Inca Jungle Trek – Inca Trail Machupicchu Tours and treks

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Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Salkantay Trail

Overview

Walk on the Salkantay Trek to discover the beauty of the Vilcanota mountain range. Join Inca Path Peru on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. You’ll find unbelievable scenery, the thrill of hiking the Andes and more.

Salkantay trekking is highly recommended for adventurous travelers in search of cultural experiences. The Classic Salkantay Trek is one of the best alternatives for a hiking tour to Machu Picchu.

Also, don’t forget to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.

TOUR TYPE:

SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS: Hiking, camping, adventure, culture and history.

PROGRAM:

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

DURATION:

5 Days

WALKING DISTANCE:

60.5 km / 37.4 mi

DIFFICULTY:

Difficult, it requires a good physical condition

STARTING ALTITUDE:

2900M/ 9515ft.

HIGHEST ALTITUDE:

4650m/15200ft.

COLDEST NIGHT:

Day 1 around 0º Celsius.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Beginning of the Salkantay Trekking (Cusco – Soraypampa)

Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu journey will begin the night prior. All visitors must have a briefing with our tour guide. You’ll cover the basic information for each day of hiking. Also you’ll get to know the security guidelines and more. This is also to make sure you have taken time to acclimate to the altitude.

The Salkantay trekking will begin on day 1. Our first hotel transfer will be at 4:30 am. We’ll have a drive to the town of Mollepata. In Mollepata you can have breakfast.

We’ll drive a little more until reaching Soraypampa. This is the trailhead of the Salkantay Trail. We’ll start to ascend. The first hours on the Salkantay Trail will be of regular difficulty.

Our lunch will be in the middle of the trail, picnic style. After lunch, we’ll have a briefing before the hike to Humantay Lake. Our team wants to be sure you will adapt well to the altitude.

We’ll visit the famous Humantay Lake. This high altitude lake is just stunning. This is an ideal place for photography. The lake will be the highest point of the day, at 4,220 m / 13,845 ft above sea level.

We’ll continue following the trail until we reach Salkantay Pampa. In Salkantay Pampa we’ll settle  our camp in our Andean lodges area. Our camp site is under a roof, so the cold won’t be a problem. You can rest for the rest of the day. Our team will take care of dinner.

Continuing our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we’ll beging early. At 5:30 am we’ll have a hot drink service. After that, breakfast will be at around 6:00 am. You’ll need energy to conquer what comes next.

We’ll begin the climb to the Salkantay Pass. At 4,650 m / 15,256 ft above sea level, it is the highest point of the Salkantay Trail. On the way there we’ll enjoy the views of the snow capped mountains around.

In the Salkantay Pass itself, you will have incredible panoramic views. The nature around us will be impressive.  We’ll descento to Huayracmachay. Our lunch will be there with a great view to enjoy.

After lunch, we’ll keep descending to a valley of high forest. The humidity will rise, and the Andean landscape will change. You will find yourself in a more tropical climate. The hike to Machu Picchu begins.

During our walk to Chaullay, you’ll encounter orchids and waterfalls. The backdrop to this forest will be the Salkantay Mountain. The views are amazing here.

We’ll camp in Chaullay, in our Andean lodges. Next day, we’ll continue the Salkantay trekking. This will be the longest day of hiking. Enjoy a delicious dinner and sleep well.

For this day on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we’ll explore the ecosystem of high jungle. The walking will be easier. We’ll be on the lower part of the Salkantay Trek. We’ll have breakfast at camp. Then we’ll start walking.

The walk on this day will take about 6 hours. On our way we’ll find plantations of all kinds. You’ll see where the coca tea leaves come from. As well as banana, cacao and coffee plantations. This guided tour will show you the crops of the area.

We’ll arrive soon after to Lucmabamba. At the campsite at Lucmabamba, we’ll have lunch.

This is the most tropical part of the Salkantay trekking experience. We’ll rest a little. If you please, you can take a nap. After this time out, we’ll go to visit coffee plantations. You’ll learn about the process of coffee farming. Of course you’ll taste test the freshly made coffee.

For a relaxing time, we’ll visit the Cocalmayo hot springs near Santa Teresa town. After this we’ll return to our camp in Lucmabamba. We’ll have dinner and rest.

The tour to Machu Picchu is closer each day. Our hiking on the Salkantay Trek requires us to wake up at 6:00 am. We’ll have breakfast. The hike begins at 7:00 am.

Our destiny is part of the Classic Inca Trail. We’ll walk for 3 hours to arrive at Llactapata. This is an archaeological site. Our tour guide will give us a guided tour around. From here we’ll have our first views of Machu Picchu Mountain in the distance.

After this visit, we’ll have to descend to the Hydroelectric station. We’ll have lunch here. After lunch, we’ll have to walk for 3 hours next to the train tracks. This is an opportunity to observe from close the nature around Machu Picchu.

After this walk, we’ll arrive at Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo. Our team will make sure you arrive well to your hostel. You can enjoy the amenities, take a hot shower and rest.

Later, at 7:00 pm, we’ll meet in a local restaurant for a celebration dinner. You completed the Classic Salkantay Trek. Then you can head back to your hostel to sleep.

Your service does not include the bus to Machu Picchu. This can be an add on. We’ll give the chance to hike to Machu picchu. You’ll have to wake before 4:30 am. At that time you have to meet with our guide.

The objective is to get to see the sunrise on Machu Picchu. The hike to Machu Picchu citadel takes around 1 and a half hours. Don’t forget your documents, you will need to validate your ticket.

