As of today, the Peruvian goverment has not implemented a set of rules to access the Salkantay trail; therefore, anyboby is allowed to access it. The only regulated portions of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu are the hike to the archaeological site of Llactapata and the visit to Machu Picchu. Due to the heavy amount of travelers accessing the trail, and the environmental degratation of it caused by excess of trash produced by tour operators and improper constructions, the Peruvian goverment has started to monitor the trail.
When hiking the Salkantay trek, it is important to make sure trash is not left behind since nobody cleans this trail. If hiring the service of a tour operator, you must look for a company which cares about the enviroment so the trail is kept well maintain and clean for the enjoyment of upcoming travelers. If your tour operator does not care about the environment and leaves trash behind, you must complain.
Also, keep in mind that this is a moderate to difficult trek and it is important to know that your body should be used to exercise and adjusted to the high altitude of the area. If both of these conditions are met, this will be an incredible experience to remember for the rest of your life. National Geographic once rated this trek among the best 25 treks around the world.
Below there is a suggested checking list for the Salkantay Trek:
This five day adventure departs every Monday. Our itinerary will allow you to avoid the crowds to fully enjoy nature. Our version of the Salkantay Trek will allow you to spend the night at the slopes of the Salkantay Snowy Peak to then cross the Vilcambamba mountain range. Your guide will take you deep in the forest where you will observe endemic flora and fauna. This path will take you to the small village of Lucmabamba where local coffee will be enjoyed, and then to the Inca site of Llactapata from where you will get to see Machu Picchu from far. This excursion will help you understand Machu Picchu's purpose and importance. Your meals will be one of the highlights of your trip!
Day 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - CHALLACANCHA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SORAYPAMPA (About 16 Kms / 10 mi) (B), (L), (D)
Day 2: SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAY PASS - WAQRAYMACHAY - CHALLWAY (About 26 Kms / 16 mi) (B), (L), (D)
Day 3: CHALLWAY - LA PLAYA - SANTA TERESA (About 20 kms / 12.5 mi) (B), (L), (D)
Day 4: SANTA TERESA - LLACTAPATA - SAN TA TERESA - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES (About 21 Kms / 13 mi) (B), (L), (D)
Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO (B), (L)
Departures on MONDAYS ONLY
Bookings must be paid in full at least 15 days prior to departure date
Your cook and assistant cook will be the Quispe brothers from the Andean Community of Paru Paru.
At about 5:00a.m. your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and at this time you will meet the rest of your group. A three-hour ride will take you through beautiful landscape until you arrive at the Andean town of Mollepata, about 9,180 feet above sea level, where you will enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, your transportation will take you to Soraypampa, at 12,464 feet above sea level, from which you will get a spectacular view of the Salkantay and Umantay snowy peaks. These two peaks are located in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range
As soon as you arrive to Soraypampa, you will hike on direction to the Umantay Lake located at the bottom of the snowy peak of the same name. In this 2 hour hike, 1,076 feet (328 meters) will be gained and you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking landscape. After exploring the area, you will get back to Soraypampa where you will enjoy lunch.
After lunch, you will continue your journey to your overnight campsite which is located at about 14,432 feet above sea level. This campsite is known as Soroyccocha and it will take about three hours to get there. This will be a very cold night so you will spend the night in your tent which is placed in an artisanal hut (a blanket will be provided). Once dinner is over, you will enjoy an incredible sky fulfill with stars (if sky is not cloudy).
Your cook will wake you up at 7:00am with a hot cup of tea to help you warm up, eat breakfast, and get ready to start your hike at 8:00am. In about 1 hour, the highest point of the trek will be reached. This is the Salkantay pass and it is located at about 15,088 feet above sea level. Here you will enjoy an incredible landscape flanked by the Salkantay Peak covered with snow. If weather allows, you will visit the Salkantay Lake. Another hour and a half trek will take you to your lunch camp known as Huaracmachay which is located at about 12,530 feet above sea level.
During the hike after lunch you will have one grand view after another of the majestic mountains, the towering forests, and the creeks that are the origin of the White River. After three and a half hours of hiking you will arrive at your camp, Collpapampa, at about 9,185 feet above sea level. (Insect repellant will be needed here.) Tea will be served upon your arrival and dinner will be served at about 7:30p.m.
After an early breakfast, you will start your journey hiking thru the mountain forest, and next to fruit and coffee plantations. Your first stop will be the small village of Wiñaypoco, located at 8,236 feet above sea level. Here you will have time to relax and enjoy a snack. Your next stop will be your lunch campsite at Lucmabamba, located at 7,000 feet above sea level. This portion of the trek will take about 5 hors in total.
At Lucmabamba, you will explore a local coffee plantation to learn about the process of producing coffee from the plant to the cup. You will also learn about the local flora and fauna, and if you are lucky, you may get to see the National Bird of Peru known as the Rooster of the Rocks "gallito de las rocas". This excursion will last about three hours.
Dinner will be served around 7:00pm at your campsite in Lucmabamba. Tonight you will fall asleep with the sounds of the forest in a safe environment where you can just relax and have a good time.
Today, your cook will wake you up with a cup of tea. After this, breakfast will be served and you will get ready to start your journey to Machu Picchu town. The first leg of the trek will take you to the archaeological Inca site of Llactapata in about 2 hours and a half. From this site you will get a great view of Machu Picchu. After enjoying the view of Machu Picchu and a snack, you will descend to the hydroelectric of Santa Teresa in about 2 hours. Once at the hydroelectric of Santa Teresa, you will be taken to the Santa Teresa hot springs where you will enjoy lunch and you will also have time to relax at the pools.
After lunch, you will be driven back to the hydroelectric from where you will continue your hike to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town. This is a beatiful hike fullfil with vegetation and beautiful landscapes. This portion of the trek will take about 3 hours. Aguas Calientes is located at 6,691 feet above sea level, and you will spend the nighthere at a local hotel. At about 7:00pm, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to take you to a local restaurant where you will enjoy dinner.
Today you will tour Machu Picchu which is located at 7,875 feet above sea level. After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu and from that you will start a four hour guided tour which will start with a hike to the Gate of the Sun to observe Machu Picchu from a different angle. At midday, you will go back to Aguas Calientes by bus in order to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will take the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, you will be driven to your hotel in Cusco in transportation for your group only.
Price per person - USD (2 people minimum per booking) |
565.00 |
We offer departures every Monday from April 1 to November 30.