SalKantay Trek

Day 1 – Transfer to Soraypampa & Hike to Humantay Lagoon  Pick up from the Hotel at 07:00 and transfer to the head of the trail at Soraypampa (3,800m/12,467ft); the journey takes about 4 hours by car.  There are breathtaking vistas of the snowcapped Vilcabamba and Mollepata mountain ranges and the verdant Apurimac River Valley along the drive. Time to relax and rest.  After lunch, we start our trek up to the lake with beautiful views; we ascend the mountain for 2 hours, taking numerous breaks to enjoy the scenery.  After conquering the hill, we will gaze down on a turquoise lake surrounded by steep peaks and an impressive glacier. The hike is dominated by Salkantay snow-capped Mountain, towering 20,600 feet with a sheer and snowy face. The equally impressive Humantay Mountain rises 19,412 feet. Local people give a blessing when reaching the crystal-clear waters of Humantay Lake at 13,700 feet (4200 meters).  We return to our campsite for dinner.  Distance estimate: 5 km (3,10 miles), Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours  Overnight in camp.  Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 2 – Hike from Soraypampa to Chaullay  After an early start, the climb to Salkantay Pass begins. We will gradually make our way around Humantay Peak via broad plateaus joined by gigantic rocks, relics of the once-divided Rio Blanco Valley by a swift-flowing river. The journey's last and most challenging portion is navigating the mountain switchbacks that lead to the pass, the trek's highest Huayracmachay pass (4,638m/15,216ft). This location offers stunning views of Cusco's second-highest mountain Salkantay. We can also see the snowcapped mountains of Huayanay and Humantay and miniature lakes, moraines, and a white river.  The adventure continues with a stunning drop past fields of enormous rocks and often foggy natural stone formations, followed by a delightful hot meal.  After lunch, we will trek about 9 kilometers and three hours to reach the edge of the cloud forest. Observe the abrupt and spectacular transition from the Andes to the tropical vegetation. Observe vivid landscapes, rare fauna, and native vegetation.  We reach our second camp late afternoon at Chaullay (2,900m/9514ft).  Distance estimate: 18 km (11, 18 miles), Estimated walking time: 8-9 hours  Overnight in camp.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 3 - Hike from Chaullay to Lucmabamba  After a leisurely breakfast, continue the journey into the cloud forest along the river banks amid more green surroundings. Warm air will rise from the forest's edge, followed by vibrant butterflies and beautiful orchids. Today meet more Andean locals as the route passes by their primary dwellings and homemade fences.  Hike through the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects glacier-fed waterfalls. See the local flora and the coffee, banana, and avocado plantations on the way. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird known as the "Cock of the Rocks."  Before heading to the Lucmabamba campground (2,000m/6,564ft), we have a delicious lunch at La Playa.  In Lucmabamba, we study the coffee-making process, from collecting the coffee beans to shelling, toasting, and grinding with a local family. Also, we will see fruit trees such as lime, grapefruit, and avocado.  Distance estimate: 13 km (8, 07 miles), Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours  Overnight in camp.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 4 - First view of Machu Picchu  After breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We ascend for three hours to Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8976 ft), where we see a view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast that few tourists ever get the opportunity to enjoy.  We can see Mount Salkantay and Machu Picchu and take a break; the newly restored Llactapata Ruins enhance the place's attractiveness. We pause briefly to investigate the Llactapata Ruins.  A two-hour descent to the River Aobamba via bamboo woods, coffee fields, and enormous orchards brings us to the hydroelectric plant at Machu Picchu (1,870m/6,000ft).  We stop for lunch in Hidroelectrica before we continue to Aguas Calientes town. Following lunch, the whole crew, including the chef, will leave.  Nevertheless, our trustworthy guide leads us to the town of Aguas Calientes, along the railroad tracks to Aguas Calientes; the easy walk takes around 2.5 hours.  Once in the town, enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend a night in a hotel.

Optional: Choose the train to Aguas Calientes (US$ 40 additional cost) if you are tired and unwilling to walk.  Distance estimate: 10 km (6, 21 miles), Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours  Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 5 - Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu  Hotel breakfast; at 06:00 am. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.  Around 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world's spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.  The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.  From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.  From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.  Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch. Expedition train --- Aguas Calientes (15:20pm) – Cusco (19:05pm) 

Included: 

The clients will receive a briefing the night before the trek. Pick up from the Hotel and transfer to Mollepata (starting point of the trail).  Entrance fees to Salkantay circuit and Machu Picchu (but not Huayna Picchu Mountain).  Personal tents accommodate two people for greater comfort and security. Our tents are 4-season and well-maintained for field performance.  Each individual should bring an inflatable sleeping mat.  Dining tent with tables and chairs. Kitchen tent.  Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.  English-speaking tour leader plus an assistant guide for groups of over eight trekkers  Chef and cooking equipment.  Campsite fees must be paid to the local community in every camp place.  Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) - (day 1 – 2).  Pack animals to carry personal gear up to 7kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) - (day 1 – 2).  One emergency horse every six people (day 1 – 2).  Horse riders.  Meals (4 breakfast, 4-lunches, four dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except for last day). Vegetarian or special diets are available at no extra cost.  Lunch on the last day after visiting Machu Picchu.  A cloth bag for everyday snacks saves plastic bags and decreases waste.  We will provide boiled water from lunchtime on the first day.  Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.  Our kitchen staff uses bio-degradable dishwashing detergents.  Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in the water bottle every morning, night, and lunchtime.  We bring a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.  Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu site – Aguas Calientes.  Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (Expedition train or similar) according to availability - we can upgrade Vistadome service upon request.  Transfer from Poroy or Cusco train station to Cusco Hotel.  24-hour support by our local staff. 

