Salkantay Trek - 5 days
Get ready for a life-changing adventure on the trek that was named "one of the 25 best treks in the world" by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.The Salkantay trek is also highly enjoyable because it is not nearly as busy as the over-booked Inca Trail and for this reason it is much more exclusive, less touristy, and will result in a much richer cultural experience for our participants. This trek was formerly an Incan trade route for coca and potatoes and Apu Salkantay is the highest peak of the Willkapampa Mountain Range with its' highest point reaching an elevation of 20,574 feet (6,271 m). Salkantay was considered by the Inca to be a deity that controlled weather and fertility in the region west of Cusco and its' name comes from the Quechua word sallqa usually translated as savage, uncivilized, or wild hence the mountain is translated as "savage mountain".
Itinerary
We’ll have an informative talk about the hike and the opportunity to get to know the other travelers who will be sharing the trail with you.
| *Your briefing is typically scheduled for one day before your trek. However if your trek starts on a Monday, your briefing will be scheduled for the Saturday before. Please take this into consideration when booking your flights. |
The transfer will pick you up early in the morning from the hotel in a private van and will take you to the start of your trek at Soraypampa; travel time to this location is around 4 hrs. During the trip, we will see some quaint Andean towns until we get to Killarumiyuc known as “The Incan Astronomy Birthplace” and where the Agricultural Calendar stands out. Later we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and will continue to Mollepata “Little Town”, where we will make a brief stop to explore the streets and purchase some things that we will need for the trek. After 1 ½ hours of more valleys surrounded by majestic mountains and icy mountain tops we will arrive to Soraypampa, where we will see in the distance the Apu Salkantay. Once here, we will decide the route to take for our trek based on the physical fitness of our participants.
- First Option: Ascend the mountain through the left side with a chance to see the beauty of the Andean lake and other mountains that surround it. Finally, we will descend using the same route and take our usual path to our campsite.
- Second Option: To skip the ascension of the mountain and follow the traditional route that will take us directly to our campsite.
On the way to our campsite we will see local people and learn about their traditional lifestyle where the livestock and agriculture has great importance and the reason why it is still practiced nowadays. As we continue we will get closer and closer to one of the most important mountains in the south of Peru, the Grand Salkantay, known as “The Andes Guardian”. Afterwards, we will keep ascending through a winding trail until the Soyrococha Lake, the place where we will stay for the night.
- Distance:7 Km.
- Walking Hours: 4-5 hours
- Low Altitude:4200 m. / 13780 Ft. (Trail Head, Soraypampa)
- High Altitude:4480 m. / 14698 Ft. (Soyrococha)
- Campsite Altitude: / 14698 Ft.
After waking up surrounded by the mountains and lake, we will have a fortifying breakfast and will start with our trek ascending gradually for approximately 1 ½ hrs. towards the highest point of the trail. The Salkantay pass (4,600 m.a.s.l.). From here, we will have a scenic view of the Andes, its’ mountain chains, glaciers, lakes, and brooks. You will feel closer to heaven, and a more profound connection with nature sensing the true magic and energy of the Andes.
After a well-deserved rest, we will descend the mountain slowly until we reach Huayracmachay (4,000 m.a.s.l.) leaving behind the Salkantay. After 2 hours we will arrive at our lunch stop. Later we will continue descending through an area belonging to the highest jungle part known as “Andenes” (3,800 m.a.s.l.) Here, we will be able to see vast vegetation, bamboo forest and a great variety of wild orchids, bromeliads, and other flowers typical from the area. Soon, the second campsite is at reach: Collpapampa (2,950 m.a.s.l.)
- Distance:16 Km.
- Walking Hours:7-9 hours
- Low Altitude:2950 m. / 9678 Ft.
- High Altitude:4600 m. / 14993 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude:2950 m. / 9678 Ft.
This is an easier trek through the upper jungle part or yunga, where we will see vast flora and fauna, especially fruit, coffee, tea, and bamboo plantations. The weather is humid and warm which is characteristic of the semi-tropical area. Along the way we will also see some communities that still practice the Incan traditions. On this day we will have the chance to participate in daily activities of these communities such as coffee, avocado, and granadilla plantations*. We will share in their traditions and their food. It will be a day full of culturally significant learning experiences. Our campsite Lucmabamba (1,850 m.a.s.l) usually has much warmer weather as it is in the wet part of the forest.
* Included with the price
Optional: The thermal hot springs in Santa Teresa in order to get to Lucmabamba campsite. A bus round trip is taken in order to get to the hot springs and enjoy the thermo-medicine from the Valley.
- Distance:15 Km.
- Walking Hours:5-6 hours
- Low Altitude:1850 m. / 6069 Ft.
- High Altitude:2950 m. / 9678 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude:1850 m. / 6069 Ft.
After a delicious breakfast, we will start our trek following the traditional Inca Trail. We will ascend the mountain gradually for 2 hours to the archeological site of Llactapata (2,749 m.a.s.l.), (Quechua meaning elevated town/place). From here we will be able to finally see the Machu Picchu citadel on the right, Huayna Picchu on the left, a portion of the traditional Inca Trail, and the Urubamba River that goes winding throughout the valley. After a brief moment to rest, we will descend for 3 hours through a winding trail between narrow and slippery spaces until we reach the valley (hydroelectric building). Here we will take the train to Aguas Calientes to a hotel where we will spend the night. Perhaps you would like to visit the Aguas Calientes Hot Springs in the evening.
Note: In the event that a passenger feels unwell or for any other reason that does not allow him to continue with the trek on the fourth day, there is an option to take a vehicle from Lucmabamba – Saint Teresa – Hydroelectric, where will meet with the group and continue all together to Aguas Calientes.
In Santa Teresa it is possible to participate in activities such as Zip line e.g. all of these services ARE NOTincluded in the price of the program. If you would like to participate in one of them, you are responsible for the extra expenses. Also the transportation from/to St. Teresa IS NOT included in the program.
- Distance: 12 Km.
- Walking Hours: 5-6 hours
- Low Altitude:1850 m. / 6069 Ft.
- High Altitude:2500 m. / 8202 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude:2050 m. / 6725 Ft.
After breakfast we will take the first bus to Machu Picchu so we can get there early enough to see the sunrise in this magical place. The guided visit inside the citadel will be around 2 or 3 hours. After the guided visit we will hike the mountain Huayna Picchu which boasts an incredible view (Optional – Extra cost) From there we will enjoy the splendor of Machu Picchu, the surrounding landscape, and the exotic tranquility of the lost city of the Incas. In the afternoon we will take the bus to return to Aguas Calientes. Once in the city, you could grab lunch and later on in the day we will take the train to return.
Upon arrival to Cusco, our transfer will be waiting with our private van to take you back to your hotel.
