SALKANTAY

SALKANTAY

SALKANTAY: The mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba rise to form a ragged chain between the regions' two great rivers; Urubamba and Apurimac. Along the cordillera's northern side, massive snow peaks collide with lush tropical rain forests.

SALKANTAY LOCATED

Located northwest of Cusco, Nevado de Salkantay, the cordillera's tallest peak, is at the eastern end of the chain and rises to 6271 meters above sea level. "Salkantay" means 'Savage Mountain' which may refer to the swirling clouds that rise up from the jungle lowlands and engulf the peak.

SALKANTAY TO MACHU PICCHU

Salkantay to Machu Picchu trek normally takes 7 days and has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter less trodden route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. For the first 4 days you will be surrounded with magnificent scenery and rarely see other groups of trekkers. On the fifth day you join up with Inca Trail at Wayllabamba and continue to Machu Picchu arriving early on day 7.

Salkantay trek is only a little more difficult than the Inca Trail, and horses can be used for the first 4 days to carry food and equipment. Since horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail, you'll swap over to using human porters for this final section.

Only a few tour companies operate Salkantay trek and it's always best to reserve a space well in advance.

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SALKANTAY – SANTA TERESA – MACHUPICCHU 5DAYS / 4NIGHTS

DURATION OF SALKANTAY: 5 days / 4 nights.
SEASON: From March / to December 2010
DEPARTURE: Daily
PRICE PER PERSON
ADULT US$250
STUDENTS AND KIDS UNDER 12 YEARS OLD: US$230
RETURN: Back Packer Train
Note: return in Vista dome available for an additional of US$45per person

The famous Salkantay Trek , named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, is a trek open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits (at least for now). Connecting the city of Mollepata, Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests.
Located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru by the Cordillera Vilcabamba and rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20574 ft) Mt. Salkantay is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped for thousands of years by local Indians. The name Salkantay is a quechua word meaning "Savage Mountain".
Our classic Salkantay Trek is a custom-designed alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity. With more spectacular vistas, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek offers the solitude and quiet contemplation such a sacred path deserves.

ITINERARY:

Day 01 Cusco - Soraypampa
We will leave Cusco at 05:00 by bus, and drive to Mollepata. By approximately 2 hours and a half hours drive. After breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay (6271 masl)

Day 02: Soraypampa - Collpapampa.
After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 7:30 a.m we continue our hiking the Peruvian highland. From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m) the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp at Collpapampa 2,920 m. (B+L+D).20 Km. approximately.

Day 03: Collpapampa - Santa Teresa.
Wake up with lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy hiking to Lluscamayu, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. Here banana trees coffe and others can be observed, take amazing pictures, with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird "Gallito de las Rocas" stop at Wiñaypoq’o for lunch and free time to rest. At the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl). from here we will take a small car by aproximately 45 minutes to Santa Teresa village where is the hot spring (optiomal hot spring bath) and also we will spend a night here. (B+L+D).Walking distance aproximately 15 Km.

Day 04: Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes.
After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek to the village Colpani, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (canopy brich) from here we have an option to hike to hidroelectrica or to catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. From here we will continue walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night. (B+L+D).Walking distance aproximately 10 Km.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu.
We are going up to the Archaeological site of Machupicchu and we will explore the city and enjoy the ancient place in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. After the explanation of the guide you can climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive about 8:30 p.m. (B).
Meals provided: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Group Size: (min. 6 participants, max 16 participants).

Departures: Daily departures

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek.
• English speaking professional guide.
• Meals: 4 Breakfasts/ 4 Lunches/ 3 Dinners
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
• 1 emergency horse
• Hostel in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
• Tents: 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
• Mattress per person
• Dinner tent
• Toilet tent
• Kitchen tent
• Tables & seats
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

NOT INCLUDED:
• Breakfast on the first day
• Entrance fee to Salkantay
• Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated around 9.00pm, dinner being at your own expense too.
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is US$ 3,50. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes

YOU SHOULD BRING:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)
• Small tonel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs)
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
Optional services to be hired:
• An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
• If you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee will be charged
• An extra horse to carry your additional personal items (above the included 5kg) days 1 to 5: US$ 70.00. A horse can carry up to 20 kg.
• Vista dome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at a Additional cost
• Sleeping Bag

NOTE:
• You will need to leave your luggage in the Cusco hotel; all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe.
•
• Participants need to be in good physical health and condition to be able to enjoy the Salkantay. The trekking will be difficult if you have not exercised regularly before your trip. To fully enjoy a Salkantay adventure, we advise passengers to get into an exercise program for their own safety and enjoyment. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician about joining an Inka Trail.

IMPORTANT NOTE
We suggest to book one month in advance at least. Please note that there is a limit of visitors per day so we also suggest booking your trip as soon as possible. Also note that all the below information are mandatory.

- Name and Surname (as in your passport)
- Age
- Date of Birth
- Passport Number
- Citizenship
- Hotel in Cusco (address - phone number)
- You can send this information to us as soon as you get it but with enough time to avoid any problem with your pick up service.

KIDS: under 12 years old or students up to 25 years old Discount $20.-usd per person.
We are requires a reservations of minimum 1 months working days in advance to confirm the trip.

Note: To apply to this discount It is necessary to send us your scan copy ISIC (International Student Identity Card) with your other information. Without this copy we will not be able to make the discount. The group is form by 16 persons