Salkantay Trek Peru 5 Days
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Location: Peru
Salkantay Trek
SALKANTAY TREK MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS
The famous Salkantay Trek (or Salcantay Trek), named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits (at least for now). Connecting the city of Mollepata, Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests. Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru by the Cordillera Vilcabamba and rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20574 ft) Mt. Salkantay is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped for thousands of years by local indians. The name Salkantay is a quechua word meaning “Savage Mountain”. Our classic Salkantay Trek is a custom-designed alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity. With more spectacular vistas, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu offers the solitude and quiet contemplation such a sacred path deserves
You cross a pass at 4510m and then it´s a relaxing walking down. You pass some remote villages, have fabulous views at for example Veronica, Salkantay, other snow peaks, green valleys and the river Urubamba, maybe you can see condors and surely you´ll meet very friendly people.
DURATION: 5 Days 4 Nights
CIRCUIT TYPE: Hiking, Camping, Nature.
SITES TO VISIT: Towns, Mountains, Snow, Valleys, medicinal hot sprint.
TOTAL WALK: 74 km
GROUP: Min.06-max.10 per.
PRICE ADULT: 350 USD
PRICE STUDENT: 330 USD
OPTIONAL: To train first class add $ 45
ITINERARY:
DAY 01: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Early in the morning we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you in a private bus to Mollepata passing picturesque traditional towns like Iscuchaca , Ancahuasi and Limatambo, as well as highlands plateaus and landscapes with great views of snowcapped mountains that belong to the cordillera Vilcabamba. The bus trip will last 3.00 hours and the hike 6 hours. The trail climbs up from Mollepata sharply to the Marqhok’asa pass through pastures and farming lands, afterwards descending until arrival at the campsite through the high brush down to Soraypampa (3750 masl).
DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULAY – COLPAPAMPA
Early in the morning you leave Soraypampa and keep going up the beautiful valley walking just below the majestic snowcapped mountain named Salkantay (6271 masl). After 1½ hours the trek becomes steep zigzagging for a while, afterwhich we get to the Salkantay pass, 4600 masl, from where you will be rewarded with superb views. The trail descends through an old moraine passing great pastures down to the camp of Huayraqmachay located at 4000masl. This campsite is subject to change according to the guide’s criteria and the evolution of the group.
DAY 03: COLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA
Wake up with lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. Continue to the north down to the lush jungle through different ecosystems watching birdlife like hummingbirds, thrushes, finches, tanagers, sparrows, guans, parrots, etc It will be a long descent day towards the cloud forest where people live taking advantages of nature, also you will pass great waterfalls. 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).
DAY 04: SANTA TERESA – HIDRO – AGUAS CALIENTES
Leaving la playa the trek continues through plantations of coffee, banana, and tropical fruits. Afterwards the trail climbs up to Patallacta from where you descend to the Hidroelectrica ( 1800 masl) and continue to Aguas Calientes where we will set up camp just below Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary, this afternoon you can go to have a bath in the natural hot springs, a great place to relax after this challenging trek. Salkantay Trek
DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early in the morning we are going up to Machu Picchu with our expert guide to explore for a full day this enigmatic Inca treasure, first we have to take pecture and to see sunrise, after that the guide begin to explain MachuPicchu, in the afternoon going back to Aguas Calientes town, then we have a few hours to take lunch, in the afternoon at 18:45 we are take train back to Cusco and we left you your hotel.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek.
- English speaking professional guide
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts/ 4 Lunches/ 4 Dinners
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
- 1 emergency horse
- Hostel in Aguas Calientes
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Train ticket (Expeditios) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
- Tents: 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
- Mattress per person
- Dinner tent
- Kitchen tent
- Tables & seats
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
www.nctravelcusco.com
Further Information
Travel tips:
The famous Salkantay Trek (or Salcantay Trek), named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits (at least for now).
www.nctravelcusco.com
Must see/do at this place:
Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru by the Cordillera Vilcabamba and rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20574 ft) Mt.
www.nctravelcusco.com
You should avoid here:
Our classic Salkantay Trek is a custom-designed alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity.
www.nctravelcusco.com
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