Go off the beaten path to explore the natural gems of Salkantay & Humantay mountains, this hike will take you to some truly stunning scenery, breathtaking snowcapped mountains, picturesque valleys, beautiful lakes, waterfalls, rural villages, and camp in a mountain in front of Machu Picchu.
The Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days and 4 nights Day by day Summary: Why TreXperience? To book a tour you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online in full or installments up to 30 days prior to start the tour or in cash on our office upon your arrival. * The initial payment is fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the start of the tour Discount: Extra hike after the guided tour in Machu Picchu: Huayna Picchu – Tickets cost an additional $75 per person. To hike this mountain, we need to book far in advance; climbing takes 2 hours round trip Montaña – Tickets cost an additional $75 per person. You need to book in advance, is the highest mountain around Machu Picchu with a total of 3 hours hike round trip Price per person: 580.USD
Day 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAYPAMPA TreXperience team will pick you up from the door of your hotel around 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive for 3.5 hours to the trailhead at Soraypampa (3900 m / 12794 ft) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am, in Soraypampa surrounded by mountains, you’ll enjoy the first perfect breakfast prepared by your chef, then meet the team of porters, horsemen, chef, led by the tour guide to later start the Salkantay TreXperience! The first part starts with a 2-hour walk up until you reach the stunning glacial lake of Humantay (4200 m / 13779 ft), once at the lake, you’ll have time to explore the surroundings and relax enjoying the beautiful vistas of this spectacular turquoise water lake, then continue down to lunch place for 2 more hours where the chef is waiting to serve you a delicious meal prepared using organic local products from the area. Along the way, you’ll see a variety of flora and fauna such as the Andean goose (the love birds), deer and vizcachas (which look a lot like a rabbit). After lunch, you’ll continue for two more hours along a beautiful valley with meandering streams until reaching Salkantay Pampa (4000 m/13123 ft), this basecamp offers you an unobstructed view of Salkantay Mountain and the sky at night. Get ready for dinner, stargaze, and sleep under a million stars. Day 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA – WAYRAMPUNKU – COLLPAPAMPA Wake you bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea admiring the spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains. After breakfast, you’ll start the ascent for 2 hours to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek at 4630 m (15190 ft), once on top, you’ll take some time to explore and enjoy the area and even visit a beautiful lake at the base of Salkantay Mounatin. It’s then another 3-hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3900 m/ 12795 ft). On the way is possible to see Vizcachas (Lagidium Peruanum), a unique type of Chinchilla endemic to Peru. After a well-earned lunch, you’ll get ready for the final stretch of the day, 3-more hours of downhill from the highland where the air is dry and cold, into the lush cloud forest where weather is warm and humid. This is for sure one of the fastest changes in temperature and landscape that you will experience. The campsite is located next to the village of Collpapampa at 2770m (9087ft). Day 3: COLLPAPAMPA – LLUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA Enjoy a leisurely time at the village while admiring the view of the mountains you left behind. After breakfast you’ll prepare for the most beautiful day of this expedition to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, hiking along narrow paths, following the river, passing wooden bridges, waterfalls, granadilla & banana plantations, until you arrive at Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) for lunch. Today’s lunch is special, after hiking for about 3 hours, taking a van the last part, you’ll get ready to participate in a Pachamanca, an ancient traditional underground stone barbecue, after burying the food, you will visit the organic coffee farms and prepared you own cup. The cooking takes about 45 minutes then you sit down to enjoy the different delicacies like the Cuy (Guinea pig), different types of potatoes, fruits, vegetables prepared like locals. Once fed and re-energized, get ready for a final 3-hour climb along an ancient Inca Trail to Llaqtapata, a small citadel located in a mountain top at 2750m (9022ft) where you’ll catch the first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the distance, this place was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and lost again until recently. You’ll be camping right in front of Machu Picchu, when you open your tent, you will be able to see the sunrise and sunset over Machu Picchu if the weather allows. Day 4: LLACTAPATA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES Open your tent and the first you see is Machu Picchu in another mountain in front of you while your trekking team offers you a cup of coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, it’s an easy 2-hour down-hill to the hydroelectric station where you’ll have the last brunch offered by the trekking chef, say goodbye to them, and hike the final last stretch of the Salkantay TreXperience to Aguas Calientes. The last part it’s a 3-hour hike along the railway, following the Urubamba river upstream, This section of the trek is steeped in history as you’ll stop at Mandor Botanical gardens, visited by Hiram Bingham, who found a farmer named Arteaga living in the area, he will be the first to take the American to Machu Picchu in 1911. You’ll visit Arteaga’s farm that is home to a variety of endemic birds such us the Rupicola Peruviana (locally known as the cock-of-the-rock), parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and orchids. