Transport

TreXperience offers a door-to-door service; we will pick you up from your hotel on the morning of the trek and drop you off back at your hotel on the last day. All required transportation throughout the trek is included, and the Exclusive panoramic train back from Aguas Calientes.

Accommodation

3 nights camping in the mountains 1 night in twin-share rooms at hand-picked hotels.

Guide

The TreXperience team are fluent English speakers and are extremely experienced professional tour guides from the local area. We provide a single guide for groups smaller than 8 people and a second guide for groups with 8 people or more. We very much enjoy sharing our extensive knowledge of local history and culture with you along the trek. All guides are proficiently trained in high mountain rescue. We are committed to ensuring all clients have the best possible TreXperience!

Meals

TreXperience are proud of its highly talented chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! We guarantee the biggest foodies among you won’t fail to be impressed. All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided each day (except lunch on the final day), and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We cater to all dietary requirements, so please let us know of your needs. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day, and we make sure you have a tea/coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind. Drinkable water – from your first lunch to your last breakfast – will be provided (you need to supply your own water bottles/camelback, and we recommend carrying at least 2L). The water is boiled, filtered, and cooled before it is distributed.

Others

Pre-departure briefing TreXperience welcomes you to our Cusco offices on the evening before your trek for a pre-departure briefing. The briefings take place at approximately 6:00 pm. TreXperience understands that many hikers may be nervous or inexperienced. So the briefing is an opportunity to meet your guide(s), who will talk you through what to expect over the coming days. Our guides are very approachable and experienced, so feel free to use this opportunity to ask them any questions you may have. Permits All admission permits are included. To obtain all relevant permits for your hike, we will require a photocopy of your passport. We kindly request you share this with the team as soon as you book your trek. Camping equipment TreXperience provides the best possible equipment to all clients and staff to maximize your experience. Porters Our porters carry all belongings that you don’t need in your daypack up to a maximum weight of 7 kg. Additionally, our porters carry all food and equipment. You will find your tents and the campsite prepared for you on arrival, so all you need to do is worry about enjoying the hike! Medical kit All Trexperience guides have received training in first aid and high mountain rescue. Suppose a guest requires medical attention while on the trek, our staff will assist you. A medical kit is kept with the team at all times. In a scarce case of a serious medical emergency, you will be evacuated to the nearest medical center. Satellite phones To ensure your safety and in case of an emergency, we are the first trekking company to introducing satellite phone technology. Taxes and fees All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in the listed price.

Not included:

Flights

International and domestic flights not included.

Insurance

Insurance not included. Travel insurance is required for all of our tours.

Others

Sleeping bag: $20 to rent Inflatable air mattress: $15 to rent Trekking poles (pair): $15 to rent Tips for our staff: Optional and at your own discretion Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all hikers Lunch on the last day

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and provided to you with your finalized travel documents. Huayna Picchu: Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional US$75 per person. Montaña: Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional US$75 per person.

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Day 1 Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa

Start the Salkantay Trek with a pick-up from your hotel’s door at 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive for 3 hours to the trailhead – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. You will enjoy the first breakfast prepared by your chef, then meet the team of porters and horsemen to later start the Salkantay TreXperience!

The first part starts with a 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3600 m/11811 ft) following an ancient aqueduct used since the Incas. Lunch is served at Soraypampa, where our chef will prepare delicious meals using fresh local products.

After lunch, you will continue with a 2-hour hike up until you reach the stunning glacial lake of Humantay (4200 m/13779 ft). Once at the lake, you will have time to explore the surroundings and relax, enjoying this spectacular turquoise water lake’s beautiful vistas. Then continue for 2 more hours to the first campsite at the base of Salkantay Mountain. Along the way, you will see various types of flora and fauna, such as the Andean goose (the love bird), deer, and vizcachas (which look a lot like rabbits).

The campsite is at Salkantay Pampa (3900 m/12795 ft). This basecamp offers you an unobstructed view of Salkantay Mountain and the sky at night. Get ready for dinner, stargaze, and sleep under a million stars.

Campsite Altitude: 3900 m/12795 ft

Highest altitude: 4200 m / 13779 ft

Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles

Duration: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner

Accommodation: Camping under million stars

Considered: Moderate
Day 2 Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa

Wake you bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea, admiring the spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains. After breakfast, you’ll start the ascent for 2 hours to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek at 4630 m (15190 ft); once on top, you’ll take some time to explore and enjoy the area and even visit a beautiful lake at the base of Salkantay Mounatin. It’s then another 3-hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3900 m/12795 ft). Vizcachas, a type of Chinchilla that is only found in Peru and is called Lagidium Peruanum, can be seen.

