Peru is regularly considered the best trekking destination in the world, apart from this, we have a wide variety of regions which are still unspoiled. The natural and cultural heritage of Peru awaits you! This tour is organized in camping style with some nights in hotel too. You will get to experience the true meaning of trekking in the Andes and cloud forest.
Trekking in these remote areas offer an opportunity to get closer to nature and enjoy the pristine beauty of the area. Far-flung villages with a variety of different cultures and lifestyles, virgin forests with exotic plants and animals, hidden mountain valleys, rivers and waterfalls are only some highlights of your tour. The trails can be a bit rough and steep. The region features an incredible range of landscapes with mountains and glaciers terrain. You will walk through scenarios of grazing llamas, alpacas and even vicunas. During spring, you’ll probably see giant orchid forests in full bloom.
Our trekking itinerary to this region is well researched, organized and tailored. This adventure trip is accompanied by expert bilingual guides who are passionate in providing the best adventure experiences with good local knowledge. All of our staff shares our vision of responsible tourism.
Once you arrived in the historical Inca Capital, our driver will already be at the Velasco Astete Cusco airport waiting for you to welcome you and the transfer to your hotel. Once you had the time to freshen up, you will enjoy a short walking tour in the centre. Be amazed by the beautiful Plaza De Armas and learn more details of the surrounding colonial buildings. Still some energy left? At night you can enjoy a trip to one of the many bars in the centre to try some local drinks such as the Cusqueña beer. There are even several places teaching you how to dance salsa for free! We are happy to help you with the best insider tips for Cusco.
today you will enjoy a half day walk, we will go for 1 hour to the famous town of Pisac located in the sacred valley of the Incas, we will go through the bowels of the sacred mountain APU INTIHUATANA that has the shape of a condor, we will rest close to the heart where you will participate in a small coca leaf ceremony and we will ask the mountains for permission to do the salkantay trek, then you will have time to meditate and relax. then we will continue our descent towards the town of pisac where we will have our lunch and later we will return to the hotel to rest, because the next day our adventure begins. We recommend to go to bed early today, becouse tomorrow you will start with the Salkantay trail!
We will leave from Cusco approximately between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Our bus will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the town of Mollepata (2900 masl) where we will arrive approximately at 8:00 in the morning. On the way you have all the time to get to know your fellow travellers as we will stay in the same group during the full trek. At Mollepata we will stop for breakfast, last minute supplies, leg-stretching and to use the restrooms. We will continue to our trek starting point, Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level). We will meet with our support staff such as the cook and porters. They will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 9:00 a.m., we’ll begin our walk towards the famous Humantay Lake. On our way we will have a beautiful view of the majestic Apu Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the beautiful Valley of the Apurimac River. About 1:00p.m., we’ll have a traditional Peruvian lunch at the campsite in Salkantypamapa at 4100 meters above sea level. After lunch, we will walk to the Salkantay lookup point to watch the sunset. Then we head back to the campsite for our afternoon tea time and dinner. You’ll sleep in the real Andean Sky Huts (depending on availability), a truly unique camping experience to permit you to enjoy fully the starlit sky at night.
Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. It is truly magical! After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We’ll start the hike around 6:00 a.m. to walk for about 3 hours, gradually ascending, until reaching the highest point (4600 meters above sea level). We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6264 masl) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. Around 1:00 p.m., we will have our lunch in the local small community called Huayracmachay. After another walk of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to our camp site in Chawllay (2920 masl). Around 5:00 p.m., we will have our tea time. You’ll also have the well-deserved time to recuperate from the trek, take a shower and eat dinner before going to our tents. Each tent is set up in individual huts which will protect is from the cold at night.
Around 7:00 a.m., we will start our trek. We will walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the "Forest Cloudy Brow" where waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the national Peruvian bird called the "Cock of the Rocks". The flora and fauna in this area is breath-taking, and the guide will proudly give you more information if you are interested. At 12:00 p.m. a local bus will take us to Santa Teresa where we will have our lunch. After lunch we will go to the Hot Springs of Cocalmayo, one of the most beautiful hot springs in all of Peru. You will enjoy and relax at the medicinal hot pools in the afternoon. It is a real blessing for your muscles after all these days of hiking. Around 7:00p.m., we will have dinner and we will camp in Santa Teresa.
