SALKANTAY TRAIL

OVERVIEW

The Salkantay (6264 m/20551 ft) is the most recognized mountain of the Inca empire, situated in the mountain range of Vilcabamba. The daylight in this region is particularly beautiful and offers a wonderful view of the diverse landscape and tropical forest. During our journey, we will visit local farmers and get to know their Andean lifestyles, customs and traditions. Therefore the Salkantay trek a perfectly combine of cultural and natural beauty.

 

• Duration: 4 days
• Arrival: Daily
• Departure: Daily
• Destinations: Cusco, Salkantay, Machu Picchu
• Activities: Adventure, trekking, camping

 

ITINERARY

 

Day 01: Cusco – Mollepata (Marcoccasa) – Salkantay Pampa

 

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 am and head towards Marcoccasa (3400 m/11154 ft), passing the village Mollepata (3000 m/9843 ft).

In Marcoccasa we will meet the horsemen and the rest of the group to start our trek.

From Marcoccasa we start hiking into the magnificent valley surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains, including the Humantay (5217 m/17116 ft) and the Salkantay (6264 m/20551 ft).

Our campsite will be at Salkantay Pampa (3900 m/12795 ft).

 

Note:

• Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Climate: Moderate during daytime and cold during the night
• Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours

 

Day 02: Salkantay Pampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa – Lucmabamba

 

After breakfast, we will set off towards the Salkantay pass (4600 m/15092 ft), which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain (6264 m). Thereafter, we will descend again and will have time to enjoy the increasing vegetation of the ecosystem.

Later on, we will take a vehicle (a lorry or any local vehicle) from Collpapampa (3000 m/9842 ft) to Lucmabamba (2000 m/6561 ft) where we set up our camping site, amidst the tropical forest with warm climate and mosquitoes.

 

Camping

• Hiking time: 7 hours
• Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Optional: The hot springs nearby Collpapampa community is optional and it can be arranged with an extra cost

 

Day 03: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca Site – Hydroelectric Station – Aguas Calientes

 

After breakfast, early in the morning, we will see a presentation about coffee cultivation and processing. We will then hike up the Inca trail to explore the archaeological site of Llactapata at 2650 m/8694 ft. There is beautiful scenery here, and we will discover flora as well as evidence of the Inca culture.

From here we will have an outstanding view over Machu Picchu Mountain and Vilcanota Canyon. Afterwards, we will continue down to the hydroelectric train station (1950 m/6398 ft), where you are able to take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2050 m/6726 ft).

 

We will spend the night in a hotel located in Aguas Calientes.

 

• Climate: Warm during the day with mosquitoes
• Hiking time: 6 hours

 

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

 

We will enjoy breakfast and then leave our hotel at 5:30 am to head to Machu Picchu (2400 m/7874 ft) by bus.

We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, learning about the Inca life and culture, you will have additional time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750 m/9022 ft) on your own.

We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 4:35 pm or at 6:35 pm. Until then, you will have time to eat lunch in one of the local restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.

 

• Hiking time: 2 hours

 

INCLUDED

• Transportation
• Private transportion from the hotel to the village of Mollepata (Marcoccasa)
• A vehicle (a lorry or any local vehicle available) from Collpapampa to Lucmabamba
• Transportation from Lucmabamba to hydroelectric train station
• Train from hydroelectric train station to Aguas Calientes
• Bus ticket, from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Bus ticket, from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Professional, bilingual tour guide (Spanish and English)
• High quality camping equipment, mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, and bathroom tent
• Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea time- vegetarian option)
• Cook and assistant
• Horsemen and mules
• Emergency horse
• First-aid kit and oxygen bottle

 

Not included:

• Breakfast on 1st day and lunch in Aguas Calientes on the 4th day
• Sleeping bag