Salkantay Classic Trek 5 Day Summary

DAY 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lagoon.
• 4:30 hrs. Pick up from your hotel and travel to Challakancha
• Breakfast at Mollepata local restaurant.
• 9:20 hrs. Start of the hike in Challacancha.
• 12:00 hrs. Lunch in Soraypampa and in the afternoon visit to Humantay Laguna.
• Dinner and accommodation at the Soraypampa Camp.
• Walking time. 7 hours
• 8 km / 5 miles
DAY 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay pass – Chaullay
• 5:40 hrs. Breakfast and hiking start to Salkantay pass
• 10:00 hrs. Arrival to the Salkantay Trek highest point (4,620masl / 15,157 ft).
• 12:00 hrs. Lunch in Wayracpunku
• 18:30 hrs. Dinner and overnight in Chaullay
• Walking time: 8-9 hours
• 19 km / 11.8 miles

DAY 3: Chaullay – Playa Sawayaco / San Teresa.
• 6:00 hrs. Breakfast and start of the hike
• 12:00 hrs. Lunch at Sawayaco Beach
• 13:15 hrs. Visit to San Teresa hot springs (optional).
• 18:30 hrs. Dinner and overnight at Sawayaco beach / San Teresa.
• Hiking time. 6 hours
• Length: 13 Km / 8 miles

DAY 4: Playa Sawayaco – Llaqtapata – Hydroelectric – Machupicchu town (Aguas Calientes)
• 6:40 hrs. Breakfast and hiking start
• 10:00 hrs. Visit to the Llaqtapata archaeological site.
• 12:00 hrs. Lunch at hydroelectric power station
• 17:00 hrs. Arrival to the Aguas Calientes town
• 18:30 hrs. Dinner and overnight in Aguas Calientes in a hotel
• Length. 19 km /11.8 miles
• Hiking time. 10 hours
• Hydroelectric train ride to the Aguas Calientes town (optional).

DAY 5: Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) – Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco.
• Visit to Machu Picchu at the indicated time and by the route assigned in the ticket (2-hour tour).
• At 14:55 / 15:20 / 18:20 hours, departure by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo according to availability (1 hour and a half trip).
• Arrival of the train at Ollantaytambo station and transfer to the city of Cusco.

Note: All times mentioned in the itinerary are approximate and will vary depending on how the group progresses along the route.

Salkantay Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA
We star wonderfull Salkantay trek, we pick you up at 5am and travel by bus to Mollepata. Then, we take a 3-hour hike to Cruzpata, where we have lunch with panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay (4120m/13500ft) and Salkantay (6271m/20575ft). We begin our trek by heading towards our first campsite Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way. Soraypampa is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip, sitting at 4000m / 12750ft.

Food: L & D
Physical Level: 1, Easy
Distance Hiked: 8Km/ 5 miles
Tour Length: 7 hour
Starting Altitude: 3350msnm/10,991ft, Cusco
Min Altitude: 3880masl / 12,730 ft, Soraypampa
Max Altitude: 4,200 masl/13,779ft, Humantay lagoon

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA- SALKANTAY HIGHEST PASS -CHAULLAY
We will have breakfast at around 5:30am and begin our hike to the highest pass on this trek. It is located at 4650m/15200ft and halfway between two huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the two snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here.

After a rest, we will continue our walk downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will hike for approximately three hours towards the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft). We may reach the other campsites of Challway or Andenes depending on the pace of the group.

Food: B, L & D
Physical Level: 3, Demanding
Distance Hiked: 19 km / 11.8 miles
Tour Length: 8 Hour
Starting Altitude: 3,880masl / 12,730 ft, Soraypampa
Min Altitude: 2,900masl / 9,514ft, Chaullay
Max Altitude: 4,620masl /15.157 ft

DAY 3: CHAULLAY-PLAYA SAHUAYACO-SANTA TERESA
After breakfast, at 6:30am, we start trekking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River through a series of small brooks and creeks. We pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will set up camp in the warm climate of La Playa (2500m/8202ft). After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy a well-deserved soak in soothing the waters. A real treat after finishing the trek (Optional).

