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Salkantay Trek Machu
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Salkantay Trek Expedition

Salkantay Trek Expedition

Salkantay is known as the most impressive peak in the Peruvian AndesSalkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the best alternative for the Inca Trail. If you do not want to be on a busy path but want to have an excellent hike with brilliant natural surroundings, then a super option is the Salkantay trek 5 days/4 nights. En route you will see the "Apu" Salcantay (Apu means spirit), the tallest peak near Machu Picchu, this frost-topped mammoth is still at the core of the beliefs of the Incas' heirs, the Quechua people of the high Andes. After an excellent hike, we will arrive at the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

 

On the old Salkantay trek we went straight to Mollepata and stopped to camp in Soraypampa. On the second day, we crossed the high Salkantay Pass and then descend to Colpapampa. The third day was a walk through the upper jungle region, to La Playa. From there we hiked to Aobamba where we camped the night, then hiked a further 4 hours to the Llactapata ruins from where we descended 3 hours to the hydroelectric.

The Salkantay Trek expedition takes you on a newly discovered route. On the new path, you have the opportunity to see and learn more. On the first day, we visit an Inca temple and we get to trek through the charming countryside of Ichupata, where the first campsite is located. On the second day we climb over the Rio Blanco, we have the chance to see condors around here, one of the most delightful aspects of this new Salkantay trek tour, and then cross the Inca Chiriaska Pass, the highest peak of the Vilcabamba mountain range. The third day takes us to Cruz Qasa pass, which provides wonderful vistas of Mount Ocobamba, from where we will hike to Chuqueñana Pass and then continue on a gorgeous trek across the meadow to Aqoqasa. On the fourth day (the last day of trekking before reaching Machu Picchu) we will pass the ruins of Inca Raqay and the village of Ancasqocha, finally reaching the Urubamba Valley, the most abundant area of these parts, where we will camp.

 

Inca Expedition

 

Salkantay (6271m) is a glacial summit situated less than fifty miles northwest of Cusco city in the southern region of Peru by the Cordillera Vilcanota. Salkantay is a striking snow-topped peak, honored for thousands of years by the native Indians. The name Salkantay is a Quechua word, meaning "Savage Mountain". It is the 38th tallest peak in the Andes and the twelfth tallest in Peru. However, as a sphere high point in the deeply carved landscape, it is the second most geographically easily seen crest in the country, after Huascaran.

Overview
Itinerary
Includes
Before you go

Salkantay Expedition Overview

Sustainable TourismAt Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.

Crew: Salkantay Trek Machu representatives in Cusco and a professional bilingual tour guide, a cook, and porters for hiking the Salkantay trek expedition to Machu Picchu.

Permits: Salkantay, Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets

Accommodation: 3x campsite, 1x hotel

Meals: 3x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, 3x afternoon tea (Please allow USD 20-50 for meals not included).

Transportation: Transportation by private van, 1x train.

 

Quick Itinerary

Day 01: Cusco- Mollepata - Soyraypampa

Day 02: Soraypampa - Chachani Qasa

Day 03: Chacani Qasa/ Aqoqasa

Day 04: Aqoqasa/Chillca

Day 05: Machu Picchu

 

Highlights of the Salkantay Trek Expedition

  • Guided Salkantay trail and part of the Inca Trail
  • Salkantay Mountain
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Observe the Sacred Valley of the Incas

 

 

Day 01: Cusco- Mollepata - Soyraypampa
Detail

Early morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in our private bus. We head west through the Anta Valleyand stop at the Inca temple of Tarawasi. Then we continue our drive to the village of Mollepata, where we will enjoy a quick sojourn of this charming town.Then we carry on our excursion to Soraypampa (10,660 ft/3250 m), where our crew awaits us with mules or horses to begin our hike. We will trek through delightful terrains to Ichupata, where our first campsite is located.

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Maximum Altitude: Soyrapampa12,693 ft (3869 m)

Day 02: Soraypampa - Chachani Qasa
Detail

After an appetizing breakfast, we start our hike, getting over the Rio Blanco. One of the most appealing parts of this hike is that you can see condors. We carry on ascending to the Inca Chiriaska pass (15,826 ft/4825 m) under the south front of Salkantay (20,600 ft/6247 m), the tallest summit of the Vilcabamba mountain range. The route continues down, then up to Chachani Qasa, where we will camp.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximium altitude: 15,830 ft (4100 m) (Inca Chiriaska pass)

Day 03: Chacani Qasa/ Aqoqasa
Detail

A quick trek takes us to Cruz Qasa pass at 15,465 ft (4715 m) with ecellent vistas of the Mount Ocobamba (16,813 ft/5126 m). We then descend to 13,615 ft (4150 m) and after ascend to the Chuqeñan pass (14,114 ft/4302 m). We then carry on our exquisite trek across the meadow over 13,451 ft (4100 m) for approximately 7.5 km to Aqoqasa (13,887/4234 m), where we camp.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude:Chachani Qasa 4600 M

Chuqueñan Pass 4302 M

Day 04: Aqoqasa/Chillca/ Aguas CAlientes
Detail

Today we traverse across the final pass (15,908/4446 m). We then go down and pass the Inca ruins of Raqay and the village of Ancasqocha. Then we descend to the narrow Chillca gorge and the most abundant area of the region, the Urubamba Valley, where we will direct to Ollantaytambo to finally take the train to Aguas Calientes.


Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Maximum altitude:15,354 ft(4680 m) (Aqoqasa pass)

Day 05: Machu Picchu
Detail

On the final day of our tour we leave Aguas Calientes early to go to Machu Picchu by taking the bus up to the inca citadel. Our guide will tell us all about the history of this Inca fortress. In the afternoon we return to Cusco.

What is included in this trek?
Detail

  • Pre-trek briefing
  • Early morning transfer by private bus to Soraypampa - the initial point of the trek
  • Accommodation: Campsites (3 nights) and a hotel (1 night)
  • Entrance fee to the red of Salkantay and Machu Picchu
  • Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner and 4x afternoon hot beverages
  • Professional bilingual Tour Guide
  • Professional Cook
  • Horseman
  • Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 5 kg of each passenger's stuff
  • Camping equipment: personal double tents, term-a-rest mattress;
  • Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas
  • A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C)
  • Tourist train round trip to Machu Picchu
  • Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Not Included
Detail

  • Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($80)
  • Meals not included above.
  • Items of a personal nature including personal medical supplies.

Inca Trail Vs Alternative Treks
Detail

Many people include the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in their “Things to do” list before they depart the planet, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.

 

You have to take into account that usually you will need to book in advance the Inca Trail, and in case it is fully booked, we recommend other best alternatives:

Extra Information for the Salkantay Trek
Detail

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

  • Walking sticks or trekking poles USD 20 for both
  • You need to take 5 kilos of personal belonging included in the tour price carried by horses ...If you would like to request more porterage for personal items each extra 3 kilos requested is USD 20 additional charge but you can just request this in the office at your checking.
  • Maybe you have to doubt to walk in this trek, you can hire the extra emergency horses, the price is USD 80.

LUGGAGE AND BACKPACKER FOR YOU TREKKING

 

Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. The horses carry your luggage from Soraypampa (1st day) to Playa camping (3th day). 4 day hike, our chef takes your luggage by bus to Hidrolectrica. From there to Aguas Calientes, you are expected to carry your own luggage (max 3 hrs), in case, the local train running, our chef take your luggage to the town. We recommend keeping the weight under 5 kg/10lb. You will need to carry clothes, sleeping bag.

 

If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Salkantay trek is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to put your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.

 

SALKANTAY TREK PACKING LIST

  • 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.
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