Salcantay Trek to Machu Picchu |
code: STRMAC4- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Night
- Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology
- Transport: land transport, walking, train
- Accommodation: Camping (2 Nights), Hotels (1 Night)
- Treking Grades: Moderate/Demanding ?
- Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 12
- Type Service: We run only private groups ?
Highlights:
Machu Picchu, amazing mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, Salcantay Mountain, local villages, Llactapata
Unforgettable trek thought the sacred Salcantay Mountain
This amazing trek runs beneath the Salcantay Mountain (6271m/20569ft) where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally reach Aguas Calientes on the third day. This itinerary is an interesting alternative for those not having found spaces on the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Salcantay Mountain is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, part of the Peruvian Andes.
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- Additional Services ?
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Day 1 - Cusco to Huayracmachay
Pick up from the Hotel at 04:00 in a private transport and start a scenic morning to our trek starting point at Soraypampa. The road goes up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2800m/9184ft) and Cruzpata to finally reach Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), the starting point of the trek. We start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salcantay, crossing Salcantaypampa, and then starting a 2 hrs steep ascent to Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salcantay. Continuing uphill, we reach the highest point of the trek Abra Huayracmachay (4525m/14846ft). From this point, we start descending towards into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. We arrive to our camping place Huayracmachay (3,850m/12628ft)Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 2 - Huayracmachay to Lucmabamba
Breakfast; continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Salcantay River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads. After 3 hours we arrive at the settlement of Chaullay, and after another hour and a half, we pass the town of Colpapampa. From Colpapampa, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River. After a rest, we continue our descent to the banks of the Totora River where we can enjoy a delicious dip in the thermo-medicinal waters. Following the Santa Teresa River, we pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko and finally arrive to Lucmabamba (2,100m/6888ft) campsite.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 3 - Lucmabamba / Llactapata / Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, walk up to Llactapata on the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado, as well as exuberant local flora. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as we descend. We cross the river and start climbing for 2-3 hours up to Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of Machu Picchu. We enjoy amazing view from Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machu Picchu and the Salkantay, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata archeological site, which have recently been restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the Hydroelectric from where we board a train that takes us to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes train ride), where we spend the night in a Hotel.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 4 - Visit Machu Picchu full day / Back to Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel
Meal Include: Breakfast -
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Hotels to use for this trek:
Students: US$ 20 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
Teenagers: US$ 20 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Children: US$ 30 (up to 7 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
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What is included?
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Private transport to Soraypampa, head of the Trek
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- English Speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- 4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
- Thermal Rest Mattresses
- Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person)
- One emergency horse every two persons
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
- Toilet tent
- Accommodation for all our staff
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Train back to Cusco (Backpacker, Vistadome Class upon request)
- One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes selected hotel Category
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel.
- Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 24 for the 4 day trek)
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters
- Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip)
- Visa fees (if required)
- Passport & Visa Costs
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
- Machu Picchu extensions
- Cusco Add Ons (Hotel and tours)
- Lima Add ons (Hotel and tours)
- Amazon Jungle Trips
- Northern Peru
- Lake Titicaca
- Lima City stop over
- Arequipa extension
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Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold, Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs and Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
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Book now with Sun Gate Tours
Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & ConditionsStep 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Student with ISIC card: Yes/No
Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc
Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
- Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek
Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability CalendarStep 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.