SALKANTAY TREK 5D/4N

Transportation
Bus,train
Accomodation
3 Stars Hotels and tens
Maximum Altitude
4,616 metres
Departure from
cusco
Best season
Mar to Jan
Tour type
trekking
Meals
All meals during the trek
Language
English, Spanish
Fitness level
difficult
Group Size
2-10
Minimum Age
7
Maximum Age
70

Overview

The Salkantay Trek is widely regarded as one of the world’s best treks and the most scenic alternative to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu . This 5-day adventure takes you from high Andean glaciers through cloud forests, culminating in a visit to the majestic Inca citadel .

Highlights

Hike to the stunning turquoise Humantay Lake 4,200m / 13,780ft 5-7 hours Campsite / Glamping
The most challenging day; crossing the high Salkantay Pass 4,650m / 15,255ft 8-10 hours Campsite
Hike to Llactapata ruins for a first distant view of Machu Picchu 2,750m / 9,022ft 6-8 hours
Descent into the cloud forest; visit coffee plantations 2,900m / 9,514ft 5-6 hours Campsite

Day 1 :

CUSCO-MOLLEPATA-SORAYPAMPA -LAGUNA HUMANTAY

Your adventure begins bright and early with a pickup at 4:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco for a scenic 3-hour bus ride to Mollepata. After breakfast, you'll head to the trailhead. Today's hike is a beautiful acclimatization trek that takes you to the stunning Humantay Lagoon, a vibrant turquoise glacial gem nestled at the foot of Mount Humantay. After enjoying the views, you'll descend to Soraypampa, where you'll spend your first night camping with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 2 :

SORAYPAMAPA - HUAYRACMACHAY -QOLPAPAMPA

Prepare for the most challenging yet rewarding day of the entire trek. After an early breakfast, you'll begin the 4-hour ascent to the highest point of the route, Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters (15,190 feet). From the summit, the panoramic views of snow-capped Salkantay (6,271 m) and the surrounding mountains are simply spectacular. After taking photos and resting, you'll begin a long descent to huayracmachay for about 2 hours to have our lunch , after that will take you from the high Andean landscape into a more temperate and verdant valley, until you reach your campsite in qolpapampa 4 hours hike.

Day 3 :

QOLLPAPAMPA - PLAYA SAHUAYACO- LUCUMABAMBA

The landscape transforms dramatically as you venture deeper into the cloud forest. Today you'll hike along trails surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, crossing rustic bridges and passing waterfalls. You'll see plantations of coffee, bananas, avocados, and passion fruit. The hike concludes in the village of Lucmabamba, where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the coffee process at a local farm and enjoy a coffee experience. If you wish, you can choose to visit the relaxing hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa

Day 4 :

Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hydroelectric Plant - Aguas Calientes

Today you will embark on a 3-hour uphill hike along an original Inca trail to the archaeological site of Llactapata. From this point, you will have your first distant, yet breathtaking, view of Machu Picchu. After exploring the ruins, you will descend steeply to the Hydroelectric Plant. From there, you will continue hiking for approximately 3 more hours parallel to the train tracks, following the Urubamba River, until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 5 :

Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco

The grand finale. Very early in the morning, you will take a bus (or walk) from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel. You will enjoy an approximately 2-hour guided tour of the main areas, including the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, and the Temple of the Sun. If you booked in advance, you can even hike up the adjacent Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an aerial view. In the afternoon, you will take a train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo and then a bus that will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco.

FAQs

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HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED TO GET USED TO THE ALTITUDE BEFORE I START THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS?

Acclimating to the altitude is crucial for a rewarding experience during your Salkantay trek. We strongly advise arriving in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days prior to your scheduled departure. This early arrival serves as a proactive measure to mitigate the effects of altitude sickness. Even if you have previously visited other regions in Peru, we recommend allocating an additional day in Cusco before embarking on your journey. This extra day allows for a more gradual adjustment and recovery from any travel-related fatigue.

WHAT CIRCUIT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAY?

We buy Machu Picchu ticket with circuit 2. This circuit is most complete and allow you to visit the upper part of Machu picchu to take the classic picchu of Machu picchu.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4650 m. This is the elevation of salkantay pass. .

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both (10 soles). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to aguas calientes town?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in soles . There are a number of ATMs in aguas calientes town. Everything is paid in peruvian soles. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS?

yes, you need to book in advance because the Machu Picchu ticket with good circuit run out quickly.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance should be paid 2 days before your trip in our office in cash in USD or soles. Our office hour is in the morning from 9 to 1 pm and in the afternoon from 3 to 7 pm. Also, you can pay us with a Credit card (a 5% service fee applies). Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 2 day prior to your trip.

HOW DOES IT WORK IF I BOOK HUAYNA PICCHU?

For our customers who hike the 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, we will always book the 9 – 10 a.m. Schedule for Huayna Picchu Mountain. You will get to Machu Picchu at 6 a.m. on day 04. So you will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel from 06:30 until 08:30 am. Then you will enter Huayna Picchu at 09:00 a.m. This hike takes around 2 hours and a half. Therefore You will finish this hike at 12:00 roughly. Then you will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes which takes around 30 minutes. So you will be in Aguas Calientes at 12:30 pm. You will have time to eat your lunch until 02:50 p.m.When you hike Huayna Picchu, we always book the 15:20 train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Therefore you will get back to Cusco around 19:30

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF MY RETURNED TRAIN TICKET?

We usually book return train tickets at 14:55 pm or 15:20 for our Salkantay guided tour on day 5, so you arrive in Cusco at 07:30 pm and you have enough time to sleep and do any tour the next day

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS?

There is not any age limit for the salkantay 5-day hike. We at AB Expeditions recommend that the minimum age should be 8 because there are some sections that would be difficult for Little Legs.

DO I NEED WALKING STICKS EVEN THOUGH I’M YOUNG AND I’M IN GOOD SHAPE AND USED TO HIKE A LOT?

It is highly recommended walking sticks for people who have knee problems because they protect your knees from the impact of walking, especially when hiking downhill. Also, we recommend them for people who don’t have much experience hiking because they help with the stability of uneven trails. However, if you have experience hiking without them, then you don’t need them.

IF I GET SICK ONE DAY BEFORE MY DEPARTURE AND CANCEL MY TRIP. CAN I USE MY 5-DAY PERMIT TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU AND CATCH UP WITH MY GROUP?

Yes, it is possible. You will still use things that it was already in your Salkantay 5-day packages, your Machu Picchu ticket, bus ticket from Mapi to Aguas Calientes, hotel in Aguas Calientes, train ticket from Aguas Calientes and transportation from Cusco to Ollanta. However if you want to go earlier, it is not possible because the tickets are bought for day 05. In order catch up the group, you will need to buy an extra train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Also the tranportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

Overview

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Overview

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