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You are here: Mountain Expeditions > Hiking in Cusco > SALKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU TOUR 5d

Program itinerary

Day 1. CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA (L.D.)

We start from Cusco around 0500 in the morning traveling toward the small Mollepata Village (2850 m.a.s.l.) on the edge of the Cloud Forest Zone. From this vantage point the scenic view offers us the ability to appreciate some of the snowcapped peaks that belong to the chain of Salkantay. We enjoy the beautiful sight of Salkantay (6270 m.a.s.l.). Enjoying the landscape we begin our long walk for approximately 7 hours. On the way we observe the vegetation pertaining to the zone. In a nice spot we have our lunch, and then we continue until we get to Soraypampa, our first camp site.

Day 2. SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY (B.L.D.)

After an early breakfast we start our hike. This day offers the best views of Salkantay itself, the second highest mountain in the Cusco department, with the great snowcapped peak not too far away. The first 4 hours are almost pure ascent until the pass at 4500 m.a.s.l., where other majestic snowcapped peaks reveal itself for our vision. From this point the trail descends towards our camp. While descending toward our camp Chaullay (2950 m.a.s.l.) we pass small lagoons and wetlands.

Day 3. CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA (B.L.D.)

Our trek this day starts with the beautiful scenic views of various fauna and flora that brilliantly decorate the landscape while we pass the small settlement of Arranniyuc. Later we arrive to a nice hot spring, where we can enjoy the warm water before we continue along the Santa Teresa River. The area also has a large variation of bird life. We notice an obvious change in climate and vegetation. We see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snacks etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.

Day 4. LA PLAYA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES (B.L.D.)

We travel from Playa to the hydroelectric at the Urubamba River. We will ascend one newly opened Inca trail. This trail originally was used to transport agricultural products to the population on Machu Picchu. The trail takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical fruits and crops. As we ascend the trails, vegetation changes between dry and grassy with flowers and moist cloud forest. In the pass we are suddenly in a cool dense wood full of trees covered with thick moss. Shortly hereafter we see for the first time the impressive Machu Picchu on a mountain saddle further into the valley. Within 10 minutes we arrive to our lunch spot called Llactapata. Here we eat lunch while enjoying the views of Machu Picchu and the beautiful mountains. Then we walk the last part downhill and along the river to the Hydroelectric. Here we can visit Intihuatana while waiting for the train or continue walking to Aguas Calientes where we arrive in the afternoon. We spend the night in a nice hotel.

Day 5. AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU -CUSCO(B.L.)

From Aguas Calientes we walk or can take a bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2 to 3 hours guided tour. The tour covers the most important locations of the archaeological site. Our guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as an astrological and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful Moon Temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes to take the train to Cusco.

End of service.

Please note

• The Salkantay – Machu Picchu is a Moderate-Hard level trekking tour;
• this trek goes from the Andes Mountains into the cloud forest and dry semi tropical rainforest.
  The hardest day of the trek is the second tour day.
  You need altitude acclimatization before the tour.
  Trekkers need to be in good physical conditions.
  
  From April to October is the dry season with heavy short rains.
  From November to March is the rainy season.
  February and March are the 2 rainiest months.
  
  During the tour, temperatures change dramatically due to us walking by one of the highest mountains in South America (Salkantay 6270 m.a.s.l.) over a pass of 4500 meters altitude and possibly walking on snow;
• therefore we recommend bringing good waterproof clothes for both cold and warm temperatures.
  Trekkers carry their own daypack with room for water bottle, snacks and day changing clothes;
• 
  
  We offer special discounts in the low season (December - April)
  10% discount to holders of the international student card (I.S.I.C.)
  10% discount to S.A.E.C. members.
  Tour can be arranged as private previous coordination.
  We give special discount to small and large groups;