4 days

About this activity

Day 1: Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha, Trek to Soraypampa Camp (3,920m) (L/D)

Today we pick you up between 5:00 - 6:00 am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. Continue by car to Challacancha where we will make final preparations and double check our equipment. Embark on a 3-hour walk that will take us to Soraypampa (3,920m) where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Hike up to Laguna de Humantay (approx. 1.5 hours each way) for more incredible views of the Andes mountains and then return to camp for the night. Our first campsite is located at 3,920m and is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Take some time to rest up, and enjoy your first night immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.

Day 2: Trek to Challhuay or Colcapampa Camp via High Pass (4,650m) (B/L/D)

We will have breakfast at around 6:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Humantay on the left. (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for 100 - 120 soles). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.

Day 3: Trek to La Playa, Transfer to Hydroelectric Station, Trek to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)

After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and continue by car to Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) with a warmer climate. From here we will take another car to Hydroelectric Station (40 minutes) and then walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax.

Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco (B)

Catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (to be booked in advance at an extra cost). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus at your own convenience. Take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cuzco. You will be dropped off at the Plaza San Francisco. Upon arrival you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.

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Included

Pre-departure briefing
Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
Van Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of trek)
Car Transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric Station
Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Tourist Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
Camping Accommodation during trek (including Basic Sleeping Pad & tent for 2 people)
1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
Meals: 3B/3L/3D/2 snacks with typical menus
Horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker. (This includes 3 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4 kilos of personal items.
Foam Sleeping Mat
First Aid kit
Emergency oxygen bottle
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 4

Not included

Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off(please make your own way)
Day 1 Breakfast, Day 4 Lunch and Dinner, Bottled Water
Sleeping Bag (Rental $15 USD for the trek)
Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
Optional Services
Train transfer from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes (30 usd)
Huayna Picchu Trek (48 soles) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (48 soles) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
Accommodation in Cuzco
Trekking Permit
The Peruvian government may require a trekking permit for Salkantay. If this is approved, the rates will be around:
133 Soles Adult
67 Soles Student
Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker
Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker
Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group
Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Minimum age is 7 years
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Accommodation Options: Single travelers will share a tent/room with another traveler and couples will have a tent/room to themselves.
Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it is important to be in good physical condition. There are important temperature changes associated with altitude changes (from 4000 meters to 2000 meters).
Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration.

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

55%

Sport

30%

Aquatic

30%

Collections This experience is part of these collections