SALKANTAY TREK 5D/4N

DAY 1 - CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPA

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We’ll get started nice and early with our private transportation collecting us from our hotel at 6:00 in the morning from Cusco to Mollepata, where we will have our breakfast stop in a local, safe, clean restaurant. Once we've eaten we will then transfer from Mollepata to Soraypampa. Please note this is a private car transfer to Soraypampa, thus decreasing walking time on day one. After a 2 hour drive to Soraypampa, we will have lunch here while enjoying our first magnificent views of the mountain, Humantay. After lunch we will start our hike up hill for 2 to 3 hours, making sure to go at our own pace to our first campsite of Soyrococha, (4100 msnm). A babbling stream runs by the campsite, making a very tranquil first night. Nevado Salkantay is an incredible sight in the background and on a good morning the glaciers are visible, a great way to begin our second day! Start Height: 3268 masl / 10722 ft Max Height: 4485 masl / 14715 ft Approximate Walking time: 4 hrs Distance Travelled: 5 km / 3.10 ml Meals: L, D. Snacks

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DAY 2 - SOYROCHA, SALKANTAY MOUNTAIN PASS TO COLPAPAMPA

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After our first days hike, introduction to high altitude and a good nights rest, we begin our second day hiking to Nevado Salkantay Pass which is around c.4800 m high. On reaching the summit and the highest point of the trek, we will find a stack of rocks (a cairn) signifying the top of the pass. We will be surrounded by glaciers at this point, Salcantay (6271 msnm) and Humantay (5850 msnm), it’s a great photograph opportunity and a chance to take a moment to really appreciate where you are. Reaching this pass takes around 1 hour, our route then follows a downhill path to either Colpapampa or Chaullay campsites. These campsites are around 40 minutes away from each other and where we camp will depend on the groups pace, both campsites are equally beautiful, there is no need to rush. During our hike we will experience a dramatic change in the vegetation from the High Puna grassland where an Andean grass, known as Ichu mainly grows, to find ourselves in the high Cloud Forest and bamboos. There are good camping facilities at both Colpapampa and Chaullay sites with awesome views of the Santa Teresa River and the surrounding valley. ​ Start Height: 2840 masl / 9372 ft Max Height: 4650 masl / 15340 ft Approximate Walking time: 7 - 8 hrs Distance Travelled: 11 km / 6.83 ml Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

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DAY 3 - COLPAPAMPA OR CHAULLAY TO COLA DE MONO

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Day three brings a welcome break from our ascending previous days as we will be trekking mostly downhill. The temperature becomes warmer as we are at lower altitude, the environment becomes more subtropical and the fauna more exotic. There are many places to stop and enjoy the cascading river that follows the trail. In a particularly beautiful section of the route we can appreciate orchids, bromelids a wide variety of different insects and even snakes. ​ We will have descended to c.2085m and after lunch we take a car for 45 minutes to the Canopy Cola de Mono where we will spend the night. The adrenalin junkies amongst us can choose to do the zipline this afternoon or tomorrow in the morning in Cola de Mono. Start Height: 2088 masl / 6850 ft Max Height: 2840 masl / 9372 ft Approximate Walking time: 6 hrs Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

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DAY 4 - COLA DE MONO, LLACATAPATA & TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES

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In the morning a car will transfer us to Lucmabamba where the hike to Llactapata starts. This is a tough 3 hours up hill, from the top we will have our first glimpse of Machu Picchu and a delicious box lunch at the top before the next 2 hours descent to the hydroelectric station. Depending on the time, we can take an easy walk along the train lines (around 2 hours) walking into the town of Aguas Calientes or we can take the train. On arrival at Aguas Calientes, we will check in to our hotel and freshen up. Meeting up again to enjoy our well deserved celebratory dinner then ready for an early nights rest for our next expedition and final trek day, visiting Machu Picchu!! Start Height: 1900 masl / 6233 ft Max Height: 2800 masl / 9240 ft Approximate Walking time: 7 hrs Day Distance: 9 km / 5.59 ml Meals: B, L, D. Snacks Acommodation: Hatun Inti or Similar

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DAY 5 - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR

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Good Morning! Rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day we have the option to relax this the morning or have a wander around the town.

Today we will lunch early in one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive to the Citadel in good time for our full afternoon tour. Accompanied by our guide, we take a 25 minute bus ride to the sanctuary of Machupicchu (2400m / 7874ft). Our guide will lead us in a tour of exploration and discovery of the many curious corners within this enigmatic Citadel. Our guided tour will have an average duration of 2 hours.

Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu

If you feel like you could take on another uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the famous mountain of Huayna Picchu this morning, pre afternoon tour. It is important to mention that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance. Please confirm that you want to make this climb at the time of making your booking with us. The trail consists of many steep narrow steps (not recommended for people who suffer vertigo), the height of the mountain is 2700m / 8858ft (the climb is 300 m.) We will climb Huayna Picchu at 10am. The route is around 3 hours round trip. We will then exit Machu Picchu citadel and have our lunch at Sanctuary Lodge just outside the entrance to the Citadel. After lunch we re-enter the citadel at 2pm for our guided tour of the citadel itself.

As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we bus back down to Aguas Calientes. We then have a charming train journey back to Ollantaytambo and time to reflect on, quite possibly, one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to your hotel.

Meals: B, L Snacks

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SERVICES INCLUDED

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Briefing one day before the trek. Collection from your hotel in the morning of the trek departure. 3 nutritious meals per day (vegetarian options available). Drinking water along the trek. Bilingual guide (Assistant Guide for groups over 6 passengers). Chef (assistant chef for larger groups). Quadruple tents to be used by two people, allowing more comfort and more space to store backpacks. Mules (for equipment and personal items) and muleteers. Inflatable mattresses. Sleeping liner and pillow. Saddled horse in case of emergencies or if you are making very little progress (this horse is with the group at all times). First aid kit and oxygen bottle. Kitchen tent and dining tent with camp tables and chairs. Toilet tent. Duffel bags (up to 7Kg/15lbs per person). These are provided by your guide at your briefing. Train tickets to Aguas Calientes. 1 Night accommodation at Cola de Mono Dinner at Cola de Mono Train Tickets to Aguas Calientes from Hidroelectric train station 1 Night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a quality 3* hotel. If you wish to upgrade hotel please ask for options. Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa. Dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes. Entrance to Machu Picchu Train ticket to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco or the Valley.

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SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

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Breakfast on the first morning. Dinner on the last night. Entrance to the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or Santa Teresa. Zip Line at Cola de Mono. Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain. (USD60 extra) Sleeping bag. If you don’t want to bring your own, you can hire this from us. Tips for guides and field staff.

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DISCOUNTS

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These discounts are not cumulative ​ Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Please be aware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid). Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings) Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 8 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

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THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS TREK (DEMANDING)

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The maximum height can go up to 4600 msl. The average hiking time is 7- 8 hours (with a few days up to 10 hours) per day. On the routes high passes of over 4,600 m are traversed, steep and difficult terrain is common, with altitude differences of up to 1,000 m. Daily hikes cover 10 -15 km. These tours are for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers in good physical condition. Appropriate altitude tolerance is required.

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