5-Day Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek
From Cusco, we drive north across Antapampa into the Apurimac watershed. Mollepata is the starting point of our five day trek across the Cordillera Vilcabamba, past Mt. Humantay and Salkantay into the headwaters of the Santa Teresa valley. Hiking down this cloudforest area, we ascend to the Pass of Paltallacta in whose vicinity we camp. We have great views of Machu Picchu from a different perspective. We'll hike into the Aobamba Valley and arrive near the hydroelectric works, downriver from the citadel. Our group boards the train at the hydroelectric station, rides to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), where we will spend the night. Next morning we visit Machu Picchu ruins and have a guided tour. There will be a chance to climb Huayna Picchu (not included in trek price), before heading back to Cusco in the late afternoon.
This trek is a good alternative to the Inca Trail when permits are sold out!
Note: Set departures are on Sundays
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Cusco to trailhead at Soraypampa by way of Mollepata, hike to Salkantaypampa, camp overnight (LD)
There will be a briefing with the guide for your trek, a day or two before you start.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco, and as you drive over Tika-Tika Pass, you will have the first view of Mt. Salkantay and Humantay. We then cross the plateau of Antapampa, reach Limatambo Pass with amazing views of the mountains and lush agricultural valley below. We'll take s few moments to visit the ruins of Tarawasi with its long asymmetric Inca stone wall, and then continue to the trailhead. We start our hike to the pampa below Mt. Salkantay, and overnight at a campsite there (4145m/13599ft/trekking 4 hrs/distance 5-6k)
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping on Trek
Day 2: Hike to Collpapamapa; camp overnight (BLD)
After breakfast, we depart from the campsite toward a terminal moraine, where the trail begins to ascend to Apacheta Pass (4636m/15210ft). From the pass, the trail winds downhill to Wayrahmachay pampa(3919m/12858ft), and descends to the Saint Teresa River and the campsite, where we camp overnight (2950m/9678ft/trekking 8hrs/distance 12k)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping on Trek
Day 3: Hike to Lucamabamba, camp overnight (BLD)
Today we descend from the campsite to Raynapata Pass with astounding view of Mt. Quiswaq and Tortora Valley. We continue to descend to Wiaypoqo, Unuyoc and to the road where a vehicle transfer you to the campsite at Lucmabamba. Camp overnight (2048m/6719ft/trekking 4 hrs/distance 7k)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping on Trek
Day 4: Hike to Hidroelectra Station; train to Aguas Calientes; overnight at hotel (BL)
This morning, after breakfast, we ascend to Q'elloqasa Pass (2875m/9430ft), traversing through a dense cloud forest. From there are magnificent views of Machu Picchu's southern face. We continue to the junction of the Aobamba and Urubamba Valleys, and at the hydroelectric station take a short train ride to Aguas Calientes. Dinner is on your own, and overnight at a hotel (trekking 7 hrs/distance 10 k/train 1 hr)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hatun Samay Hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes
Day 5: Shuttle, entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu; option to climb Huayna Picchu at 10 a.m.; train return to Cusco; transfer to hotel (BL)
With your guide, you will take the early morning shuttle up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour. There is an optional hike up Huayna Picchu at 10 a.m., which requires an additional ticket (not in the trek price). We shuttle back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and in the afternoon, we catch the late afternoon Expedition train to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel. (Hotel in Cusco is not included in the trek price.)
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
5-Day Salkantay to Machu Picchu TrekPrices are Per Person and Valid for Trips through December 31, 2024
| # People in Group: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Group Set Departure: | $1120 | $1120 | $1120 | $1120 |
Prices are Per Person and Valid for Trips January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
| # People in Group: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5+ |
| Group Set Departure: | $1120 | $1120 | $1120 | $1120 |
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
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