Salkantay Trek 5 Days

Salkantay Trail Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha - Soraypampa

The pick-up will be very early in the morning at the hotel in Cusco. We will take a bus to Mollepata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), a small Andean village. Here we will have time for some last minute shopping and will then organize everything needed for the start of our walk.

We will meet with our team-leader, horses and cooks and then begin our adventure. This first day we will be accompanied by views the snowcapped mountain Humantay (5,917 m / 19,413 ft) for much of the journey and finally we will arrive at Soraypampa (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). Following this there will be a short walk to lake Humantay, taking around 1 hour and a half and then back to Soraypampa which will be our first campsite.

• - Total distance: 16 km (9,416 miles)
• - Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
• - Maximum altitude point: 4 221 m (13,485 ft)
• - Campsite altitude: 3,850 m (12,631 ft)

Day 2: Soraypampa – Abra de Salkantay – Wayracpampa - Chaullay

After breakfast, we continue our journey. This will be the most physically demanding day of the whole trip. After an hour’s walking we will arrive at Salkantay Pampa (4,100 m / 13,451 ft) where will can rest for a few moments and then continue our trek to Soyrococha (4,400 m / 14,436 ft) and from there on to the highest point of the journey, the Salkantay pass (4,600 m / 15,091 ft).

From this point we will have an impressive view of two snowy mountains Humantay (5,917 m / 19,413 ft) and the second biggest in the region, Apu Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft). From this majestic Andean landscape we continue on our way to Wayracpampa where will have lunch. When we are ready we will commence walking again, this time descending and observing the changes in flora, fauna and climate as we enter the jungle. Finally we will arrive in Chaullay (2,850 m / 9,350 ft) for our second campsite.

• - Total distance: 22 km (13,670 miles)
• - Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours
• - Maximum altitude point: 4,600 m.a.s.l (15,091 ft)
• - Campsite altitude: 2,850 m (9,350 ft)

Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Lucmabamba

After a refreshing rest, we will eat breakfast and then begin our third day of walking, through the coffee, banana and coca plantations, all typical products of the region. The next place to visit will be La Playa (2,200 m / 7,218 ft) where we will eat lunch.

• - Total distance: 16 km (9, 94 miles)
• - Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
• - Maximum altitude point: 2850 m (9,350 ft)
• - Campsite altitude: 2,000 m (7,218 ft)

Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes

After arriving at Hidroeléctrica (the hour of arrival depends on the option taken the previous day), we will begin our trek towards Aguas Calientes, the town near to the Inca city of Machu picchu. On the way we can enjoy some beautiful trails, waterfalls and wide diversity of flora and fauna. Finally we arrive at Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night and plan our trip to Machu picchu the following day.

• - Total distance: 16 km (9, 94 miles)
• - Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours
• - Maximum altitude point: 2850 m (9,350 ft)
• - Campsite altitude: 2,400 m (7,874 ft)

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today we get up very early, eat breakfast and take the first bus up to the archaeological park of Machu picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft), where we will have a guided tour lasting around two hours. After that you will have the rest of the day to explore on your own.

After the tour we will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes where you can find a great variety of restaurants for lunch. Keep in mind the time for the train journey back, as you have to be there thirty minutes early. The trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes around two hours. We will be waiting for you at the station for a bus trip back to Cusco.