4 day Salkantay Trek

4 day Salkantay Trek

his is an alternative route to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which will take you through incredible landscapes with various types of exotic flora and fauna. A unique and specially designed 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, with incomparable views of the snowcapped Huamantay and Salkantay Mountains. Trek OFF the beaten path, following our unique route where you visit two incredible crystal clear glacial lakes. Hike through the Andes Mountains and camp at our private sites which are more remote, less crowded and off the typical path. Follow the remote foot path up to the forgotten Inca Ruins of LLACTAPATA with the greatest view of Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Apacheta Pass – Salkantay Lake – Huayracmachay

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
We will collect you at 4:30am from your hotel lobby and drive for 3 hours in our private van to Soraypampa (trailhead). As we travel through curvy roads in the Andes, there are views of the villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous spectacular snowcapped Salkantay Mountain. At the trailhead (Soraypampa), we have our breakfast while enjoying the views of the Humantay (5,900mt / 19,356ft) and Salkantay (6,217mt / 20,396ft) Mountain glaciers. We gradually climb through Andean valley landscapes before arriving at Sorococcha (4,400m / 14,517ft) for lunch. Onwards and upwards for one more hour we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). We are breathless with the most spectacular views of snowcapped mountains such as Salkantay(6,277m / 20,717ft), Humantay, Huayanay, agitated white rivers, and small humble lakes. A short 35-minute hike takes us to the turquoise Salkantay Lake. After lunch, we have a one hour zig-zag uphill by switchback and arrive at our first campsite at Soroccocha located at the foot of the great Salkantay Mountain. Then you can relax with a coffee or hot chocolate while enjoying the amazing views.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: camping at campsite

Day 2: Huayracmachay – Chaullay – la Playa

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
After a scrumptious breakfast, we descend for 3 hours toward the rural community of Chayllayand. Along the way, you will enjoy the refreshing lush green valleys and spectacular waterfalls. After lunch, we walk for 5 hours through the beginning of the Peruvian cloud forest, enjoying fruit bearing trees and varied flora and birds. Feeling dizzy at the undulating views of coffee, cacao and fruit plantations, we finally we arrive at Lucmabamba, where we spend the second night (2,050m/6,767ft).Here we take a relaxing tour, where we get to experience Peru at the source of its coffee exportation, forging a connection to the real world of Peruvian coffee. We begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans and picking our own. Then we roast and grind them into coffee. Finally, we get to brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience. However, it does not end there. Engulfed in fields of tomatoes and avocados are multiple ecosystems from beginning to end. After picking our fresh produce for our dinner, our trekking chef prepares it for us.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: camping at campsite

Day 3: La Playa – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
After the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef, we continue along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours uphill to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, you will not believe the incredible views and long valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located right in front of Machu Picchu. There we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of the Grand Machu Picchu from far away and it’s surrounding mountains Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon.Then we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco, where we have lunch. Then we take the train for a half hour to Aguas Calientes where we sleep in a nice Hotel with a proper bed.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Stop At: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Peru
We leave our hotel after a very early breakfast to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu ruins. Once inside the citadel, we will be provided with a guided 2 hour tour with plenty of free time for further exploring, taking photos and the option to climb Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or hike to the Sun Gate. Then back to Aguas Calientes at 12pm as we end out time at Machu Picchu, we take a leisurely lunch in Aguas Calientes and at 4:22pm, we return to Cusco on the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo station with a private van connection to Cusco arriving at your hotel in the evening around 8:30PM.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.