our tours to maximize your trekking experience. WHEN TO START PACKING? Start packing in advance all necessary equipment for trekking. if you need any assistance you can contact us anytime and come to Peru all prepared just to have fun and enjoy. DO WE HAVE A CHEF WHILE HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS? We have highly trained CHEFS and PORTERS in our tours, capable of handling any special request or diet you may require on our tours Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – tea time – Dinner – wake up tea every day WHERE DO WE GET WATER? We will provide you drinkable water throughout the tours from the beginning until your last day with Ultimate Trekking. This is taken from the natural spring in the mountains and boiled, filtered and then cooled. To refill you must bring your Camelbak or bottle for at least 2 liters each day.
Overview
Overview of the Salkantay Trekking
Highlights of the Salkantay Trekking
Price per person 490.USD Book Now Day by day summary of the Salkantay Trekking
Included in the Salkantay Trekking
Not Included in the Salkantay Trekking
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Basecamp
Day 3: Collpapampa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
Day 5: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas) – Cusco
Packing List
What to take on your daypack for Salkantay Trekking
What to put on the Duffle bags for Salkantay Trekking?
Important Info
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