DAY 1: ACCLIMATIZATION BEFORE PRIVATE SALKANTAY TREK:
Welcome to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire, one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, and a natural starting point for any Peru itinerary. We’ll meet you at 1 pm for a traditional Peruvian meal at a local favorite restaurant. After lunch your guide will lead a relaxed walking tour around Cusco’s stunning historic center – it’s important to take it easy if you’ve arrived from sea level today, as you need to adjust to Cusco’s (11,200 feet) altitude.
- Meals: lunch included.
- Accommodation: comfortable hotel Cusco.
DAY 2: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SACRED VALLEY:
A tour guide from Peru cultural connection will pick you up from your hotel in a private van to show you The incredible scenic floodplain between Pisaq and Ollantaytambo in the sacred valley Pisaq is a cobbled Inca village that is home to the largest handicraft market in the region and a huge Inca fortress, we will visit both. Urubamba River that is the main river in this valley also is affluent to the Amazon River. Our destination is Ollantaytambo probably the most perfectly preserved of all Inca towns, a maze of cobbled alleyways and sun-drenched plazas presided over by a spectacular, llama-shaped ruin.
- Meals: breakfast – lunch included
- Accommodation: comfortable hotel Cusco
DAY 3: START THE ADVENTURE PRIVATE SALKANTAY TREK:
We start to pick you up from the hotel at 05:00 am, by private transportation lasts 3 hours to Mollepata, on the way is possible to see the white snowcapped mountain like Salkantay and Humantay the Gods of the Incas, there is spectacular scenic on the upper part and lower valleys with the colorful landscape. Two hours driving to the first stop in Mollepata town there are toilet facilities, souvenirs, and optional short breakfast, to soon continue at Challacancha the trailhead.
There we will meet with our support staff. There we will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Around 9:30 a.m. we will start our trek to Soraypampa (3900 m.a.s.l) the first section of the path are a paved rock trail, there is the old water channel still supply to new habitats, the begin is 9 km in 3 hours to Soraypampa the lunch place as well base camp, after lunch and nap to continued hiking up to the Humantay lake (4200masl) 5 km in 3 hours round trip, bottom the glacier the most spectacular views to the background valley and sunset, the camp is located on the middle of the glaciers valleys at night clear appreciate the constellation on the sky.
- Meals: all meals.
- Accommodation: Skydomes.
DAY 4: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAULLAY:
Early wake up with the first daylight at 05:00 am to packing the staff, breakfast and soon to start hiking up to the highest point of the trail Salkantay Pass (4650 masl – 15,255 ft) the distance is 7 km in 3 hours, on the ascent through the between the rocky valley bottom the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6200 masl – 20,341 ft). We reach the top of the trek. Salkantay is considered the second highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the Incas God called “Apu”.
Get the top is the most ancient time on the trek, 2 hours downhill on the serpent trail and gravel rocky path to get Huayracmachay lunch spot, on the afternoon entrance to the upper part of the Amazone jungle as well called “cloud forest” 9 km in 3 hours on the wide trail in the thick forest are decorate the hills with colorful sceneries and the wildlife and native plant, most of the year weather is warmed and temperate to finally arrived at Chaullay Village (2900 masl – 9,514 ft) the base camp into the jungle.
- Meals: all meals.
- Accommodation: camp (tents).
DAY 5: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA – COLCAMAYO HOT SPRINGS:
Around 6:00 am the wake up with coca tea; breakfast and hiking straight to la Playa crossing on the thick jungle and following on the bank of the Santa Teresa river on the gradual trail there are stopping in several family hamlets to enjoy the local fruit and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya) If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks”, the trail distance is 16 km the hiking time is 5 hours on the down valleys is clearly to see the cedar tree very useful for the local people on the economic, La playa is small Town with the basic facilities (toilet, electricity, shopping, and souvenir) as well the lunch point, following the plan We will drive to Santa Teresa Town around 1 hour. In the afternoon a deserved bath at the hot springs
- Meals: all meals
- Accommodation: comfortable hotel
DAY 6: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES:
Today is a flexible day; we have different options to do:
RELAX OPTION 01: we will take motorized transport from SANTA TERESA to HYDROELECTRIC for 45 minutes after this, we will walk for 3 hours more along the train tracks to arrive in AGUAS CALIENTES town.
THE CRAZIEST OPTION 02: you have the chance to do the highest and longest ZIPLINE in South America. After doing the ZIPLINE in the morning we will take transport to the Hydroelectric Station. After this, we will walk for 3 hours more along the train tracks to arrive in AGUAS CALIENTES town. (The zip line is not included)
Any options that you may take you can decide in SANTA TERESA
- Meals: all meals
- Accommodation: comfortable hotel Aguas Calientes
DAY 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO:
the long-awaited day of the trek, early wake up on the hotel is better for visit Machupicchu, We suggestion start early visit Machupicchu the checkpoint is open from (6:00 am until 17:00) optional going up by bus or foot, on the morning look empty the city with less tourist the first 2 hours guiding tour in the City, (temples, palaces, priest house, sundial, industrial sector, and farming fields) after that is start your free time to climbing up to Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu mountain (book in advance to get your ticket) both mountains hiking time taking 3 hours approx. or trekking to the sun gate the main entrance of the Inka Trail, in the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo then van to Cusco, the van drops you off at your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: comfortable hotel Cusco
DAY 8: FREE MORNING AND THEN TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT:
after the transfer to the airport, we finish whit the Private Salkantay Trek. You can book your flight out of Cusco for any time today. If you’re staying on in Peru, we’re delighted to help out with suggestions and assistance for the rest of your time here
- Meals: Breakfast included
PRICE
PERU CULTURAL CONNECTION requires at least 2 people for this tour, but you can leave any day you would like. The departure is 100% guaranteed once booked.
The price is based on the group size. If you are with a larger group, please contact us for a discounted rate.
NOTE: PERU CULTURAL CONNECTION will never pass you onto another operator or share service with other companies as most agencies do here.
Information about Salkantay Trek
The trek to Salkantay is one of the beautiful routes that cross the immense mountains of the Andes, and to be able to make this trek you will need all the necessary information to make your trip unforgettable.
In this page you will find useful information about different aspects of the Salkantay trek such as location, altitude, degree of difficulty of the trek and the main tourist attractions that we can visit along the trek.
This information is updated constantly and in a responsible way because for us your health and security is the main concern and the main base of our services, we hope that all this information is useful for you:
Location of Nevado Salkantay
The Snow Mountain of Salkantay, (6272 m.a.s.l.) or also called Apu Salkantay is located to the north of the city of Cusco, it is the highest mountain range of the oriental flank of the mountain range of Vilcabamba. The Quechua name of this snowy mountain means “Wild Mountain” because it is a snowy mountain that is difficult to climb to the top.
How to get to Salkantay:
To get to the beginning of our hike we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in the direction of Mollepata. The trip takes approximately 3 hours to 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The time on the Salkantay hike
In the Andean region of Cusco there are two well-defined seasons: Winter, which runs from April to November and is predominantly dry, with high temperatures during the day and very low temperatures at night; and summer, between November and March, when it rains most; these rains are torrential but do not usually last long and are interspersed with long periods of sunshine. The trail can be done in the rainy months as the trail is in very good condition, the camping equipment is modern and all meals are eaten inside a tent.
Salkantay Hiking Altitudes:
Cusco rises to 3,400 meters above sea level, which can be a problem for some people, so we recommend that you are in Cusco at least 48 hours before starting the trek, during which you should drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol and rest. The maximum altitude within the Salkantay trek is 4,600 m.a.s.l. and the minimum altitude is 2,200 m.a.s.l. at the last campsite in Sahuayaco.
Conditions for the Salkantay hike
You will have no problem completing this route as long as you are in good health, in good shape and used to walking. If you don’t walk regularly, you can always do a little training before your trip.
Recommended age for the Salkantay Inca Trail
Any age is ideal for this excursion as long as you are in good physical shape and can walk without problems. Children under the age of 10 who participate in the Salkantay Walk will be under the responsibility of their parents.
Level of difficulty of the Salkantay hike
Taking into account the following points of difficulty where:
Easy: Accessible to all types of people with good
- Moderate: Accessible for people who do a little sport and are used to walking on all types of terrain, without much weight to carry 4 to 6 hours
- Challenging: Accessible to physically active people with some walking experience from 6 to 7
- Demanding: Accessible to people who require stamina and effort, good health and an average walking experience are necessary, in certain circumstances it is worth bringing your own
- Strenuous: Accessible to people who are physically and psychologically prepared for a strenuous hike, this is a level of adventure that often involves carrying your own
- Taking into account these levels of difficulty, the hike to Salkantay is between easy and moderate.
Availability of the Salkantay hike
At the moment the trek to Salkantay does not have any type of regulation as far as availability and quotas, reason why it can be visited at any time of the year, the only detail is the rainy months (December to March) where rains make of the long walk a challenge, but with many desire and an adventurous spirit we will arrive at our final point of visit that is Machu Picchu.
Tour Packing Check LIST
During this trip your main luggage will be stored in Cusco at your hotel or free storage in our office and you will receive a small duffle bag at your trek briefing (which will be help briefing day before you start the trek) to pack clothes and sleeping bag
Gear Checklist
Provided Gear
- Tents
- Cooking and eating utensils while camping
- Sleeping pad (you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer)
- Duffel bag, medium-size (used while trekking, approximately 65 liter)
Official Papers
- Valid passport
- Airline tickets
Luggage
- Luggage, one piece, wheels and handle ok
- Daypack 2000 cu. in. to carry your camera, water bottles, extra clothing
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Passport pouch or money pouch
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rated to 10°-20°F)
CHECK LIST FOR YOU TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
PASSPORT: You MUST take your passport and a photocopy is not sufficient. (Keep it in a plastic bag in case of rain).
City Clothing
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel and daily wear when not trekking
Clothing
- Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Fleece pants or tights
- Midweight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Casual socks
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks, synthetic
- Swimsuit
Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana
- Wool or fleece gloves
- Outerwear
- Rain jacket, waterproof and breathable
- Rain or wind pants, waterproof and breathable. Side-zip pants are highly recommended.
- Insulated jacket, down or synthetic
- Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread
- Camp shoes such as tennis shoes or sandals or other comfortable footwear for use in town and/or campsites
Travel Accessories
- 2 one-quart water bottle(s) or hydration system
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries/bulb
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- 1 roll of toilet paper
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Small washcloth and small towel
- Baby wipes
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Insect repellent
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
- Large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags
Optional Field Gear
- Camera, spare media card and batteries
- Electrical adapter plug
- Earplugs
- Whistle
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Reading and writing materials
- Sewing kit
- Knee supports
- Travel pillow
- Hiking stick or trekking poles (metal tips not allowed on Inca Trail; points must be rubber or covered with duct tape.)
- Favorite energy snacks and drinks.