Salkantay Cultural Trek 5 Days

The Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative to the Inca Trail for reaching Machu Picchu. It’s known for its stunning scenery, diverse ecosystems, and challenging hikes. Here’s a brief overview of what a typical 5-day Salkantay Trek might look like, based on various blogs and travel experiences:

Day 01: Cusco to Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa.

Start Point: Cusco

Highlights:

• Drive from Cusco to Mollepata for breakfast and supplies.
• Continue to Soraypampa, the starting point of the trek.
• Acclimatize with a short hike to Humantay Lake, a beautiful turquoise glacial lake.
• Camping: Salkantaypampa

Day 02: Salkantaypampa to Pampacahuana.

Highlights:

• Early start to trek to the highest point, the Salkantay Pass (5,200 meters/15,091 feet).
• Stunning views of Salkantay Mountain.
• Descend into the highland to Pampacahuana
• Camping: Pampacahuana

Day 03: Pampacahuana to Llactapata.

Highlights:

• Hike through the lush cloud forest, passing coffee plantations, fruit trees, and small villages.
• Opportunity to visit a local coffee farm and taste freshly brewed coffee.
• Camping: Llactapata

Day 04: Llactapata to Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

• Highlights:
  • Hike up to Llactapata ruins for a unique view a distance.
  • Descend to the hydroelectric station, then take a train or walk to Aguas Calientes.
• Stay: Aguas Calientes

Day 05: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco.

Highlights:

• Early morning bus or hike up to Machu Picchu.
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
• Afternoon return to Aguas Calientes for the train back to Cusco.

Tips and Recommendations:

• Acclimatization: Spend a few days in Cusco before the trek to acclimatize to the altitude.
• Packing: Bring proper hiking gear, warm clothing for high altitudes, and rain protection.
• Permits: Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek does not require a permit, but it’s still advisable to book through a reputable tour operator.
• Fitness: Be in good physical condition as the trek is challenging with significant elevation changes.

For detailed daily experiences, you might want to check out personal blogs of travelers who have completed the trek. These often include personal anecdotes, tips, and photos that can give you a better idea of what to expect.

DAY 01: MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAYPAMPA

Salkantay Cultural. We pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus about 03 hours to Mollepata (2.700.msnm) where we have a technique for breakfast and to use the bathrooms and make the last shopping this place will continue to Challacancha, where we start our walk near 4 hours by a beautiful road that will take us to Soraypampa (camp 3.800.msnm) for lunch with panoramic snowy mountains (Humantay; 5.720my Salkantay; 6271.msnm) views the afternoon visit the lagoon Humantay, return to Soraypampa here and we walk for 1 hr, to Salkantaypampa campsite. Overnight

• Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2850 m
• Maximum altitude: 3850 m
• Distance: 11km / 9miles
• Time: 5h approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 02: SALKANTAYPAMPA – INKACHIRIASKA – PAMPACAHUANA.

This day we got up very early, since it is the most difficult day of travel will have breakfast at 5:30 and begin our trek of approximately 3 hours, climb to the pass of Incachiriaska (5.200.m .. m, point highest of the trip) this place you can see the Cordillera Vilcabamba, after a short break we started down a very narrow path of stones Sisaypampa lunch place (4.200.msnm) after lunch we start walking for a place d quiet where we see many animals in the area and lots of straw (i’chu) and houses of typical local materials and observe the famous Inca channel construction considerable distances. And finally reach our camp. Overnight.

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2920 m
• Maximum altitude: 4650 m
• Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
• Time: 9h about
• Difficult: challenge

DAY 03: PAMPACAHUANA – PAUCARCANCHA – LLACTAPATA.

After a typical Andean breakfast, we begin our trek through a beautiful valley, flora and varied fauna to reach the archaeological site of Paucarcancha. Where we will have a guided tour and free to explore, take photographs of the area while and then continue along the Inca Trail to Hatunchaca for lunch and a short break. After lunch, we continue to Patallacta to visit the Inca place and continue to our camp, dinner. Overnight

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2620msnm
• Maximum altitude: 4,000m
• Distance: 16km / 10 miles
• Time: about 8 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 04: LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – AGUAS CALIENTES.

We wokeup around 6:30 am to enjoy a varied breakfast overlooking the most famous mountain in the Sacred Valley, Veronica. After breakfast, we begin our trek to visit the archaeological site Qanabamba, Salapunku and get to the train station Piskacucho (lunch) train service to the town of Aguas Calientes, installation in the designated hotel. Dinner. Overnight

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea-dinner
• Train to Aguas Calientes 
• Acomodation: Hotel
• Maximum altitude: 2690 m
• Minimum altitude: 2040 m
• Distance – 09km / 10 miles
• Time: 5h approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 05: MACHU PICCHU CITADEL

After an early breakfast 5:30 am, we will go to the station to board the first bus to Machu Picchu (25 minutes), get there early and watch the sunrise take the first photographs of the city and enjoy the tour on for 2 hours and then you have free time to explore the city on your own. To return to the hot springs have 2 options you can be by bus or walking (optional) railway station is in the same population to return to the city of Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Maximum height: 2, 440m
• Difficulty: Easy.

Note: In all our services Expedition Station includes Piskacucho train to the town of Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo station. Salkantay Expeditions arrange transportation back to Cusco (by taxi or bus)

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:

• Pick up the hotel transfer to Mollepata
• Professional bilingual guide
• Transportation (rail round trip)
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu mountain.
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks from 16:00 (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) (1st breakfast and dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included)
• Camping equipment, tents for 2 people, the floor mat.
• Horsemen and mules (leading kitchen equipment and camp and up to 05 kg of belongings of tourists)
• 1 night in Aguas Calientes
• Extra oxygen
• First aid box
• Vegetarian / special diet options available.

NOT INCLUDED:

• First breakfast
• Sleeping bag
• Lunch last day
• Extra expenses.

Note: In all of our services is included the Expedition train station Piskacucho to the town of Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo station. Salkantay Expeditions organize transport back to Cusco (by taxi or bus).

SHOULD BRING:

• Original passport (student card if applicable (ISIC)
• Sleeping bag
• Walking Shoes
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Thick layer
• Hat and gloves.
• Shirts
• Comfortable pants
• Sun hat
• Sunblock (factor 70 recommended)
• Insect repellent
• Water (you can buy on the way)
• Toiletries
• Medical staff
• Flashlights with extra batteries

OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):

• Sleeping bag – ($.25)
• Personal tent ($.25)
• Walking stick ($.15)

Prices: Season – 2024

Private Service

• U$. 750 Per Person (Minimum 2 people)

Group Service:

• U$: 580 Per Person

Discounts

• Student Discount (only with active card): U$:20
• Under 18 years Discount: U$.20

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