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your hotel, shower, visit the city, hot springs. In the evening you’ll have dinner in a local restaurant as you plan the next and most important day. DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU (Arrive with the first ones) Today is the most important day, visiting one of the new seven wonders of the world, a city that was abandoned for unknown reasons during the 16th century by the great Inca Empire. Wake up early, have breakfast in the hotel, and take the first buses to catch the sunrise in Machu Picchu. Your tour guide will take you on a tour to the most important temples, palaces, plazas, explain the mysteries that hides this spectacular Inca city perched in this impossible mountain peak. The guided tour takes about 3 hours and then you will have time to explore by yourself the magical or either climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña (Machu Picchu Mountain). After finishing with the citadel, you need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, collect your belongings from the hotel, and take the Exclusive Panoramic trains back to Ollantaytambo and our private van back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will drive back to your around 7:30 PM
Pre-departure briefing Permits To Machu Picchu Transportation Experienced tour guides Camping equipment Porters Food Water Medical kit Extras Satellite phones Taxes and fees All hikers need a warm sleeping bag for camping during the trek. We recommend a sleeping bag that keeps you warm during temperatures as low as -10C. Air mattresses and trekking poles are optional but recommended. If you don’t want to bring all these bulky items from home, you can rent them from us. If you are interested in any of the other extras listed below and would like further guidance or information, then please contact the TreXperience Team. We will be happy to arrange any of the below extras for you.
ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS: FOR YOUR DAYPACKS: Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your backpack. Remember you will be carrying this with you every day of the trek, so we recommend you bring a good quality daypack which is both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger backpacks cannot be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAGS: TreXperience will provide you with a duffel bag in which you can pack any items that you won’t need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the weight of your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). When rented from us, these two items weigh approximately 3 kg. During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend, it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore layers work best!
ARRIVING IN CUSCO We advise all hikers to arrive in Cusco at least two days prior to your TreXperience. This will enable you to get used to the high altitude. Those who have not had time to acclimatize may struggle with the treks. Cusco is a domestic airport only and therefore international visitors typically arrive via Lima. The easiest and fastest way to get to Cusco from Lima is to take a flight. The bus journey from Lima to Cusco is very long (approximately 20 hours). Visitors traveling to Cusco from closer cities in Peru are advised to take a bus. There are a number of companies in Peru operating very comfortable bus journeys. We advise you to book your bus journey in advance as tickets do sell out. There are many hotels locates throughout Cusco city. If you require any assistance with booking a hotel or would like some recommendations of where to stay then please do not hesitate to contact the TreXperience Team. PLANNING YOUR TIME IN CUSCO If you have some extra time in Cusco either before or after your TreXperience then we would be happy to help you plan your time or organize excursions: Cusco is situated high up in the Andes which makes the weather very hard to forecast. In Cusco, we have two seasons; the rainy season, which runs from November to March, and the dry season which is from April to October. We advise all visitors to prepare for all types of weather by carrying the following items with them at all times; a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and good rain gear. Additionally, many of our treks involve quick transfers from the cold, high mountains to warm, sub-tropical climates. Therefore layers work best! Its always better to be prepared for all weather types so you can concentrate on having the best possible experience. ALTITUDE SICKNESS OR “SOROCHE” Cusco city is located at 3300 meters above sea level so the air is thinner here, with less oxygen than you may be used to. Some visitors experience altitude sickness, in particular when they first arrive to the city. We advise all hikers to arrive at least two days prior to their trek to give themselves time to acclimatize. Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes, however, are located much lower – at around 2000 meters – therefore you are less likely to suffer from altitude sickness in these locations. If you do find yourself struggling with the altitude, the following tips should help you: HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE TREKS? All our Trexperiences are designed so that they can be accomplished by trekkers of every ability. Some sections of the trek are challenging while others are much easier. Remember that nothing is impossible. Our guides are very experienced, they are used to accommodating groups of mixed abilities, and they will, of course, be there to help you. We advise that you exercise regularly prior to your trip and that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days ahead of your trek to acclimatize to the altitude. BOOKING WITH TREXPERIENCE We want to ensure booking with us convenient and stress free. All we require from you is your deposit and your details (name, passport number and dates of your trek). We will take care or everything. You can pay the remaining balance to us when you arrive to Cusco. All reservations with Trexperience Peru require a $200 deposit per person. However, if you opt for the deluxe package then the deposit is $400 per person. Deposits need to pay via PayPal. “No Extra Fees with TreXperience”. Unfortunately all deposits are non-refundable as they will be used to secure your reservation by purchasing permits and entrance tickets. RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU The number of visitors to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are limited by the government. There is a limit of 500 people per day to the Inca Trail and 2500 people per day to Machu Picchu. Additionally, train tickets, tickets to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain all sell out well in advance. In high seasons hotels may also sell out. We, therefore, recommend you book your trek as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. We are always here to help if you require any support. UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS If you renew your passport between booking your trek and traveling to Peru then please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will be able to assist you. Don’t forget to send a photocopy of both your passports to info@trexperienceperu.com and bring both passports when you travel. DO I NEED TO CARRY MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS? TreXperience will provide a personal porter for your belongings (up to a maximum of 7 kg in weight) for all tours longer than 3 days. You will be provided with a duffel bag at the briefing (on the night prior to your trek) in which you can pack all your belongings the night before. Please remember this duffel bag also needs to contain your sleeping bag and air mattress. All you need to carry with you on the trek is a small, light daypack for your water, snacks, camera, etc. so you can relax and enjoy the journey! Our porters also carry all the equipment and food required for the trek. The porters will reach the lunch locations and campsites ahead of you and set everything up so it’s ready for your arrival! LUGGAGE STORAGE During the trek, you do not need to be concerned about where to store your luggage. If you cannot store it at your hotel then TreXperience is happy to look after it for you. Just have your bags ready and clearly identifiable on the morning of your trek, we will keep them safe and return them to you at the end of your TreXperience when we drop you off at your hotel. WHO GETS A DISCOUNT? If you have a valid university student card or you are under the age of 17 at the time of your trek then you are entitled to a discount of $35. All you need to do is send us a photocopy of your card when making your booking. TOILETS / SHOWERS DURING THE TREK At TreXperience we have introduced the latest and finest Porta-potty toilets and hot showers on all our tours to maximize your trekking experience. CATERING TreXperience are proud of their highly talented chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! All chefs specialize in Andean cuisine and are able to cater for all dietary requirements so please let us know in advance of your needs. All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided each day (except lunch on the final day) and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We guarantee the biggest foodies among you won’t fail to be impressed. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day and we make sure you have a tea/coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind. WATER TreXperience will provide all the water you need from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water is boiled, filtered and cooled and so it is perfectly safe to drink. You will need to bring water storage with you – either a camel bag or water bottle(s) – big enough for at least two liters of water. We also ask that you start your trek on the very first morning with your containers full of drinking water so you have enough water to last you until lunchtime. This is because the porters do not have enough time to get to the first breakfast site ahead of you and prepare the drinking water. PACKING BULKY ITEMS We understand that many visitors to Cusco will be traveling elsewhere both in Peru and beyond and so packing bulky, heavy items can be inconvenient. We would be able to assist you with acquiring all the items you need for your trek including sleeping bags, trekking poles, air mattresses, hiking shoes, and rain gear. As always, please let us know in advance of your needs. VACCINATIONS You may require some additional vaccinations before traveling to Peru. Please don’t forget to consult with your doctor well in advance of your trip so they can advise you.