Once in Machu Picchu, our tour guide will take you on a 2 hour tour. This tour to Machu Picchu will show you all the important locations. After this comprehensive tour you will have one hour of free explorations to discover the citadel on your own.

After you reunite with your guide, you’ll descend by foot or bus to Aguas Calientes. You will take your chosen method to return to Cusco. No matter which one you chose, Inca Path Peru will ensure you arrive at your hotel in Cusco.

WE OFFER YOU TWO OPTIONS TO GO BACK TO CUSCO AFTER VISITING MACHU PICCHU.

TRAIN OPTION

You can visit Machu Picchu for a longer time and have enough time if you are planning to do HUAYNAPICCHU or MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN, which require a minimum of 3 hours approximately.

After visiting the area of Machu Picchu for 7 to 8 hours, you have to return to the town of Aguas Calientes to take a train at 18:20 to Ollantambo for 1.5 hours, then by car to Cusco for 2 hours more to arrive in Cusco around 10:30 pm

CAR OPTION

You arrive at Machu Picchu around 6:00 am for the guided tour for 2 hours then you have free time to explore the site on your own. If you take this option, and you are thinking to do HUAYNAPICCHU, or MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN is possible but will be too very tight and rush because you need to leave Machu Picchu at 11:30 to walk back to Hydroelectric for 3 hours, in order to be in Hidrolectrica at 3:00pm to take a car for 6 hours back Cusco.

If you are considering doing this option and doing one of the mountains, we recommend you stay one more night in Aguas Calientes and return the 6th day to Cusco by car.

Also, don’t forget to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.

Check out our customer reviews

Salkantay Trail Includes

  • Briefing at your hotel, the night prior
  • All hotel transfers
  • Bus transport from Cusco to Challacancha
  • Professional tour guide
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Horse for carrying luggage (7 kg / 15.4 lbs maximum per person)
  • Horses (for camp equipment, food, etc)
  • 3 night stay in andean lodge camps
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • 1 night accommodations in a Aguas Calientes hostel
  • Return train ticket and bus / Return by car to Cusco

Also, don’t forget to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.

Not Included

  • Breakfast on the first day (15 Peruvian Soles as an add on)
  • Lunch and dinner on the last day
  • Bottled water or snacks during the tour
  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • Bus tickets to and from Machu Picchu (you can add them to your tour)

You can get a 20 USD dollar discount at the entrance to Machu Picchu. You Need to send a copy/picture of both sides of your student card to verify. Make sure all data on it is visible. You will have to present along with your passport and ID your original student card when entering Machu Picchu. You can only apply for the discount if you are not older than 25 years old.

If you want to lower the price you can choose to return to Cusco by car. This requires an earlier departure from Aguas Calientes. Also you’ll have a 3 hour walk to the Hydroelectric Station. The journey takes at least 7 hours. You can get this for 230 USD.

The return by train is more convenient. You take the train in the evening. It takes 2 hours to arrive at the Ollantaytambo station. Then you take a bus for almost 2 hours to Cusco. The cost with this service is 260 USD.

Additionals

  • Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: 20 USD
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: 20 USD
  • Vistadome Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (luxury upgrade): 30 USD
  • Sleeping bag rental: 15 USD
  • Walking pole rental: 8 USD
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu picchu, round trip: 24 USD. for one trip: 12 USD
  • Train from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes: 33 USD
  • Entrance to Salkantay: 20 Peruvian soles
  • Entrance to hot-springs: 10 Peruvian soles
  • Transport to Cocalmayo hot springs: 30 Peruvian soles

Things You Should Bring to the Salkantay Trail

  • Backpack that distributes weight appropriately
  • Thermal clothing layers for the night
  • Good quality hiking boots
  • Rain gear (water poncho, moisture wicking socks, waterproof backpack cover)
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Hat with brin (sun protection)
  • Insect repellent
  • Bathing suit and sandals
  • Sunscreen (high SFP)
  • First aid kit
  • Bottle of water (reusable)
  • Passport and important documents (student card if you have one, ID, etc)
  • Extra cash in Peruvian soles
  • Trekking poles
  • Camera or smartphone with extra batteries (electric outlets won’t be available during most of the trek)
  • High energy snack for the trail

Terms of Reservation

Minimum 1 week before, minimum 2 people and the minimum age is 12 years.

Changes or upgrades are subject to 1) availability and 2) an extra charge as stated in our Terms and Conditions.

Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu (please contact us for availibilities): In case you opt to add one of the two hikes, please contact us first via Whatsapp +51998002311 or incapathperu@gmail.com to check availabilities. The entrance fee for each is $20 and will be added automatically when you choose the preferred option in the dropdown above.

Terms of Cancellation

You can choose between 2 options that will affect the refund policy:

  • Option 1: We purchase the tickets within 5 days prior to the start of the tour. You can receive a 95% refund if you cancel before we purchase them. Once the tickets are purchased, the fees below apply.
  • Option 2: We purchase train & entrance tickets as soon as you book to guarantee the best tickets. You receive a partial refund when you cancel.

Cancellation fees p. person: $95 (for train, bus and entrance tickets already purchased) + 5% administrative fee. The remaining amount will be refunded within 3 working days.

Postponement fees p. person: Cost of postponing tickets (train, entrance & bus) + 5% administrative fee.

If you cancel 3 days or less before the start of the tour, there won’t be any refunds. We don’t issue refunds in case of delayed flights, inconveniences with train schedules, bad weather or sudden strikes that affect the tour.

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