Hike the Salkantay Trail

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel for a 3 hour ride to Mollepata. We stop for breakfast and can buy some last minute supplies. Then, we carry on to Soraypampa. Here we meet with the support staff that will help us to pack all our gear. We begin our hike. The first few hours are uphill. Vegetation is not natural at this altitude, so the landscape is quite stark apart from some grass that has adjusted to the altitude. Eventually we reach the highest point of the hike: the Apacheta path (4,590 m.a.s.l.).

The Salkantay Mountain is at 6,271 meters above sea level. Salkantay is a Quechua word that means "Wild Mountain". The rest of the trekking today is easy, we descend to 2,890 meters, where there is more vegetation and warm weather, to our campsite.

After a nice breakfast, we continue our hike through the upper jungle. Each step of the way the surroundings are altering, there is more plant life, waterfalls, and warmer weather, some small brooks, pass the Lluscamayo River. After a five hour hike we reach the settlement of Lluscamayo where we have lunch. Then we trek for 3 hours more, passing an awesome waterfall where we can catch our breath and take some photos. The backdrop here, of course, is astonishing. Green valleys, mountains, trees, a diversity of birds and if your lucks in you might see the Peruvain national bird, the "gallito de las rocas". Finally we get to the village of La Playa. From this point we take the local bus to Hydroelectric Plant.

From her the hike to Puente Ruins is moderated level. In route you will hear a roaring sound which is a powerful waterfall that cools us down with its spray as we pass by. Once in the Hydroelectric Plant, we have our lunch break.

It’s hard to explain the great happiness when we finally arrive to the Puente Ruinas campsite, you will notice for the first time in many days people that look clean with fresh clothing. Day trippers!

We finally arrive to our camping! Then we have dinner and plan the next day.

We have a very early morning start (before dawn), so we can get to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate or Intipunku before the crowds. We trek the last 2 hours up to the mysterious city of Machu Picchu. We are one of the first to arrive and revel in the view of the sun rising over the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu that we have waited for so long to see. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. Once there you will have a two hour guided tour, also time to take plenty of pictures and spare time to discover and explore the ruins at Machu Picchu and walk around on your own.

Then, you will return to Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch (not included) and take the train back to Cusco.

•          Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);

•          Early morning transport by private bus to Mollepata- the initial point of the trek;

•          Accommodation: Campsites (2 nights);

•          Entrance ticket to Salkantay and Machu Picchu;

•          Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner and 1x afternoon hot beverages;

•          Professional bilingual Tour Guide;

•          Professional Cook;

•          Horseman;

•          Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff;

•          Camping equipment: Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows a greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);

•          Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress);

•          A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);

•          Tables and chairs,

•          Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);

•          Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;

•          Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;

•          First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

•     Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;

•     Travel insurance;

•     Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ($25);

•     A transport service from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (U$12 - one way);

•     Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);

•     Other extras not mentioned.

• Original passport (+ copies for a case of lost),
• Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)
• Travel insurance (+ copies for a case of lost),
• Pocket money in Nuevos Soles,
• A backpack
• A small rucksack,
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers or a rain poncho - this can be purchased in Cusco),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
  Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refill.
• Optional: walking sticks; you can also rent it from us,
• Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.