Salkantay Trek 5 days

Itinerary – Salkantay Trek 5 days

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa

We pick you up early at your hotel in Cusco and drive 3 hours in our private transport to the trail head in Soraypampa. There we will have our breakfast while enjoying the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Humantay (5900m) and Salkantay (6217m) mountains. Before we start our trek, a short hike will take us to the beautiful Humantay Lake. After enjoying the lake, we will return to Soraypampa where a delicious lunch awaits us. Then we will begin the actual trek with a one-hour climb to our first campsite at Salkantaypampa.

Meals: L, D
Maximum Altitude: 4,250m / 13,944ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,980m / 9,777ft
Distance Travelled: 9km / 5.6mi
Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Soyroccocha – Salkantay Pass – Andenes

After a delicious, hardy breakfast, we start our trekking with beautiful views of Apu Salkantay. We hike 2 or 3 hours to reach Apacheta Pass, the highest point of the trek. From there, we can enjoy the spectacular views of snow-capped mountains before hiking down to Salkantay Lake. After a rest at the lake, we walk down to Wayracpampa where our cook has prepared us a delicious lunch. After lunch, we have a 2-hour trek to Andenes campsite where we spend the night in a very peaceful area.

Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 4,638m / 15,217ft
Minimum Altitude: 3,100m / 10,171ft
Distance Travelled: 17km / 10.6mi
Walking time: 8 hours

Day 3: Andenes – Lluskamayu – La Playa – Lucmabamba

On day 3, we walk for 6 hours through the beginning of the rainforest, enjoying a variety of flora and fauna including orchids, birds, coffee trees, banana trees, waterfalls and fruit plantations. We arrive at La Playa lunch with free time to rest before we head to Lucmabamba, our next campsite. Once here, we will enjoy a wonderful coffee tour with a local family. The tour will take us throughout the coffee plantations and end with a chance to taste the best organic coffee of the Cusco Region.

Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 3,100m / 10,171ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,135m / 7,005ft
Distance travelled: 14km / 8.7mi
Walking time: 7 hours

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llaqtapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Our day starts with a 3-hour climb on an original Inca Trail up through the Andean cloud forest to Puncuyoc Pass. From here a short hike takes us to the Inca city of Llactapaca (2,700m/8,906ft). From here we are rewarded with a beautiful view of Machu Picchu, and your guide will share with you the ancient stories of this sacred city. After another 2-hour hike downhill we will reach the hydroelectric plant for our lunch. A train will take us the remaining distance to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 2,954m / 9,688ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,135m / 7,005ft
Distance travelled: 12km / 7.5mi
Walking Time: 5 hours

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Rising early, we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu. Sunrise is the most spectacular time to experience Machu Picchu without the crowds that arrive from the Inca Trail and the subsequent buses. This is the best time to admire the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Your guide will explain this sacred city and its history. Then you will have time to hike to waynapicchu mountain if you get the permits. (2720m/8890ft)! This has an extra cost of US$45 and must be booked several months in advance to get a coveted permit. After experiencing this Seventh Wonder of the World, we will head back to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo and then a private transport to Cuzco where you will be returned to your hotel.

Meal: B

Services Included:

• Guide service in English/Spanish
• Private transportation from Cusco to Soraypampa
• Hot springs entrance fee
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Master cook
• Food (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, snacks)
• Vegetarian/special diet options available at no extra cost
• Cooking and dining equipment, including tents, chairs and tables
• 4-season tents (3-person capacity but used for 2 people)
• Thermarest (sleeping mattress)
• Mules and horsemen to carry our camping equipment & food
• 10 kilos of your personal gear will be carried on the mule (we provide you a duffle)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Pre-departure briefing

Services Not Included:

• Tips for field staff and guide
• Sleeping bag
• Train from hydroelectric to aguas calientes town
• Entrance to Wayna Picchu (this will cost an additional $45, and must be booked well in advance)
• Extra money for souvenirs
• Emergency horse for the group (in case of injury or the need to rest), but this can be arranged for an additional fee
• Note: If you need to rent any equipment such as a sleeping bag, water-proof poncho, hiking poles, etc. please let us know in advance. We will secure them for you – no deposit required.

We Recommend That You Bring:

• Sleeping bag (-10 Cº)
• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof jacket & pants or rain poncho
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat & sunglasses
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Water bottles
• Water filter (optional – boiled water will be available at all meals)
• Personal medications
• Walking poles
• Swimsuit & towel (for hot springs)
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
• Camera
• Toilet paper
• DNI/Original Passport
• Insurance card