The Salkantay Trek is one of the beautiful routes that cross the immense mountains of the Andes, and to be able to make this trek you will need all the necessary information to make your trip unforgettable.
On this page you will find useful information about different aspects of the trek in Salkantay such as the location, altitude, degree of difficulty of the trek and the main tourist attractions that we can visit throughout the trek.
This information is constantly and responsibly updated because for us your health and safety is the main concern and the main basis of our services, we hope that all this information is useful to you: Nevado Salkantay location: The Salkantay Snow Mountain, (6272 masl) or also called Apu Salkantay is located north of the city of Cusco, it is the highest mountain range on the eastern flank of the Vilcabamba mountain range. The Quechua name of this snowy mountain means "Wild Mountain" because it is a snowy mountain that is difficult to climb to the top. cusco tours information. How to get to Salkantay: To get to the beginning of our walk we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco with direction to Mollepata. The journey takes approximately 3 hours to 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Description
Salkantay trek express 4 days, is one of the most popular alternative treks after the classic Inca trail to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, in this route you will see one of the most important apus of Cusco.
DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - CHAULLAY
This day we leave Cusco early (about 4am) and drive for approximately 3 ½ hrs to Soraypampa where we will start the hardest day of the whole Salkantay trek 4 days 3 nights. We will be walking 7.5km to the highest point of the trek, enjoying magnificent panoramas of snow-capped mountains on the way. Once we reach the top we will have spectacular views of the sacred mountain, Salkantay. At 6245 metres it is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region. After 2 hours downhill we will have our delicious lunch around 1:00 p.m. in Huayracmachay. Then we continue approximately 3 hours downhill to our camp in Chaullay or Collpapampa (2900 metres) where your tent will be ready and waiting for you with a bowl of hot water for washing up. Then there is time to rest, nap or write. Around 7 p.m. we will have happy hour, dinner. Then we’re off to bed and a well-earned sleep. DAY 2: CHAULLAY - LUCMABAMBA
Around 6.30am, we start with our breakfast before beginning our trek through the high jungle. We cross the Lluskamayo valley and a variety of little brooks to reach La Playa (Sahuayaco) trekking about 6 hours. You will pass through wonderful landscapes and see waterfalls, rivers, beautiful plants and orchids. At La playa (Sahuayaco) we’ll have our lunch and the horses will go back to Mollepata. After lunch and another 30 minutes uphill you will reach our campsite at Lucmabamba. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy our coffee tour or, as an optional extra, take a local van to Santa Teresa to soak in the natural hot spring optional extra. At the end of the day we have our happy hour, dinner and then a briefing for the next day. DAY 3: LUCMABAMBA - AGUAS CALIENTES
We will have our delicious breakfast at 6 am and leave our campsite. After about 5 minutes you will step onto the original Inka Trail, and for the next 3 hours you will follow this historic trail to the summit for your first view of Machu Picchu across the valley. Then we will descend to our lunch spot by the Hydrolectric Station. After lunch we will walk 3 more hours or take a train for 45 minutes to Aguas Calientes where your beautiful hotel and dinner will be waiting for you. DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU!!!
Early morning, after the breakfast at the Hotel, you will go up by walking or you can take the bus to Machu Picchu where you meet with our Tour Guide for a private introductory tour of the Citadel. For the next 2 hours you will learn of the history, the structure and the stories of this important World Wonder. Then you will have free time to take pictures, relax and explore Machu Picchu by yourself. If you have reserved a climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, our Tour Guide show you where you start.
After exploring Machu Picchu, you will walk or take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. There you will collect your luggage at the Hotel and board the train to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive at Ollantaytambo, you will transfer to a van for a ride back to Cusco by van where you will be dropped off at your hotel or hostel.
SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU INFORMATION.
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
We will start our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with pick you up in your hotel at approximately 8:00 am after picking up additional passengers in your group, you will begin the 40 minute drive to Pisac in the Sacred Valley. On the way we will stop a couple times in order to see the beautiful landscapes and local Marquet Corao or Pisaq .
After we will continue to visit Urubamba and enjoy food there. (optional you can book your lunch with us day before departure) .
then we will go to Ollantaytambo and enjot the amazing templo of sun and the archeological site . In this place we will finish the tour approximately 4:30 p.m. then we need go to the train station because our train will leave at 16:36 pm or 7:00 p.m. (depent on availability - time will be confirm by e-mail) to Aguas Calientes you will go to the train station to board the train (Please you have to be 20 minutes before in the train station). This is a 2 hours approx. Journey to Aguas Calientes, where we will be waiting and settle you into the Hotel. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Places we will visit in our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour on the 1first day:
In the Morning, we will have breakfast in the hotel,(optional you can take with you breakfast if for any reson you leave the hotel before 5:00 am) then you will take the bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, it takes 30 minutes drive up to the main gate to visit Machu Picchu.
When you arrive to Machu Picchu, you will meet with our Tour English or Spanish Guide and enjoy the explanation for 2 hours approx. group tour exploring Machu Picchu.
After finish your journey with the professional Tour Guide, you will have more time to spend in Machupicchu. Also if you booked a climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you will have enough time to walk and have a different views of Machu Picchu Citadel.
All passanger after the guided tour will have the chance to explore Machu Picchu sitadel by their self.
In the afternoon you will have to go down to Aguas Caliente (return by bus or walking) to Aguas Calientes.
In the night, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. According the time in your train tickets, return to Ollantaytambo, in Ollantaytambo the transfer is going to pick up you at the bus to return to Cusco.
Final Bus stop in Cusco is at San Francisco or Regocijo Square near to the Main Square ( Plaza de armas).
Note: You can request to be drop off in your hotel, hostel or homestay. If you need that please send us the Name and address.
Machu Picchu,This stunning site situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley is the best-preserved relic of Inca civilisation and South America’s most popular attraction with an estimated 3,000 people visiting on a typical day.
