5DAYS SALKANTAY TREK
TO MACHU PICCHU

OVERVIEW

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail 4-day as well as Lares trek, Inca Jungle and Huchuy Qosqo that are also traversed by the original road of the Incas, Salkantay trek became more popular and it is hiked by many tourists from different countries, because it offers much more spectacular views on different altitudinal floors, colorful lagoons, impressive glaciers of the Andes mountain range, small rivers of fresh water, subtropical zones of abundant flora and fauna.
You will also be able to see traditional high Andean communities and of course finally visit Machu Picchu one the fourth wonders of the modern world, hike on this impressive route and visit Machu Picchu differently with the PERU ULTIMATE EXPEDITION specialized team.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Start: Hotel Cusco
Final: Hotel Cusco
Style: Hiking / Cultural
Destination: Salkantay / Machu Picchu
Group size: Min. 2 hikers
General grade: Moderate
Length: 72 km / 45 miles
Maximum altitude: 4,620msnm, 15,157 feet
Temperature: 3 ° C / 37 ° F
Weather: May to November sunny
Physical rating: Good conditions
Availability: All year

ITINERARY

Day 1
CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAGOON

To start this fantastic expedition we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. then we travel for about 2 hours to Mollepata town where we have a delicious breakfast, after it we continue toward Challakancha the starting point of our hike, and also the place where we meet the muleteers who will be in charge of transporting the camping equipment.
During the hike we enjoy the spectacular views of the Andes mountain range and about noon our professional chef will try to delights us with a good Lunch at Soraypampa area, then we have time to rest but in the afternoon we will visit the Humantay lagoon (4100 meters /13.452 feet) to admire its beautiful landscape and to get excellent pictures.
Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm at Soraypampa camp.

Altitude Soraypampa: 3880masl / 12730 feet
hiking time: about 7 hours
Hiking distance: 8 km /5 miles
meals: Lunch, dinner, and snacks

Day 2
SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAY HIGHEST PASS - CHAULLAY

This day we wake up among the huge snow-capped mountains.
Breakfast will be served at 5:40 am and then we will be ready to start the uphill part toward Salkantay pass, the highest point of our excursion from where we will be able to admire the majesty of this Sacred Mountain (Apu = sacred mountain) and also we visit the blue lagoon, after that we have to descend to Wayracpunku for resting and enjoying our lunch, later on we continue descending to the tropical forest, where we appreciate the richness of the biodiversity (flora and fauna) of this wonderful area, finally we arrive at Chaullay campsite, around 6:30 pm we have our dinner, later our tour guide talk about the program of the next day, then it will be the perfect time to sleep in our tents.

Salkantay Highest Pass: 4620 Meters / 15.157 Feet
Hiking Time: 8 Hours
Hiking Distance: 16 Km / 13.6 Miles
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite Tent

Day 3
CHAULLAY - PLAYA SAHUAYACO VILLAGE - LLAQTAPATA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

After breakfast, we start hiking among the tropical forest, commonly referred as the high jungle this part of our adventure is considered one of the best sections because we can see varieties of wild and domestic vegetation such as orchids, begonias, coffee plantations, bananas, oranges and more, after 5 hours of hiking we take a break to rest and enjoy our lunch at Playa Sahuayaco, Later on we continue on a beautiful original Inca trail ascending towards  Llaqtapata camp, It is the best camp of the Salkantay trek because you will spend the night in front of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu, we will appreciate the beautiful sunset and sunrise, without any doubt we will have the most beautiful panoramic view, If you are birds, mammals, and orchids lovers, this is the best place to be with them, this day after dinner we will try to make a bonfire with all the members of the expedition if the night is starry we will be able to see the Inca constellations.

Llaqtapata Altitude: 2480 meters / 9.317 feet
Walking time: 8 hours
Hiking distance: 16 km / 13.6 miles
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Campsite Tent

Day 4
LLAQTAPATA - HYDROELECTRIC – MACHU PICCHU TOWN (AGUAS CALIENTES)

This morning will be fantastic because we will have magical view of the first sun's rays that will light the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain as well as the Inca citadel Machu Picchu after a good breakfast it is time to explore the archaeological site of a small Inca city known as Llaqtapata which it is still covered in its 80% with vegetation and around it, we observe the diversity of its flora and fauna but If we are lucky we can spot the spectacled Andean bear, after that we begin to descend a zigzag path to the hydroelectric plant, where we will be able to enjoy our lunch later on we say goodbye to the muleteers and cooker from the Hydroelectric Power Station we have to continue towards Aguas Calientes town - Machu Picchu town.
The first option: to travel by train around 48 minutes (train departure time 2:17 or 2:50 hours). Once we arrive at Machu Picchu town we settle into our hotel and at 6:30 pm we enjoy the last dinner.
The second option, to keep hiking by the railroad for 3 hours (there are many small stones in the route but some people do it, anyway you can decide it at that moment depending in how you are feeling.