After a well-earned lunch, you’ll get ready for the final stretch of the day: 3 more hours of downhill from the highlands, where the air is dry and cold, into the lush cloud forest, where the weather is warm and humid. This is definitely one of the fastest changes in temperature and landscape that you will experience. The campsite is located next to the village of Collpapampa at 2770m (9087ft).

Campsite Altitude: 2770 mt / 9087 ft

Highest altitude: 4630 m /15190 ft

Distance: 18 km/ 11.1 miles

Duration: 9 hours

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner

Accommodation: Camping next to a village

Considered: Challenging
Day 3 Day 3: Collpapampa – Llucmabamba – Llactapata
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Collpapampa – Llucmabamba – Llactapata

Enjoy a leisurely time in the village while admiring the view of the mountains you left behind. After breakfast, you’ll prepare for the most beautiful day of this expedition to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, hiking along narrow paths, following the river, passing wooden bridges, waterfalls, granadilla, and banana plantations, until you arrive at Lucmabamba (2000 m/6600 ft) for lunch.

Today’s lunch is special and a highlight of the Salkantay trek; after hiking for about 3 hours and taking a van for the last part, you’ll get ready to participate in a Pachamanca Barbecue, an ancient traditional underground hot stone barbecue. After burying the food, you will visit the organic coffee farms and prepare your own cup. The cooking takes about 45 minutes, and then you sit down to enjoy the different delicacies like the cuy (Guinea pig), different types of potatoes, fruits, and vegetables prepared like a local.

Once fed and re-energized, get ready for a final 3-hour climb along the ancient Inca Trail to Llaqtapata, a small citadel located on a mountain top at 2750m (9022ft) where you’ll catch the first glimpse of Machu Picchu from a distance. This place was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and lost again until recently. You’ll be camping right in front of Machu Picchu; when you open your tent, you will be able to see the sunrise and sunset over Machu Picchu if the weather allows.

Campsite Altitude: 2,750 m / 9022ft

Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Duration of hike: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Camping in front of Machu Picchu

Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4 Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Open your tent, and the first thing you see is Machu Picchu on another mountain in front of you while your trekking team offers you a cup of coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, it’s an easy 2-hour downhill to the hydroelectric station, where you’ll have the last brunch offered by the trekking chef, say goodbye to them, and hike the final last stretch of the Salkantay TreXperience to Aguas Calientes.

The last part is a 3-hour hike along the railway, following the Urubamba river upstream; this section of the trek is steeped in history as you’ll stop at Mandor Botanical Gardens, visited by Hiram Bingham, who found a farmer named Arteaga living in the area. He will be the first to take the American to Machu Picchu in 1911. You’ll visit Arteaga’s farm, which is home to various endemic birds, such as the Rupicola Peruviana (locally known as the cock-of-the-rock), parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and orchids. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your hotel, shower, visit the city, and hot springs. In the evening, you’ll have dinner in a local restaurant as you plan the next and most important day of the Salkantay trek.

Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m/ 6561 ft

Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

Duration: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5 Day 5: Machu Picchu (Arrive With The First Ones)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Machu Picchu (Arrive With The First Ones)

Today is the most important day of the Salkantay trek, visiting one of the new seven wonders of the world, a city abandoned for unknown reasons during the 16th century by the great Inca Empire. Wake up early, have breakfast in the hotel, and take the first buses to catch the sunrise in Machu Picchu. Your tour guide will take you on a tour to the most important temples, palaces, and plazas, explaining the mysteries that lie behind this spectacular Inca city perched on this impossible mountain peak. The guided tour takes about 3 hours, and then you will have time to explore by yourself the magical site or climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña (Machu Picchu Mountain).

After finishing with the citadel, you need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, collect your belongings from the hotel, and take the exclusive panoramic train to Ollantaytambo and our private van back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will drive back to your home around 7:30 PM.

Duration of the tour: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast (hotel)

Difficulty: Easy

5 days tour

Ultimate Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu - 5 Days

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Ultimate Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu - 5 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa

Day 3: Collpapampa – Llucmabamba – Llactapata

Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Day 5: Machu Picchu (Arrive With The First Ones)

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