Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Sites to visit to salkantay trek 5 days:

Cusco, Mollepata, Soraypampa.
Chaullay.
Santa Teresa.
Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Machu Picchu.
Cusco.

Salkantay trek 5 days details:

Highlights: Mountains with glacier peaks, lush/tropical landscapes, turquoise lakes, Machu Picchu.
Location/Terrain: Glaciers, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, multiple high passes, high jungle, plateaus.
Acclimatization: 3 days of acclimatization and multi-day trekking experience is recommended.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights.
Distance: 60 km/37 miles.
Altitude: 1,870 m/6,135 ft. to 4,600 m/15,090 ft.
Level of physical demand: Moderate to strenuous, high altitude, long, high altitude.
Overall rating: Very popular, the second most popular hike after the Inca Trail.
When to go: All year round, but the best time is from March to November.
Departures: Daily departures with 2 or more persons.
Customizable: Yes. Private, customized, add-ons, all available.

Highlights

This legendary hike has been voted one of the 25 best in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine. It is an easily accessible hike for everyone, with no limitations or necessary permits (at least for now).

The Salkantay Trek is an ancient and secluded trail located in the same area as the Inca Trail, where huge frost-covered mountains infringe upon the abundant rainforest. It is one of the most interesting and important alternatives of the Inca Trail due to its wide diversity of flora, various ecosystems, remote Andean villages, view of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, as well as the LLactapata site located on top of a mountain, just behind Machu Pichu mountain.

Day 01: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

Picking up guests at the hotel (05:00 am) to start our trip towards the Apurímac river valley, the road is paved to Limatambo, from there the road is a trail in which we travel for an hour arriving then to Mollepata. From this point we start our walk for 5 hours towards the valley of the Blanco River that comes from the snowmelt of Salkantay and Humantay, and then we are camping in the place called Soraypampa.

Accommodation: Camp.
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 5,200 masl.
Transportation: Walk.

Day 02: Soraypampa – Chaullay

This day we ascend the Humantay pass through large zigzags and a 45-minute walk, from this point we can see the Santa Teresa valley, the peaks of the mountains and their lagoons. Then, we descend to Challhuay where we will camp.

Accommodation: Camp.
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Maximum altitude: 3,500 masl.
Transportation: Walk.

Day 03: Chaullay – Santa Teresa

By continuing the walk, we will arrive at Santa Teresa, which is a small and tropical town located on the banks of the Vilcanota River. This town was affected by a large landslide from the snowy Salkantay that resulted in the destruction of the railroad that linked them with Cusco and Quilla bamba. We will spend the night in the town of Santa Teresa (camp or basic lodging), in the vicinity of the town there are fruit farms such as oranges, bananas and other species.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel.
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Maximum height: 2,850 masl.
Transportation: Walk.

Día 4 Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes

This day we are walking through the valley of the Vilcanota River towards the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Plant, by the old basket train, it lasts approximately 4 hours. The place where we will take our local train that leaves at 4 in the afternoon from Cusco takes us to the town from Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu, there we will install them in a two-star hotel which is very nice and clean. And in the evening we will visit the thermal baths.

Accommodation: Hotel according to choice.
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Maximum height: 2,850 masl.
Transportation: Walk.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

In the morning, we will travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu itself, to start visiting Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After entering the guided tour that lasts approximately 2 hours, the passengers can stay on their own another two hours in the Sanctuary. After the visit we will return to Aguas Caliente. In the afternoon, we return to the city of Cusco when boarding the train at the Aguas Calientes station. In Cusco, a bus awaits you to take you back to your hotel.

Food: Breakfast.
Maximum altitude: 2,300 masl.
Transportation: Walk.

Services Included Salkantay trek 5 days:

Transfer from Cusco – Mollepata.
Professional Guide.
Kitchen, cook and dining room equipment.
Entrance to Machu Picchu.
CONSETTUR Bus service in Machu Picchu.
01 night in Aguas Calientes.
Meals ( 04 Breakfast – 04 Lunch – 04 Dinner) vegetarian options.
Packhorse for camping equipment and passenger luggage.
Kitchen, dining room and bathroom tents.
First aid kit, including oxygen cylinder.
2-person tents and mats.
Return train ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco.

