Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N (Start Trek on Day 2)
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N (Start Trek on Day 2)
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N (Start Trek on Day 2)
5 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Cusco, Cuzco, Soraypampa, Aguas Calientes
Tour operator:
Tour code:
58327
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
18-90
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 5-day adventure with the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, starting your trek on the second day. This journey through Peru's breathtaking landscapes offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Begin in Cusco, then traverse the majestic Andes, hiking among towering 6,000m peaks and crossing snowy high passes with awe-inspiring views. Experience the tranquility of camping under the stars and the comfort of Aguas Calientes town. On the final day, witness the sunrise over the iconic Machu Picchu with a guided tour, exploring its ancient mysteries. With professional bilingual guides, all necessary equipment, and meals included, this trek promises an enriching and seamless experience. Optional activities like the Huayna Picchu Trek can enhance your adventure. This tour is perfect for those seeking an active and immersive exploration of one of the world's most renowned archaeological sites.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cuzco, Peru
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Hostel / 3-star hotel / 4-star hotel
Arrival Day
Day 2: Cuzco-Soraypampa Camp, Peru
Location: Cuzco
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha, Trek to Soraypampa Camp (3,920m) (L/D)
Today we pick you up at 05:30am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. Continue by car to Challacancha where we will make final preparations and double check our equipment. Embark on a 3-hour walk that will take us to Soraypampa (3,920m) where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Hike up to Laguna de Humantay (approx. 1.5 hours each way) for more incredible views of the Andes mountains and then return to camp for the night. Our first campsite is located at 3,920m and is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Take some time to rest up and enjoy your first night immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.
Inclusions: Accommodation pick-up, Transfer Cuzco - Challacancha, 1N Camping, Meals 1L/1D (14km, 6hrs)
Day 3: Soraypampa Camp-Challhuay, Peru
Location: Soraypampa
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Challhuay or Colcapampa Camp via High Pass (4,650m) (B/L/D)
We will have breakfast at around 6:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Humantay on the left. (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for 100 - 120 soles). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.
Inclusions: 1N Camping, Meals 1B/1L/1D (22km, 910hrs)
Day 4: Challhuay-Aguas Calientes, Peru
Location: Aguas Calientes
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to La Playa, Transfer to Hydroelectric Station, Trek to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)
After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and continue by car to Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) with a warmer climate. From here we will take another car to Hydroelectric Station (40 minutes) and then walk 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Optional train transfer from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes is available for an extra cost.
Inclusions: Car La Playa - Santa Teresa Town - Hydroelectric Station, 1N 3* Hotel Aguas Calientes, Meals 1B/1L/1D. (24km, 9hrs)
Day 5: Aguas Calientes-Cuzco, Peru
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco(B)
Catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city in the early morning light as the mist dissipates. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (to be booked in advance at an extra cost). Return to Aguas Calientes by bus. Take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cuzco. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco.Upon arrival you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.
DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place. Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town.
Take and OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 - 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.
Inclusions: Round trip Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco, 2-hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Meal 1B
What's Included
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Meals
3B / 3L / 3D plus 2 snacks -
Accommodation
4 nights accommodation including 1 night in Cuzco in a hostel or hotel, 2 nights camping, and 1 night at a 3-star hotel.
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Transport
Includes pick-up and various transfers such as Cuzco accommodation pick-up, car transfer from La Playa to Santa Teresa to hydroelectric station, round trip tourist bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu, tourist train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco, and van from Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha.
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Activities
Active adventure trek with a professional bilingual guide.
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Guides
Professional bilingual guide on the trek tour.
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Extras
Includes pre-departure briefing, Machu Picchu entrance fee, foam sleeping mat, tent for 2 people, 2 snacks with typical menus, first aid kit, emergency oxygen bottle, and horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 5 kilos for each trekker.
What's Not Included
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Airport pick-up and drop-off
Please make your own way to and from the airport.
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Other meals/drinks
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary are not included.
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Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag rental is available for $15 USD for the trek.
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Guide for bus and train transfers
These portions are on your own without a guide.
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Optional services
Optional services are not included.
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Train transfer from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
Available for an additional cost of 30 USD.
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Huayna Picchu Trek
Must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance for 200 soles.
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Machu Picchu Mountain Hike
Must be booked at least 1 week in advance for 200 soles.
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Trekking Permit
The Peruvian government may require a trekking permit for Salkantay, with rates around 133 soles for adults and 67 soles for students.
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Tips
Tips for guides, cooks, assistant guides, and horsemen are not included.
Mode of Transport
Experience seamless transportation with pick-up from Cuzco, various transfers including car and bus rides, a tourist train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and a bus ride back to Cuzco.
Accommodation
Enjoy a mix of accommodations with 1 night in Cuzco at a hostel or hotel, 2 nights camping under the stars, and 1 night at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the trek?
The trek includes 4 nights of accommodation: 1 night in Cuzco at a hostel or hotel, 2 nights camping, and 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
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Are meals included during the trek?
Yes, meals are included during the trek. You will receive 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and 2 snacks.
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Is there a guide provided for the trek?
Yes, a professional bilingual guide will accompany you on the trek.
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What is the highest point reached during the trek?
The highest point reached during the trek is the high pass at 4,650 meters, located between the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
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What transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes various transfers such as pick-up from Cuzco accommodation, car transfers from La Playa to Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station, a round trip tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, a tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and a bus from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco.
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What additional equipment is provided for the trek?
The tour provides a foam sleeping mat, a tent for 2 people, a first aid kit, and an emergency oxygen bottle. Horsemen and mules are also available to carry cooking and camping equipment, as well as a total of 5 kilos for each trekker.
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Is there an option to rent a sleeping bag for the trek?
Yes, you can rent a sleeping bag for the trek at a cost of $15 USD.
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What is the optional activity available at Machu Picchu?
An optional hike up Huayna Picchu is available, which must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost.
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Is there an age limit?
No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.
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Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.
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Free Date Changes
Bamba Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Bamba Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bamba travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Bamba Travel requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bamba travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.