Food: B, L & D
Physical Level: 2, Moderate
Distance Hiked: 13Km/ 8miles
Tour Length: 6 hour
Starting Altitude: 2,900masl / 9,514ft, Chaullay
Min Altitude: 2,095masl / 6,873ft, Playa Sahuayaco

DAY 4: LLACTAPATA - PUENTE RUINAS - AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN
On day four, we will have breakfast at 6:30am and then head for Llactapata, a three-hour steady climb. Llactapata is an incredible Incan fort from which we will see Machu Picchu! After some photos and rest, we will continue on a two-hour downhill hike passing a variety of plantations that produce coca, bananas, and more until we reach the Hydroelectric dam for lunch. Then, we will walk a couple of hours more until Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.

Optional: In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs in the town. Entrance is 10 soles.

Food: B, L & D
Physical Level: 2, Moderate
Distance Hiked: 19Km/11.8miles
Tour Length: 10 hour
Starting Altitude: 2,095masl / 6,873ft, Playa Sahuayaco
Min Altitude: 1890masl / 6,200ft, hydroelectric plant
Max Altitude: 2,480masl / 8,136, Llaqtapata

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU
We will have breakfast at 5:00am and then catch a bus to Machu Picchu at approximately 5:30am, in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun rises. The bus ride is approximately 20 minutes.

Your tour guide will then give a walking tour, which is approximately two hours. After this, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. This is an extra walk; please talk to your guide for arrangements to climb this mountain.

Afterwards, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (which can be reached by bus or on foot) to have lunch and receive your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves at 5:55 pm and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 8:20 pm.

If desired, we can arrange for you to have an extra night in the town of Aguas Calientes. Please, let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your

Food: B
Physical Level: 1, Easy
Distance Hiked: 1.7Km/1.1miles
Tour Length: 1.5 hour
tarting Altitude: 2,050masl/ 6,726ft, Machupicchu town
Min Altitude: 2450masl/8,038ft, Machu Picchu

INCLUDED:

Professional bilingual tour guide.
Assistant guide.
Pick up from hotel.
Return transportation (bus to start of trail and tourist train back to Ollantaytambo).
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
1 Bus ticket up to the Machu Picchu world heritage site.
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 3 dinners (first breakfast, last lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included).
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
Cook.
3 mantents (per 2 people).
Sleeping mattresses.
Horsemen and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 7 kilos of tourists' belongings)
1 night's accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Extra oxygen.
First-Aid kit.
Spareblanket per tent.

VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA COST!!!

TRAIN INCLUDED
is the Expedition (to Ollantaytambo or Poroy). Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you can take is the 1pm and latest is the 9:50pm, CUSCO EXPEDITION Travel agency will organize your transport back to Cusco.

PLEASE NOTE: Train times are subject to change depending on the Peru Rail timetable and availability
if organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vista dome (larger windows than the Expeditions train) for an extra charge.

Meals as specified in the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:

Single room and tent
International and domestic flights
Airport departure taxes or visa fees
Excess baggage charges
Additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Insurance of anykind
Laundry
Phone calls
Radio calls or messages.

Packing List:

Walking sticks (we can rent them for you)
Sleeping bags (we can rent them for you)
A personal light backpack
Sweater and jacket
Truse
Pajamas
4 polo shirts
4 pairs of socks
Personal belongings and medicines under your doctor’s prescription. Especially pills for altitude sickness (dizziness, vomiting, muscle relaxants, stomach and headaches and other medications you are taking).
Sun block
Caps or hats
Rain poncho
Hiking shoes
1 pair of flip-flops
Water bottle or camelback
Mosquito repellent
Toilet paper
Power bars
Flashlight with extra battery
Lipstick
Sunglasses
Plastic bag
Camera with extra battery
Extra money in soles (PEN).

Recomendations:

To do the Salkantay Classic Trek 5 Day, you should be in Cusco at least 2 days before to acclimatize better.
For the best acclimatization, take pills for altitude sickness and coca leaves infusion. You should take short walks around the Cusco city on your own, or you can hire a short tour such as the Cusco city Tour, the Sacred Valley, the salt mines of Maras – Moray. If you hire one of these tours you will have a special discount.
Bring appropriate clothing for hiking.