Services not Included Salkantay trek 5 days:

First breakfast and last lunch and dinner.
Sleeping bag, luggage bag.
Water, flashlight, thermal clothing.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu.
Other expenses and services not detailed.

Backpack.
Warm clothing at night.
Rain gear.
Flashlight.
Cap.
Several Tshirts.
Insect repellent.
Plastic rain poncho.
Purifying tablets.
Medication equipment.
Water bottle.
Original passport.
Extra money in Soles & dollars.
Walking sticks.

How to get to Cusco

Cusco has an airport for local or national flights. In order to get to Cusco, all travelers must disembark in Lima and go through migration, even if their flight to Cusco is on the same day and with the same airline.

Which route should I take, By Air or by Land?

The best travel option to Cusco is by air. Currently, there are several airlines that provide the Lima-Cusco air transportation service, among which we can mention: LATAM, VIVA AIR, SKY AIRLINE, and STAR PERU. Of all of them, LATAM is the most recommended, due to the variety of schedules it handles.

The land travel option is also a good option, but you always have to look for the best options that offer adequate comfort for the trip. The trip by bus is 22 hours. If your trip is from Puno or Arequipa, you can take this option since the trip is usually cheaper and it is only about 12 hours of travel.

Cusco has the highest average elevation in the world:

That is why people who travel at a lower level suffer from altitude sickness, “Soroche”. This is because at higher altitudes, less oxygen is contained than those who are at sea level, so the body works harder to get the oxygen it needs. That is why for long walks it is recommended to stay at least two days in Cusco.

Symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems, loss of appetite, trouble breathing. Most of the time, the symptoms will be mild, but if they get worse, consult a doctor or contact our offices.

Coca tea is a recommended infusion for this disease, so within the accommodation it is always offered to counteract altitude sickness.

You must remember that you come to enjoy a trip through wonderful trails with people who will always be willing to help you, so you can relax and enjoy every moment.

The weather in Cusco.

One of the big questions is how the weather is in Cusco. It is easy to get this information on the internet, but you also have to take into account that each season and during these times the climates are changing. The dry season in Cusco is from April to October, but there will always be a sudden rain with lightning and thunder.

It is always advisable to have the appropriate rain gear, such as rain ponchos or waterproof jackets, waterproof gloves, and suitable shoes that do not slip in the rain.

Firt Aid.

Each member of the Andino Tours Peru staff has received first aid training from a specialist doctor. Every year we carry out this mandatory training, and on each of our excursions you will have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (Traveler’s Diarrhea, scrapes, cuts, etc.) and, in fact, oxygen should not be lacking.

Travel Insurance.

To protect your trip, the purchase of travel insurance is recommended. Having insurance before the trip is highly recommended. I have agreements with companies that provide this service that will make your trip more pleasant and peaceful in Peru.

Environmental impact.

For all our excursions, we have biodegradable soap, and all our garbage is returned to Cusco. Our staff is trained to take care of the environment. We use environmentally friendly chemical portable toilets.

We launched a program where for each traveler who reserves with us, we donate 10 trees that will be delivered to the communities of Mikaypata, Ninamarca, Huatoqto, and others, committing them to caring for the environment.

FAQs

What is Salkantay Trekking?

The Salkantay trek is one of the many treks found in the Cusco region of Peru. At about 75 km (46 miles) long and about 4600 m. in altitude, it is considered a difficult route compared to other trekking options in the region. A typical Salkantay trek starts in Cusco, where you will be picked up at your hotel and head to Mollepata or Soraypampa. The great attraction of the Salkantay Trek is that you can see not only Machu Picchu but also Llaqtapata, pronounced “Yahtapata”, is an archaeological site about 5 km from Machu Picchu. During Inca times, it is believed to have been the last plaza on the road to Machu Picchu.

How high is Salkantay pass elevation?

The pass or Salkantay pass is the biggest obstacle during the Salkantay trek days. The pass is 4,600 meters (15,100 feet) above sea level. A typical Salkantay trek 5 days, will cross the pass on the second day. It is important to do everything calmly if you are prone to altitude sickness, you may encounter it at the Salkantay pass. Luckily, after crossing it, it descends again quickly. This should help with acclimatization and eliminate the worst symptoms of altitude sickness.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days