Trek Salkantay Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu With Lodge Stays

DAY 1.- CUSCO CITY TOUR

Our agents meet you at the airport and escort you, in private transport, to your upscale hotel to relax and acclimate to Cusco’s high altitude. Around noon,  start a walking tour (at your own speed) of downtown Cusco. Walkthrough timeless streets with Incan and colonial contrasted with a busy downtown.  Begin at the holy Qoricancha Temple, which was originally covered with gold siding inside and out. Hike to Sacsayhuaman with its monolithic stones, structural symbolism, and its great view over downtown Cusco. Visit the Cathedral, which has over 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School of Art.  Investigate and experience San Pedro Market with all your senses. End your first day with a relaxing dinner at your posh hotel or dine at one of Cusco’s many extraordinary restaurants.

Meet your guide for the Salkantay Trek briefing in the evening to get important information for your adventure the next day.
Meals: None

DAY 2.- TRAVEL TO CHALLACANCHA - HIKE TO SALKANTAY LODGE – NIGHT #1 at SALKANTAY LODGE

Get an early start when your guide and private van pick you at your hotel in Cusco. The roomy van lets you stretch out in comfort for the three-hour drive.  Have a hearty lunch in a beautiful farmhouse in the town of Mollepata, then walk around to check out the farm. After lunch, continue in the van until your arrival at the trailhead.  Begin a 3-hour hike on an original Inca Trail to the first lodge, Salkantay Lodge at 3860m (12,000ft) located in Soraypampa. Delight in a hot shower, enjoy a delicious supper and get a good night’s sleep in a plush bed on your first night of the trek.

The first trek is a moderate difficulty of about 3 hours to help you acclimate to the altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 3.- HIKE TO HUMANTAY LAKE – NIGHT #2 AT SALKANTAY LODGE

After a delightful breakfast, hike uphill for about 2 hours to a lookout over Lake Huamantay with its turquoise-jade water from the snowmelt from its massive mountain. This ascending hike helps you prepare for the longer trek and higher altitude the next day.  Moreover, this magical spot is worthy of contemplation and an appetizing snack.  For the truly daring, hike down to the lake and take a dip in its frigid water! After your descent back to Salkantay Lodge,  savor another hot lunch. Spend the afternoon as you wish, and for dinner, another wonderful meal in the comfort of the lodge.

The second trek is moderate difficulty of about 4 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 4.- HIKE OVER SALKANTAY PASS  -  NIGHT #3 AT WAYRA LODGE

After breakfast, begin the trek to the stunning Salkantay Pass. Walkthrough the pampa, circle around Mount Huamantay, and continue to the most challenging section and the highest altitude of the entire trek: a switchback trail that ascends to over 4600m (15,000ft). You are rewarded with the astonishing vision of the massive glacier of Salkantay.  Participate in the ancient custom of stacking a rock to commemorate your presence in this magical place. Then take a descending trail overlooking valleys dotted with massive boulders and rock formations.  Enjoy a hearty, hot picnic lunch and a well-deserved rest in a special spot with commanding views of the mountains and valleys. After lunch, the descent continues through the hilly countryside until you arrive at Waraccmachay, and your second lodge, Wayra Lodge, at 3850m (12,631ft).  This is the most remote of the four lodges. Clean up, rest in a comfy bed, and celebrate the day’s accomplishment with a gourmet, Andean dinner.

The third trek is challenging difficulty of 7 – 8 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 5.- HIKE BESIDE THE SALKANTAY RIVER  – NIGHT #4 AT COLPA LODGE

After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, continue the descent walking along the Salkantay River. Feel the change of ecosystem from the dryer highlands to the higher cloud forest. Warm breezes rise up from the moist jungle below. At about noon, arrive at the third lodge in Colpapampa Valley, the Colpa Lodge, at 2,870m (9,400ft).   After a delectable lunch,  spend the rest of the afternoon as you please: stretch, nap, or relax outdoors. Enjoy another gourmet dinner and spend the night in comfort.

The fourth trek is a moderate difficulty of 3 – 4 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 6.- HIKE DOWN THE SALKANTAY RIVER VALLEY – NIGHT #5 AT LUCMA LODGE

After breakfast, continue the descent down the Salkantay River Valley and pass by productive fruit orchards, coffee plantations, running streams, and small waterfalls. Break for a gourmet picnic lunch around midday, Ride in the vehicle for about 30 minutes to the beginning of the renovated Llactapata Trail. This trail is an authentic Inca trail to Macchu Picchu. As you descend, there’s another noticeable change in the ecosystem:  the air is warmer and more humid as the jungle gets closer. Arrive at the Lucma Lodge at 2130m (7000ft), for relaxation, a delicious dinner, and rest.  You’re almost at the end of this stunning trek, and this is your last night in a mountain lodge.

