This is a really exciting trip and one for those who love the Mother Nature, where the hiker can satisfy their desire to see mountains and wildlife, this trek is totally different from the others, it's not particularly dirty, nor one of the typical tours, so therefore it's not overrun by tourists. You may see distinct ecosystems spread across its different zones of altitude and climate. This trail runs from the high valley up to the mountains and descends into a lush valley. The ecosystem is transformed rapidly from mountainous scenery to that to a green valley. Salkantay is a wonderful second best option instead the classic 4 days Inca Trail.

• Activities: Archaeological sight-seeing, experience the culture, learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking.
• Distance: 47 km. / 29.20 miles.
• Average hiking time: 8 hours per day.
• Duration: 04 days.
• Maximum height: 4600 meters / 15.092 ft. above sea level.
• Departures: contact us.
• Number: Minimum 2 passengers
• Months of Operation: All year
• Service Type:
  Private: This service is exclusively for groups of friends, couples, families, coworkers, etc. And the itinerary is planned according to your requirements, and on the dates that choose
  Shared: Usually this is a large group where the tourists are all different nationalities and the itinerary is fixed
  
• Degree of difficulty: Medium high.

OVERALL INFORMATION

DAY 01: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa - Salkantay pass - Huayraqmachay

We will leave Cusco at 4:00 am in our own private bus, and drive to Soraypampa. Along the three and a half hours drive, we can see the town of Limatambo (2100 m/ 6890 ft.), an important point of access to the city of Cusco at the time of Inca Empire. We will leave Limatambo and drive up by uneven track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800 m. / 9186 ft.) where we will have our breakfast. We will then continue our trip by car to Soraypama, where our horsemen and mules will wait for us to organize the camp equipment and food on the horses. We start our hiking to Salkantay pass 4,600 m /15,092 ft. it is the highest top of this trip; we will have lunch in Soyrochocha, very beautiful spot where the view of holy Salkantay Mountain is absolutely spectacular, before and after the top, the Puna landscapes (dry, high area with little vegetation) are arid, rocky, and only grassland but there are spectacular views of the Salkantay Mountain (6271 m/ 20,574 ft.) the second highest peak in Cuzco region, where you can see tiny springs coming down from surrounding Glaciers, small lakes moraines, etc. after the lunch we start again with our hiking to  Huayraqmachay 3,600 m. /11,811 ft., where we will set up camp.

Meals: B, L, D.
Total distance:  15 Km / 12.45 miles.
Estimated walking time:   7 - 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,600 m / 1312 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3600 m. / 11,812 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 02 : Huayraqmachay - La Playa

On this day we descend to the border river, the scenery will change from Puna to cloud forest vegetation, meaning greener and denser environment. As you descent, you will find the remarkable landscapes lush with vegetation, mainly orchids, bromeliads, begonias, etc. trees, bushes with several types of birds like hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many species of butterflies, moths, etc. along the path, the views are so different than first day. There are waterfalls, the natural sound of the river, small springs where you can enjoy refreshing natural bath. Later on we will stop to eat in Huiñaypoco almost half way.  After a comfortable rest, we will visit the cropland natives who inhabit this area, where they grow coffee, avocados, bananas, potatoes, corns, and passion fruit, which is one the main products of this area, we continue to The Playa 2125 m. / 6972 ft., one the biggest villages on the way, where we can find few small shops to buy water, soda, snack, etc. In this place our crew will set down our equipment to camp one more night, this day part of the crew will leave us because they will go back to Mollepata.

Meals: B, L, D.
Total distance:  20 Km / 12.45 miles.
Estimated walking time:  8 - 9 hours
Maximum altitude point:  3600 m. / 11,812 ft.
Campsite altitude: 2125m. / 6972 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 03 : La Playa - Aguas Calientes

From La Playa we hike by road for around 30 minutes to Lucmabamba, and from there we start to climb up the original Inka trail to Llactapata (newly discovery Inca Site) which is famous for a “great condor view of Machu Picchu.”  Along the way, you will get to witness some of the spectacular views like the Lucmabamba Valley, especially on AbraQ'elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) the highest point of the trek this day, where the vegetation, trees and mist combination make the atmosphere like the jungle. After marveling at the Inkas archeological remains we will go downhill for almost 3hours to Hydroelectric train Station where we will have lunch. After our lunch we will take the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a nice hotel. You may also wish to go the famous thermal springs which feel great after a long day of trekking, and an ideal way to end the trail. Entrance to the springs is a small amount of US$ 3.00. Allow yourselves 1 hour to really enjoy the springs, which are open until 9.00 pm.

Option of the day: if you don’t want to hike up anymore we can change the plan and take a local transportation to go to Hydroelectric where we are going meet to rest people of the group; all expenses will be you’re responsible.

