Trek to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trekking in Peru is one of the most impressive things you can do during your trip to Peru. We are sure you will be amazed by the scenery from day one. The Salkantay trek is not an easy hike, preparation is essential.
From Cusco, you can start several multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek is the most diverse hike you can do. During the Salkantay trek 5 days you cross different climate zones (from tropical to icy peaks), these are intensive days where you can enjoy the Peruvian hospitality, the beautiful mountain villages, and arrival at Machu Picchu at sunrise.
We will leave from Cusco approximately between 4:30a.m. and 5:00a.m. A local bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 8:15 in the morning to have breakfast. During the trip we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. We will meet with our support staff, and they will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 9:00 a.m., we will begin our walk toward Sayllapata (3200 meters above sea level). About 1:00p.m., we will have a Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking toward the Soraypampa villages (3850 meters above sea level). Around 5:30 in the afternoon we will arrive to our camp where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.
After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 7:30 a.m we continue our hiking the Peruvian highland. From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m) the second highest peak in Cusco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp at Collpapampa 2,920 m.
Around 7:00a.m., we will start our trek. We will walk for about 6 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the “Forest Cloudy Brow” where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks”. From Playa Sahuayaco, we will head to the campsite located at the hot springs of Santa Teresa (It is recommended to bring a bath suit.) Here you will eat dinner.
After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek to the village Colpani, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (canopy brich) From here we have an option to hike to hidroelectrica or to catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Sanctuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. from here we will continue walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night.
