Description Salkantay SKY Trek 5 days

Hike the Salkantay trek 5 days, a trekking route that ends at the wonder of Machu Picchu, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We will see the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Vilcanota mountain range, such as the Humantay and Salkantay (Wild Mountain) snow-capped mountains. We will descend into the cloud forest of the subtropical jungle and where we will realize just how fascinating nature is. We will be astounded by our first view of Machu Picchu and as a preview of what is to come, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Llacatapata. Next to mountains of green vegetation and streams that captivate our eyes and ears, we will arrive at Aguas Calientes, where the adventure is just beginning, since it is time to discover the mind-blowing Inca citadel. Without a doubt, a beautiful trek that you cannot miss.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay - Sky Camp

We will depart at approximately 4:00 AM in the morning for a two-hour trip to Mollepata village for a quick breakfast. Our transportation will include cozy blankets in case you need to take a nap after breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue for another hour until we reach the trailhead in Challacancha.

Before we start our hike, you will meet the porters and cooks who are part of our team and do a final check of your luggage. Then, we will begin our relatively easy three-hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will find our first campsite. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful glaciers and a deep valley. You will also see an Inca canal that runs alongside most of the trail and is still used by local farmers today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 miles long.

When we arrive at Soraypampa, you will have time to settle into our cozy igloo-style Sky Camp and enjoy lunch with our chefs. You’ll be amazed by their talent in the midst of the mountains. After lunch, we will start our afternoon hike to Humantay Lake. 

When we return to camp, you will have time to enjoy dinner while watching the sunset behind the mountains. It’s hard to describe the energy of the mountains, but inner peace is as close as you can get to describing it. You’ll be able to gaze at the stars.  

  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Hike 
  • Distance: 10 km (5-6 hours) 
  • Initial Elevation: 3,800 m / 3,800 ft / 12,467 ft 
  • Maximum Elevation: 4,200 m 
  • Camp Elevation: 3,900 m 
  • Overnight: Sky Camp  
  • Meals included: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa (Mountain Sky View)

The impressive Abra Salkantay and descent to the tropical forest. You will wake up to the first rays of the day and see Apu Salkantay while enjoying a energizing coca tea. Then, you will take a nutritious breakfast before setting out on the 7 km hike for approximately three hours to the highest point on the route, Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It’s a challenging climb along the “Snake’s Path,” so named for its winding route.

Upon reaching the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys, as well as a stunning view of the Salkantay mountain, located right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), considered one of the highest peaks in the Cusco region and known as an Apu.

You will also be able to observe the mountains: Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After taking in the views and resting, you will begin your descent (7 km / 4.35 miles) to our lunch spot at Huayracmachay (3,850 m). This section of the trail is rocky and steep, but you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding valley.

After lunch, you will enter the edge of the tropical forest, also known as the “cloud forest.” Along the way, you’ll appreciate the tropical vegetation and witness how the Andes give way to Amazonian environment quickly.

After a long day of hiking, you’ll be happy to arrive at Collpapampa for an overnight stay. Finally, we’ll serve a hearty dinner before resting in our exclusive Mountain Sky View.  

Difficulty: Challenging Hike  

Distance: 22 km (10 hours) 

Initial Elevation: 3,900 m 

Maximum Elevation: 4,630 m 

Camp Elevation: 2,950 m

Accommodation: Sky View 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Collpapampa | La Playa - Lucmabamba - Jungle Domes

Today, we’ll start our day at 6:00 AM with a nutritious breakfast. Then, we’ll begin our 5-hour hike through the stunning Santa Teresa Valley to reach La Playa. Along the trail, you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the recent and lush landscape surrounded by rivers, wild orchids, and many coffee, banana, and avocado plantations; you’ll also be able to taste guava.  

We’ll pass through a small village called Collpapampa and continue to the base of the mountains to cross over to the other side of the valley. On this tropical stretch, we’ll see waterfalls, birds, fruit-bearing trees, flora, and fauna.

When we arrive at La Playa, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, then follow a one-hour drive to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where our campsite is located. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, perfect for coffee lovers. Even if you’re not a fan of a cup of coffee, the scent in the air is delicious. 

