- Type: Trekking
- Duration: 5D/4N
- Distance: 55 km
- Season: March to November
- Departure: Daily
- Minimum of Passengers: 2 people
Salkantay Trek 5 days is a remote and ancient footpath in the same region as the Inca trail and Choquequirao Trek 4 Days. It is the alternative trek to Machu picchu when we can't find availability for the Inca trail, or for those looking for another experience, one in which you are walking above the clouds.
In this region the Peruvian Andes are located and Salkantay Mountain (6 180m) is one of the Cusco region's main Apus (gods), the second highest mountain in Cusco, after the Ausangate Mountain (6 385m). Salkantay Mountain is located northwest of Cusco, at the eastern end of the Vilcabamba mountains. The name Salkantay means 'Savage Mountain' which may refer to its scale, danger and difficulty.
The full Salkantay Trek usually takes from 4 to 5 days, but the Traditional Salkantay Trek takes 5 days, where you will see the spectacular snowcapped peaks that dominate the landscape to the northwest of Cusco.
Beautiful views, colorful lakes and an amazing progression of ecological zones, from sparsely vegetated alpine meadows flanking two spectacular 20,000 foot glaciated peaks, and down through subtropical forests.
The Salkantay Trail to Machu picchu 5 days has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter, less well-trodden route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu picchu.
View Map
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
We will pick you up at 6:00am in morning at the hotel, for a three hour journey to Mollepata village, located high in the Apurimac valley at 2,803 m (9,196 ft). After eating breakfast in a local restaurant we begin the trek, walking up through the Andean forests, stopping after a couple of hours for lunch in Marcocasa, with great views of the valley.
Moving on, we climb up to Soraypampa (3,912 m - 12,834 ft) where we can observe the progressive change of the flora and fauna. Here we will set-up our first campsite.
- Total distance: 7 km
- Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (13,799 ft)
- Campsite altitude: 3,912 m (12,834 ft)
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay pass - Collpapampa
This Days We start the climb up towards Salkantay, pass the highest point of the route (4,600 m - 15,091 ft) where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary natural beauty and the marvelous snow-covered mountains of Salkantay (6,271 m - 20,574 ft) and Humantay (5,917 m - 19,412 ft).
After a short break in the pass we walk down for around Five hours along a nice path to Collpapampa campsite, people who do the Choquequirao Machu Picchu Trek arrive at this camp too, lower down and warmer than first (2,850 m - 9,350 ft) and where we also eat dinner.
- Total distance: 16 km
- Estimated walking time: 7 to 8 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 4,600 m (15,091 ft)
- Campsite altitude: 2,850 m (9,350 ft)
Day 3: Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba
On the third day we walk through a tropical area known as the cloud forest, where we can enjoy waterfalls, different species of flowers, bamboo, birds and the delicious passion fruit (granadillas). After six hours walking we reach Playa, and then we will walk 40 minutes, until we reach Lucmabamba camp(2,000 m - 6,561 ft), where we spend the night.
- Total distance: 15 km
- Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 2,850 m (9,350 ft)
- Campsite altitude: 2,000 m (6,561 ft)
Day 4: Lucmabamba - LLactapata - Aguas Calientes
Early in the morning we begin climbing a small hill that leads to one of the smaller, more dispersed archaeological sites called Llaqtapata (2,700 m - 8,858 ft). Here one can see a carved rock that was designed for astronomical purposes.
We also get the first view of the magnificent Machu picchu citadel. From there we walk down towards Hidroelectrica train station for lunch. After lunch we have a pleasant walk along the train track to Aguas Calientes (2040m, 6,692 ft), where we can enjoy the hot springs and will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Total distance: 13 km
- Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (8,858 ft)
- Lodging altitude: 2,040 m (6,692 ft)
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu picchu - Cusco
We wake up early for a two-hour walk up to Machu picchu (2,400 m - 7,874 ft), where you will get an extensive guided tour. From there you will have free time to explore by yourself. In the afternoon we take a return bus to Aguas Calientes and then the train back to Cusco, a four hour trip.
Includes
- Pick-up at hotel in Cusco.
- Bus from Cusco to Challacancha.
- Professional Guide.
- Horses to carry group’s gear (meals & camping equipment).
- Cook & meals (4 breakfasts / 4 lunches / 4 dinners).
- Basic Hostal in Aguas Calientes.
- Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, tables and chairs, kitchen tent and dinner tent).
- Mules to carry your belonging (5 kilos per person).
- First aid kit and Oxygen.
- Entrance fees to Machu picchu.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu picchu (round trip.)
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Not included
- Breakfast on first day; lunch on last day in Machupicchu.
- Tips.
- Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office USD $ 5 per day).
- Entrance to visit the hot spring in Aguas Calientes.
- Horses to carry your personal items 20 kilos (USD $100.00 for all Salkantay trek).
- Entrance to Huaynapicchu Mountain
- Vistadome train service (USD $50 plus)
We recommend bringing
- Backpack and sleeping bag
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Rain coat or poncho
- Warm clothes
- Insect repellent
- Sun block, sun glasses and hat
- Water bottle
- Water purifying tables
- Flashlight and knife
- Towel and toilet paper
- Snacks (chocolates, candies, cookies, etc)
- Personal medical kit
- Extra national currency (soles)
- Original Passport
