Salkantay trek, 5 days itinerary:
Price: US$180 but returning on foot from Machu Picchu to Hydroelectric and a bus from Hydroelectric to Cusco.
We request a prepayment of US$80 via PayPal to buy your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, once you done the prepayment, we will send you a code regarding your Machu Picchu ticket for printing online in no more than 72 hours.
Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain costs an extra: US$18 - payment in advance via PayPal.
Discount for students only having the "university student card" until 25 years old: US$18
How to pay it the remaining remaining?
We'll meet a day before of your chosen date at 6:00 pm in our office or in your accommodation a day before you leave to explain you the itinerary, also about the remaining payment only in cash dollars.
A very active trek along mountains, lakes, glaciers and the high jungle, passing by local villages, plantations of tropical fruits, also an optional zip line, and the dreamed Machu Picchu at the end.
We request a prepayment of US$80 via PayPal to buy your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, once you done the prepayment, we will send you a code regarding your Machu Picchu ticket for printing online in no more than 72 hours.
Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain costs an extra: US$18 - payment in advance via PayPal.
Discount for students only having the "university student card" until 25 years old: US$18
How to pay it the remaining remaining?
We'll meet a day before of your chosen date at 6:00 pm in our office or in your accommodation a day before you leave to explain you the itinerary, also about the remaining payment only in cash dollars.
A very active trek along mountains, lakes, glaciers and the high jungle, passing by local villages, plantations of tropical fruits, also an optional zip line, and the dreamed Machu Picchu at the end.
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soray Pampa - Humantay lake
You will be pick up at 4:30 am to drive for 3 hours to Mollepata where you could have an optional breakfast (not included in the price) driving for 1 more hour to Challacancha the beginning of trekking.
You start hiking up and down for 2 hours to the lunch place, after lunch you will go to explore the Humantay lake located at the bottom of the Humantay glacier, this part is very demanding like 1 hour and 15 minutes uphill so the way down is much easier like an hour back to Soraypampa the camp site.
You will be pick up at 4:30 am to drive for 3 hours to Mollepata where you could have an optional breakfast (not included in the price) driving for 1 more hour to Challacancha the beginning of trekking.
You start hiking up and down for 2 hours to the lunch place, after lunch you will go to explore the Humantay lake located at the bottom of the Humantay glacier, this part is very demanding like 1 hour and 15 minutes uphill so the way down is much easier like an hour back to Soraypampa the camp site.
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay pass - Huayracmachay - Challway
You have to wake up very early at 5:00 am to start trekking at 6:00 am so it takes 3 to 4 hours hiking uphill from Soraypampa to the Salkantay pass, the highest point at 4600 m with an amazing view of Salkantay glacier which peaks lays at 6271 m, from over there all the way is downhill so 2 more hours to the lunch place at Huayracmachay at 3900 m, and 3 more hours downhill to Challway, the campsite at 2900 m, no more cold also it is the beginning of the high jungle.
You have to wake up very early at 5:00 am to start trekking at 6:00 am so it takes 3 to 4 hours hiking uphill from Soraypampa to the Salkantay pass, the highest point at 4600 m with an amazing view of Salkantay glacier which peaks lays at 6271 m, from over there all the way is downhill so 2 more hours to the lunch place at Huayracmachay at 3900 m, and 3 more hours downhill to Challway, the campsite at 2900 m, no more cold also it is the beginning of the high jungle.
Day 3: Challway - La Playa - Qoqalmayu (hot springs) - Santa Teresa
You will wake up at 6:00 am to start hiking at 7:00 am, so this day is much easier just uphill and mainly downhill no more than 6 hours along the high jungle passing by local villages, and their plantations of tropical crops and fruits like coffee, orange, lemon, avocados plantations so after lunch at "La Playa" at 2100 m by 1:00 pm, you will take a bus to santa Teresa town the campsite place where after leaving your belongs you could go to the hot springs of Qoqalmayu where you need 25 soles for the round trip transport and entrance fee, so after an hour in the pools you will go back to the campsite in Santa Teresa at 1600 m, a place much lower than the previous camp sites.
Bring with you some extra soles to have an unforgettable night by a campfire having nice drinks!
You will wake up at 6:00 am to start hiking at 7:00 am, so this day is much easier just uphill and mainly downhill no more than 6 hours along the high jungle passing by local villages, and their plantations of tropical crops and fruits like coffee, orange, lemon, avocados plantations so after lunch at "La Playa" at 2100 m by 1:00 pm, you will take a bus to santa Teresa town the campsite place where after leaving your belongs you could go to the hot springs of Qoqalmayu where you need 25 soles for the round trip transport and entrance fee, so after an hour in the pools you will go back to the campsite in Santa Teresa at 1600 m, a place much lower than the previous camp sites.