This is the main agricultural industry in the tropical forest that exports products to the United States, Asia, and all of Europe. You’ll also visit avocado and orange plantations.

After dinner, of course, you’ll spend the night at one of our exclusive campsites, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with Mother Nature.

  • Difficulty: Moderate Hiking 
  • Distance: 18 km (5-6 hours) 
  • Initial Altitude: 2,950 m 
  • Maximum Altitude: 2,950 m 
  • Accommodation Altitude: 2,000 m
  • Overnight: Jungle Domes 
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Aobamba - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes

After a good breakfast, you’ll be eager to lace up your hiking boots for your last day of trekking. In the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the original and world-famous Inca Trail. 

After hiking for two hours and taking in the breathtaking views of the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach the Llactapata Valley. After ascending the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site located opposite Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca complex you’ll see on the hike, from here you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

Then, you’ll descend the hill for an hour and a half and have the opportunity to see, along the way, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which will heighten your anticipation for making tomorrow more exciting. We’ll make a stop to lunch in Aobamba before continuing on for another half-hour hike to Hydroelectric.

Upon arriving at Hydroelectric, you have some options:

If you’re tired after all that hiking, you can opt to take a train to Aguas Calientes (not included).

If you want to take advantage of the last stretch of the hike, you can take the flat path along the riverbank, which takes about three hours. The hike will be another opportunity to enjoy the hot jungle environment.

Along the way, you’ll see an ancient rock used by the Incas as a sundial, which worked in conjunction with the Intihuatana stone at Machu Picchu’s sundial.

It was used to measure and read the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of the agricultural season for the Incas. Then, you’ll arrive at the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Dinner and night at a comfortable hotel.

  • Difficulty: Challenging / Distance of Hike: 25 km (8-9 hours) / Initial Altitude: 2,000 m / Maximum Altitude: 2,800 m / Altitude of Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m
  • Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes 
  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco (2h30m Tour)

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.  

Overnight : Hotel in Cusco (at your own expense)

Meals: Breakfast 

What's Included

  • Day 1- Snack-every day (tea, coffee, popcorn, cookies)
    - Guided visit Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay
    - Professional Guide
    - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Oxygen ballon
    - Assistance
  • Day 2- Snack-every day (tea, coffee, popcorn, cookies)
    - Guided visit Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa
    - Professional Guide
    - Breakfast , lunch, dinner, Oxygen ballon
    - Assistance
  • Day 3- Snack-every day (tea, coffee, popcorn, cookies)
    - Guided visit Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba – jungle domes
    - Professional Guide breakfast, lunch, dinner, Oxygen ballon
    - Assistance
  • Day 4- Snack-every day (tea, coffee, popcorn, cookies)
    - Guided visit Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Aobamba - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes
    - Professional Guide
    - Breakfast , lunch, dinner, Oxygen ballon
    - Assistance
  • Day 5- Bus Águas Calientes – Machu Picchu
    - Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
    - Professional tour Guide
    - Guided Tour Machu Picchu
    - Bus Machu Picchu – Águas Calientes
    - Train from Águas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (PERURAIL or INCARAIL)
    - Transfer Train Station – Hotel Cusco
    - Assistance
  • Hotels- 1 night Sky camp
    - 1 night Sky View
    - 1 night Jungle Domes
    - 1 night Hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast
    - 24-hour assistence

What's Not Included

  • Drinks except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Snacks except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Phone calls
  • Extra spending money
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes USD 45,00 per person
  • Sleeping bag, add USD 25.00 (nikko brand to -10 degrees celsius)
  • Walking sticks add USD 10.00 per each one

Optional Services

  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain: USD 80.00 per person (must be booked in advance)
  • Return Train VISTADOME/360° with panoramic views, typical dance show (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo) - Upgrade service: USD 65,00 per person

What to Take

  • Passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Light daypack
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothing for hot and cold weather conditions
  • Sunhat
  • Rain gear or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirts, (due to there being mosquitos in Machu Picchu)
  • Walking shoes/boots
  • Camera
  • Extra memory stick and additional batteries
  • Personal medications (for headaches, anti-inflammatory´s etc).
  • Extra Cash in soles and small denominations if possible

Prices

Service Travelers Prices
Group 1 traveler US$
731.00

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