SALCANTAY TREK  / ALTERNATIVE INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

A remote and ancient footpath in the same region of the Inca trail, but less traveled and offering more spectacular views. This route provides a magnificent wilderness alternative for those who wish to escape the more congested trekking routes.
On the trail, we pass through an amazing progression of ecological zones, from sparsely vegetated alpine meadows flanking two spectacular 20,000' glaciered peaks, down through subtropical forest into the Inca Trail. We arrive later to the "Lost City of the Incas¨, MachuPicchu.

This lovely and varied hike (about 50km) is the "soft option" from Soray since the pass is lower (though still a tough 4,750m (15,580ft) and then is mostly downhill through forested valleys, above deep ravines, ending at 1,500m.

The trek on the second day from Soray goes steeply uphill for half an hour, then comes to a series of zigzags (Siete Culebras is the local name of this stretch). At the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under Salkantay lateral moraine, and drops gently down to the small laguna Soirococha. The pass you see above is, alas, a false one; the main pass is a little further on, but the view of Salkantay looming above you more than compensates for the effort. The real pass at 4,750m is reached after 3-4 hours from the moraine, and is marked by a pile of stones , "well know as Apacheta by the locals", which grows daily as each traveler adds his pebble to thank the APUS for a safe trip.

Then the trail descends to the left -hand side of the valley, becoming indistinct in swampy areas. And then comes a place named Huayrajmachay "eye of the wind", from here we will have a great chance to see the beautiful Pyramid-shape of Humantay behind as you drop below the tree line, know as LA CEJA DE SELVA ("Eyebrow of the Jungle"), and walk through groves of bamboo with many orchids and other flowers and lots of hummingbirds, spectacular waterfalls, a small hot spring at Collpapampa the right place to lock out for the parakeets that abound in this area as well. And then we go to take a local bus in order to get Santa Teresa where we will enjoy the hot springs which is 45 minutes from this town .and then will see Machupicchu and wayna pichu mountains and then the last day will see finally the Incan city of Machu picchu

Day 1:cusco -mollepata -soraypampa -huayraqpampa -rrayanniyoq

We pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus to mollepata and then soraypampa. A 3 hour walk will take us to soyroqocha where we will have the lunch with the beautiful ca pped mountain Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) We will begin our climb to the higesht point on this trek which is on 4 650 m.a.s.l15200 ft.taking in the beautiful landscape along the way and once we get to the top the pass we go down to the campsite of arrayanniyoq .

Day 2: arrayanniyoq-chaullay-collpapampa-la playa

after the breakfast we go down (downhill) through a dramatic cloud, where we will have lunch. After the lunch in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reachthe upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo or luch stopvariety of little brooks to reach La Playa,. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants.and also we camp here in very warm area .

Day 3:la playa -santa theresa -collpani -hydroelectric -aguas calientes

We will have breakfast at 6am and leave to take a bus to Santa Teresa. We will cross the Santa Teresa bridge and follow the upward route of the river. We continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana etc. until we reach the hydroelectric station. And after the lunch we keep going walking about two and half hours along the train road till reaching aguas calientes town where we will spend the night in a hostal.

In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the thermal springs in the town (entrance 10 soles) a real treat after finishing the trek!

Day 4: Machu Picchu

We wake up early morning about 4 am to then to 4:30 to have the breakfast and leave walking to machupichu which takes one and half hours up to machupicchu but there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves 5:30 to Machu Picchu (25-minutes long ) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun is rising. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your Guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
 

        INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure briefing
• Professional English speaking private salcantay trek tour guide
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) from 4:30 to 5:00 am
• Bus to Mollepata and then private transportation to soraypampa ( trailhead)
• Tourist train (cerrojo-backpacker ) back to Ollantaytambo and then bus back to Cusco)
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu
• Food: *3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 3 dinners
• We have 4 people tents for 2-people so there will be plenty of space to set up your backpacks
• Camping equipment (tent, cooking and eating tent. Chairs and tables )
•  THERM-A-REST Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.)
  
• Cook who is in charge of making the food, Horseman , mules or porters (they just carry cooking stuff and camping equipment ) plus 7 kilos of your personal belongings.
•  1 emergency horse every 3 persons - days 1 to 2
•  1 night accommodation in a hostel Aguas Calientes
•  Oxygen balloon for any emergency
•  Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco
•  Local private bus from la playa to hydroelectric (2 hours) and then local train from hydrolectric power station to aguas calientes (US$8)45 minutes.
•  Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
•  First Aid kit and Free Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our TERRA QUECHUA PERU office.
•  Vegetarian/special diet options available

        DOESN'T INCLUDE:

•  Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
•  Entrances to the hot springs water ( Santa Teresa (10 soles ) Aguas Calientes(10 soles )
•  Sleeping bag (goose down) -15ºC-extreme it can be hired from us US$20 for all trek mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum    usage of 25 trips
•  Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (optional) US$14  round trip
• ( one way US$7  and you can Buy it at the Aguas Calientes bus station)

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON SALKANTAY TREK:

• Original passport and copies (and Student card (ISIC) green card if you are student ). Note ( you have to bring your student card to machu picchu because you are going to be required to show at the Machupicchu control point
• Travel Insurance card is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included)
• hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Sun hat and gloves
• T-shirts / shirts
• Comfortable hiking zip off trousers
• Rain pants
• Bathing suit (for hot springs in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes)
• Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong
• Insect Repellent ( for mosquitos )15 % of deet at least
• Water bottle.
• Water purifying tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries (flashlight) we recommend headlights
• Extra contribution suggested in soles money for tipping horseman, cook and guide. and for any emergency.

        Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish

OPTIONAL ITEMS TO BRING ON SALKANTAY TREK:

• Short pants , Plaster and bandages
• Walking poles (with rubber tips) they can also be hired from us

   NOTE walking poles are not allowed into machu picchu city.

AVAILABLE (BOOK HERE)

PRICE PER PERSON