Bring with you some extra soles to have an unforgettable night by a campfire having nice drinks!
Day 4: Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
Leaving time by 8:00 am, and another easy day for hiking so only 10 km in 3 hours walking almost flat along the bank of the Urubamba river to Hydroelectric, after lunch you still have 10 km in 3 more hours flat along the train track to Aguas Calientes, where you will sleep in a comfortable accommodation after 3 nights in tents.
You will have dinner in a tourist restaurant.
Notice: This day in the morning you still have one option, the zipline in the area which is full of adrenaline crossing a nearby valley like 4 times with very secure equipment and professional zip-line guides so the bus service is also included from Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric, this costs an extra US$20.
Leaving time by 8:00 am, and another easy day for hiking so only 10 km in 3 hours walking almost flat along the bank of the Urubamba river to Hydroelectric, after lunch you still have 10 km in 3 more hours flat along the train track to Aguas Calientes, where you will sleep in a comfortable accommodation after 3 nights in tents.
You will have dinner in a tourist restaurant.
Notice: This day in the morning you still have one option, the zipline in the area which is full of adrenaline crossing a nearby valley like 4 times with very secure equipment and professional zip-line guides so the bus service is also included from Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric, this costs an extra US$20.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
You have to wake up very early at 4:00 am to start hiking uphill by 4:30 am so a half hour is flat from Aguas Calientes to the bridge, and 1 more hour uphill to be at Machu Picchu by 6:00 am.
You still have a guided tour for 2 hours walking through this unique and dreamed site, afterward you can explore all around like the Sungate, the Inca bridge.
You have to leave from Machu Picchu no later than 11:30 am walking downhill back to the bridge, and to the left to Hydroelectric where the bus leaves on time at 3:00 pm.
Notice 1: We highly reccommend to leave from Machu Picchu at 11:30 am the latest in order to be at Hydroelectric before 3:00 pm, over there you have to make sure to find the bus on your own checking your name on list asking for "Transportes Quiño".
The bus leaves on time at 3:00 pm.
Notice 2: You have another option to come back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes, check availability of train tickets at www.perurail.com so the train ride takes 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and 2 more hours by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, in this case you can find easily a local bus by Ollantaytambo train station exit.
You have to wake up very early at 4:00 am to start hiking uphill by 4:30 am so a half hour is flat from Aguas Calientes to the bridge, and 1 more hour uphill to be at Machu Picchu by 6:00 am.
You still have a guided tour for 2 hours walking through this unique and dreamed site, afterward you can explore all around like the Sungate, the Inca bridge.
You have to leave from Machu Picchu no later than 11:30 am walking downhill back to the bridge, and to the left to Hydroelectric where the bus leaves on time at 3:00 pm.
Notice 1: We highly reccommend to leave from Machu Picchu at 11:30 am the latest in order to be at Hydroelectric before 3:00 pm, over there you have to make sure to find the bus on your own checking your name on list asking for "Transportes Quiño".
The bus leaves on time at 3:00 pm.
Notice 2: You have another option to come back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes, check availability of train tickets at www.perurail.com so the train ride takes 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and 2 more hours by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, in this case you can find easily a local bus by Ollantaytambo train station exit.
What is included?
-Pre-departure briefing, 1 or 2 nights before the trek, provided by your guides.
-Tourist bus from your hotel to Mollepata, the beginning of the hike.
-Professional bilingual guide.
-Assistant guide (groups over 12 people).
-Entrance fee for Machu Picchu.
-Accommodation in hostel and hot shower.
-3 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners,(day 1 breakfast is not included).
-1 snack as breakfast on day 5.
-Cook and cooking equipment.
-Four-person tent for two people.
-Foam mattress.
-Horses and a horseman to carry all the equipment. You can leave 5 kilos max. of your belongs to be carried by the horses, during the first 3 days.
-Bottled oxygen and first aid kit.
-No extra cost for vegetarian food on request.
-Bus service from Hydroelectric to Cusco.
-Pre-departure briefing, 1 or 2 nights before the trek, provided by your guides.
-Tourist bus from your hotel to Mollepata, the beginning of the hike.
-Professional bilingual guide.
-Assistant guide (groups over 12 people).
-Entrance fee for Machu Picchu.
-Accommodation in hostel and hot shower.
-3 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners,(day 1 breakfast is not included).
-1 snack as breakfast on day 5.
-Cook and cooking equipment.
-Four-person tent for two people.
-Foam mattress.
-Horses and a horseman to carry all the equipment. You can leave 5 kilos max. of your belongs to be carried by the horses, during the first 3 days.
