Great Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days y 3 Nights

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Hotel pick-up (approx. 05:00 a.m.). We will board the vehicle heading to the town of Mollepata, a friendly village with a temperate climate, approximately 2½ hours away. Upon arrival in the town we will have an American breakfast (not included), then continue by vehicle to Challacancha and from there begin our hike of about 3 hours until we reach the Soraypampa area.
In Soraypampa we will have lunch and then some time to rest. This will be our first overnight camp, and during the afternoon we will have time to visit the Humantay lagoon, a small but impressive lake where you can take photos and relax with the beautiful scenery. Around 5:00 p.m. we will be back at our first Soraypampa campsite where our cook will be waiting with some hot tea to regain strength. After a short rest at camp we will have dinner and sleep until the next day.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY
Very early in the morning we will depart from our camp; after a hearty breakfast we will hike toward the Salkantay snow peak (4,540 masl), which is the highest point of the entire route. We will climb for approximately 4 hours to this first pass where we will take a short break to enjoy the breathtaking views visible from this point. Along the way we will encounter several stone cairns called Apachetas (stone offerings for a safe journey). Afterward we will descend for approximately 1 hour to have lunch and then continue walking for about 3 more hours until we reach Chaullay, where our second camp is located.
Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES
After our breakfast we will depart Chaullay at approximately 7:00 a.m. to continue our hike toward Collpapampa, traversing narrow trails with abundant local flora such as various types of orchids and waterfalls that you will see throughout the route, as well as a wide variety of birds.

After about 5 hours of hiking, we will finally arrive at Sawayaco, known as “La Playa,” where we will take local transport to the Hydroelectric train station. Here you will have two options:

1. If you are exhausted, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes.
2. If you still want to walk, you can hike from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours along the railway. Once in Aguas Calientes, we will check into the hotel included in the tour. At around 7:00 p.m. we will have dinner at a local restaurant. All expenses in Aguas Calientes covered by the company include: breakfast, lunch, dinner and hotel accommodation.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Very early in the morning (05:30 a.m.), we will have breakfast and take the first bus that will take us to the Wonder of the World: the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, approximately a 20-minute ride.

We will then enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours where the guide will take us through the most important parts of the Citadel (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces and other religious centers). After our visit, we will have some free hours to take photos and explore Machu Picchu on our own (the time depends largely on the train schedule you are assigned, since you must be at the station half an hour before train departure). Another option is to climb Huayna Picchu (not included) to enjoy an impressive view of the entire Citadel. Finally, we will take the return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours), then a vehicle back to the city of Cusco and to your hotels.

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA

• Hotel pick-up at approximately 05:00 a.m.
• Departure from Cusco at 05:30 a.m. towards the district of Mollepata, where along the route you will pass several Andean villages.
• 2½-hour transfer by bus from Cusco to Mollepata.
• American breakfast in the town of Mollepata at “Casa Salkantay.”
• Continue by vehicle to Cruz Pata (approx. 20 minutes).
• From Cruz Pata we will walk to Sayllapata (approx. 2 hours) where we will have lunch and a 30-minute rest before continuing our hike toward Soraypampa.
• En route to Soraypampa you will enjoy natural beauty such as the Humantay snow peak and its lagoon (approx. 3 hours including stops).
• Soraypampa will be our first campsite where we will have dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY

• Breakfast in the morning to start our hike to Salkantay Pass (4,540 masl), the highest point of the entire route.
• At Salkantay Pass we will stop for 20 minutes to rest and appreciate the spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo.
• We will then begin a descent of approximately 2 hours to Wayramachay where we will have lunch and a short rest.
• Continue hiking for about 3 hours to Chaullay, our second campsite, where we will have a hot dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA (SAWAYACO) – SANTA TERESA

• Early breakfast at around 06:00 a.m. approx.
• Start hiking at approx. 07:00 a.m. from Chaullay to Sawayaco, a trek of about 5 hours in which you will appreciate waterfalls, wild orchids and other natural wonders.
• Arrive at Sawayaco, known as “La Playa,” for lunch and a short rest.
• Then we will transfer by vehicle for about 45 minutes to Santa Teresa to camp and rest.
• After resting we will go to the hot springs located approximately 4 kilometers away.
• Return to the Santa Teresa camp for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES

• Breakfast at approximately 07:00 a.m.
• After breakfast we will hike to the archaeological remains of Llactapata (recently discovered ruins) for approximately 3 hours (including the visit).
• After the visit we will descend for about 2 hours to the Hydroelectric station, arriving at around 3:00 p.m. approx.
• Then we will take the local train for about 45 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes or we will walk for about 3 hours along the railway.
• In Aguas Calientes you may rest at your hotel and dine in the tourist restaurants you prefer.
• Our guide will organize everything for the next day’s visit to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

• Breakfast at the hotel at 05:30 a.m.
• Pick-up from your hotel by the professional guide at 06:30 a.m.
• Bus ascent to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu (20 minutes).
• Entry to Machu Picchu with our professional guide who will take you to the mysterious Inca constructions (Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, Agricultural Terraces and other religious centers) in approximately 2 hours.
• Free time to take photos and explore the citadel on your own.
• Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch.
• Return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (approx. 2 hours).
• Transfer by car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (approx. 1 hour) and drop-off at your hotels for rest.

INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure information briefing.
• Hotel pick-up in the morning. Personal tents: 2 people per 4-person-capacity tent to allow greater comfort and secure storage for backpacks.
• Professional and official English-speaking tour guide. Chef and kitchen staff.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food and kitchen equipment) from days 1 to 4.
• Meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except the last day). Vegetarian or special menus available at no extra cost.
• A reusable snack bag per person to avoid the use of plastic bags that pollute the environment.
• Biodegradable personal toiletries.

Other:

• Hot water each morning and evening for washing / boiled water to fill your water bottle each morning and night, and during lunch if requested with sufficient notice.
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle.
• Tourist ticket for Machu Picchu entry. To obtain a ticket for visiting Huayna Picchu (we recommend purchasing the tour and the Huayna Picchu entrance two months in advance since there are only 400 spaces available per day).
• Trekking poles.
• Muleteers.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Vegetarian meal option.
• 1 blanket per person + 1 pillow.

NOT INCLUDED:

• The first breakfast in Mollepata.
• The last lunch in Aguas Calientes.
• Round-trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
• Entrance ticket to the hot springs in Santa Teresa.
• Beverages: mineral water, soda, beer, chocolates.
• Extra horse for riding or carrying any additional backpack.
• Sleeping bag.
• Flashlight.
• Tips.

• Original passport.
• Sleeping bag.
• Jacket for cold and rain.
• Hiking clothes (for five days: shirts, pants).
• Hiking boots.
• Insect repellent.
• Hat and gloves for cold weather.
• Swimsuit, towel and sandals.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Rain jacket or poncho.
• Extra cash.
• Standard 35-liter backpack.
• Headlamp or flashlight.
• Personal medications.
• Water purification tablets.
• Toilet paper.