travel agency Cusco Peru:: tour operator Salkantay - Machu Picchu 4days

An ancient and remote path in the same area as the Inca Trail, however less visited but with much more spectacular views. This trek is an excellent choice for those who wish to escape the more congested routes and a faster way, or those who are looking for an alternative when the Inca Trail this traditional congested. You can see the change of the various floors organic, from subtropical areas and stunning peaks and glaciers, to reach the Lost City of the Incas, Machupicchu.

Salkantay Trek Short version to Machupichu is organized exclusive for people with limit time looking for nice hike and amazing views of the real Andes and the high jungle around Machu Pichu. This short version of Salkantay trek is considerate one of the best option for hike through remote villages.

We will leave Cusco approximately at 5:30a.m. A bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 7:30 in the morning, we will stop for last minute supplies, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms at a local restaurant. We will continue our journey to Sayapata, our trek starting point. We will meet with our support staff, who will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 9:00 a.m., we will begin our hike toward Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level). During the hike we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. Around 1:00p.m., we will have a Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will visit Humantay Lake, a marvelous lake in the mountains, (3 hours hike) and we will come back to our campsite where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.

After a good breakfast we prepare ourselves to undertake the long and hardest stretch of the trip, leaving at 7am. We cross all the denominated  Salkantay Pampas site from where we`ll go towards the left side of the  snow-capped mountain Umantay which is next to the snowed one  Salkantay. About 12pm we will be in the highest point  (step Salkantay Umanata to 4500 a.s.l.). From this place we observe the snowed ones and glaciers of the Salkantay. Besides we`ll appreciate the stunning view of the falling snow ( avalancha). After one hour of having reduced the trek rythm, we have the lunch. Later we restart the trek until the place denominated Huayrac we`ll set up our second campsite.

Around 5:00a.m., we will start our trek and we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise. We will walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the “Forest Cloudy Brow” where waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. salcantay pass river crossingIf we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks'. Once at Playa Sahuayaco, we will take a local bus to drive us to the hydroelectric train station. At around 1:30p.m., we will have our lunch at the hydroelectric. At 3:20p.m., we will take a train from the hydroelectric to the town of Aguas Calientes (2000 meters above sea level). Here, you have the option of going to the thermal hot springs. We will have dinner at 7:00p.m. and accommodation at the hotel.

We wake up early and board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it (please note that there are only 400 visitors allowed per day), or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. 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 after nightfall.

• Pre-departure briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Challacancha (starting point of the trek)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. Eureka Timberline 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested and Eureka Timberline 2XT for single travelers
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person
• One pillow per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
• English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) days 1 to 3
• Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 9kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) days 1 to 3
• 1 emergency horse every 8 persons  days 1 to 3
• Accommodation for all our staff
• Meals (03B, 03L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
• Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• 1D Machupicchu entrance fee
• One way Bus ticket Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (day 4)
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition service)
• Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes on day 4
• Entrance to the hot Springs.
• Tips and extra spends

• Your original passport must be shown at the entrance of Machu Picchu and if you wish you can have it stamped at the end of the trek)
• Water bottle and sterilizing tablets.
• A backpack with a change of clothes for 5 days.
• Rain jacket (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Flashlight and batteries. / Camera, films and batteries. / Strong footwear.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Swimsuit (if you wish to visit the hot springs)
• Cash in soles and US.
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold.
• Insect repellent, toilet paper, small towel & sun block.

DAILY DEPARTURES!!

Salkantay & Machupicchu 5D/Trek

Include 7 Kg porterage.

2-3 person group US$ 600 per person.

4-5 person group US$ 520 each

6-8 person group US$ 450 each