The 'Apu' Salkantay is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota in the southern Andes of Peru. This mountain is the second largest in Cusco, after Ausangate (7 Colors Mountain).

The Salkantay mountain reaches 6,271 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). The trekking route that leads to Machu Picchu has its highest point in the 'Abra Salcantay', at 4,650 meters above sea level. From there you can see the peak of the snow-capped mountain, which in itself has an extremely cold climate (several degrees Celsius below 0º Celsius).

The weather during the Salkantay trek, on the other hand, is varied. The intense sun and the cold at night in the first days change for the tropical atmosphere of the last days.

During the 5 days and 4 nights that the Salkantay trek lasts, we travel through landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants include the orchid and ichu (Andean grass). Among the species of birds and animals, it is worth mentioning the llama, alpaca, vizcacha, condor, spectacled bear and the cock of the rock (national bird of Peru).

The Salkantay trek is a hiking route that takes the visitor to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. The total trekking distance is approximately 70 kilometers (5 days of trekking).

The most usual way to do the Salkantay trek is with an organized tour. On the internet (and in the Historic Center of Cusco) there are many tourist agencies that offer this adventure.

There is no age limit for the Salkantay trek. Many tourist agencies do not allow children to accompany them on this adventure. Older adults should consult with their doctor before trekking.

DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAGOON

The adventure begins when you are picked up from your hotel or hostel. Get ready for a 4-hour bus ride. Halfway through the trip, you stop in Mollepata (2900 m) for 20 to 30 minutes to rest. Then you continue the trip directly to the last stop, Challacancha, where you meet the porters and horses carrying the equipment and where you start walking. Arriving at Soraypampa (3900 m), you settle into camp, from where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the snow-capped Salkantay. Here you take a break to enjoy lunch, then you visit the Humantay lagoon (3459 m) and around 5 p.m. you return to the camp in Soraypampa. The team will be waiting for you with a delicious dinner.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA - HUAYRA PAMPA - CHAULLAY

Early in the morning, you enjoy breakfast and start with a 3 h hike until you reach the highest point of the trek: the Salkantay pass (4600 masl). From there, the next stop is Wayracpunku (Huayra Pampa), where you have lunch. Then, the trek continues into the high jungle where you will observe large trees with branches spread out over the streams, all full of bromeliads and orchids. This hike lasts about 5 h until you reach the camp at Chaullay (2900 m), where dinner is served.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY - LA PLAYA - SANTA TERESA

After breakfast around 6:30 a.m., you head towards Sahuyaco (La Playa, 2080 m.a.s.l.). It is a great place to have lunch. Then you continue the trip in our transport to Santa Teresa (1550 m), where you set up camp and enjoy a relaxing reward at Cocalmayo: the hot springs. Later you enjoy a delicious traditional Peruvian dinner and then rest well for the next day.

DAY 4: SANTA TERESA - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU

The next morning, after a good breakfast, the bus awaits you. Those who have booked in advance go ziplining. The rest of the group goes to the meeting point of Hidroeléctrica, where the whole group meets for lunch after the activities. After a little rest in this place, the group continues walking along the railway that leads through this great jungle, which the Incas knew by heart, to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. They walk about 3 h to find beautiful waterfalls, different ecological farms and curious wildlife (arrival around 4 p.m.). The group spends the night in a lodge. In the evening everyone meets at a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have an informative talk about the excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you can visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

You get ready around 4 a.m. to hike up to Machu Picchu. The hike follows an ascending path that crosses the high jungle, just in time to see the spectacular sunrise. After passing the control entrance around. Later everyone can enjoy Machu Picchu on their own.

In the afternoon, according to the train departure time, the group descends to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where everyone is picked up and transferred to Cusco. The group must be at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure. The Salkantay trek ends in San Francisco square, Cusco.

The Salkantay trek has a medium-moderate difficulty. According to the opinion of some tourists, this adventure is more demanding than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu}.

VIAJE TICKETS

Train service (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo) 

• Transportation Cusco - Mollepata (Start walking)
• Professional bilingual English/Spanish guide.
• Assistant guide (for groups of 9 or more people).
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 snacks, 4 dinners. "Vegetarian (vegan) food on request at no additional cost!
• Cook (Professional)
• Drinking water along the Salkantay Trek, only at meal times.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• First aid kit
• 01 Oxygen ball
• Horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
• Men on horseback
• Quadruple waterproof camping tent "02 persons only".
• 01 Sleeping mattress per person "therma rest" (thermal rest)
• 01 night in tourist hostel in Aguas Calientes "Machupicchu Village".
• Return train tickets in Expedition Service (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco) transfer to the Hotel.

• 1st Breakfast, Last lunch
• Porters or additional horses for transportation staff (Optional US$ 80.00 for 4 days)
• Others not mentioned

• Passport and migratory card (given to the tourist in international police)
• Sleeping bag of -15ºC (available for rent for 12 USD)
• Trekking poles (available for rent for 12 USD)
• 25-30 liters trekking backpack
• Long sleeve T-shirts (one for each day)
• One pair of waterproof long pants
• Long hiking pants
• Thermal clothing
• Waterproof jacket
• Cap or hat
• Hiking shoes (waterproof boots if possible)
• Resting shoes for camping
• Raincoat/waterproof poncho
• Sandals
• Flashlight and battery
• Refillable water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Snacks: energy bars, dried fruits and nuts
• Medication to avoid altitude sickness (in case you consider it necessary)
• Pocket money (soles or dollars)
• Camera and charger
• Scarf and gloves
• COVID vaccination certificate
• Double mask or one KN95 mask

For rescheduling or cancellation 72 hours in advance.

This activity takes the appropriate protective measures to ensure your safety. In addition, our tours are conducted outdoors and in small groups to reduce the risk of contagion. Remember to follow the staff's instructions during the tour.

Easy and simple booking

To make the reservation we need the full names and ID or passport numbers indicating the date of travel, type of food and send us an email to quechuaspeople@gmail.com, or via whatsapp to +51986824212.

To book a tour you have to make a payment of 40% of the total price of the tour At least, and the rest is paid upon arrival at the office in the city of Cusco.

Make a bank deposit to our account by sending 40% of the tour price, once the deposit is made send us a message with the scanned voucher, then we will process your deposit and within a period of no more than 24 hours we will send you a message confirming your reservation.

Payment via deposit from abroad to our company's account at INTERBANK Current Account: Account Code.

Interbank dollars: (CCI) 00342000300479070577 – QUECHUAS PEOPLE - SWIFT CODE: BINPPEPL - you must add U$60.00, which is the charge made by our bank to our account for international transfer and administrative expenses, you must also consult your Bank about the additional amount that will be charged.

Payment by VISA - MASTERCARD credit card with the WETRAVEL system, generating the payment order that we would send you from QuechuasPeople.com. If you accept this option you will have a surcharge of 4%.

Bank: INTERBANK

Soles Account Number: 4203004790692

Soles interbank account number (CCI): 003-420-003004790692-77

Dollar Account Number: 4203004790705

Dollars interbank account number (CCI): 003-420-003004790705-77

Account holder: QUECHUAS PEOPLE EXPERIENCE TRAVEL AND TOURS S.A.C