Salkantay
$ 540
/person
4 Days
Small Group
Trek, Train & bus
Salkantay Short Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights
The short Salkantay Trek 4 days, 3 nights isn’t a challenge for the faint-hearted, and you will find yourself trekking through glaciers and mountains at dizzying altitudes – a physical challenge to be sure, but entirely rewarding. The trip will end in warmer tropical forest climates and of course, the cherry on top, Machu Picchu Inca City.
- Take only memories, leave only footprints in this unique Salkantay trek
- Take a panoramic view of Humantay Mountain for an overnight stay and sunrise in the mountains with incredible landscapes.
- Explore beautiful attractions along the way.
Day 1: Cusco City – Mollepata – Humantay Lagoon – Soraypampa
After pick up from the hotel (4:00 a.m. approx.), we will ride in our private van towards the town of Mollepata for approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at this town, we will have time to enjoy breakfast before continuing another hour in the van until Challacancha, where we will start our trek. We will walk for 3 hours alongside the water channel until we reach the Soraypampa camp, where we will have our organic lunch and we enjoy clean water to drink and fill our water bottles, all with a panoramic view of the Salkantay Glacier and Salkantay and Humantay mountains, and others.
In the afternoon we will visit the Humantay Lagoon (4200 masl), where our guide will lead a Pachamama kintu, a type of offering to connect with Pachamama – Mother Earth. The offering is to the Salkantay and Humantay mountains, and in exchange for these gifts we hope they offer us protection. We finally finish with the descent to the Soraypampa camp (3850 masl) where we will have tea time, dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Soraypampa-Chaullay
After a fortifying breakfast we will provide you with clean water to drink then we will start the trek towards the Salkantay mountain pass. 4,620 Masl is the highest point. We will spend approximately 3 hours ascending and will pass Salkantay pampa, the trail of seven snakes, Soyrococha, gringo killer trail, and finally Abra Salkantay. On the Abra Salkantay road we can observe llamas, alpacas, and birds like the Salkantay condor, as well as Andean landscapes. We will have a short rest to appreciate the wonder of the snow-capped mountains that make up the Andes.
The pass is surrounded by several stone mounds called Apachetas which are an important symbol of this landscape. We will also have an explanation about Abra Salkantay by our official guide who will lead us throughout the trip. Then we will descend for approximately 4 hours to the Wayracmachay lunch point, to the edge of the Amazon jungle, and after lunch we will continue walking for approximately 6 hours until we reach the Chaullay camp. On the way, we will appreciate hummingbirds and other species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, before we have tea time and dinner and then spend the night in Chaullay.
Day 3: Chaullay – the beach – town of Aguas Calientes Machupicchu
On third day of the Salkantay short trek to Machu Picchu, we will wake up with coca tea and enjoy an organic breakfast. After breakfast, we will fill the water bottles with clean water, and then we will start trekking from Chaullay at 6: am. Along the way, we will be connecting with the tropical jungle where we will pass through narrow trails and waterfalls, valleys with abundant flora and fauna typical of the area such as different species of Orchids, medicinal plants, Peruvian Hummingbirds, and local family farms where you will taste the tropical fruit granadilla. Here, the van will pick us up for the trip to the Sawayaco beaches where we will have lunch made with local avocado, and also an organic coffee tour.
After lunch, we continue in the van to the hydroelectric plant, from where we will continue the 3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The journey is 13 km but the entire way is flat, alongside to the railway.
Day 4: Machu Picchu tour
BREAKFAST: First, we will have breakfast at the hotel.Afterward, we recommend you take the bus from Aguas Calientes town.
BUS TO MACHU PICCHU: Next, we will board a bus for a 35-minute ride up to the Machu Picchu entrance.
WALK UP TO MACHU PICCHU ENTRANCE: Alternatively, you may choose to walk uphill for about an hour and a half, during which you will gradually ascend towards the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning scenery before you reach your destination
MACHU PICCHU TOUR: Upon arrival, we will enter the Machu Picchu ruins with your tour guide, who will have your entrance tickets and personal passport. Once inside, enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour of the site. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to admire the impressive architecture, Inca hydraulic engineering, and other significant sites within the archaeological center.
RETURN FROM MACHU PICCHU: After the tour, we will head back from Machu Picchu.
LUNCH: Then, enjoy lunch at one of the excellent restaurants near Machu Picchu. Following lunch, make your way to the train station, ensuring that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your train departure.
It is include
- Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your tour guide.
- pick up and drop off at your hotel in Cusco
- Experienced tour Guide: English-speaking.
- 2 nights camping in the mountains with comfortable equipment
- 1 Duffle Bag for 7 kilos of your gear carried by the horses,
- professional chef, porters, and horsemen
- Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 dinners, snacks.
- all entrance tickets, Salkantay ticket, Machu Picchu ticket
- Boiled water for a drink.
- 1 Pillow per person.
- Medical kit: Our crew brings the First-aid kit including an emergency oxygen bottle.
- hotel in aguas calientes Pueblo.
- bus ticket up.
- Train ticket to return – Ollantaytambo.
The trip does not include
- Sleeping Bags: (you can hire from our company),
- Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company.
- Last Day: Lunch and Dinner.
- Travel insurance.
- gratuities for the staff are optional.
- Additional costs or delays caused by management are out of control like landscape, bad weather conditions, case of itinerary modification with a view to safety concerns, illness, change of government policy, political instability raises strikes, moment, etc.
- The first-day breakfast.
- Bus ticket down.
- Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu.
- Expenses are not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Drinks, beer, soda, etc.
- Original passport
- A comfortable trekking backpack to carry your belongings.
- Warm sleeping bag.
- Lighter-style trekking boots with good ankle support
- Warm clothes, and layers for variable temperatures especially at night.
- Thermal underwear can be worn in a sleeping bag or under cold conditions.
- Gloves or mittens, scarf, hat, wool socks, woolen hat for cold nights
- T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for comfort.
- Flashlight, head torch, camera, binoculars, and extra batteries.
- sunglasses.
- Personal medical kit, insect repellent.
- Rain Gear: a good rain jacket.
- Toiletries, toilet paper, small towels.
- 2-liter water bottle, (disposable plastic bottles are forbidden).
- Extra money for drinks on the route, Machupicchu and Aguas Calientes.
Contact a travel advisor
We will contact you as soon as possible, usually within 2 hours by WhatsApp and up to 24 hours by e-mail.
Thank you for your time and interest in touring with Peruvian Culture Tours.
Follow the steps below to book the tour:
- Select a day from the calendar.
- Enter the number of passengers and enter the required data.
- Enter the additional information.
- Choose the payment method.
Prices
- Adult Price: $540 per person. (Minimum 4 people)
How to book?
Reservation Form
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Travel Date
Choose the date you want, for this tour we have daily departures.
Payments
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$540
Important: Group service price. Entrances for Machu Picchu are available! (Minimum 4 people), Bus Service and Entrances to Machu Picchu include round trips.