Not Included:

-Accommodation; 1 night in Aguas Calientes hotel  

-Domestic or international flights. 

- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.  

-Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).  

-The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.  

-Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.  

-Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.

-Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.  

-Breakfast on the first day.  

-Entrance fee to the Aguas Calientes thermal springs.  

-Sleeping bag

Day 1 – Transfer to Soraypampa & Hike to Humantay Lagoon  Pick up from the Hotel at 07:00 and transfer to the head of the trail at Soraypampa (3,800m/12,467ft); the journey takes about 4 hours by car.  There are breathtaking vistas of the snowcapped Vilcabamba and Mollepata mountain ranges and the verdant Apurimac River Valley along the drive. Time to relax and rest.  After lunch, we start our trek up to the lake with beautiful views; we ascend the mountain for 2 hours, taking numerous breaks to enjoy the scenery.  After conquering the hill, we will gaze down on a turquoise lake surrounded by steep peaks and an impressive glacier. The hike is dominated by Salkantay snow-capped Mountain, towering 20,600 feet with a sheer and snowy face. The equally impressive Humantay Mountain rises 19,412 feet. Local people give a blessing when reaching the crystal-clear waters of Humantay Lake at 13,700 feet (4200 meters).  We return to our campsite for dinner.  Distance estimate: 5 km (3,10 miles), Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours  Overnight in camp.  Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 2 – Hike from Soraypampa to Chaullay, transfer to Lucmabamba  After an early start, the climb to Salkantay Pass begins. We will gradually make our way around Humantay Peak via broad plateaus joined by gigantic rocks, relics of the once-divided Rio Blanco Valley by a swift-flowing river. The journey's last and most challenging portion is navigating the mountain switchbacks that lead to the pass, the trek's highest Huayracmachay pass (4,638m/15,216ft). This location offers stunning views of Cusco's second-highest mountain Salkantay. We can also see the snowcapped mountains of Huayanay and Humantay and miniature lakes, moraines, and a white river.  The adventure continues with a stunning drop past fields of enormous rocks and often foggy natural stone formations, followed by a delightful hot meal.  After lunch, we will trek about 9 kilometers and three hours to reach the edge of the cloud forest. Observe the abrupt and spectacular transition from the Andes to the tropical vegetation. Observe vivid landscapes, rare fauna, and native vegetation.  Upon arrival to Chaullay, one hour transfer by local car to Lucmabamba campsite (2,000m/6,564ft) where spend the night.  Distance estimate: 18 km (11, 18 miles), Estimated walking time: 8-9 hours  Overnight in camp.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 3 - First view of Machu Picchu  After breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We ascend for three hours to Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8976 ft), where we see a view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast that few tourists ever get the opportunity to enjoy.  We can see Mount Salkantay and Machu Picchu and take a break; the newly restored Llactapata Ruins enhance the place's attractiveness. We pause briefly to investigate the Llactapata Ruins.  A two-hour descent to the River Aobamba via bamboo woods, coffee fields, and enormous orchards brings us to the hydroelectric plant at Machu Picchu (1,870m/6,000ft).  We stop for lunch in Hidroelectrica before we continue to Aguas Calientes town. Following lunch, the whole crew, including the chef, will leave.  Nevertheless, our trustworthy guide leads us to the town of Aguas Calientes, along the railroad tracks to Aguas Calientes; the easy walk takes around 2.5 hours.  Once in the town, enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend a night in a hotel.  Optional: Choose the train to Aguas Calientes ($40 additional cost) if you are tired and unwilling to walk.  Distance estimate: 10 km (6, 21 miles), Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours  Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 4 - Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu 

Hotel breakfast; at 06:00 am. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.  Around 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world's spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.  The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.  From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.  From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.  Later in the day, board the train to return to Cusco. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch. Expedition train --- Aguas Calientes (15:20pm) – Cusco (19:05pm) 

Included:

The clients will receive a briefing the night before the trek.  Pick up from the Hotel and transfer to Mollepata (starting point of the trail).  Entrance fees to Salkantay circuit and Machu Picchu (but not Huayna Picchu Mountain).  Personal tents accommodate two people for greater comfort and security. Our tents are 4-season and well-maintained for field performance.  Each individual should bring an inflatable sleeping mat.  Dining tent with tables and chairs. Kitchen tent.  Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.  English-speaking tour leader plus an assistant guide for groups of over eight trekkers  Chef and cooking equipment.  Campsite fees must be paid to the local community in every camp place.  Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) - (day 1 – 2).  Pack animals to carry personal gear up to 7kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) - (day 1 – 2).  One emergency horse every six people (day 1 – 2).  Horse riders.  Meals (3 breakfast, 3-lunches, three dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except for last day). Vegetarian or special diets are available at no extra cost.  Lunch on the last day after visiting Machu Picchu.  A cloth bag for everyday snacks saves plastic bags and decreases waste.  We will provide boiled water from lunchtime on the first day.  Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.  Our kitchen staff uses bio-degradable dishwashing detergents.  Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in the water bottle every morning, night, and lunchtime.  We bring a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.  Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu site – Aguas Calientes.  Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (Expedition train or similar) according to availability - we can upgrade Vistadome service upon request.  Transfer from Poroy or Cusco train station to Cusco Hotel.  24-hour support by our local staff. 

Not Included:

-Accommodation; 1 night in Aguas Calientes hotel  

-domestic or international flights. 

-VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.  

-Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).  

-The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.  

-Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.  

-Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.  

-Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.  

-Breakfast on the first day.  

-Entrance fee to the Aguas Calientes thermal springs.  

-Sleeping bag.