SALKANTAY & MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS Pool Service

Short Itinerary: Salkantay & Machu Picchu (5 Days)

Day 1: Cusco | Soraypampa & Humantay Lake

Depart Cusco for a scenic drive to Chayllacancha. Hike to the Soraypampa Lodge with stunning views of Mt. Salkantay. In the afternoon, enjoy a challenging but rewarding hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake for a traditional Andean ceremony.

Day 2: Soraypampa | Crossover the Salkantay Pass

Conquer the trek’s highest point at the Salkantay Pass (4,640m / 15,200ft). After taking in the glacial vistas, descend through dramatic rocky landscapes into the lush «cloud forest.» Overnight at the Rayanpata Bell Tents.

Day 3: Rayanpata | Descending into the Cloud Forest

Continue the descent along the Salkantay River, passing waterfalls and tropical fruit plantations. After reaching Wiñaypoco, a short drive takes you to the Lucmabamba Domes. Optional afternoon visit to a local organic coffee plantation.

Day 4: Lucmabamba | Llactapata & Aguas Calientes

Climb an original Inca Trail to the Llactapata Pass for a rare southeast view of Machu Picchu. After exploring the Llactapata ruins, descend to the Hydroelectric station for a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: Machu Picchu | The Lost City of the Incas

Take an early bus to the citadel for a comprehensive guided tour of the temples and sun dials. In the afternoon, return to Cusco via train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to your hotel.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, After the first two hours of driving, we will stop in a small town called Mollepata for a quick snack and coffee break . Then we will take 1½ hours ride along a scenic route to the small village of Chayllacancha, located high above the Apurimac River. Here, we meet up with the mules, horses, and arrieros (wranglers) that will carry our gear during the trek.

Morning activity

Around 10:00 AM, We begin our gentle hike into the green river valley beneath the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, hiking steadily upwards for 40 minutes to the Inca Channel. Afterwards our hike will be easy in a undulated terrain for two hours Along the way, we get our first incredible view of Mount Huamantay As we approach our Lodge at Soraypampa, the enormous Salkantay peak will be towering over us, making for some beautiful views. Mount Salkantay has the highest point in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.

OPTIONAL: Guests may opt out of the trek and continue by transport to Salkantay Lodge

Afternoon activity

After lunch at the lodge, Enjoy this afternoon a round hike to the turquoise waters of Lake Humantay. the trail leads steeply uphill for 2½ hours Upon arrival, you will have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot, nearby the lake you will have the opportunity to meet with Andean shaman or healer and witness a real offering & the sacred mountains protectors to thank them for this trip afterwards 1½ downhill to the lodge.

At night:

Dinner at Soraypampa Lodge and enjoy this evening you will have time to relax and recover energy for the following hardest day

• Meals Provided: L, D
• Walking distance approximately: 10km 6.2ml (7-6 hours)
• Active hike: 7-6 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
• Route: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
• Overnight: Soraypampa Lodge (12,690’ / 3,869 m)

DAY 2 CROSSOVER THE SALKANTAY PASS

Early in the morning on a long hike today. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you hike through the Salkantay river valley and the Andes mountain range as you climb Following a series of switchbacks known as Siete Culebras, or “Seven Snakes”, our path leads up the side of a mountain and levels out again in the shadows of the grandiose Mount Salkantay. With Mount Salkantay looming above, we come to a summit marked by small piles of stones, or apachetas, left by locals and travelers to honor the mountain gods. The distance is a (7km 4.34 miles) of difficult ascent in 5 hours between the rocky valley base and the magnificent Salkantay pass. . From this high pass (15,200’/4,640m) flanked by Mount Salkantay and Mount Huamantay,when we reach the summit, The journey continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations often shrouded in fog, followed by a very welcome hot picnic lunch. After this climax of today’s up way trek, there is a 5 km (3.1 mile) downhill walk to the site for picnic lunch.

After our lunch we continue the way down with absolutely stunning scenery, we will enter the upper jungle which is also called “the cloud forest”. This is a (5 km3.1 mile) hike completed in 2 hours on a wide trail in the thick and magical tropical forest. During this part of the trek, you will notice a dramatic change in landscape and the earth’s energy as we move from Andes to Amazon! Likewise we will be seeing a diversity of birds to finally arrive at the Rayanpata camp with Bell tends.

• Meals Provided: B, L, D
• Walking distance approximately: 17km 10.56ml (10-9 hours)
• Active hike: 10-9 hours.
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Route: Soraypampa – Rayanpata
• Overnight: Rayanpata Bell tend (11,460’ / 3,494 m)

DAY 3 DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUD FOREST

In the morning:

Begin your descent into the cloud forest on the way to Lucmabamba After a leisurely breakfast, you will continue the descent toward the cloud forest along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. The warm air will begin to rise from the edge of the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids. Today you will see more local Andean people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences. At approximately ten in the morning, you will arrive at Colpapampa, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. From this place will see the beginning of the valley of Santa Teresa. the walk is 3 hours to the village of Wiñaypoco during the walk we will have beautiful views of waterfalls, natural hot spring formations, orchids and strawberries. In Wiñaypoco people harvest fruit passionfruit a tropical fruit area that you can taste. After a hot picnic lunch by the river and some time to relax, the group will continue and met by an ML transport vehicle for the short drive to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps that lead to Lucmabamba Domes camp.

