Salkantay is known as the most impressive peak in the Peruvian Andes. Salkantay 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.
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.
Sustainable Tourism: At 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.
Day 01: Cusco- Mollepata - Soyraypampa
Day 02: Soraypampa - Chachani Qasa
Day 03: Chacani Qasa/ Aqoqasa
Day 04: Aqoqasa/Chillca
Day 05: Machu Picchu
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)
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)
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
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)
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.
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:
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.