Salkantay Trek Challenge 3D / 2N, is an amazing hike to Machupicchu that satisfy the ambitious trekker intent on crossing high passes. You’ll cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,600m / 15091ft. The Trek begins in the zone of Soraypampa at 3:30 hours from the city of Cusco; from where we gain further outstanding views of Salkantay and Umantay peaks. This trek traverses the entire Machu Picchu national park and provides all the highlights you would expect with a mixture of local villages and remarkable culture. Our nights are spent in a combination of camps and hotels. If you are highly motivated and want to experience the absolute best of what the Salkantay region has to offer, then this is the trek for you. The Salkantay Challenge Trek is popular because it allows trekkers to pass through diverse terrain. From jungle to high alpine, and reaches to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; a XV century Inca build The Region of Salkantay is one of Peru’s top trekking destinations since the trek takes you to Machupiccchu, the new wonder of the world; the 3-day Salkantay Challenge Trek is a ultimate trekking adventure, crossing one pass over 4,600m / 15091ft, offering amazing scenery and views. The trip is a package for customers with a well experience in trekking; this amazing trek runs beneath the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6.271 m / 20,574 ft); one of the highest and most stunning mountain in the Peruvian Andes.
For Salkantay Challenge Trek is very important to be well prepared since the trail is considered very challenging, in this trek is included two days of trekking for 8 -9 hours per day and one day exploring Machu Picchu.
Day 1: The High Pass Challenge Early departure from Cusco to Challacancha. A demanding 9-hour trek begins with a 4-hour ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m / 15,091 ft), the highest point of the route. After a panoramic lunch at Huayracmachay, descend into the cloud forest to reach the community of Chaullay
Day 2: Jungle Trails & Cloud Forest A 6-hour trek through the Santa Teresa Valley. Observe coffee, banana, and avocado plantations, and keep an eye out for Peru’s national bird, the "Cock of the Rocks." After lunch at La Playa, travel to Hidroeléctrica. From there, hike 3 hours along the railway—the path of Hiram Bingham—to reach Aguas Calientes
Day 3: Machu Picchu Sanctuary The final reward. Enter the Machu Picchu citadel for a 2-hour professional guided tour of its temples and royal sectors. Optional climbs to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are available if pre-booked. Return to Cusco via train to Ollantaytambo and a private shuttle.
We’ll leave the city of Cusco at 04:00 a.m. we’ll travel by car for about 3 hours to the town of Mollepata where we’ll stop for breakfast and probably purchase some items for the trek, then we’ll continue one hour drive to CHallacancha (3,800m / 12467ft) where we’ll start the Trekking to Machupicchu.
As soon as we are at SORAYPAMPA, we’ll start the hike. The first 4 hours will be uphill to get to the Highest Point which is at 4,600 m / 15091ft (the highest of the trek) then the trail, we’ll continue down to Huayracmachay where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4,120 masl/13,500 ft) and down the beginning of the cloud forest.
After lunch you’ll have time to rest and refill your water bottle; then the trail continues down for about 2 hours to the camp of CHawllay; which is a small community where we’ll see farms and we can rest there in our campsite.
Hiking distance: 21 km / 13 miles
Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Acomodation: Camping (inca huts).
Maximum Altitude: 4600 Masl / 15091 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2954 masl / 9694 ft.
At 06:30 AM, we will start our trek to the small town of La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. You will be able to enjoy this new, lush landscape during our 6 hours of hiking today! During the hike we will see rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, and plantations of coffee, banana, and avocado. You can taste the famous passion fruit and granadilla fruit along the way! We will see a village called Colpapampa, also called the “brow of the cloud forest,” where waterfalls, birds, hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, and flora and fauna can be observed. If we are lucky, we will even be able to see the beautiful bird called “The Cock of the Rocks,” the national bird of Peru!
once arrive at LA PLAYA we will take local bus to SANTA TERESA where we will have lunch, afterward we will take local transportation to the Hidroelectrica train station.