WHY CHOOSE TREXPERIENCE RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL We are a 100% local tour operator and our aim is to maximize the positive effects of tourism on local communities and the environment. We do this by hiring local staff (including porters, chefs, guides, suppliers) and involving them in a sustainable business model that benefits everyone. Additionally, we organize activities that support the development of local communities and promote environmental conservation. These include cultural exchanges, volunteering, direct donations and clean up campaigns. Our philosophy is that we “leave no trace” in every single place that we visit, and we encourage each and every one of our staff, guides, and guests follow these principles to preserve these magical places. BETTER TREATMENT TO OUR PORTERS Collectively our team has a wealth of experience of working in the tourism industry. Therefore we understand that to ensure 100% guest satisfaction, it is essential to take a good care of your workers, who will in turn take good care of your customers. During your hike we will provide you with the best tour guides and chefs, but it is the porters who are more often that are forgotten. Porters are the backbone of this business and for so many years we have been fighting for their better treatment and better working conditions. This is a personal battle since I – the founder of Trexperience Peru – started out as a porter and my father was a porter before me. Working as a porter on the Inca Trail helped me to study, travel around the world, and start my own company. Therefore, Trexperience Peru pledges a number of commitments to our porters: What we do: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT AND PROJECTS We are extremely proud to work with local communities and to help protect the environment; we love the places we visit and are dedicated to preserving them. To ensure this, Trexperience has partnered with other companies to build a GREENHOUSE in the community of Parompampa; located 2 hours from Cusco. Here we are growing vegetables and native trees and we encourage you to come and visit us! Vegetables: We grow the following vegetables in our greenhouse. We then invite members from local villages to take one of each and plant them back in their communities. We will also provide them with some basic farming training to ensure it is a successful and sustainable program. Native trees: When you plant a new tree, you create new life. Trees help to remove carbon dioxide from the environment, attract native birds and help to maintain a clean water supply. We are working extremely hard to grow new trees that will later be donated to local communities. We will also organize a group of volunteers to go and plant them. COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL PROJECTS We have opened a library in the community of Cachiccata in Ollantaytambo. This village has approximately 80 families, all of which work in agriculture. Until recently, the children at the local school had no access to a library, a computer, or to the internet. In partnership with other companies and with help from sponsors and charitable donations, Trexperience donated the following facilities to help the school: What we Provide: · Two shelves full of text books for all grades · Two computers and a laptop with full internet access · A printer · New tables and chairs Although this a small project, it will have a huge impact on the children of Cachiccata school who will now have access to the resources they need for a quality education and a bright future. You can always help this cause by booking a tour with Trexperience, by visiting the community to make a donation directly or even volunteering during your free time. BEST TOUR GUIDES As a new and unique company we offer a personalized service to all our passengers throughout each and every one of our tours. Our tour guides are selected for their extensive experience, training, responsibility and professionalism in order to show off our beautiful country and share their unique experiences. They have guided hundreds of tours and speak fluent English and Quechua – the native Inca language – allowing them to communicate with both guests and local villagers. ALTERNATIVE PORTA-POTTY TOILET AND HOT SHOWER IN OUR TOURS: We have taken on board the feedback from our previous guests who were uncomfortable with the public toilets along the Inca Trail and are introducing our latest Alternative Porta-potty toilets and hot showers. These facilities are available on all our tours. SAFETY AND SECURITY The safety and security is our absolute top priority. We have an excellent record in terms of safety throughout the operation of all our treks. Our team of professional guides have undertaken training with the AHA (American Heart Association) as well as NOLS Wilderness medicine. Guides will carry a first aid kit for basic medical problems and oxygen with them at all times. They are very experienced in dealing with common issues associated with the altitude or the environment and know how to make you feel better. In the extremely rare case that something unexpected happens and you no longer feel you can complete the trek, your guide will figure out the safest and quickest way to get you to the nearest clinic. You will never be left alone and you will have a member of the team to escort you every step of the way until you are safely with a doctor. When you are feeling up to it, we will make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group, traveling comfortably by train. OUR EQUIPMENT TREXPERIENCE only operates with the highest quality equipment to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible, these include:
Overview
The Salkantay Trek is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu – after the Inca Trail – and it’s not difficult to see why. You will be able to see the Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains, the cloud forest, organic coffee farms, visit Llaqtapata, and finish the trek at Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – SalkantayPampa (12km, 6hrs)
Day 2: SalkantayPampa -Hayrajpunku – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs)
Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata (16km, 8hrs)
Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (14km, 6hrs)
Day 5: Machu Picchu (Beat the crowds) – 4hrs
* Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator from Cusco city
* We offer complimentary airport pick up and drop off
* We are the only company that offers PACHAMANCA demonstration
* We offer a real camping experience with tents and hot showers
* We camp at Llatapata on day 3, a mountain in front of Machu Picchu
* Support Social Project while traveling
* Come back to Cusco on the last days in the exclusive Panoramic trains.
