SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N

DAY 01: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – QUISWARNIYUQ (PRIVATE CAMP)

After picking our customers up from their lodgements, we will depart from Cusco (3,399 m / 11,151.57 ft) around 5:45 AM and begin our 2-hour drive to the town of Mollepata (2,850 m / 9,350.39 ft). After reaching Mollepata, we will stop to have a delicious breakfast and pay the entrance fee of 20 soles to the local municipality (this is not included in the tour price). After breakfast, we will continue towards Challacancha (3,800 m / 12,467.19 ft) which is the point of departure of the trek.

Once finished, we will continue by our comfy transportation for another hour to the town of Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795.28 ft) where we will meet with the muleteers and horses who will carry our equipment, food, and 7 kilos of each hiker’s personal belongings during the trek. From there, we will start the uphill hike to Humantay lake (4,200 m / 13,779.53), reaching it after about 2 hours.

When we will arrive at the turquoise lagoon, you will have a couple of hours to contemplate, explore, take photos, and listen to our guide explain the significance of Humantay Lagoon.

After visiting the amazing spot, we will hike downhill for 2 hours and have lunch at our exclusive camp, Quiswarniyuq (4,000 m / 13,123.36), a private camp that offers additional short hikes, fantastic mountain viewpoints, and waterfalls. After lunch, you will have free time to explore the beautiful area and for an optional hike to the Mirador of Salkantay for panoramic views of the entire area. If you are tired, you can just rest in the Mountain Sky Huts or in the glass igloos, that come equipped with glass doors, pillows, a sleeping pad, and the illumination of the night sky. This will be the best chance to observe the night sky from our beds.

What to know about the first day of the trekking

Difficulty

Moderate

Food included

01 Lunch / 01 Dinner and afternoon tea time

Accommodation

Quiswarniyuq (private camp)

First-day hiking altitudes

• City of Cusco (3,399 m / 11,151.57 ft)
• Mollepata town (2,850 m / 9,350.39 ft)
• Challacancha (3,800 m / 12,467.19 ft)
• Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795.28 ft)
• Humantay lake (4,200 m / 13,779.53)
• Quiswarniyuq (private camp) (4,000 m / 13,123.36)

DAY 02: QUISWARNIYUQ – SALKANTAY PASS – WAYRAQMACH’AY – CHAULLAY (PRIVATE CAMP)

The second day of the trek is the most challenging, as it consists of 20 kilometers (12.43 mi) of trekking and takes you to the highest point of the whole trek, Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190.29 ft). The cooks will wake you up around 5:00 AM with a cup of hot coca tea as you take your time to repack and get ready for the nutritious breakfast that will be served around 5:45 AM. After breakfast, it is time to start hiking up to the highest point which will take us from 3 to 4 hours of uphill hiking at a regular to slow pace through a rocky and steep trail. This section will demand the physical resistance of the passengers as well as good acclimatization.

Once you are at the highest point, you will have time to appreciate the incredible views of the snow-capped mountain Salkantay, take pictures, learn about the mountain divinities, and take part in a small traditional Andean ritual for the Apus (mountain divinities). You will then start hiking down for 2 hours before we rest with a delicious lunch and continue for 3 more hours of downhill hiking to the second camp, Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,514.44 ft) which marks the beginning of the Peruvian Amazon. At Chaullay camp, we will provide you with your camping equipment, hot tea, and dinner.

There is also an optional hot shower offered by locals that can be used for 10 soles. You can also buy some drinks such as beer, soda, and water.

What to know about the second day of the trekking

Difficulty

Difficult

Food included

01 Breakfast / 01 Lunch / 01 Dinner and afternoon tea time

Accommodation

Chaullay (private camp)

Second-day hiking altitudes

• Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190.29 ft)
• Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,514.44 ft)

DAY 03: CHAULLAY – SANTA TERESA TOWN – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

On the third day, we will be already in the jungle area. We will wake you up around 06:00 AM with a cup of coca tea. Then we will provide you with a delicious breakfast.

Around 07:00 AM we will start the hike to Playa Sahuayaco for five hours approximately along the Santa Teresa Valley which is formed by the Salkantay River.

Along the valley, you will have the chance to see plantations of coffee, banana, avocado, passion fruit, coca leaves, and much more.

After five hours of hiking, we will arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco, from where we will take the local transportation for one hour to Santa Teresa where we will stop to have lunch. After that, we will continue by car for 45 minutes to Hydroelectric for walking 3 hours more along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes town.

Then we will transfer you to the accommodation for showering and relaxing. In the evening around 07:00 PM, we will have dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes town before going to sleep.

What to know about the third day of the trekking

Difficulty

Easy

Food included

01 Breakfast / 01 Lunch / 01 Dinner and afternoon tea time

Accommodation

Aguas Calientes town

Third-day hiking altitudes

• Playa Sahuayaco (2,060 m / 6,758.53 ft)
• Santa Teresa town (1,550 m / 5,085.302 ft)

DAY 04: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Finally, after a restful night of sleep in the lodging, we will go to see the impressive Citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972.44 ft). You will wake up around 4:00 AM to get ready for the hike to Machu Picchu’s main entrance. Each person will be given a packed breakfast and we will start the 30-minute walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint where you will have to show your passport and your admission to Machu Picchu. After passing the first checkpoint, we will climb the stairs for about one hour to reach Machu Picchu’s main gate by 6:00 AM.

Once everybody will meet at the gate, we will go inside Machu Picchu and begin our 2.5-hour guided tour of the famous Inca site, where you will learn everything about The Lost City of The Incas.

