Salkantay Trekking and Humantay Lagoon to Machu Picchu
5 Days - 4 Nights
Adventure
Description
The famous Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is considered one of the best treks in the world. This 5-day, 4-night experience will offer you an exciting journey through diverse landscapes, including the Humantay Lagoon, Salkantay Mountain (Apu Salkantay), a jungle canopy, and flora and fauna that will make your trip to the Inca city of Machu Picchu unique and unforgettable.
Itinerary
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu | Scenic Adventure with Humantay Lagoon by Qatawi Tours Perú
[lightweight-accordion title=”DAY 1 Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lagoon – Soraypampa” accordion_open=true]
- To begin our wonderful Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu adventure,
At 4:30 AM, our staff will pick you up from your hotel in our private vehicle. - We will travel for a two-hour drive to the town of Mollepata, where you will have breakfast at a local restaurant.
- We will then continue along a trail or road to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek, where we will meet the muleteers who will be in charge of transporting all the camping equipment.
- At this point, we will receive instructions from our professional guide and begin the hike.
- This hike initially has a slight incline and flat terrain. It will take about three hours to reach Soraypampa, where we will enjoy our first exquisite lunch prepared by our tour chef.
- After a siesta, in the afternoon we will hike to the impressive Humantay Lagoon (4,320 meters above sea level). Here, you will have time to enjoy the scenic beauty and take excellent photographs.
- We then return to the Soraypampa camp for our dinner scheduled for 6:30 PM.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Soraypampa camp at 3,900 meters above sea level.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Maximum altitude: 4,320 meters above sea level (14,342 feet)
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[lightweight-accordion title=”DAY 2 SORAYPAMPA – OPEN EXIT – CHAULLAY”]
- Our sunrise will be amidst the mountains with fresh air and a super-nutritious breakfast at 5:30 AM.
- The most demanding and challenging day will be uphill to the highest point of the Salkantay Pass at 4,620 meters above sea level.
- At this point, we will have time to admire the majesty of Apu Salkantay (Apu = sacred mountain).
- Then, we will begin a two-hour descent to Wayracmachay to enjoy an energetic lunch.
- After lunch, we will continue descending into the tropical forest. In this section, the landscape will change radically, where you will appreciate the rich biodiversity (flora and fauna). Finally, we will arrive at Chaullay Camp at 2,900 meters above sea level.
- After settling into the camp, we will have dinner around 7 PM.
Difficulty Level: Demanding and Strenuous
Hiking Time: 8 to 9 hours
Distance: Approx. 19 km
Maximum height: 4620m.s.n.m (15,338 feet)
[/lightweight-accordion]
[lightweight-accordion title=”DAY 3 CHAULLAY – SAHUAYAKU BEACH – LUCMABAMBA”]
- After a delicious breakfast, we begin our third day’s activity, hiking through the tropical forest, commonly known as the high jungle.
- This part of the hike is considered one of the best sections because you can enjoy the wide variety of wild and domestic vegetation, such as orchids, begonias, coffee plantations, bananas, oranges, and other products from this area.
- After approximately 6 hours of hiking, passing through Sahuayaco Beach, we will arrive at Lucma Bamba, where we will have lunch and camp at 2,000 meters above sea level.
- After lunch, we will have options such as:
- An experience with a local family; a coffee tour that covers the entire production and consumption process;
- A trip to the Colcalmayo hot springs (transportation and admission are subject to an additional cost). (Prior coordination with the guide and the group).
Difficulty level: Moderate
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 16 km
Maximum altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level (9,628 feet)
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[lightweight-accordion title=”DAY 4 LUCMABAMBA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES”]
- After breakfast, we will begin the 2- to 3-hour hike up to the highlands and visit the archaeological site of Llacta Pata, from where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu in the distance.
- After explanations and photographs, we will descend for about 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant for a delicious lunch.
- This last stretch will involve walking along the railway to Aguas Calientes, surrounded by tropical vegetation and the sound of the Urubamba River.
- Once we arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, we will settle into our hotels and have our last dinner with the group to discuss all the details of our visit to Machu Picchu.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Hiking time: 8 to 9 hours
Distance: Approx. 25 km
Maximum altitude: 2,400 meters above sea level (7,968 feet)
[/lightweight-accordion]
[lightweight-accordion title=”DAY 5 WATERS – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO”]
- After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll board a bus for about 25 minutes to Machu Picchu.
- The guided tour will take about 2 hours to explore the most important sites of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- After concluding our visit to Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to explore the town until we catch the return train.
- Finally, we’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo and take the tourist shuttle to Cusco. The journey time between train and car takes 4 hours.
Difficulty level: Moderate, easy
Hiking time:
Distance: Approx. 22 km
Maximum altitude: 2,400 m.a.s.l.
[/lightweight-accordion]
Includes
✓ Orientation meeting (briefing) at your hotel or our office with your guide 1 or 2 days before the trek begins, between 6 and 7 PM.
✓ Pickup and transportation from your hotel to the town of Mollepata and Challacancha, the starting point of the trek.
✓ Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
✓ Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
✓ Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
✓ Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
✓ Admission ticket to Machu Picchu.
✓ Professional bilingual Spanish-English guide.
✓ High-quality camping equipment.
✓ Camping equipment, dining tent, kitchen, shelter tents, and restrooms.
✓ Meals during the trek (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, and snacks).
✓ Kitchen and cooking equipment.
✓ Muleteers and mules for transporting camping equipment and personal belongings (maximum 7 kg/15 lb per person).
✓ First aid kit and oxygen tank.
✓ Boiled and cold water throughout the trek.
Not Included
✗ Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the fourth day in Aguas Calientes.
✗ Sleeping bag (if you don’t have one, you can rent one from our agency).
✗ Emergency horse for the second day from camp to the Salkantay Pass (optional $50.00 USD).
✗ Tips for staff.
✗ And any other expenses not mentioned as extras.
Note
Please notify the agency in case of allergies or special diets, such as vegetarian.
Travel Information What do I need to bring?
- Comfortable backpack with a rain cover (40 liters capacity)
- Clothing for hot and cold weather.
- Hiking shoes.
- Sneakers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
- Wool/synthetic socks and a sweater.
- Long and short-sleeved shirts.
- Waterproof poncho and hat.
- Swimsuit (for the Aguas Calientes hot springs).
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, toilet paper, hand sanitizer/cleansing gel, and toiletries.
- Camera (with rain cover).
- Snacks (e.g., chocolate bars and nuts).
- Original passport, original ISIC student ID (to receive the student discount), and extra money in soles.
- The weather can be hot and humid, so your wet clothes won’t have enough time to dry.
- Bring extra clothing.
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