TREKKING SALKANTAY AND MACHUPICCHU
5D/4N

You will fully enjoy the magnificent view.

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This hike perfectly combines cultural and natural beauty. We'll appreciate the challenging ecosystem and the magnificent view of Salkantay (6,264 m/20,551 ft), considered the most representative mountain in the Vilcabamba range.

The hike takes us back to the time of the Incas and makes us aware of the spirit of mountains such as Tucarhuay and Humantay, whose summits exceed 5,000 meters.

Trip information

Tour title

Trekking Salkantay and Machupicchu

Duration

5D/4N

Country visited

Peru

Region crossed

Cusco

Highlights

Semi-tropical, with hot, humid days and cold, dry nights, with constant rain throughout the year

Best time to come

From November to April.

Flights number

0 flights

Accomodation

1 night in 3 *
1 night in accomodation at your own expense.
3 nights in camp site

Meals included

Total meals included : 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Altitude max

4544 m a.s.l. / 14908 ft a.s.l.

Distance covered

192.1 km / 119.4 mi (* as the crow flies)

Difficulty

Intermediate.

Recommended age

+18

Itinerary

1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa
2: Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Collpapampa
3: Collpapampa - Huiñaypoco - Lucmabamba
4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroeléctrica Machupicchu - Machupicchu Pueblo
5: Machupicchu Pueblo - Machupicchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Program details

Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa

First day of group trekking with an english speaking guide.

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 a.m. and head towards Challacancha (3400m/11154f), passing through the village of Mollepata. In Challacancha, we will meet the riders and the rest of the group and begin our trek.

We begin our trek in a beautiful valley, surrounded by the most important snow-capped mountains such as Humantay and Salkantay . Our camp will be at Soraypampa, and in the afternoon we can visit Lake Humantay, which is an additional hike.

Optional Visit to Laguna Humantay: After lunch in Soraypampa, we highly recommend a hike to Laguna Humantay, where you can experience the magnificent view of Laguna Humantay covered in snow.ll

Meals included : Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation :

Camp site

Altitudes

Altitude min : 2836 m a.s.l. / 9304 ft a.s.l.
Altitude max : 3921 m a.s.l. / 12864 ft a.s.l.

Distances (Referencials - as the crow flies)

Cusco - Mollepata : 59.4 km /36.9 mi (road)
Mollepata - Challacancha : 9 km /5.6 mi (walk)
Challacancha - Soraypampa : 5.4 km /3.4 mi (walk)

Total distance : 73.8 km / 45.9 mi

Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Collpapampa

Second day of group trekking with an english speaking guide.

After breakfast, we will head to the Salkantay Pass, which offers exceptional views of the snow-capped Salkantay Peaks.

From there, we will descend and have time to appreciate the ever growing vegetation of the ecosystem. Our camp will be located at Collpapampa, surrounded by tropical rainforest with a warm climate and mosquitoes.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation :

Camp site

Altitudes

Altitude min : 2803 m a.s.l. / 9196 ft a.s.l.
Altitude max : 4544 m a.s.l. / 14908 ft a.s.l.

Distances (Referencials - as the crow flies)

Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay : 4.3 km /2.7 mi (walk)
Abra Salkantay - Collpapampa : 12.5 km /7.8 mi (walk)

Total distance : 16.8 km / 10.4 mi

Collpapampa - Huiñaypoco - Lucmabamba

Third day of group trekking with an english speaking tour guide.

The third day is dedicated to the region's flora and its plantations. After descending into a forest and enjoying the diversity of orchids, bromeliads, and many other plants, we will visit coffee, cocoa, and fruit plantations. We will also have the pleasure of meeting local families from Wiñaypoco, Granadilla, and Lucmabamba. Our camp will be in Lucmabamba.

This afternoon, you will interact with a local rural family in the forest. You will have the opportunity to witness the cultivation and processing of coffee.

Depending on the variety, newly planted coffee plants take approximately 3 to 4 years to begin bearing fruit. The fruit, called a coffee cherry, turns a deep, glossy red when ripe and ready to be harvested. Due to the botanical characteristics of these plants and the fact that coffee is often grown in mountainous areas, the widespread use of mechanical harvesters is not possible. Therefore, ripe coffee cherries are usually picked by hand, a difficult and labor-intensive process. We will show and explain the entire coffee production process, from tree to cup. You will also have the opportunity to ask locals your own questions about the growing process.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation :

Camp site

Altitudes

Altitude min : 2041 m a.s.l. / 6696 ft a.s.l.
Altitude max : 2803 m a.s.l. / 9196 ft a.s.l.

Distances (Referencials - as the crow flies)

Collpapampa - Huiñaypoco : 3.2 km /2 mi (walk)
Huiñaypoco - Lucmabamba : 10.2 km /6.3 mi (walk)

Total distance : 13.4 km / 8.3 mi

Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroeléctrica Machupicchu - Machupicchu Pueblo

Fourth day of group trekking with an english speaking guide.

After breakfast, we will hike the Inca Trail to the archaeological site of Llactapata, located at an altitude of 2,650 m. It is a magnificent place to discover the flora and evidence of Inca culture. From there, we will have exceptional views of Machu Picchu mountain and the Vilcanota Canyon. We will then continue our descent to the hydroelectric station, where we will stop for a moment to relax before continuing our hike to the village of Machu Picchu, or you can also take the train to the village.

We will spend the night in the village of Machu Picchu.

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation :

Hotel Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu - 3* - Prolongación, Imperio de los Incas E - 34, Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu Pueblo
https://www.casa-andina.com

Altitudes

Altitude min : 1778 m a.s.l. / 5833 ft a.s.l.
Altitude max : 2720 m a.s.l. / 8924 ft a.s.l.

Distances (Referencials - as the crow flies)

Lucmabamba - Llactapata : 4.4 km /2.7 mi (walk)
Llactapata - Hidroeléctrica Machupicchu : 3 km /1.9 mi (walk)
Hidroeléctrica Machupicchu - Machupicchu Pueblo : 4.3 km /2.7 mi (train)

Total distance : 11.7 km / 7.3 mi

Machupicchu Pueblo - Machupicchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Last day of the trek.

We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am. Then, we will head to Machu Picchu by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour of the archaeological site, which includes information about the life and culture of the Incas, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu on your own. We'll leave Aguas Calientes by train around 6:20 pm. Until then, you will have time for lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Optional visit: You can also visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes to relax. Do not forget to bring your swimsuit.

Meals included : Breakfast

Accommodation :

Accomodation at your own expense.

Altitudes

Altitude min : 2081 m a.s.l. / 6827 ft a.s.l.
Altitude max : 3400 m a.s.l. / 11155 ft a.s.l.

Distances (Referencials - as the crow flies)

Machupicchu Pueblo - Machupicchu : 2.3 km /1.4 mi (road)
Machupicchu - Ollantaytambo : 32 km /19.9 mi (train)
Ollantaytambo - Cusco : 42.2 km /26.2 mi (road)

Total distance : 76.4 km / 47.5 mi

Included

All domestic transportation: domestic flights, transfers, boats, local or private buses, and the listed trains, unless otherwise specified.
Hotels according to the category indicated by the small stars at the end of each day. The hotels suggested in the day-by-day program are subject to availability. In case of unavailability, an equivalent hotel may be offered.
All site entrance fees, unless otherwise noted.
English-speaking guide service for tours, unless specified otherwise.
Meals indicated as included.
All breakfasts.