Here you will have two options:
1) If you are exhausted, you may take the train to Aguas Calientes ($34.00 extra).
2) If you are still eager to hike, you may walk from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes for about 3 hours along the train track. There is a nice path next to the rail way through the warm paradise of the cloud forest. This is the same trail used by the American professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of it being lost to the outside world!
Once in Aguas Calientes, you can rest a bit before dinner or walk around this alluring place that has the feel of a California Gold Rush town. There are no cars in Aguas Calientes, so it is an especially peaceful place to be. At Night we will have dinner at a local restaurant. In aguas calientes town you will sleep in a hotel, you will have a private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Hiking time: 6 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Acomodation: hostel.
Maximum Altitude: 2650 masl / 8700 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2400 masl ASL / 7874 ft.
Today we arrive at the long-awaited finale of our trek, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu! We will wake up early after a refreshing night at our hotel to beat the crowds to the top of Machu Picchu and enjoy its serenity in the soft morning light. The Machu Picchu entrance check point is open from 06:00 AM until 17:00 PM. We will hike up to Machupicchu (a bus ride is optional for $12.00) and enter the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas. Here we will have a 2-hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city to visit temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, the industrial sector, and the farming fields. Be amazed at the engineering ingenuity of the Incas which was so far ahead of their time and still partially a mystery today! Without having modern tools or even steel and iron to work with, the people who built this city were genius in organizing this community in a sustainable and beautiful way on the side of a mountain, even bringing water in canals through its streets for the people to use. When a Peruvian guide showed this site to Hiram Bingham, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in thick vegetation and in a state of disrepair. It has since been cleaned and restored and is now protected and treasured by the world at large!
After this tour, you are free to climb up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Be sure to book in advance to get tickets for these!). Each mountain takes approximately 3 hours to hike up and down. Another lower-impact option for which you do not need an extra ticket is to trek to the Sun Gate, the main entrance from the Inca Trail (this takes about 2 or 2.5 hours round-trip). Another option is walking to see the Incan Bridge. Then later you will hike back down to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo, our transport will pick up our group and drop you off near the main square in Cusco city.
Distance Travelled: 6 Km. / 3.7 mile
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours approximately.
Machu Picchu guided tour: 2 hours.
Climate: tropical warm.
Shuttle to Cusco: 4 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco..
Maximum Altitude: 2429 masl / 7972 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Classic Salkantay Trek 5 Days.
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by one of our team and taken to your hotel (private services). Please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to your arrival. Look for our representative holding an dark blue board Machupicchu Trekking Peru at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal, in order, to find our representative (they cannot enter inside).
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 5 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!
Of course! During the Classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please only pack what you will need for the trek!
FIRST, To book your Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to complete the tour date and then our reservation form by clicking on BOOK THIS TOUR on our home page, after completing the form click on SENT YOU RESERVATION.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase to Machu Picchu permits and entrance tickets without the following information:
Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
Gender
Passport number
D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
Nationality
*** We require clear photos of each participants’ passport at the booking.
SECOND, we require a deposit of 50% per person in order to purchase a permit for the Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu. the fastest ways to send and receive money with fairly low fees, are through:
machupicchutrekking.pe@gmail.com
50% balance, to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay IN CASH at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATM within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by your CREDIT CARD but you will have to pay a 5% service fee, to the iZipay collection company.
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number, you sent to us to book your Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permit. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu , the Inca Trail and when you board the train. In case, you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permit and we can change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.
"We look forward to meeting you"
How many days do I need to acclimate myself in Cusco before the trek?
We recommend that you spend at least 2 to 3 days in the city of Cusco to help acclimate yourself and to avoid possible problems associated with altitude sickness during your trip. If you have already been to another destination with a high altitude before arriving to Cusco, we still recommend that you spend a full day in Cusco to rest, recuperate from your trip, and to enjoy the beautiful views of the city before departing for your trek.
What is the weather like in Salkantay?
In general Salkantay is known for its unpredictable weather, so no matter what time of year please come prepared for both warm and cold temperatures, and rainy and dry conditions. It helps to know what season you’re traveling in though and Salkantay experiences two main seasons, the rainy season (November-March) and the dry season (April-October).
During the rainy, warmer season temperatures average around 15°C / 60°F during the day and 5°C / 40°F at night. However, with a high chance of rain and wind at the Salkantay Pass, these temperatures may feel colder to you.
During the dry season the weather is sunny and clear and on average 20° C / 70 °F during the day but much colder at night, around -3 °C / 26 °F.
Also, after the second day, as we descend into the Peruvian Amazon basin, the weather changes to a more humid and warmer climate and these humid temperatures are consistent throughout the year.
What clothes do I need?
We recommend two long-sleeve trekking shirts, two short-sleeve shirts, leggings or trekking pants, shorts, four pairs of underwear, sweatpants for the night, three pairs of hiking socks, a rain poncho, an insulated jacket for the Salkantay Pass, gloves, beanie, a hat with a brim, hiking boots, a bathing suit (if you plan to visit the hot springs), and slip on sandals to rest your feet at the campsites.
What bags should I pack?
On the Salkantay Trek you will be permitted one personal daypack (a 30 to 50 L backpack is sufficient) and before your trek we will give you and one extra duffle bag from our office which can be used to carry your extra clothes and personal items.
What is the weight limit for my duffle bag?
Your weight limit for the duffel bag is 5kg/11.03lbs. The mules will carry your duffle bag along with food and camping equipment. It is important to note that you will not have access to your clothing items in this bag until the end of each day, as the muleteers and hor ses will always be in front of the group. So, put the items you'll need immediately in your backpack and put the items you won't need until the evening in your duffle bag.
How many meals are included?
The Salkantay 3D/2N Trek includes 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners. The only meals not included are breakfast on the first day and lunch/dinner on the last day after the tour of Machu Picchu.
What type food is served on the trek?
We serve a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes including rice, chicken, beef, fish, pasta, salad, potatoes, eggs, pancakes, bread, and for lunch and dinner each meal begins with a soup.
Do you offer vegetarian/vegan options?
Yes, vegetarian/vegan options are available. Let us know before your trek so we can accommodate and inform your chef.
Generally, the minimum age is 10 years. From there there is no specific age limit, but the idea is that adolescents, young people, adults are in the right physical shape for this adventure. In the case of older adults, it would be advisable to carry out a prior self-assessment.
The snowy Salkantay reaches 6,271 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.). The trek route that leads to Machu Picchu has its highest point in the ‘Abra Salcantay’, at 4,650 m.a.s.l. From there you can see the peak of the snowy mountain.
The snowy mountain itself has an extremely cold climate (several degrees Celsius below 0º). The climate during the Salkantay trek, on the other hand, is varied. The intense sun and the cold at night in the first days are changed by the tropical environment of the last.
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is in the dry season (from April to October). During those months, there is less chance of rain so the roads are in better condition. In the dry season, however, the days are sunnier and the nights colder. According to mountaineering experts, June, July and August; It is the best time to do the Salkantay trek.
The 3 days and 2 nights that the Salkantay trek lasts, you will go through landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants, the orchid and ichu (Andean grass) stand out. Among the species of birds and animals, it is worth mentioning the llama, alpaca, vizcacha, condor, spectacled bear and the cock of the rocks (national bird of Perú).
GROUP PRICE: $440 USD per person
Groups of 5 or more receive a $20 USD discount per person.
PRIVATE SERVICES:
door to door services.
To book the Salkantay Trek 3 days, you need to make an initial payment of 50% per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
The challenge 3 day salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
DISCOUNTS
ADDITIONAL OPTION THAT YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR SALKANTAY TREK
Wayna 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.
There are several extensions you can include to your Inca Trail. (group services)
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