Salkantay Trail - 5 days 4 nights
Short Description:
This five day trek through the Vilcabamba area, last refuge of the Inca empire during their flight from their Spanish conquerors, is
ideal for those looking for an alternative to the Classic Inca Trail. Mount Salkantay (6,270mt-20,565ft) was one of the Inca´s most sacred mountains and considered to be home to the Apus, the all powerful spirits of the mountains. The highest section of the trek 4,750m - 15,585ft - passes so close to this magnificent peak that you almost feel you could reach out and touch it.
Price:
$225 per person
$210 with a valid ISIC card
Itinerary:
DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAY PAMPA
We will pick you up at your hotel at approx 4.30am and depart at 5.15 a.m. by bus towards Mollepata located at an altitude of 2,850 m.a.s.l, through Andean zone. We will continue our trip until Soraypampa (3800 masl). We walk for about 3 hours until lunch time and then continue for 4 more hours until our camp site in Soray.
DAY 2: SORAY PAMPA – CHAULLAY
The dawn is impressive. As soon as we get up we will see the majestic Salkantay Mountain. Approximately 7:00 am we have breakfast and continue our trip which will last 9 to 10 hours, during which we will find the difference among the altitudinal floors, we enter into a kind of canyon which will lead us to the skirts of Salkantay. After three hours of walking we will have lunch. We will then ascend until we reach a cove to then descend to the edge of the jungle. We will arrive to CHAULLAY this day where we will camp.
DAY 3: CHAULLAY– SANTA TERESA
From here the warm weather begins. After lunch we will continue through the valley bottom where we will be able to watch a variety of birds, mammals, insects, and other kinds of animals. We also will observe the way of living of the settlers in this zone and the waterfalls of Waynapoco if time permits.
Later, we will continue walking for about 6 to 7 hours before lunch after which we will take the bus towards Santa Teresa (truck or minibus) where we will camp.
DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES
After getting up and breakfast we will continue until Hydroelectric town where we will stop to lunch. We will then continue walking along the railway tracks for roughly 2 ½ hours until Aguas Calientes where we will rest in a hostel after we have had dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO
On this day we will get to visit the great ruins of Machu Picchu. To get there we start to ascend at 4:00 a.m. for approx 1 ½ hours until we reach Machu Picchu where you will have a guided tour of the ruins and free time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu if you desire. We will then take the train back to Piscacucho. Transfer by bus/ private transport back to Cusco at approx 1.30am.
Included:
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
• Mules to carry up to 5 kg of personal equipment,
• Horses (only for the equipment).
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and guided tour of ruins (approx 2 hours).
• Return train to Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo and from there return bus to Cusco (times dependent on Peru Rail availability).
• Bus (Cusco-Mollepata).
• English-Spanish professional guide.
• Tents.
• Mattress.
• Dining tent/ kitchen.
Not Included:
• First breakfast.
• Last Lunch
• Sleeping bag
• Train tickets Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes (optional).
• Tips for staff (optional)
We Recommend Bringing:
• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and trousers if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etcSmall towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ for snacks, water, souveniers etc.
• Original passport
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
Optional services:
• An extra horse to carry your personal items: US$ 72.00. A horse can
carry up to 20 kg
• An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an
additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Please note that if
you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional
cost of the entrance fee is not included
• Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one
(Tourist train), at an additional cost of US$ 23.00 per person. (*) Pls
note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Backpacker train in all
group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not
be accompanied by our guide