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
The best time to make the trip is in the dry season, that is, between May and October. The most advisable month is May since everything is still green after the rains. On the other hand, the coldest month is June.
First of all, a backpack, in addition to the one that will carry the horse, as well as a sleeping bag of at least -5 degrees. The clothing should be suitable for trekking in a highland climate, with heat during the day and very cold at night. To store clothes, bring 3 bags that allow you to keep clean clothes separate from dirty ones. Don’t forget personal hygiene items for 4 days of trekking, such as towels, soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. Bring the medicines you consider necessary for headaches or altitude sickness, as well as band-aids for wounds or blisters. It is important to have a flashlight with batteries, especially for the last day, because we will wake up at 4:00 am. If you want to visit some communities, it would be a nice gesture to bring pencils, colors, pens, notebooks, or books that you would like to donate. Don’t forget to bring a good camera with a charged battery, as well as sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
It is important to acclimatize before starting the trek, arriving in Cusco 2 or 3 days in advance. Pills for altitude sickness also help and are widely used by tourists. You should drink plenty of water to hydrate the body, especially coca tea. It is important to eat light, that is, meals that are easy to digest, such as soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates that are not fried. Sleep as much as you can and you will feel much better. Keep your body warm and don’t forget to eat before you feel hungry, drink before you feel thirsty, wrap up warm before you feel cold, and rest before you feel exhausted.
During the whole Salkantay Trek 2 Days, you will travel with experienced and trained guides to assist you in any situation, ask all the questions you need to ask to be prepared, and have the best experience in the Salkantay trek!
Wool hat or beanie
T-shirt
Layer
A jacket, if it is not waterproof take also rain poncho
Pants on
Hiking shoes, also you can do on sneakers
Sunglasses
Gloves
Small Backpack to carry water, some snacks, a camera, etc.
Water, we recommend you 2 liters of water but you can also buy on the way
Snacks like an apple, cereal bar, sweets, and chocolates
Sun cream
Rain poncho
ADDITIONAL OPTION THAT YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR SALKANTAY TREK
STUDENT PRICE:
For this Salkantay Trek 5 Days If you like to apply for the student price you need to comply with the next requirements Peruvian regulation for students. If you are a student, you need to send us a copy or picture of both side of your STUDENT CARD also a picture or photo of your PASSPORT in order to verify, to get discount The student card must be an original student ID gives from the university in PVC material and it must have the next requirements printed on it: University information, personal student information, student picture, and expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machupicchu, the discount until 25 years old. ISIC cards are not valid for the discount.
FRECUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Por: Machu Picchu Trekking Perú 2021, Mar 06
TEN MOST FRECUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS TO MACHUPICCHU TREKKING PERU
HOW DO YOU PREVENT ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN CUSCO?
The best way to prevent altitude sickness in cusco is to be prepared during your first 2 days you should take things easy, this means you shouldn´t take part in any strenuous activity, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude You should rest a lot and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and smoking isn´t a good idea as it can agitate you and make you feel a lot worse.
HOW TO AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN PERU?
You can avoid altitude sickness by spendind a few days taking it easy in Cusco before you head off on any kind of trek. Trying to do a tough activity too soon could make you very ill. You should also eat lightly, avoid alcohol to feel your best and drink coca leaf tea or take soroche pills.
WHAT IS THE BEST TREK TO MACHUPICCHU?
It is difficult to answer to this question because there are many options. The Inca Trail is the most popular and needs to be booked months in advance as there are only a certain number of spots each day. The best alternative trek is considered to be Salkantay, wich offers a real adventure and fantastic scenary. Inca Jungle is great for those seeking a thrill and Lares is a top option if you want a quieter and more rural experience. If you have a lot of time and want to experience two incredible Inca sites, you can opt for the Choquequirao trek.
WICH IS BETTER INKA TRAIL OR SALKANTAY TREK?
This depends on the person who wants to trek. The Inca Trail is extremely popular as it takes you along the real Trail where the Incas once walked. However, many say that the scenary on Salkantay is more beautiful. For this reason we would say go for The Inca Trail if you´re a real history lover and like to hike well-known treks, but go for Salkantay if you want to witness stunning landscapes and a variety of different climates.
IS THE SALKANTAY TREK DANGEROUS?
