Trekking Mount Salcantay and Machu Picchu
7 days / 6 nights
$748
P/P Double Occupancy
The Salcantay-Machu Picchu Inca route, also known as “Alternative Inca Trail” is one of the best non-traditional routes to Machu Picchu. This remote path will lead us through an amazing variety of landscapes and habitats varying from green valleys to glacial moraines. We will cross a high pass below the spectacular glaciers of the Humantay (5,917m – 19,414ft) and Salcantay (6,270m -20,572ft.) peaks.
Day 1 Arrival in Cusco
Upon arrival in Cusco Airport you will be transferred to the hotel. Lodging in Cusco
Day 2 Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa (or Cruzpata) – Salcantaypampa (B, D, BB)
Early in the morning (at 5:00 a.m.) we will depart from the city of Cusco. We will pass the localities of Izcuchaca and Limatambo and after a two hour drive we will arrive to Mollepata (2950m/9676ft) where we stop for a short rest and have some coffee. Afterwards we continue our drive for one more hour towards the small settlement of Marcocasa at 3300m/10824ft (or to the place known as Cruzpata – this will depend of the road conditions). From here we start our first six hour trek towards our camp at Salcantaypampa. During the first part of the trek you will enjoy fine views of the surrounding valleys of Curahuasi and Apurimac. Then we will arrive to the area known as Soraypampa (3850m/12628ft) an Andean valley located at the foothills of the beautiful Mount Tucarhuay (5910m/19385ft) from where we head to our camp at 4000m (13120ft).
Day 3 Salcantaypampa – Huayracmachay (B, D, BB)
From Salcantaypampa we start our four hour trek towards Soyrococha at 4400m (14432 feet) where we will have our first lunch while enjoying great views of the impressive west face of Mount Salcantay (6264 m/20546 feet). After lunch a three hour hike will take us down to our camp at Huayracmachay. Along the way we first reach the Salcantay pass at 4750m/15580ft and then we trek down to our camp at Huayracmachay settlement. During our hike we will enjoy amazing views have the permanent view of the amazing Mount Salcantay. With luck we can also observe the flight of the amazing Condor bird known as the “King of the Andes”. During our descend from Salcantay pass we will also have the opportunity to observe the remains of an ancient Inca Trail, a road of approximately 6 meters wide and also observe the beautiful Salcantaycocha Lake. We will camp at 3800 meters / 12464 feet.
Day 4 Huayracmachay camp – Wiñaypoko Camp (B, D, BB)
After a hearty breakfast, at 8:00 a.m. we will be ready to continue our seven hour trek heading northeast down to the Colpapampa´s Valley (3200m/10496ft). Leaving the Huaracmachay plain very soon we will start an impressive descend into the deep canyon of the Salcantay river. The highland landscape suddenly turns into an amazing cloud forest with the typical grass, bushes and trees covered with beautiful bromeliads. Around three hours later we will reach the small settlement of Chaullay and from here another one hour hike will take us to Colpapampa village where we will enjoy a hot lunch. From Colpapampa the Salcantay River turns into the Santa Teresa River. After a short rest we will continue our descent down to the shores of the Totora River where we can enjoy a soak in the nearby hot springs. Then, following along the north side of the Santa Teresa River we will continue for three more hours until we reach our next camp at Winaypoko settlement (2800m/5904ft). Just 30 minutes before Winaypoko we will have the opportunity to observe the beautiful Coripacchi waterfalls.
Day 5 Wiñaypoko - La Playa (Cochapampa) Village - Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (B, BB)
In our last trekking day, we will hike for three hours down to the place known as La Playa. Along the way down we will observe banana, coffee and avocado plantations. After our arrival at La Playa, we cross the river to finally reach Cochapampa village from where a truck will transport us to the plains of Santa Teresa valley at 1500m (4920ft). From here we continue driving for one more hour towards the place known as La Hydroelectric (operation area of the hydroelectric power plant) where we board the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we arrive after a one hour train ride. Then we will take you to your hotel for a well deserved rest. Lodging in Aguas Calientes
Day 6 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)
We will wake early in the morning. After breakfast we will board a public bus to Machu Picchu’s main entrance. A guided tour will show you this beautiful Inca City, one of the most famous in the world. You will visit the Intihuatana, the temple of the three windows, temple of the moon, the terraces, the ceremonial fountains, the sun gate and other sectors of the impressive citadel. In the afternoon we take the public bus down to Aguas Calientes and by train you will return to Ollantaytambo from where our transport will take you back to Cusco. Lodging in Cusco
Day 7 Departure from Cusco (B)
At the appropriate time you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.
Prices Include
- Private transport from Cusco to Marcocasa
- Meals mentioned (B= Breakfast, Box L=Box lunch, D= Dinner)
- Complete camping equipment
- Emergency horse
- Mules for the transportation of heavy equipment & muleteers
- Professional bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide
- Cook, helpers
- First aid kit
- Local train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes
- 2 nights in Cusco, 1 night in Aguas Calientas, 3 nights camping
- Local public bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes
- Private transfer from the train station to the hotel in Cusco
Prices Do Not Include
- Entrance fee to Salcantay trek and Machu Picchu (estimated us$100 pp – subject to change)
- One way train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vista Dome: $85 pp; Tourist Class train: $60 pp)
- International and domestic flights
- Airport taxes
- Extra horses (us$110 per horse)
- Tips
- Personal trekking gear
- Extras
Notes
- Rates are per person - double occupancy
- The difficulty level of this tour is: moderate to hard
- Personal weight allowance per passenger: 8 kgs (to be carried by horses)
- It is suggested to acclimatize to high altitudes before starting this tour A minimum of 2 people is required to book this package This price applies for fixed departures, leaving every Monday. For other dates, please ask for prices!