Optional afternoon visit to a local Coffee plantation and the opportunity to taste fresh organic Coffee.

• Meals Provided: B, L, D
• Walking distance approximately: 13km 8.07ml (8-7 hours)
• Active hike: 8-7 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
• Route: Rayanpata – Lucmabamba
• Overnight: Lucmabamba Dome Camp (7,003’/2,135m)

DAY 4 FIRST VIEWS OF MACHU PICCHU

After a great breakfast with full energy we´ll be ready to climb up (5km / 3 ml)to the top of the world on a 2-3 hours. The path up by Llactapata is actually on a segment of an old Inca trail. It leads first through some old villages of coffee and coca plantations, and citrus tree orchards before reaching some beautiful high altitude grasslands and then entering into an old forest near the top. The scenery on the way up to the top of the peak, the last one before you descend to the Aobamba River Valley that connects you to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the Llactapata Pass (8,974’ft/ 2,736m), you will delight in a southeast view of Machu Picchu, a sight few travelers get the chance to admire. After 15 minutes a walk down you will have a short tour in Llactapata arqueological site and a splendid view across the valley, we see Machupicchu. After exploring Llactapata, the Inca sites enjoy a picnic lunch at a mountain lookout point with panoramic views of Machupicchu and the Aobamba valley. The final descent along a trail that zigzags down to the Aobamba River, will take you to the Hydroelectric Station, 913 meters (2995 ft) in 1 hour in this point we can enjoy a cold beer or cold water while we wait our train that will take us in a scenic one-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, on the banks of the Urubamba River at the base of Machu Picchu.

• Meals Provided: B, L, D
• Walking distance approximately: 12km 7ml (7-6 hours)
• Active hike: 7-6 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
• Route: Lucmabamba – Aguas Calientes
• Overnight: Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel (6,693’/2,040m)

DAY 5 THE CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU

After an early morning rise and a healthy breakfast, we take the 30 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu complex, where we will tour the amazing site with its spectacular architecture and mysterious temples, which were left behind by the Incas. Machupicchu (The Lost City of the Incas) designated by Unesco as one of the New Wonders of the World. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant arqueological site will be a long-lasting memory.

In the afternoon:

Lunch in Aguas Calientes; afternoon train ride and van transport back to Cusco Return by train to Ollantaytambo and from there; a private van will drive you to Cusco.

Important: Waynpicchu tickets just for the first 400 people who could bought the entrance ticket can climb Huayna Picchu, , please let us know at the moment of your reservation.

• Meals Provided: B, L
• Route: Aguas Calientes – Cusco
• Overnight: Cusco Hotel (10,95’/3,340m)

Inclusions: Salkantay & Machu Picchu Trek

What is Included:

• Pre-departure Briefing: A 40-minute session at the office in Cusco the night before your trek (includes a duffel bag for your gear).
• Professional Staff: Expert, English-speaking guide and professional crew (cooks and muleteers).
• Accommodations:
  • 1 night at Soraypampa Lodge.
  • 1 night at Rayanpata Bell Tents.
  • 1 night at Lucmabamba Domes.
  • 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (based on shared double room).
• Meals & Drinks: 10 high-quality meals (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners). Snacks and hot/cold drinks are provided at the lodges and camps.
• Transportation:
  • Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead.
  • Train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes.
  • Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
  • Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private van back to Cusco.
• Porters & Horses: Mules and horses to carry all camping equipment and your personal luggage (up to 8 kg / 17 lb per person).
• Entrance Fees: All entry permits for the Salkantay trek and the Machu Picchu archaeological site.
• Equipment: All necessary camping and safety gear.

What is Not Included:

• Final Meals: Dinner on Day 4; Lunch and Dinner on Day 5 in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal Gear Rental: Sleeping bags ($25) and walking sticks ($20).
• Optional Hikes: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (must be booked in advance).
• Beverages: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages at the lodges and hotels.
• Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for this high-altitude trek.
• Tips: Gratuities for your guides, cooks, and muleteers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How difficult is the Salkantay Trek?

The trek is rated as Moderate to Challenging. While Day 1 involves a gentle hike, Day 2 is the most demanding part of the journey as you ascend to the Salkantay Pass. We recommend being in good physical condition and spending a few days in Cusco prior to the trek to acclimate to the altitude.

2. What is the highest point reached during the trek?

The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, which sits at 4,640 meters (15,200 feet) above sea level. This pass offers spectacular views of the Humantay and Salkantay glaciers but requires a steady 5-hour ascent.

3. What kind of accommodation is provided?

This tour offers a unique, high-end camping experience. You will spend: 1 night in the Soraypampa Lodge, 1 night in Rayanpata Bell Tents, 1 night in Lucmabamba Dome Camps, and 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. All campsites are equipped with solar panels to minimize environmental impact.

4. Is there a weight limit for my luggage?

Yes. We provide horses and mules to carry your gear, with a maximum weight of 8 kg (17 lb) per person. If you expect to exceed this weight or have extra baggage, you must hire an additional horse at the time of your reservation.

5. Can I climb Huayna Picchu during the tour?

Yes, but availability is limited to the first 400 people who purchase entrance tickets. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you must notify us at the moment of your reservation so we can secure your tickets in advance.