Salkantay – Machupicchu 05 days/ 04 nights
One alternative to the classical Inca Trail is this tour Salkantay – Machu
Picchu. The two highlights on this tour, besides the Machu Picchu complex,
are Salkantay Mountain with its 6272 masl. And the other snowcapped mountain
up close and the fact that this hike offers the special experience to see
Machu Picchu on a distance already one day before arrival on its mountain
saddle across the Urubamba valley.
DAY 1:
We start from Cusco around 5 o’clock in the morning a go to Mollepata, a small village located in 2850 masl. on the edge of the cloud forest zone. Already from here we will be able to appreciate some of the snowcapped picks that belong to the chain of Salkantay, and of course we will enjoy the beautiful sight of Salkantay who is at an altitude of 6270 masl.
Enjoying this landscape we will begin our long walk for approx. 7 hours. On the way we observe the vegetation pertaining to the zone. In a nice spot we will have our lunch, and then we will continue until we get to Soraypampa, our first camp site.
DAY 2
After an early breakfast we start the hike. This day offers the best
views of Salkantay itself, the second highest mountain in the Cusco department,
with the great snowcapped peak not too far away.
The first 4 hours are almost pure ascent until the pass in 4500 masl, where other majestic snowcapped peaks reveal itself for our vision. From this point the trail descent to our camp. On the way down we pass small lagoons and wetlands. Our camp is Chaullay in 2950 masl.
DAY 3:
This day is something special because of the great variety of fauna and flora.. Also we pass the small settlement of Arranniyuc. Later we arrive to a nice hot spring, where we can enjoy the warm water before we continue along the Santa Teresa River. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids.
The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.
DAY 4:
From the Playa to the Hydroelectric at the Urubamba River. This morning
we will work up one newly opened Inca trail. This trail originally was
used to transport agricultural products to the population on Machu Picchu
and it takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical
fruits and crops. As we come up higher the trail the vegetations changes
between dry and grassy with flowers and moist cloud forest. In the pass
we are suddenly in a cool dense wood full of trees covered with thick mosses.
Shortly hereafter we see for the first time the impressing Machu Picchu
on a mountain saddle further into the valley. 10 minutes more and we arrive
to our lunch spot called Llactapata. He we have our lunch while enjoying
the views of Machu Picchu and the beautiful mountains. Then we walk the
last part downhill and along the river to the Hydroelectric. Here we can
visit on fine Intihuatana while waiting for the train or continue walking
to Aguas Calientes where we arrive in the afternoon. We spend the night
in a nice hotel.
DAY 5:
From Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes to take the train to Cusco.
Price Information
| Tour and prices | Departures | |
| Salkantay – Machupicchu 5 days: | ||
| For 2007: U.S.D. $ 240.00 | Students: U.S.D. $ 210.00 | Everyday |
| For 2008: U.S.D. $ 280.00 | Students: U.S.D. $ 250.00 | |
| The tour will depart if there are 4 passengers. | ||
| The travel agency can not guarantee the tour. | ||
| If there are less than 4 persons, the tour can be arranged as regular tour prices. | ||
Our service includes:
- Private transportation CUSCO - MOLLEPATA ( beginning of the trail ).
- Horses and muleteers, only for camping equipment and food.
- Professional bilingual tour guide.
- Entrance fee to the citadel of Machupicchu.
- Entrances fee to Salkantay Mont.
- All the meals in the tour.
- Camping equipment as tents, mattresses, dinner tent, table and chairs.
- Bus down from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Train tourist class Machupicchu – Cusco
- Three nights camping.
- One night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes town.
Do not include in the tour:
- Sleeping bag
- Tips ( in Peru tipping is expected )
- Breakfast the 1st day, Lunch and dinner last day.
- Assistant Horses. ( it can be hired for extra 60 dollars for 4 days )
- Bus up to Machupicchu ( this cost 9 dollars per person )
What we advice you to bring
- Trekking footwear;
- Sleeping bag;
- Change of clothes;
- Jacket;
- clothes for cold weather;
- Good socks.
- Purifying tablets.
- Camera.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sun-block.
- Sunglasses or sunhat.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Swim-suit.
- Walking cane.
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