* Cancellations within 30 days to 24 hours, 50% of the Initial Payment is due
* Cancellation with less than 24 hours, the initial payment is at full loss
* All the remaining payments will be refunded to your credit card (transfer fees might apply)
We offer a 30$ discount to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 at the time of travel with valid ID. The Student ID must have; Name and photo of the participant, Name of University, and an expiration date no later than Dec 31st of the year of travel. Please email a photo of your ID to booking@trexperienceperu.com for verification. Travelers under 17 don’t need ID.
Full Itinerary
What's Included?
INCLUDED
TreXperience welcomes you to our Cusco offices on the evening before your trek for a pre-departure briefing. The briefings take place at approximately 6:00 pm. TreXperience understands that many hikers may be nervous or inexperienced, and so the briefing is an opportunity to meet your guide(s) who will talk you through what to expect over the coming days. Our guides are very approachable and experienced, so feel free to use this opportunity to ask them any questions you may have.
All admission permits are included. To obtain all relevant licenses for your hike, we will require a photocopy of your passport. We kindly request you share this with the team as soon as you book your trek.
TreXperience offers a door to door service; we will pick up from your hotel on the morning of the trek and drop off back at your hotel on the last day. All required transportation throughout the trek is included, as well as the train back from Aguas Calientes. We use the exclusive panoramic trains on the way back as a treat after a long hike. Also, TreXperience offers a complimentary transfer service to and from the airport and your hotel.
TreXperience team are fluent English speakers and are incredibly experienced professional tour guides from the local area. We provide a single guide for groups smaller than eight people and a second guide for groups with eight people or more. We very much enjoy sharing our extensive knowledge of local history and culture with you along the trek. All tour guides are proficiently trained in high mountain rescue. We are committed to ensuring all clients have the best possible TreXperience!
TreXperience provides the best possible equipment to all clients, as well as staff, to maximize your experience. We use Eureka Timberline 4 men tents that are shared by only two people.
Our porters carry all belongings that you don’t need in your daypack up to a maximum weight of 7 kg. Additionally, our porters carry all food and equipment. You will find your tents and the campsite prepared for you on arrival, so all you need to do is worry about enjoying the hike!
TreXperience are proud of their highly talented chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided each day (except lunch on the final day), and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We cater for all dietary requirements so please let us know of your needs. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day, and we make sure you have a tea/coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind.
All drinkable water – from your first lunch to your last breakfast – will be provided (you need to supply your water bottles/camelback, and we recommend carrying at least 2L). The water is boiled, filtered, and cooled before it is distributed.
All TreXperience guides have received training in first aid and high mountain rescue. In the event, a guest requires medical attention while on the trek, our staff will be able to assist you. A medical kit is kept with the team at all times. In an extreme case of a severe medical emergency, you will be evacuated to the nearest medical center.
We are committed to ensuring your trip is as comfortable as possible. We, therefore, provide hand towels, pillows, hand sanitizer, hot water for washing, drinkable water, snacks, daypack covers, and rain ponchos. All these additional comforts are included in the price of your trek.
To ensure your safety and in case of an emergency, we are the first trekking company to introducing satellite phone technology.
All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in the listed price.NOT INCLUDED
ADDITIONAL EXTRAS
Packing List
Important Info
Why Us?
As a company that cares deeply about the communities we serve, TREXPERIENCE takes pride in supporting our brothers and sisters throughout the Andean communities; a region that holds a special place in our hearts. We make a special effort to ensure our tours are conducted in a way that supports local residents and communities, provide donations to local schools and involve local brothers in our industry. Above all, we are dedicated to creating something unique and permanent, which allows us to play an active role in the development of our communities.
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