Altitude Machu Picchu village: 2050 meters / 6724 feet
Walking time: 8 hours
Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Train from hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes (Optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes = Machu Picchu Town

Day 5
AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO

Today is such an important day because you will visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
We have breakfast at the hotel and then we go to the Inca citadel Machu Picchu for the assigned shift, so we can go by bus or hiking, the guided tour within the lost city of the Incas will last 2 and a half hours and if you have reserved the permit to climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain After the excursion, you can go up on your own.
After all, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes town, to rest and have lunch on our own and then head towards the train station to take our return train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy in Cusco. Upon your arrival, we will be waiting to transfer you to the Hotel in Cusco city.

Machu Picchu Altitude: 2450 meters / 8038 feet
Walking time: 1 hour and a half
Distance of travel: 1.7 km / 1.1 mile
Included meals: Breakfast
Included: Entrance to Machu Picchu
Included: Return train from Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy in Cusco
Included: Bus from Train station to Cusco

Salkantay Classical Trek to Machu Picchu Includes

· An informative talk with the tour Guide, one day before the hike.
· Transportation Cusco - Mollepata (Challakancha)
· Professional tour guide, chef and assistant for a group plus 8 people
· Muleteers, who will be in charge of driving the horses
· Horses to transport the camping equipment
· Meals: 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 breakfasts (vegetarian food optional)
· Large dining and kitchen tent
· Chairs and dining table
· 1 tent for 2 people
· Mattresses
· First aid kit and an oxygen balloon
· Entrance ticket to the Inca city of Machu Picchu
· One night accommodation in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
· Guide service throughout the tour
· Return train ticket to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (Expedition train)
· Transportation from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Cusco – hotel
· Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
· Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

This Expedition does not include

X  Sleeping bags
X  Travel insurance
X  Personal stuff
X  Additional horses
X  Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day
X  Walking sticks
X  Tips (optional)

What do we need to bring?

· We will provide you with a duffle backpack where you can take all your things that are mentioned below.
· Walking sticks
· Sleeping bag (we can rent it)
· A personal light backpack 30Lt
· Sweater and thick coat
· Shorts pants
· Personals stuff
· Sunscreen
· Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
· Rain poncho
· Hiking boots
· Water bottles
· Mosquito repellents
· Toilet paper
· Energy bars
· Flashlight
· Lipstick
· Sunglasses
· Plastic bag
· Camera with charger
· Extra money (soles)

OPTIONAL SERVICES

These services are not included in our price, if you want to add some of them please let us know at the booking time

· Comfortable feather sleeping bags of 20ºC below zero ($30.00 for the entire tour)
· If you think you have many things you can rent an extra mule. (For reasonable price)
· If you want to sleep in a single tent you need to add ($35.00 for the entire tour)
· A pair of canes $15.00 for the entire tour)
· Entrance to Huaynapicchu ó Machupicchu Mountain $20.00
· Vistadome Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes 7:05 am / 4:43 pm $40.00
·  Vistadome Train from Poroy Cusco to Aguas Calientes 7:35 am / 4:43 pm $75.00
· Buffet lunch at Machu Picchu Pueblo $20.00
·  Ticket de bus desde Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes $24.00 por persona

if you prefer a higher category hotel consider the following:

PRICE

PERU ULTIMATE EXPEDITION offers 2 types of services.

SUPERIOR SERVICE (private service) this private service is for those who do not wish to travel with the crowd, our service is completely personalized, so this expedition will be exclusive for your group so that you can fully enjoy this adventure

STANDARD SERVICE (shared service) the entire tour will be shared by 10 or more people, the members of the group will be made up for people from different nationalities, languages, beliefs, ages, and gender, among others.

 NOTE
· THE SUPERIOR SERVICE is Private and the tour will be exclusive
· THE STANDARD SERVICE shares a group with other participants
· Travel insurance is strongly recommended duration your trip in Peru
· The times quoted in this itinerary are approximate
· The tour guide can change the lunch and camps sites depending on how the group progresses
· If you need an extra horse to ride or for your extra rucksacks. You can rent it for a reasonable price every day
· The expedition SALKANTAY TREK is a great adventure, the rainy season is between (December - March)
·  You need very good physical preparation
· Size of the average group 4 people, maximum 10 per group. We go out any day with a minimum of two participants.
· If you rent equipment and damage it, you are responsible for the price of replacement / repair. (Please do the right thing)
· We offer a Discount of $20.00 per person for foreign students under 25 years of age who have a student card with a valid expiration date at the time of their excursion and also for regular students between 8 and 17 years old
· This discount will also apply to people from countries belonging to the Andean Community (CAN) Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador
· Special discounts for Peruvians $30.00 per adult and $35.00 per student
· NO discounts will be applied in the high season months (June, July and August)
· To receive the discount benefit, we need you to send us the photo or high quality scan of the card. We also need to view the high quality image or passport scan of the student under 17 and children under 8 years old
· Our price Is in American Dollars
· Our price does not include the transfer fee if you pay through Paypal