Meals: B, L, D.
Total distance:  12 Km / 7.47 miles.
Estimated walking time:   5 - 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2860 m / 9381ft.
Hotel: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 04 : Aguas Calientes - Machupiqchu - Cusco.

With another early rise, we go to the bus station to take the bus to Machu Picchu. This bus takes 25 minutes by uneven track, where we will do tour of the Inca citadel, your tour guide will guide you around for about two and a half hours, to show you the most important sectors of this beautiful and enigmatic Inca citadel and then you will have some free time to wander, explore and take photos. Or alternatively you could decide to climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (tickets required), where you can see spectacular panoramic views of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the great Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes, where if you want, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to Cusco, and we drop you off at your hotel / hostel. Travel time 4 hours. End of our services.

Meals: B
Total distance: 4 km / 2.49 miles.
Estimated walking time:  2 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft.
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft.

Itinerary

• Your original passport, student card ISIC (if applicable)
• A Sleeping bag, a backpack for hiking, 2 pairs pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4-poles (long and short), several pairs of socks, Sandals, towels, toilet paper, gloves, thermal jacket, a hat for cold days, sunglasses and sunscreen for when the sun comes out.
• A liter bottle of water.
• A Flashlight with spare batteries, matches, knives.
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof with ankle protection).
• Insect repellent, cream to hydrate the face and/or body.
• A Raincoat (poncho for rain).
• Energy foods (dried fruits, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc...).
• Soap and other toiletries and clothes to change.
• Swimsuit (recommended for the hot springs).
• You should bring appropriate clothing for both hot and cold days of the tour.
• Also, depending on your interest, you could bring a camera or camcorder, binoculars, compass; all such equipment should be lightweight.
• Basic medical supplies.
• Extra money in soles and dollars.
• Optional: walking sticks.

WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING

• An orientation to clarify all the details of the tour, 1 or 2 days before departure.
• Private transportation from your hotel to Soraypampa.
• Entrance ticket to the Salcantay Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Guided Tour for the Salcantay Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
• Professional Guide: Bi-lingual, speaks both English and Spanish, 2 guides from more than 9 passengers.
• A Cook responsible for meals. (03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, 03 dinners) - Please notify us if you are a vegetarian.
• Horsemen and mules will be in charge to carry the camping equipment and food.
• Boiled water for each meal, and for the places where there are no shops to buy water.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Camping equipment: Tents 04 people capacity for 02 persons, sleeping pad, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent, toilet tent, cutlery.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• Mules will carry 5 kg maximum from your personal stuff.
• Train ticket from the Hydroelectric power plant to Machu Picchu town (3rd day)
• One night accommodation in Machu Picchu town.
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – 4th day.
• Train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus service from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Portable Radio (Walkie Talkies); Basic first aid and oxygen bottle.
• 24 hours assistance.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED

• Meals: breakfast and lunch 1st day and 4th day.
• Sleeping bags (please note that you can rent them from us).
• Foods that are not listed.
• Admission to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

We don’t Included

• Sleeping bag US$ 20.00 complete tour.
• Thermal-rest mattresses or inflatable sleeping pad for US$ 20.00.
• Discount of US$ 20.00 with International Student Card (ISIC Card).
• You can rent an extra horse if you are tired or you can`t walk any more for. US$ 40.00 per Day.
• Bag pack for, US$ 10.00 whole tour.
• When you reserve and then specify the type and category of hotel (2 **, 3 ***, etc.). Prices range from US$ 25 to US$ 750. This will modify the published tour price.
• If you want to return to the ruins the next day, you have to pay admission again. (Only the first entry to Machu Picchu will be included in the tour).
• All our programs are with the Expedition train service (for a comfortable price), but if you want another type of service, like the Vistadome train service (first class service) or Hiram Bingham (exclusive luxury Orient Express service), each train service is a different price, which obviously modify the published tour price. We can customize your travel, all you need to do is contact us.

Optional

• We request that you give us all your relevant personal information to proceed with your booking.
• For each tour or service that you book, our online staff will send you an email of confirmation for your booking tour within 24 hours of you making the booking, which you must print and present before the beginning of the tour.
• Confirmation of your booking will be issued once the payment has been made. Upon our receipt of you payment, our on line staff will send you a Trip Boucher.
• Our staff on line will send you all the tour information you will require, such as office address, telephone number and name of the person who will provide you the services, by e-mail.
• ANDEAN TERRITORY EIRL is a tourism company with extensive experience in the tourism service and provides a high quality service, ensuring that our customers enjoy their respective trips or tours without having to worry about organizing and planning everything – We do that for you.

>> Andean Territory’s terms and conditions

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