All trek Machu Picchu Package Name: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights Type of Trek : Archaeological, Cultural, ecological and Adventure Group Size : To suit group requirements Difficulty degree of this hike Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft   Departures Day: - Our company organize daily departures for this unforgetable trekking with the best camp staff,  along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to October. - All private service departure dates are adapted to your request. DESCRIPTION This trekking expedition is one of the most pictures trips offered in Cusco region which will take you close of the sacred Salkantay snow peak (6,271 meters / 20569ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally reach Aguas Calientes on the fourth day. The impressive Sacred Inca city of Machupicchu is visited on the last day of the program. This itinerary is an interesting alternative for those not having found spaces on the Inca Trail trek to Machupicchu. ITINERARY Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa - Soyroccocha We leave Cusco at 06.00 am in a private transportation and start a scenic morning scenic bus-ride to our trail starting point at Challacancha. Along the four-hour drive, we cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), then Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft) and finally Challacancha, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction we start our hike, following the paths of the locals on a soft ascent towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft). After lunch in Salkantaypampa, we start our sometimes steep 2 hrs ascent to our camp at Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). This will be a cold night so very warm clothes are essential. Meals: L, D Day 2: Soyroccocha – Salkantay Pass - Collpapampa We depart early after breakfast and start a 1,5-hour ascent, which brings us up to the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4525m/14842ft) where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range with the south face of Salkantay towering above us, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. A long though easy descent along the Salkantay River, brings us late afternoon to our second camp at Qollpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in. Meals: B, L, D Day 3: Collpapampa - La Playa – Cocalmayo(Hot Spring) Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. We pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko and the Andean community of Lucmabamba. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp at the Cocalmayo Hot Spring (2055m/7068ft). Meals: B, L, D Day 4: Cocalmayo(Hot Spring) – Hidroelectrica Town - Aguas Calientes After a good and refreshing bath in the hot spring you will walk approximately 3 hours and a half until Hydroelecetric, River crossing, bamboo forests and more orchids and coffee plantations, in Hydroelectric you will have Lunch, afternoon you have to walk aproximaly 3 Hours more until Aguas Calientes  town where you will sleep in a local hotel. Meals: B, L, D Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco Early after breakfast you will take the bus to Machu Picchu (20 minutes) to visit the Machu Picchu Citadel and hike the Huayna Picchu to receive the cosmic and tellurics energy that the Sacred Apu has. The hike to Huayna Picchu starts at the Sacred Rock and passes through a gate that is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This - one to two - hour walk is steep but the path is in excellent shape. You will get excellent photos and the view is unique. After Huayna Picchu you will have about 2 hours and a half for our guided tour and another hour and a half to explore the ruins individually. You will know the amazing Machu Picchu Citadel and the Intiwatana and 4: PM you have to be in the train station to come back to Cusco Meals: Breakfast What is Included: Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Soraypampa(Callacancha), starting point of the trek. Entrance fee Machu Picchu. Horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment and 6kgs of personal items). 1 emergency horse every 6 persons. Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people). Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. First Aid Kit including Bottle Oxygen. Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Round Trip) First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle. Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco in private Transport. What is not Included: Sleeping bag rent: US$ 5 per day. Our sleeping bags are –8ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu Entrance to the Hot Springs in Cocalmayo and Aguas Calientes Tips for guide and camp staff. Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily. Alcoholic drinks What we recommended that you to bring: Original Passport Passport and ISIC card if you are a student (originals required) A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco). Sleeping bag for up to -–8ºC-comfort (0ºF). Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp A down jacket is especially recommended for this trek since it runs at high altitude and temperatures may easily drop below freezing in the evening and at nights Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions) Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold Sun protection (hat, sun screen, sun glasses) Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack. Swimsuit (if you wish take a dip at the hot springs along the route) Cash in soles and/or US$ for souvenirs, drinks and tips (easier in smaller change) Insect repellent -minimum recommended 20% DEET (no malaria has been reported Personal medical kit Walking poles if you think you will want them Options and Rentals: Single tent supplement $10 per day Extra night in Aguas Calientes $35 (or email us for alternate options). We will just need to arrange your train back to Cusco for the following day. Please tell us before final booking process. Sleeping bag rent: US$ 5.00 per day. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips. Personal horse and horsemen for riding or carrying extra personal belongings while on the trek. Extra cost is $50 for the trek. Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent: US$ 5.00 per day Students: Take advantage of our $20 USD discount for students if you hold a valid International Student Identity card (ISIC). You must send us a scanned copy of this when making your reservation and present the original to the entrance control office. Failure to do so will result in a loss of permit and denied entrance to the Machu Picchu. Prices Information: Trek prices are not stated on this website due to forever changing government and park fee prices. Please email us for more information.