Salkantay - Machupicchu 5 days / 4 nights

Introduction

The mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba rise to form a ragged chain between the regions' two great rivers; the Urubamba and the Apurimac. Along the cordillera\'s northern side, massive snow peaks collide with lush tropical rain forests.
Located northwest of Cusco, Nevado de Salkantay, the cordillera\'s tallest peak, is at the eastern end of the chain and rises to 6271 meters above sea level. The name Salkantay means 'Savage Mountain' which may refer to the swirling clouds that rise up from the jungle lowlands and engulf the peak

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Soyroccocha

We leave Cusco at 05.00 am in a private transport and start a scenic morning scenic bus-ride to our trail starting point at Cruzpata. Along the three-hour drive, we stop in the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. Here we visit the archaeological remains of Tarawasi, where we can appreciate an Inca Usno, or place where ceremonies for mother earth were conducted. We leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), and then Cruzpata (2750m/9020ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. After a short introduction we start our hike, following the paths of the locals on a soft ascent until we reach Soraypampa (3500m/11483ft), where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft), crossing Salkantaypampa, and then starting a 2 hrs steep 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 to 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, 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. A long though easy descent brings us late afternoon to our camp at Qollpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in. (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 3: Collpapampa to La Playa

Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Salkamayo River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp at the village of La Playa (2155m/7068ft), where we can refresh in the river before dinner. (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 4: La Playa - Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we cross the river and start climbing - passing through some coffee plantations- up to El Mirador (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and Salkantay and take a good rest. A 2-hour descent brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we get to Puente Ruinas, a campsite located just at the basement of the Machupicchu Mountain. We camp and dine at this place.( Meals: B, L, D)

Day 5: Machupicchu to Cusco

We wake up early and board a bus, which will take us up to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. We will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall. (Meals: B)

Included:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning
• Transportation by bus to the start of the trail (Mollepata - Cruzpata)
• English speaking professional guide
• Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks
• Double thickness foam mattress
• Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking)
• Accommodations: 3 nights camping, 1 night hotel
• Cook and Cooking equipment
• Excellent Meals (04B,04L,04D) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude
• We supply boiled water to fill in your water bottle all the time, if requested with enough time ahead (while hiking)
• Teatime the first three days (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
• Horses days 1-4 (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Accommodation for our crew
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Local train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes town
• Accommodation in a hostal at Aguas Calientes town on the 4th night
• Bus from Machu Picchu ruins up and down to the village of Aguas Calientes
• Machu Picchu entrance fee
• Train ticket (Backpackers service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Transfer from the train station to your hotel.

Not Included: (in both options,1,2)

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Entrance Fee to the Trayecto Soraypampa, Mollepata, US$20, Recently Charged Tickett by National Institute of Peruvian Culture, to be paid at the beggining of the trip.( from 1st April 2007)
• Lunch and Dinner in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on day 5 of the program.
• Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$3.00
• Sleeping bags (4 season) can be hired in our office for US$15 for the 5 day trek.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Personal equipment

What you need to bring/carry:

• Backpack,
• Sleeping bag 4 season suitable for temperatures down to -5C (can be hired from our office for US$15 for the 5 day trek)
• Sleeping mattress (we will provide you with this)
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for a few dollars)
• Strong, comfortable footwear
• One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)
• Sweater and jacket (something warm)
• Water bottle, ideally non disposable canteen (boiled drinking water will be provided)
• Torch / Flashlight and batteries
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
• Sun block (sun protection cream)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
• Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, energy bars etc,
• Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries, cash in soles and US$
• Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
• Optional: walking Poles /sticks (rubber covers necessary)
• You also need to bring your original passport on the trail.

Notas:

• Personal horse for riding while on the trek with and extra cost of US$75, you can have a personal horse to ride any time you may need.
• Single room at Aguas calientes town (evening on day 4) the accommodations at Aguas Calientes on the 4th night is based on double or triple occupancy (DWB or TWB). If a client would like to have a single room, need to add US$15.00 to the base price of the tour. You must decide if you want to have a single room in advance and let Us know when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the hotel booking in advance as well. You cannot decide it at a later date or once you arrive in Cusco.
• An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machupicchu the following day are additional to trek costs. It is best to make your hotel reservation directly.
• Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.

How to make a reservation:

To make a reservation please follow this steps:

Step 1.- Click in Book now and fill in the form that ‘s show to you with all the information required.

Step 2.- We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$150 per person confirming your trek booking. The deposit is to be paid by the following ways By westen union : you can o it in any office of western union in your city Payment On-Line: If you decide to use this system you will have to pay 8% of the total payment that you have made , this is a tax for the transaction.

Step 3.- Send an e-mail to info@cuscomaravilla.com with the code of the payment that you made.

Step 4.- You will get a confirmation e-mail from us with the conformity of your reservation.

Recomendations:

1.- Time of arrival in Cusco after returning from the trek. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 8:30pm on the 7th day of the trek.

2.- We suggest you that your arrive to Cusco at least 2 days prior to trek departure becuase you have to pay the trek balance before 8:pm 2 days before you start the trek. Arriving 2 days prior to the trek also ensures that you are better acclimatized to the high altitudeso you can enjoy the tour withow any trouble. However 3 days is recommended, during this days you can also visit another places that are in the City.

3.- We need to know the name of your hotel and the telephone of it please check this in the reservation form. This allows us to locate you if there are any problems with your arrival. You will also be asked to confirm your hotel in Cusco when you come to the office to pay the trek balance.

4.-If you want to make a reservation between 7 to 3 days before the trek please cont us to info@cuscomaravilla.com in order to verify the availability of spaces.

 

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