Salkantay trek to Machupicchu

Overview

The white peak of the sacred mountain of Salkantay (6,271 mts – 20,574 ft ), wreathed in the white clouds that rise from the jungle, dominates Machupicchu and its approach. Treks around its base offer an extraordinary variety of ecological regions, from tropical valleys to glacial steppes.
5 days – 4 nights
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Cusco-Mollepata – Salkantaypampa

Salkantaypampa -Collpapampa.

Collpapampa - Lucmabamba.

Lucmabamba –Llactapata –Hidroelectrica -Aguas Calientes

Machupicchu – Cusco

Activity:

Trekking, flora and fauna; archeology

Destinations:

Machupicchu Sanctuary

Reservation code:

CHA-IT2D-S

Best season:

May – October

Trek grade:

Easy

Altitude:

from 7710 to 8694 feet / from 2350 to 2650 meter

After an early morning pick-up from your hotel, we´ll go by private bus to the village of Mollepata. From the tropical valley of Mollepata with its citrus groves, we’ll go on to Choquekicll a for our first views of the southern faces of the Salkantay Mountain (6,271m tr – 20,574ft) and the Humantay Mountain (6,217271m tr – 0,574ft), both sacred to the people of the Andes. Our first campsite for tonight is at Salkantay Pampa.
(10 km – 6.2 mi / 8 hour trek). Overnight at campsite. 
Meals:
lunch and dinner

After an early breakfast, we are ready to start a 3-hour trek and begin our ascent to Salkantay Mountain Pass (4525m /14842ft). We’ll have a magnificent view of the snow-capped surrounding Glaciers, as well as other interesting geological formations. With some luck we can spot condors here. After a brief rest, we’ll continue our trek downwards into the cloud forest along the Salkantay river. The climate changes as we descend into a tropical climate and in the late afternoon we will arrive at our campsite in Collcapampa to spend the night.
(16 km – 10mi / 8 hour trek).Overnight at campsite. (B/L/D)
Meals:
breakfast, lunch and dinner

Another early start and we are off on an easy hike into the cloud forest or Ceja de Selva along the Santa Theresa river. Tropical vegetation, waterfalls, coffee- and passion fruit plantations are part the incredible scenery today. Once downhill , during the relaxed hike along the river we will be able to observe a wide variety of tropical flora and fauna and even take time for a sprinkle under the Coripacchi waterfall . Passing along the small town of La Playa we arrive to our campsite in Lucmabamba.
(14 km – 8.7 mi / 7 hour trek). Overnight at campsite. (B/L/D)
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

In approximately one and a half hours we arrive at the pass of Lucmabamba traversing dense cloud forest, where we have our first possibility of sighting Machupicchu lying in front of us. After a relaxing break, we now descend to the Urubamba valley, passing a footbridge and arriving at the hydroelectric plant with its small railway station early in the afternoon. In the afternoon we take the short train ride to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hostel .
(8km – 5 mi / 7 hour trek). Overnight in Aguas Calientes (B/L)
Meals: breakfast and lunch 

We take the one of the first buses in the morning to the Machupicchu entrance. Our guide will lead a beautiful tour in the Sanctuary of Machupicchu. After the tour, you will have a moment to take photos and then we will exit Machpicchu for lunch. You can have lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge or go down to Aguas Calientes where you will have plenty of restaurant options. In the afternoon, it will be time to board the return train to the train station of Ollantaytambo or Poroy. On arrival, our driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco. 

Note: campsites may change at your guide’s discretion.
Meals: breakfast

Included

Pick up from your hotel

Professional guide

Private transport by bus: Cusco – Mollepata (trailhead)

Entrance fee for the Salkantay trek

Pack horses to carry equipment and your personal gear

Wranglers responsible for the horses

A Cook to prepare all meals.

Cooking equipment, mess tent, dining tent, chairs, tables, accommodation for the porters and cook

Mountain Hardwear tents (a 3-person tent for every 2 individuals)

Foam mattress (self-inflating mattress can be rented – included in private service)

Meals (5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners) food is suited for trekking and is rich in carbohydrates.

Boiled water provided at meal times to refill your waterbottle

Train from the Hydro Electric plant to Aguas Calientes

Hostel in Aguas Calientes

Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machupicchu Sanctuary

Entrance fee to the Machupicchu Sanctuary

Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

Transfer from the Cusco train station to your hotel

First aid kit, emergency oxygen, radio communications

Not Included

Sleeping Bag (can be rented in our office in Cusco)

Water purification tablets

Tips for the wranglers, cook and guide

Dinner on day 4 and 5 and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes