• SALKANTAY TREK CHALLENGE

DESCRIPTION

The Salcantay trek to Machupicchu, it is the best alternative hike to the Inca Trail, designed for those who still wish to hike to Machupicchu. The ecosystem has a wide-range biodiversity. Come and see yourself an outstanding mountain scenery, biodiversity, and an old-living culture off the beaten path.

  • Package Name : Salkantay Trek Challenge
  • Trek Duration : 3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Accommodation: 1 night Hotel and 1 night in tent
  • Type of Trek : Archaeological, Cultural, ecological and Adventure
  • Activities : Trekking & Walking, Cultural Tours & Sightseeing
  • Altitude : 2,000 m / 6,560 ft(Aguas Calientes) – 4, 600 m(Salkantay Pass)
  • Group Size : To suit group requirements
  • Difficulty degree of this hike : Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft
  • Departures Day : Our company organize daily departures

ITINERARY

Early in the morning (3:00am) you are collected from your hotel, and transported to Soraypampa (3850mt). We stop briefly for breakfast. do not miss to look out your window for spectacular views of UMANTAY AND SALKANTAY Mountains. After introducing ourselves to the group, we get prepared for the hike, and start out to a steady uphill to the pass (4,650mt, 15,255 ft.). Do not miss the views of Mountain Salkantay, and the mountains surrounding it. Upon arrival at the Salcantay pass, we have the closest approach to mountain Salcantay. Afterwards we go down on a serpentine and rocky trail to lunch. Lunch at Huayracmachay. In the afternoon, we keep going down into a lush ecosystem, called tropical high Jungle. As we go lower the temperature increases.

At 6:00 am. we will start our trek to La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. We will be hiking approximately 6 hours. During the hike we’ll see: waterfalls, wild orchids, but also coffee, banana and avocado plantations. Here you can taste the famous passion fruit and granadilla fruit. We will see a village called Colpapampa, also called the “forest cloudy brow” where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks” this bird is the national bird of Peru. After lunch at La playa, we will catch a 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. 2) If you are still eager to hike you may walk from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes for about 3 hours along the train track. Once in Aguas Calientes we will go to the accommodation which is included in the tour. At 7:00 pm. we will have dinner at a local restaurant. All the expenses in Aguas Calientes are covered by the company. Including: breakfast, lunch, dinner and the overnight at a hotel.

The highlight of the trek, Machu Picchu! We will wake up early at the hotel. This is better for visiting Machupicchu, before the mass of people arrive. The Machu Picchu entrance check point is open from 6:00 am. until 17:00 pm. We will hike up to Machupicchu (a bus ride is optional for $12.00) and enter the city really early with a lot fewer tourists than during the midday. Here we will have a 2 hours guided tour through this incredible ancient city. We will visit temples, palaces, priest houses, a sundial, the industrial sector and the farming fields. After this guided tour you are free to climb up to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (book in advance to get your tickets!). Both mountains take approximately 3 hours to hike up and down. Or for the less adventurous you can trek to the sun gate, which is the main entrance of the Inka Trail. You’ll stay and enjoy the city for more than 7 hours in the afternoon. We will organize the train ride at 18:20 pm. back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then a bus ride to Cusco to arrive at approx. 22:00 pm. The bus will drop you off at your hotel/hostel in Cusco.

INCLUDED

  • Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office, for an orientation trek and provide you the duffle bags which will be carried by our horses. meeting at 7:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
  • Transport: Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek).
  • Experienced Guide: English speaking professional and official tour guide.
  • Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. Kailas, Pro aconcagua and Rei 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested.
  • We offer private campsites: that are just for our customers. Like our ancestors we are very considerate with the Pachamama (mother earth). Therefore our campsites (CHOZAS) are adapted to the environment without generating visual impacts. 
    Our campsite consists of several huts which are made of a material (Ichu and wood) that will guarantee protection during cold nights and a pleasant rest.
  • Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs.
  • Foam mats or sleeping pads: to put under your sleeping bag (carried by horses)
  • Accommodation: 1 nights in tent and 1 night accommodation in selected hotel in Aguas Calientes with Breakfast.
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes: double or triple rooms, private bathrooms, hot showers, wifi, and storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
  • 1 Duffle Bag: Where you can put your personal belongings (7 kilograms = 15 lbs) which includes your sleeping bag.
  • Cargo Mules: From day 1 to 2 to carry the all camping equipment and your personal baggage (7 kilos).
  • Trekking Cook: In charge to prepared all the meals along the journey, over 6 people cook assistant
  • Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 dinners and Snacks (Vegetarian, vegan or special menus are available at no extra cost)
  • Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite we will wake you up with a cup of coca tea our support staff will bring the coca tea to your tent in order to wake you up.
  • Tea time = Happy Hour: Every afternoon 1 hour before dinner the cooks will let on the dining table pop-corn, biscuits, coffee, chocolate, different type of teas, hot water, etc. this is because after a day of hiking many are hungry and it is a bit annoying to wait till dinner that why we provide tea time.
  • Daily snacks - Days 1 and 2: Our Snacks consist of local fruits, biscuits, chocolate, Caramels we will give this snack at the beginning of each day trek in a cloth bag to avoid environmental contamination.
  • One textile snack bag per person: to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
  • Water grooming: Each morning warm water with towel
  • 1 Blanket or Liner
  • 1 Pillow per person
  • Medical kit: Our crew bring the First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Train tickets: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (expedition service)
  • Transport: Transfer from Ollantaytambo Train Station to hotel in Cusco(Day 4)
  • 24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit
  • Rain Ponchos (Made in Cusco by Salkantay Trekking)
  • We will create a the trip of a Memorable Lifetime Experience for you.
  • We are Direct operators & local owners with the best trekking team on the hike.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping Bags: (you can hire from our company), our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
  • Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company
  • Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
  • Personal clothing and gear.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Tips for our staff: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.
  • Additional costs or delays caused by management out of control like landscape,  bad weather condition,  in case of itinerary modification with a view to safety concern, illness,  change of government policy, political instability raises strike, moment etc.
GROUP SERVICES:
Price: $400.00 per person


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