SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU

[Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu]

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This Salkantay trek was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

A remote and ancient footpath in the same region of the Inca trail, but less traveled and offering more spectacular views. This Salkantay Trek route provides a magnificent wilderness alternative for those who wish to escape the more congested trekking routes.

On the Salkantay Trek, we pass through an amazing progression of ecological zones, from sparsely vegetated alpine meadows flanking two spectacular 20,000' glaciered peaks, down through subtropical forest into the Inca Salkantay Trek . We arrive later to the "Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu.

This lovely and varied Salkantay Trek Hike (about 50 km) is the "soft option" from Soray since the pass is lower (though still a tough 4,750m (15,580ft) and then is mostly downhill through forested valleys, above deep ravines, ending at 1,500m.

The Salkantay Trek on the second day from Soray goes steeply uphill for half an hour, then comes to a series of zigzags (Siete Culebras is the local name of this stretch). At the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under Salkantay lateral moraine, and drops gently down to the small laguna Soyrococha. The pass you see above is, a false one; the main pass is a little further on, but the view of Salkantay looming above you more than compensates for the effort. The real pass at 4,750m is reached after 3-4 hours from the moraine, and is marked by a pile of stones, "well know as Apacheta by the locals", which grows daily on the Salkantay Trek as each traveler adds his pebble to thank the APUS for a safe trip.

Then the Salkantay Trek descends to the left-hand side of the valley, becoming indistinct in swampy areas. And then comes a place named Huayracmachay "eye of the wind", from here we will have a great chance to see the beautiful Pyramid-shape of Humantay behind as you drop below the tree line, know as LA CEJA DE SELVA ("Eyebrow of the Jungle"), and walk through groves of bamboo with many orchids and other flowers and lots of hummingbirds, spectacular waterfalls, a small hot spring at Collpapampa the right place to lock out for the parakeets that abound in this area as well. And then we go to take a local bus in order to get Santa Teresa where we will enjoy the hot springs which is 45 minutes from this town .and then will see Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains and then the last day will see finally the Inca City of Machu Picchu.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Molleta Pata - Soraypama

We will leave Cusco at 04:30 by bus, and drive to Mollepata. By approximately 2 hours and a half hours drive. After breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salkantay (6271 masl).

DAY 2: Soraypampa - Chaullay or Collpa Pampa (Mighty Salkantay)

After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 6:30 a.m we continue our hiking the Peruvian highland. From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m) the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracmachay, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp at Chaullay 2,920 m. (B, L, D). 20 Km. approximately.

DAY 3: Chaullay - La Playa - Santa Teresa (Cloud Forest)

Wake up with a lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here banana trees coffee and others can be observed, take amazing pictures, at the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl). from here we will take a small car by aproximately 45 minutes to Santa Teresa village where is the hot spring (optional hot spring bath) and also we will spend a night here. (B, L, D). Walking distance approximately 15 Km.

DAY 4: Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (canopy brich) From here we have an option to hike to hidroelectrica or to catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. from here we will continuo walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night. (B, L, D). Walking distance aproximately 10 Km.

DAY 5: Welcome to MACHU PICCHU!!!

We are going up to the Archaeological site of Machu Picchu and we will explore the city and enjoy the ancient place in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive about 18:45 p.m. (B).

DAY 3: Chaullay - La Playa - Santa Teresa (Cloud Forest)

Wake up with a lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here banana trees coffee and others can be observed, take amazing pictures, at the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl). from here we will take a small car by aproximately 45 minutes to Santa Teresa village where is the hot spring (optional hot spring bath) and also we will spend a night here. (B, L, D). Walking distance approximately 15 Km.

DAY 4: Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (canopy brich) From here we have an option to hike to hidroelectrica or to catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. from here we will continuo walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night. (B, L, D). Walking distance aproximately 10 Km.

DAY 5: Welcome to MACHU PICCHU!!!

We are going up to the Archaeological site of Machu Picchu and we will explore the city and enjoy the ancient place in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive about 18:45 p.m. (B).