After the guided service we will have to come back to Aguas Calientes town (2,040 m / 6,692.91 ft). The time that you will spend in Machu Picchu will depend on the taken option for returning to Cusco (by train or by bus) and whether you want to climb the Montaña Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu Mountain, which entrance tickets must be booked in advance.

What to know about the fourth day of the trekking

Difficulty

Moderate

Food included

01 Breakfast

Fifth-day hiking altitudes

• Aguas Calientes town (2,040 m / 6,692.91 ft)
• Citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972.44 ft)

INCLUSIONS

• Transportation from Cusco to Mollepata
• Entrance tickets to Machupicchu
• Professional bilingual guide
• Food (3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner)
• Bus tickets Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes (round trip)
• 01 hotel night
• Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes- Ollantaytambo train tickets
• 01 night hotel in Aguas Calientes

EXCLUSIONS

• Last day lunch
• Breakfast on the first day
• Hot water on the tour
• Sleeping bag
• Entrance tickets to Huaynapicchu Mountain or Machupicchu Mountain

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WHAT TO BRING FOR VISITING MACHU PICCHU

• Bring a valid original passport.
• Physical or virtual vaccination card.
• Bring a light backpack no larger than 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches) to carry water or your drinks in a sports bottle, snacks, personal items, medications if needed, etc.
• Bring trekking shoes.
• Bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for sunny days.
• Bring waterproof clothing for the rainy season (between November to March).
• Bring a waterproof poncho (between November to March).
• Bring insect repellent (optional).

DOCUMENTS TO BE PRESENTED DURING THE EXCURSION TO THE CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU

AT THE TRAIN STATION’S FRONT/EXIT DOOR IN THE TOWN OF OLLANTAYTAMBO

• Original passport.
• Physical or digital outbound and inbound train boarding pass.
• Physical or virtual vaccination card.

IN THE CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU

• Original passport.
• Physical or digital entry ticket.
• Physical or virtual vaccination card.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

• The visitor must wear a face mask at all times during the round-trip tourist transport from the city of Cusco to the train station of the town of Ollantaytambo.
• The visitor must wear a face mask at all times when boarding the train and during the entire round-trip from the train station of the town of Ollantaytambo to the train station of the town of Aguas Calientes. Eating is prohibited onboard the train.
• The visitor must wear a face mask at all times within the tourist transport up and down from the town of Aguas Calientes to the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
• The visitor must wear a face mask during the entire excursion to the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

FORBIDDINGS IN THE CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU

During your visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu, the following is prohibited:

• The visitor must respect the established circuits and routes.
• It’s not allowed to carry backpacks or bags larger than 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches).
• It’s not allowed to enter with food and utensils.
• It’s not allowed to enter with any illegal substance or under its influence.
• It’s not allowed to enter with any kind of alcoholic beverage.
• It’s not allowed to carry canes, umbrellas, portable seats, tripods, supports or extensions for cameras, cell phones, or any other stabilization or extension element for filming and/or photography.
• It’s not allowed to enter with animals, with the exception of guide dogs.
• It’s not allowed to feed domestic and wild animals.
• It’s not allowed to enter with any kind of spray paint.
• It’s not allowed to make any kind of graffiti.
• It’s not allowed to enter with any kind of musical instrument, megaphone, or portable speaker.
• It’s not allowed to make loud or annoying noises such as clapping, shouting, whistling, or singing, among others.
• It’s not allowed to use virtual applications on cell phones or mobile devices in narrow arteries.
• It’s not allowed to enter with heels or hard-soled shoes.
• It’s not allowed access with baby carriages.
• It’s not allowed to enter with sharp objects and/or weapons of any kind.
• It’s not allowed to enter with banners, posters, clothing for advertising purposes, and costumes, among other objects of this kind.
• It’s not allowed to take filming or photography for advertising purposes.
• It’s not allowed to cause a riot, jump, lie down, run, undress, or create disorder.
• It’s not allowed to climb or lean on walls and/or structures, touch, move, or extract lithic elements.
• It’s not allowed to disturb, collect or extract the flora or fauna.
• It’s not allowed to carry out activities that distort the sacred character of the citadel of Machu Picchu such as fashion shows, dances, social commitments, obscene acts contrary to morals and good customs, or any kind of activity that implies the impairment or deterioration of the monument, its natural environment and/or facilities.
• It’s not allowed to smoke, vaping, or make any kind of fire.
• It’s not allowed to throw waste of any kind.
• It’s not allowed to perform overflights with paragliders, drones, or any kind of smaller craft.

Performing acts or entering with prohibited objects on this list will generate the immediate expulsion of the visitor without the right to reimbursement and the initiation of the corresponding legal actions. The park rangers of the Ministry of Culture and the agents of the National Police are the authority inside the monument.

PAYMENT CONDITIONS

• Initial deposit: 250 USD
• The remaining payment must be made in cash on the day of the briefing at the client’s accommodation or at the office.
• The itinerary is subject to change according to the availability of spaces for the service required by the railway company and the time of entry to Machu Picchu.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

• Suppose you cancel the excursion in its entirety. In that case, the cancellation must be made five days in advance before the train departure, otherwise, the client will lose the respective reimbursement.
• The refund of money will be made minus the amount of money paid for the penalties of cancellation established by the Peruvian government about the entrance ticket of the citadel of Machu Picchu and the railway company. Please, remember that the acquisition of the main tickets for the travel must be made in advance taking into account the demand for visiting the archaeological wonder.
• The refund of money will be made via the method of payment the client used to make the first payment assuming the cost of the transfer fees.
• If you change the day of the excursion due to whatever reason, you will be offered another visit date according to the availability of spaces for visiting the citadel of Machu Picchu, and for the rail company, as well, as on service required. Otherwise, you will have your partial reimbursement according to the above-mentioned.