-Bottled oxygen and first aid kit.
-No extra cost for vegetarian food on request.
-Bus service from Hydroelectric to Cusco.
What is not included?
-Check train ticket availability at www.perurail.com or www.incarail.com
-Day 1 breakfast, and day 5 lunch.
-Zip-line on day 2, US$15
-Round bus ticket to Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (US$12 one way - US$24 round trip)
-Snacks.
-Bottled water during the trip.
-Check train ticket availability at www.perurail.com or www.incarail.com
-Day 1 breakfast, and day 5 lunch.
-Zip-line on day 2, US$15
-Round bus ticket to Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (US$12 one way - US$24 round trip)
-Snacks.
-Bottled water during the trip.
What do You need to take?
-Original passport (student card if applicable). You must bring the passport or ID you used for booking. If you get a new one, it is essential to bring a copy of the old one.
-Travel insurance is essential.
-A comfortable daypack to carry what you really need for hiking during the day.
-Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits. Our meals are very complete and delicious, but you will realize after walking a couple of hours you want to bite into a cookie!
-Sleeping bag -5 C or 23 F at least (not included - you can rent it from us).
-Walking boots.
-Waterproof gear, rain poncho (just in case during the dry season as well).
-Warm jacket and warm clothes (temperature varies from -5 to 24 C, 23 to 75 F ).
-Hat, gloves, beanie and sunglasses.
-T-shirts.
-Comfortable trousers.
-Bathing suit (very nice hot springs at Santa Teresa, day 3).
-Sun hat.
-Sun protection cream (35 SPF recommended).
-Insect repellent (20% DEET - no malaria has been reported).
-Bottled water, you can buy it at every campsite.
-Water purifying pills (optional).
-Toiletries.
-Towel.
-Personal First Aid kit.
-Camera and charger to recharge your batteries on the 3rd and 4th nights.
-Flashlight and spare alkaline batteries.
-Chap stick.
-We recommend packing your belongings in plastic bags due to the rain and bringing a waterproof cover for your day pack.
-Extra money (at least 300 soles - ATM in Aguas Calientes only).
*Important: To qualify as student, you must have a valid ISIC card and send a copy at booking.
*Advise us about any allergy or personal health condition (asthma, etc).
-Original passport (student card if applicable). You must bring the passport or ID you used for booking. If you get a new one, it is essential to bring a copy of the old one.
-Travel insurance is essential.
-A comfortable daypack to carry what you really need for hiking during the day.
-Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits. Our meals are very complete and delicious, but you will realize after walking a couple of hours you want to bite into a cookie!
-Sleeping bag -5 C or 23 F at least (not included - you can rent it from us).
-Walking boots.
-Waterproof gear, rain poncho (just in case during the dry season as well).
-Warm jacket and warm clothes (temperature varies from -5 to 24 C, 23 to 75 F ).
-Hat, gloves, beanie and sunglasses.
-T-shirts.
-Comfortable trousers.
-Bathing suit (very nice hot springs at Santa Teresa, day 3).
-Sun hat.
-Sun protection cream (35 SPF recommended).
-Insect repellent (20% DEET - no malaria has been reported).
-Bottled water, you can buy it at every campsite.
-Water purifying pills (optional).
-Toiletries.
-Towel.
-Personal First Aid kit.
-Camera and charger to recharge your batteries on the 3rd and 4th nights.
-Flashlight and spare alkaline batteries.
-Chap stick.
-We recommend packing your belongings in plastic bags due to the rain and bringing a waterproof cover for your day pack.
-Extra money (at least 300 soles - ATM in Aguas Calientes only).
*Important: To qualify as student, you must have a valid ISIC card and send a copy at booking.
*Advise us about any allergy or personal health condition (asthma, etc).
Optional services:
-If you want to comeback from Aguas Calientes by train, check availability at www.perurail.com or www.incarail.com.
-Renting of sleeping bag - 4 season, US$15.
-Renting of walking poles - US $15 each pair.
-Emergency horse for riding until day 2 only - US$60.
-Extra night in Aguas Calientes - US$15 (hostel, and a hot shower).
-Ask for discounts:
If you are a student US $20 - student card only (send a copy at booking), teenagers up to 15 years old US $20.
-If you want to comeback from Aguas Calientes by train, check availability at www.perurail.com or www.incarail.com.
-Renting of sleeping bag - 4 season, US$15.
-Renting of walking poles - US $15 each pair.
-Emergency horse for riding until day 2 only - US$60.
-Extra night in Aguas Calientes - US$15 (hostel, and a hot shower).
-Ask for discounts:
If you are a student US $20 - student card only (send a copy at booking), teenagers up to 15 years old US $20.