Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is widely considered one the most unique, beautiful, and challenging hiking trails in the world, not only because it takes you to the legendary city of Machu Picchu but because of its natural beauty from the high mountains, lakes, the tropical cloud forest, coffee farms, and coca plantations. The 20,574-foot Mount Salkantay (Savage Mountain) is considered this mountain sacred and worship it as their ancestors have for hundreds of years.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days and 3 nights is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu and one of the most important in Peru and the world, also the most challenging and adventurous tours we offer at TreXperience. You will be able to see the Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains, the cloud forest, coffee farms, hot springs of Cocalmayo, and finish the trek at Machu Picchu. Day by day summary Highlights of TreXperience: To book with us you only need an initial payment of 200.USD, the final payment can be done online, in installments, or directly in our office when you arrive in Cusco. Discount: To be able to get the discount, you need to email your student ID to booking@trexperienceperu.com and has to be manually confirmed if you are eligible for a discount, all traveler under 17 will get an automatic discount.
Day 1: Cusco hotel – Humantay Lake – Salkantay basecamp (12km, 6hrs) We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive you to Soraypampa (3900 m) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. After a delicious breakfast, we will start your Salkantay TreXperience! It’s a 2-hour walk up to Humantay Lake (4200 m / 13780 ft) after enjoying the beautiful views of this spectacular turquoise water lake, we will continue to our lunch place where the chef will be waiting to serve your lunch using organic products from the area. Along the way, you will 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, we will continue climbing for two more hours to reach Salkantay Pampa (4100 m/13450 ft). Once at the campsite we will have the tents ready, have tea time, dinner, and afterward, we can stargaze before going to sleep. Day 2: Salkantay basecamp -Hayrajpunku – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs) We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea. When exiting your tent, a beautiful scenery consisting of huge plains and snow-capped mountain peaks is waiting for you. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Peru. After breakfast, we will start ascending to the highest point of our trek, the Salkantay pass (4630 m /15190 ft), at the summit we will take the time to explore the amazing landscapes including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. From the top, it will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). After lunch, we will start descending from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the fastest changes in temperature and weather. Along the way, we will see an abundance of different types of flowers, hummingbirds, and orchids until we arrive at Colpapampa located at 2770 meters. This night we will stay next to a small village. Day 3: Collpapampa – Cocalmayo – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (22km, 10hrs) Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay TreXperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will drive for about 1 hour to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) where we will join an original Inca trail, built in the 15th century. We will walk along part of the ancient, lost Inca trail that was only rediscovered a few years ago. We will hike uphill for approximately 3 hours until we reach Llaqtapata; another extraordinary Inca ruins located right in front of Machu Picchu. Here we will take some time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the site as you learn more about the Inca history. It is then a relatively easy 2 hour downhill trek to our lunch spot. After lunch, you will take the train or hike (optional) to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 5 pm. Here we will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel. DAY 4: Machu Picchu (Lost City Of The Incas) 4 hrs On our final day, we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your TreXperience; visiting Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the line to wait for the first bus going up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Arriving at the sky brightens, we will walk up with incredible views of the city along the way. On a clear day, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is truly an unforgettable sight. Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.
Pre-departure briefing Permits 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 3.5 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
Day 1: Cusco hotel – Humantay Lake – Salkantay basecamp (12km, 6hrs)
Day 2: Basecamp -Hayrajpunku – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs)
Day 3: Collpapampa – Cocalmayo – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (22km, 8hrs)
Day 4: Machu Picchu (Lost City Of The Incas) 4 hrs
* Complimentary airport Pick up and drop off
* Visit Humantay lake and camp close to Salkantay Trek
* Real Camping experience with tents and hot showers
* Visit organic coffee farms, and the natural hot springs of Cocalmayo
* Come back to Cusco on the Exclusive Panoramic Train
* Support our Social Projects & empower local women
We offer a special discount; $30 off for Traveler under 17 or students with the original student card issued by the university up to 25 years of age, containing the following: university information, personal information of the student, photo of the student and effective date no later than December 31 of the year of travel.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. The train is Expedition class but can be upgraded to the Vistadome train for $55 per person. Also, TreXperience offers a complimentary transfer service to and from the airport and your hotel.
The 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 manuals are proficiently trained in high mountain rescue, as well as yoga and meditation. 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.
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! We guarantee the biggest foodies among you won’t fail to be impressed. 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 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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