5-Day All-Inclusive Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
We will leave from Cusco approximately 05:00a.m. A bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 08:00 in the morning, we will stop for last minute supplies, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms. We will continue to our trek starting point, Challacancha.

We will meet with our support staff, and they will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 09:00 a.m., we will begin our walk toward Soraypampa (3900 meters above sea level). During the trip we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. About 01:00p.m., we will have a Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking toward Humantay Lake for 03 hours aproximately, this is a beautiful lake in the mountains. We will come back to our camp where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Campsite.

Day 2: SORAYPAMPA – CHALLWAY

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We will start the hike around 07:00 in the morning. We will hike to a place called Pampas Salkantay, then go toward the left side of the snowy peaks of Umantay located next to the Apu Salkantay. At midday, we will be on the highest point ( 4600 meters above sea level).

We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6264 meters above sea level) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. Around 01:00 p.m., we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 03 hours, we will arrive to our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Around 07:00p.m., we will recuperate from the trek and eat dinner.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Campsite.

Day 3: CHALLWAY – LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Around 7:00a.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. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks’.the national bird of peru Once at Playa Sahuayaco lunch. After lunch we are going to hike couples hours more to get at lucmabamba which is our last camp site also the beginning of the inca trail of Llacta pata.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Campsite.

Day 4: LUCMABAMBA – LLAPTAPATA -HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Around 8.00am. we will gradually hike up for about 2 hours to finally get to Llapta Pata a beautiful archeological site which has connections to the Inca sites Machupicchu and Sayacmarka. We will have plenty of time to explore this nice Inca site and will then start our descent to Hydro-Electrica (power plant) which will take us about 1 ½ hours. A pleasant 3 hours walk will bring us to Aguas Calientes where we will stay in a hotell for the night. After having stored our baggage we will go out and have dinner together in one of the many restaurants.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Golden Sunrise *** or similar.

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Stop At: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru
This last day starts very early. We will wake you up at around 05.00 am have breakfast and then take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. There are two good reasons to be at the entrance of Machu Picchu very early:

1.- It is well worth the effort to get up early as the Inca city is quietest in the early morning and you will have plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the sun rise over Machu Picchu.

2.- Our guide will give you a tour around Machu Picchu telling you about the history of Machu Picchu and the most important temples and altars. Of course he will also take you to the classical view point (sacred Rock Hut), this vantage point offers a terrific view of the whole inkan city. After that if you still have plenty of energy you should climb Huayna Picchu Mountain. This is the steep mountain dominating the background of Machu Picchu.

From the top of Waynapichu you have an absolutely stunning and breathtaking view of the complete Machupicchu area. It takes 1 hour to climb Waynapichu and 1 to 1 ½ hours (depending if you want to make a detour to the great cavern) to return down. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machupicchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch.

Usually we take the bus at around 1:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guides give you time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You will get your train and bus tickets back to Cusco in the restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
Duration: 7 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.