The trek isn´t dangerous. You´re with fully qualified guides all the way to make sure you always stay on track. They are there to help you if you feel sick at all along the way. The path can be uneven, but if you take it slowly, you´ll have no issues. During wet season, November to April, you´ll have to take more care when you walk to avoid slipping.
How difficult is the Salkantay Trek 5 Days?
For an average traveller or tourist, Salkantay is considered a challenging but certainly not impossible hike. Due to the physical demands, anyone who wishes to trek Salkantay should at least be moderately fit. Plus, all trekkers should spend at least 2 days in Cuzco before the trek, to get acclimatized. Being extremely fit does not grant any immunity from altitude sickness.
The entire hike is approximately 72 kilometers (approximately 45 miles), and this hiking takes place during 4 days and 3 nights. The remaining 1 day of the trek is spent at Machu Picchu. In general, Salkantay is considered to be slightly harder than the Inca Trail. Other trails, such as Choquequirao, are considered to be slightly harder than Salkantay.
What’s the most challenging section of the 5-Day Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Pass, at 14,760123 feet above sea level, is the most difficult section in the trail. Expect wind and cold temperatures. Some hikers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Symptoms will disappear as soon as you start your descent. Oxygen will be provided if needed. The Salkantay Pass, at approximately 4,650 meters above sea level is the most difficult section in the trail. These challenges are a result of several factors: the challenge of uphill climbing, bitter cold winds, low temperatures in general, and the fact that you are trekking at a low-oxygen altitude.
How Old do I have to Be?
Very young children may not enjoy this. They should be able to walk (without being carried) for 90 minutes without whining (the whining part applies to children of all ages.
Can I hike the Salkantay at any time?
Weather conditions during the rainy season makes the Salkantay trek into a risky decision. Therefore we cannot guarantee the availability of the Salkantay treks from mid-march to the end of February. If the weather is good, we will give the OK for a trek to start. If we think the safety of our porters and clients is being threatened, we will cancel the trek.
When is the best time to hike the Salkantay?
The dry season is the best time for this trek. In Cuzco, the dry season lasts from April to November, and the wet season is from December to March. From June to September are the most popular months to do the trek, due to summer vacations in Europe and the US. It is generally thought that May and October offer the best weather conditions.
Can I make the trek by myself?
Yes, it is possible for a single traveller or a small group to hike the trek by themself, without guides or porters. However, the trail is not clearly marked at all points, which makes getting lost a high possibility. This is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a tour agency like Mystic Salkantay. Our guides know the route very well.
Can I do the trek with my kids?
Children under 14 years old are not allowed to do the trek, and children who are over 14 years old should be in good physical shape and used to hiking long distances.
Can I use my mobile/cell phone on the mountain?
You will get sporadic phone coverage during the trek and there will not be anywhere whilst trekking to charge your phone.
Will there be an international cell phone on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days?
One of the trek leaders will be carrying a satellite phone. However this is emergency use only.
What is the weather on the Salkantay Trekking 5 Days?
Weather is very varied on this trek, due to the fact that it winds its way through wildly different terrain at different altitudes. The only place where weather is a serious concern is the Salkantay Pass, and the nearby areas. Temperatures here, and at the nearby Soraypampa campsite, can fall below freezing. The other camps are much warmer, due to their proximity to the cloud forest.
How difficult is the Salkantay trek 5 Days?
On over our tours the Salkantay trek is easy. It is not a difficult trek in the Cusco area, although it is a route of ascents and descents, it implies some physical effort, for that our guides will be there to assist you.
Is the Salkantay trek closed?
Due to weather conditions, the Salkantay Trek is closed from January 31 to March 31, outside this date range, the hike is open and has the best conditions to enjoy it.
Can you do the Salkantay trek without a guide?
If it is possible, if you have previous knowledge of the route and you can carry all your equipment; it can take you more time according to your physical condition; the most advisable is to do it with our experienced guides, besides we have exclusive camps, and you will only carry what you need.
Which is better Inca Trail or Salkantay trail?
The ancient Inca Trail 4 Days, originally part of the Inca Road system inter connecting the Inca Empire. This classic trek hike through diverse scenery. The Salkantay Trek, on the other hand, is more strenuous and famous for its mountain scenery.
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