The Salkantay Trek is one of the alternative treks to the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. National Geographic magazine named the Salkantay Trek one of the twenty-five best trekking routes in the world. Along the way you'll see the Salkantay mountain range and its majestic glacier, whose name means “savage mountain” in Quechua. The Salkantay Trek is recommended for lovers of pure trekking.
Your guide will pick you up at the hotel at dawn and you'll set off toward Soraypampa (about a 4-hour drive). In the first part of the Salkantay Trek, you'll pass through the village of Mollepata and continue on toward Soraypampa, where the trek begins. Along the way you'll see snow-capped mountains and the Apurimac River valley. After three hours of trekking you'll reach Soroycocha.
From here, the route becomes demanding, and after a steep climb you'll reach 4,700 meters above sea level. The magnificent Salkantay mountain range will unfold before your eyes. A 3-hour descent follows to reach the Huayraqmachay camp, where dinner will be served. Overnight in a tent.
Early breakfast. Most of the second day's route is downhill, giving you the chance to take wonderful photos. The scenery includes subtropical cloud forest with waterfalls, fruit trees, wild orchids, bamboo forests, and with a bit of luck you may spot the famous Andean cock-of-the-rock.
The first part of the trek lasts 3 hours and ends at Collpachaca, where you'll have lunch. In the afternoon you'll walk for another three hours, arriving at Playa Sahuayaco. Here temperatures are warmer, so you'll see coffee plantations, banana and avocado trees. Camp at Playa Sahuayaco. Dinner and overnight in a tent.
This leg of the trek brings you to the foot of Machu Picchu. The trek begins with a tough 3-hour walk to the Patallacta complex. Possibly used for ceremonial purposes, Patallacta is an agricultural area where the ruins of the town, stone walls, and ancient doorways can still be seen along the steep terraces on the hillside. From here you'll see Machu Picchu for the first time, a view of the ruins that most tourists never get to see. During this stretch you'll also pass from lush subtropical forest vegetation to coca plantations, with breathtaking scenery.
After another 3 hours of downhill walking through thick vegetation and tall trees, you'll reach the hydroelectric plant, where lunch will be served. In the afternoon you'll walk for another 2 hours to reach Aguas Calientes. Overnight in a hotel/hostel with dinner included.
Breakfast at dawn. One of the first buses will take you to the Machu Picchu sanctuary to admire the Inti Punku (sunrise). Guided tour of Machu Picchu. We recommend visiting the “Sun Gate” or Huayna Picchu (USD $12.00 extra per person). From the summit of Huayna Picchu you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu archaeological complex. Only 400 tickets are available per day for Huayna Picchu. If those tickets are sold out, we recommend climbing Machu Picchu Mountain instead (extra USD $7.00).
After the visit, you can reach Aguas Calientes on foot or by bus. The journey then continues by train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo to return to Cusco. Expected arrival at your Cusco hotel in the evening.