The fifth trek is moderate difficulty of 5 – 6 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 7.- HIKE OVER LLACTAPATA PASS -  HIDROELECTRICO TRAIN STATION – MACHU PICCHU VILLAGE

After your last breakfast on the trek, your last challenge is the ascent to Llactapata Pass at over 2700m (8900ft). Explore the expansive Llactapata Ruins.  Admire a unique view that most visitors don’t see: the spectacular rear view of Machu Picchu at a distance.  Satisfy your appetite from the ascent with the last delicious picnic lunch, while feasting your eyes on the view of Machu Picchu.  After lunch, descend through the Aobamba Valley on a switchback trail through verdant forest, more fruit orchards, and coffee plantations.  Your final steps for the trek conclude with your arrival at the Hidroelectrica Train Station to take a short ride on a basic, local train to Machu Picchu Village.  Rest in your first-class hotel room, have a great dinner, and rest early for the visit to Machu Picchu early the next morning.

The sixth and final trek is a moderate difficulty of 5 – 6 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

DAY 8.- PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR OF MACHU PICCHU

After breakfast, your guide comes to your hotel and accompanies you on the 25-minute bus up the hill to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.  Your private tour is tailored to your interests:  ancient lifestyles, science, mythology, religion, engineering, or other topics.  Your guide has the answers.  Explore the most important places of the citadel: the Guardhouse, Sun temple, and Royalty group, Main Plaza, Three Windows Temple, and the Sacred Sun Dial.  Wear sturdy shoes for this 2-hour tour because you walk on narrow stone paths and steps. Later, ride the bus down to Machu Picchu Village, and then relax on the Vistadome train service to the Poroy Train Station. Private transport takes you back to your hotel in Cusco.

End of the service.
Meals: Breakfast.

Trip Level:

Difficult

TOUR DETAILS:

Length: 8 days /7 nights

PRICE FROM:

$3000.00

Lodging: 3-star hotel

Meals: Yes. As indicated in the Detailed Itinerary.

Activity: Adventure & Cultural Tours

HIGHLIGHTS

Trek through extraordinary scenery while resting at luxury mountain lodges.

Train journey to Machu Picchu from Hidrolectrica.

Exceptional private guided tour of Machu Picchu.

Tour the world wonder at your own pace, no rush.

TOUR MAP 

Salkantay Trek Includes:

• Expert English-speaking tour guide.
• Lodge and hotel stay during the trip.
• 3 hotel Nights (2 in Cusco and 1 In Aguas Calientes) - 3 star Hotel.
• Meals during the trek.
• Emergency horses.
• Machu Picchu private guided tour.
• Vistadome tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
• Bus ticket between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
• Admission tickets to Machu Picchu.
• Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Transfer in/out Airport.

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

• First day and last day meals
• Gratuities
• Personal Travel Insurance.
• International and domestic flights.
• drinks or beverages
• Any item not specified in the paragraph included.

Daypack packing list

• Original Passport ( the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Good daypack (25 to 30L)
• Water 1 to 2 liters of water
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Polar or sweater for early mornings and evenings
• Rain jacket or Rain Poncho.
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Camera
• Toiletries kit
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
• Personal Medication (we carry a Basic first Aid kit).

Duffel bag Packing list:

• Pack your clothes and personal belongings for the next 7 days.
• Warm clothes.
• Comfortable shoes (to be used at the lodges)
• Toiletries kit.
• swimming clothes.
  NOTE:  The pack animals (Horses or Mules) and porters will transport your Duffel bag from one lodge to the other.

HOTEL IN CUSCO

Cusco- Peru

Day 1 (1 night), Day 3 (1 night), Day 4 (1 night).

In Cusco, we stay at one of the following properties:

3 star Hotel -Casa Andina Premium Cusco

(Optional Hotel Upgrade to a 4 or 5 star hotel)

SALKANTAY LODGES

Day 2 to Day 6 (4 nights).

HOTEL IN AGUAS CALIENTES

Aguas Calientes - Peru

Day 1  (1 night).

At Machu Picchu Pueblo, we stay at one of the following properties based on availability:

3 star Hotel - El Mapi Hotel

Optional Hotel Upgrade to Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel.