This lovely and varied hike (about 50km) is the “soft option” from Challacancha 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 strech). At the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under Salkantay´s 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 4,630masl is reached after 3-4 hours from Soraypampa, and is marked by a pile of stones , “well know as Apacheta by th locals”, which grows daily as each traveller 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 (“Eyebrown 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 the 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 machupichu and waynapichu mountains and then the last day will see finally the inkan city of machupicchu.
Trip itinerary
FIRST SALKANTAY TREK DAY : CHALLA CANCHA – SORAYPAMPA
We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. to drive for about 2 hours to Mollepata where we will have breakfast in a local restaurant after the breakfast we will drive for 40 minutes more to Challacancha where we start our Salkantay trek . As soon as we are at Challacancha the cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff and we start hiking the first hours will be a little bit uphill to get The Inca Chanel where we will have a panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our Salkantay trek towards Soraypampa for another 2 hours, our first Salkantay Trek camping spot at Soraypampa so we will have lunch we set up our tents , then by the afternoon we will have a trek for about 2 hour to go to the Humantay Lake (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) we will be very close to the second highest Salkantay snow capped -mountain of Cusco. and of course we will pass a night in our tents we provide you confortable mattres too .
1ST DAY:Total distance: 15 km (aprox.)
Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,800 m (aprox.)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (aprox.)
SECOND SALKANTAY TREK DAY: SORAYPAMPA -CHAULLAY – LUCMABAMBA DOMES
After having our Salkantay Trek breakfast we start walking about 5:30 am ,because this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get the highest point of the Salkantay Trek (4630m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here.
After a rest, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, where we will have lunch. We hike again after lunch in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach chaullay where we will take a transport to Lucmabamba Campsite we will pass the night here.
2ND DAY:Total distance: 19 km (aprox.)
Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,650 m (aprox.)
Campsite altitude: 2,750 m (aprox.)
THIRD SALKANTAY TREK DAY: LUCMABAMBA DOMES – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, at 6.30am, we will start walking through the upper jungle towards Llactapata (original Inca Trail about 2 hours to get the top from there you can see Machupicchu after that walk down for about 2 more hours towards Hydrolectrica after having lunch we start walking 2 more hours by taking the railroad to Aguas Calientes.
3RD DAY:Total distance: 16 m (aprox.)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m (aprox.)
Campsite altitude: 1,600 masl (aprox.) salkantay trek to machupicchu
salkantay trek to machupicchu
FOURTH SALKANTAY TREK DAY: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU!!!
Salkantay trek important day ,We wake up early morning about 4 am to then to 4:30 to have the breakfast and leave to walk up to Machupicchu which takes one and half hours up to machupicchu but there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves 5:30 to Machupicchu (25-minutes long) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun is rising.
A walking Guiding 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 Huaynapicchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. In this package you only can stay in Machupicchu until Machupicchu get close at 5 pm, then you can return to Aguas Calientes , you can have dinner or visiting the Natural Hot spring because your train will leave at 9.50 pm from Aguas Calientes to Ollamtaytambo where will wait for us a shared transport to take us back to Cusco.
Estimated walking time: 3 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (aprox.)
Includes + Not Includes
Included:
What you need to take:
- Original passport and Student card (ISIC) green card
- Insurance card is essential
- Hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sleeping bag
- Warm jack
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Rain pants
- Sun hat, Bathing suit (for hot springs in santa teresa and Aguas Calientes)
- Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong
- Insect Repellent 40 % deet ( for mosquitos )
- Water bottle
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Torch with spare batteries (flashlight)
- Extra contribution suggested money for tipping porters, cook and guide. and for any emergency (300 soles)
- Walking poles ( black diamont or leki brand)
Optional items to take
- Short pants
- Walking poles (with rubber tips) they can also be hired from us.
- Plaster and bandage
Price & availability
PRICE
We can leave any day of the week, as long as permits are available. Please remember, permits are only needed for your start date.
2019 and 2020
285 dollars Shared Group