The interesting Salkantay Trek 05 days 04 nights to reach Machu Picchu Inca citadel. This magnificent hiking route is in Cusco, Peru, within the Andes Mountains of Vilcabamba, Mollepata, Soraypampa, Challhua, and Santa Teresa.
Alternative hiking Trail to Machu Picchu. Three-hour drive west of Cusco is Mollepata and Soraypampa, the starting point for the Salkantay Trek Peru. The hiking trail leads to the high Andes, jungles of the Santa Teresa Valley. Soraypampa (3,923 meters/12,870 feet) starts this adventure, passing Salkantay Pass, Chaullay of Collpapampa, and the meeting between Totora Chalan rivers, forming the Santa Teresa River.
After arriving in La Playa Sahuayaco, you can choose to go to the hydroelectric power station via the Patallacta ruins or to the village of Santa Teresa. Salkantay’s 05-day hike is an incredible trekking experience through the Andes, jungle, and Machu Picchu. Join us and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime! 🙂
Is this Salkantay mountain trip right for me? AT A GLANCE
Day-01: Cusco – Humantay Lagoon – Soray Pampa
Day-02: Soraypampa – Salkantay-Pass – Challhuay
Day-03: Challway – La Playa – Lucmabamba
Day-04: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Day-05: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco
Highlights
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We start the vehicular trip from the city of Cusco, heading northwest via Izcuchaca, Limatambo, and Mollepata. In Mollepata, there is a 30-minute stop for breakfast at one of the local restaurants, “optional, breakfast not included.” We continue along the dirt road until we reach the Soraypampa area.
In Soraypampa, we meet our muleteers and pack horses. We start the walk in the first section of the mountain until we reach the top of the turquoise lagoon of Humantay “we have incredible views of the Andes mountain range with its snowy peaks and groups of cattle.” We descend the same path until we reach Soraypampa to continue on the second section of the hike on the other side of the mountain until we reach our camp.
At dusk and night, we will see the Salkantay snow-capped mountain with its mountains; If the sky is clear, we can observe the Milky Way and recognize the Andean constellation, but already the starry night is beautiful looking for some shooting stars.
Additional note; It’s pretty cold tonight! It does recommend bundling up with thermal clothing and bringing an excellent sleeping bag.
Salkantay Trek First Day Hike Summary
Upon waking up, our mountain cook brings us a cup of Coca tea to have the strength and conquer the highest point of the entire trek, the Salkantay pass. Before starting the walk, we have two trails that go to two different walking circuits; On the right, we have the connection route to the classic Inca Trail. The Salkantay way to Machu Picchu via hydroelectric power station is left.
Our team of workers and explorers on foot go the Salkantay route to the left. To get to the pass, we have 03 hours “mountain regulation of the Salkantay path; every hiker has to be next to the mountain when the horses or donkeys approach, both going up and down because it could push us; that is why they are always there next to the peak. ”
Before reaching the Salkantay pass, we already have impressive views of the glacier. In the Salcantay pass, a sign marks the height “classic photo of the whole group.” After resting, we begin the descent of 05 hours until we reach our camp in Collpapampa, “two hours through the Andes and another 03 hours inside the cloud forest”.
It is imperative to fit both walking shoes and poles because, along the hiking trail, we come across an incredible amount of stones of all sizes but with stunning panoramic views every half hour. Outdoor adventure time like hiking is healthy for our body and mind.
Summary of activities
Entering through the primary forest or jungle eyebrow, we observe tropical fruit plantations such as the passion fruit “granadilla,” organic red coffee, banana trees, and wild berries such as the strawberry of the Andes, etc.
In the course of the walk, we will have the presence of the Aobamba river all the time, which is the union of the Salkantay, Challhuay, and Totora snow-capped mountains; the color mix of the white river with the lush green vegetation makes the walk pleasant. Before arriving at the community of Wiñaypoco, we have a beautiful waterfall with its rustic bridge built of wood. There are several streams during the walk until we reach the tip of the Loreta highway – La Playa Sahuayaco. The last stretch of the walk is following the dirt track until we reach our Lucmabamba camp located on the Llactapata Inca Trail.
A summary of Chapter Three
Optional: Travel to Santa Teresa.
We start our hiking activity early to avoid the sun, which is vital because it does locate in the jungle. Humidity in a large percentage makes us sweat a lot; that’s why we walk outdoors as much as possible. Two hours are hiking to get to the Llactapata pass. The Lucmabamba Inca trail does very well preserved; in the distance, you can see the valley and the town of Santa Teresa. Once at the top, we rest in the natural shade of the jungle “the area has several trees with dense vegetation.”
We descend for about twenty minutes to find the first views of Machu Picchu from a distance; When we arrive at the Llactapata ruins, you will see the mountains of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and part of the classic Inca trail on the peaks of the Aobamba valley. We continue our walk descending until we reach the suspension bridge of the Aobamba valley “the descent is quite steep; bring your poles.”
In the afternoon, we walk from the Inti Watana hydroelectric train station, located on the railway at kilometer 119, to Aguas Calientes, following the train tracks “02 and a half hours.” We spend the night in a two-star hotel in Machupicchu Pueblo.
A summary of Chapter Four
Adventures through the Andes from Salkantay, containing various microclimates, scenic landscapes, and different hiking terrains, make for a unique vacation to de-stress and get out of the routine. We start the activities with the pick-up service at your hotel and then go to the bus station that will transfer us to the Inca citadel “30 minutes of travel”.
At the Machupicchu control, we present our electronic tickets placed on the cell phones of the walkers; We start the guided tour by going up to the watchman’s house to have fantastic panoramic views of the entire Inca citadel. At the end of visiting and exploring the seventh wonder of the world, we board the shared bus service to Aguas Calientes and then travel by train to the city of Cusco. In the town of Ollantaytambo, the private vehicle awaits us to continue the trip to Cusco; in total, there are 03 hours and 10 minutes of travel.
Summary
When you get to the POROY train station, Be met at the train arrivals area. Just look for a KONDOR PATH TOURS sign with your name on it.” Group name: Arturito and Citripio (C-3PO) 🙂
Salkantay trek vs. Inca trail: Choose the Salkantay Trail Peru.
PRICES PER PERSON [USD] 2022. We carry out this trekking circuit along the Salkantay Trek trail only as a private service at affordable prices.
* Price based on 02 people sharing one tent.
🙂 There are several optional upgrades to add or improve according to your requirements for your next outdoor hiking vacation in the Andes. Here is an updated price list:
Applies for the following services
To Machu Picchu
For train service in PERU RAIL
Regulation of Machupicchu
1st. STEP
2nd. STEP | First down payment.
