Salkantay Short Trek 03 Days.

Salkantay Short Trek: 3 Days, 2 Nights

The Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative to the classic Inca Trail, offering breathtaking landscapes, challenging hikes, and a less crowded experience. The Short Salkantay Trek, which covers 3 days and 2 nights, is a condensed version of the traditional route, ideal for trekkers who are short on time but still want to experience the magic of the Peruvian Andes and Machu Picchu.

Cusco – Soraypampa. Salkantay Pass – Chaullay.

• Highlights: Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains. Salkantay Pass, Salkantay Glacier, cloud forest transition
• Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2920 m
• Maximum altitude: 4650 m
• Distance: 20km / 9miles
• Time: 9h approximately
• Difficulty: Challenge

Chaullay – La playa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes.

• Distance: 22 km (9.9 miles)
• Elevation: Starting at 2,900 meters (9,514 feet) and descending to 2,000 meters (6,561 feet)
• Highlights:
• Hike through the lush cloud forest, passing coffee plantations and tropical fruit trees.
• Continue to La Playa and then to Hidroeléctrica.
• Overnight at Aguas Calientes Town.

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

• Distance: Varies depending on the route taken to Machu Picchu.
• Elevation: Around 2,430 meters (7,972 feet)
• Highlights:
• Early morning visit to Machu Picchu.
• Guided tour of the ancient citadel.
• Optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views.
• Return to Aguas Calientes for the train back to Cusco.

General Tips:

• Acclimatization: Spend a few days in Cusco, before the trek to acclimate to the altitude.
• Packing: Pack layers for varying temperatures, rain gear, and sturdy hiking boots.
• Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated and bring snacks for energy.Permits and Guides: Book through a reputable tour operator to handle permits and logistics.

The Salkantay Trek offers an unforgettable adventure through some of Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes, culminating in the iconic Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay

The trek begins early in the morning with a drive from Cusco to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike. Soraypampa sits at an altitude of 3,800 meters and offers stunning views of the Salkantay Mountain. Before heading deeper into the trek, most itineraries include a side trip to the breathtaking Humantay Lake. The short but steep hike to the lake (about 2 hours round trip) offers crystal-clear glacial waters framed by towering peaks.

After visiting the lake. You will hike up to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,600 meters. The ascent can be physically demanding due to the altitude, but the panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape and the Salkantay Glacier make the effort worthwhile. Once you reach the pass, you’ll begin a gradual descent into a warmer, more tropical environment as you head toward Collpapampa. This change in scenery from high mountain passes to lush cloud forests offers a striking contrast. You will spend the night camping in Collpapampa, surrounded by waterfalls and dense vegetation.

• Highlights: Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains. Salkantay Pass, Salkantay Glacier, cloud forest transition
• Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2920 m
• Maximum altitude: 4650 m
• Distance: 20km / 9miles
• Time: 9h approximately
• Difficulty: Challenge

DAY 02: Chaullay – La Playa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast, at 6: 30 am, we started the walk and continue along the upper forest across the river from Lluskamayo and a variety of small streams to reach the beach, stop for lunch. After lunch we have included a local transport to continue to the city of Santa Teresa camping through fields of tropical fruits and plants in the area to reach beach town where we have lunch and then board a local transport to the hydroelectric plant Machu Picchu, here we have two options to continue to Aguas Calientes (train service U $ .38 optional) or walk (10 km -02 hours approx) walk this stretch is recommended because it is very nice and you can see the citadel Machu Picchu Inca at the top of the mountain and a very beautiful along the way landscape. Once arriving to Aguas Calientes, we have the accommodation at Hostal chosen: Overnight.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
• Facilities Accommodation Hostel
• Minimum height: 2.000 m
• Maximum altitude: 2900m
• Distance: 22 km /
• Time: About 7h.
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 03: Aguas Calientes – MachuPicchu – Cusco.

We will have breakfast at the hotel and then go to the bus station and can board the first bus in the direction of the city, approximately 25 minutes by a zigzag path to reach the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. The guide will offer a visit (about 2 hours) and after that, you have free time to explore the city and if you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2720m). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
To return to Aguas Calientes have 2 options, walking or bus (optional) where you will meet your guide back for lunch and receive his train ticket to return to the city of Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Maximum height: 2.440m
• Difficulty: Easy.

The train service that includes all the tours (the Expedition to Ollanta) and bus to Cusco. * If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes you have to tell us in advance to arrange your hotel and change the return train service.

CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU.

Reservation & Booking Policies

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast first day
• Lunch last day
• Personal expenses
• Tips Guide and service staff

** Train included in all tours is (Expedition Ollanta service) will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earlier train you could take is the 14: 30.pm and being the last train at 18: 30. Salkantay Expeditions, arrange transportation to Cusco (by taxi or bus).
Note: train schedules are subject to depending on Peru rail on schedule and availability changes. The train can be changed to Vista dome (bigger than the expedition train windows) with an increase in price.

WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:

• Original passport and student card
• Insurance card is essential
• Sleeping bag.
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Coat
• Hat and gloves comfortable pants shirts
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen factor 70
• Insect repellent
• Water
• Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Personal medication
• Camera and battery.
• Flashlight with extra batteries

OPTIONAL TO TAKE:

• Shorts
• Cane
• Plasters and bandages
• Flips flops
• Extra money
• Swimsuit for hot springs in Santa Teresa / Aguas Calientes – not included in price.

OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):

• Sleeping bag (U$:20)
• Canes (U$.15)
• Small day backpack (U$.40)

IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day

Prices: Season 2024

Group Service

• U$. 420 Per Person (Group Service)
• U$: 540 Per Person ( Private Service)

Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?

• Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
• If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
• Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.

Discounts

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

**visit our secure payment methods