Overview
If you did not manage to reserve permits for the Inca Trail, we highly recommend the Salkantay Trek as alternative. Apart from the classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is without a doubt one of the most beautiful treks in the Andes. National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine listed it as one of the 25 best treks IN THE WORLD. The trek is currently open to everyone and there are no limitations on spaces and permits.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu will take you through unique and varying landscapes and with scenery nothing short of breath taking! Photographers will experience sheer ecstasy as we walk along ancient and solitary footpaths; from picturesque grassy highlands to flourishing cloud forests, where luxuriant tropical rain forests meet colossal snow-capped mountains. The Salkantay Trek is off-the-beaten path and authentic. You will be spirited away into a world of phenomenal beauty and the abundance of nature, sacred solitude and hours of deliciously quiet contemplation.
Since the ancient Inca times the spectacular glacier-capped peak of Mount Salkantay has been considered as sacred, the protector of the local people and their crops. The name Salkantay or Salcantay is a Quechua word meaning invincible, wild or savage. Thus Salkantay is often called the “Savage Mountain”. Salkantay (Nevado Salkantay), or Sallqantay in Quechua, is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, which form part of the Andes Mountain Range, rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20 574 ft). Salkantay is located less than 50 miles from the city of Cusco.
Details
- Type of tour: Trek and camp
- Distance covered: 27 km (27. 3 miles)
- Lowest elevation: 1800m (5,905 ft)
- Highest elevation: 4600m (15,091 ft)
- Level of difficulty: chalenging
- Good for: Anyone in shape
Departures: This hike is operated by PERU BY LOCALS 100%, when you book your hike or take any tour package. You go with us, we don’t rearrange tours, and we depart every day and year-round; the size of the groups is from 2 to 5 people on average, which allows us to give you personalized service.
We take bookings year round and this hike does not need to book with a long time in advance so, anytime you are ready join us and reach us for any questions you have to our 14/7 number +51 989585967 or email us to info@perubylocals.com
Itinerary
Day 1: Short Trek to From Soraypampa to Soyroqocha
We will pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 and transport you to Mollepata, a town en route to the starting point of the Salkantay Trek. Here you have some time to relax, stretch your legs, get last-minute supplies and sit down for a nice cup of coffee in one of the local restaurants. We will also meet our support staff here. They will pack everything for the trek and load the equipment onto horses. At 09:00 we will continue on to Soraypampa, the starting point of the trek.
From Soraypampa (3800m / 12,467ft) we trek to Soyroqocha (4200m / 13,779ft). The trek takes about 4 hours along a gentle incline. During the hike, you will have breath-taking views of the “invincible” and majestic Salkantay and other snow-capped mountain peaks. Lunch will be at 12:00 where after we will take on the 3-hour hike up to camp at Soyroqocha, a beautiful small lake in the mountains. Your tents will be ready and waiting and a delicious dinner will round off an amazing first day on the Salkantay Trek.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 5 km (3.1 miles) |
| Time: | 3 to 4 hours |
| Lowest elevation: | 3800m (12,467 ft) |
| Highest elevation: | 4400m (14,435 ft) |
| Level of difficulty: | Moderate to chalenging |
Day 2: Soyroqocha – Highest Point – Colpapampa
On day 2 you wake up to a stunning view of the gleaming snow-covered Salkantay Mountain. After a hearty and nutritious breakfast we will start our trek towards the Salkantay Pass (4600m/15,091ft), which takes 40 minutes. The Salkantay Pass is the source of two rivers which flow into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. After spectacular views of the peaks of Mount Salkantay and Mount Umantay, we will hike down to Huayraqmachay, where we will have lunch and take a nap if you like. In the afternoon we hike down to Qollpapampa (3100m/10,170ft) where we will camp for the night. The scenery will change from golden grasslands to cloud forest and finally to the edge of a jungle.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 16 km (9.9 miles) |
| Time: | 8 to 9 hours |
| Lowest elevation: | 3100m (10,170 ft) |
| Highest elevation: | 4600m (15,091 ft) |
| Level of difficulty: | Chalenging |
Day 3: Colpapampa – La Playa – Hot springs
Day 3 is a much easier day and starts with a hike through the tranquil cloud forest. We will hike for about 5 hours, following the stream of Lluskamayo, with the prospect of seeing orchids, various bird species, and magnificent waterfalls along the way. The hike ends at La Playa town (2050m/6,725ft), in time for lunch. You will have the afternoon for yourself to relax, go the river, take a shower or have a cold beer.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 15 km (9.3 miles) |
| Time: | 6 to 7 hours |
| Lowest elevation: | 1800m (5,905 ft) |
| Highest elevation: | 3100m (10,170 ft) |
| Level of difficulty: | Moderate |
Day 4: Adrenaline, Zip Line and Aguas Calientes (B) (L) (D)
ADRENALIN RUSH! This is what ‘ is in store for you today! After a nice breakfast a guide from Cola Del Mono and your trekking guide will take on a 30-minute hike to the first Zip line. In total, you will across the river in 6 different zip lines, which takes just over 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes. This part of the hike is realtivety flat but amazing beautiful. You will Machu Picchu ovobe you on the way to Aguas Calientes.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 10 km (6.2 miles) |
| Time: | 3 to 4 hours (hiking part) |
| Lowest elevation: | 1800m (5,905 ft) |
| Highest elevation: | 2050m (6,751 ft) |
| Level of difficulty: | Moderate |
Day 5: Machu Picchu Tour (B)
We start the day with an early 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu. Getting up so early might be tough, but the magical sunrise over Machu Picchu will make up for it.
After a 2-hour guided tour, you will be free to explore the ancient city and take pictures at your leisure. If you are brave… and fit… you can also hike up the steep Huayna Picchu Mountain. You may decide to find a shady spot instead and relax, meditate and soak up the inspiring and spiritual energy of Machu Picchu. When you are ready to leave, you can take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to collect your luggage from your hotel and return to Cusco by train in the afternoon. We will meet you at the Cusco Station and transport you to your hotel.
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- Transport to and from your hotel and back to your hotel.
- Meals (4B, 4L, 4D)
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu (does not include Huayna Picchu)
- Horses to carry all the equipment for the Salkantay Trek (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Cook
- Boiled drinking water from day 2 onwards
- Trekking guide for the Salkantay Trek & Zip Line (knowledgeable in history, tradition, fauna and flora)
- First Aid Kit, which will be carried by your guide
- Equipment for the Salkantay Trek & Zip Line to Machu Picchu (sleeping tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table, chairs, air mats)
- Duffle bag if needed
- Round bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (expedition), if you prefere Vistadone service we will upgrade it for $ 25 per person
- One night hotel accomodation in Aguas Calientes
- One dinner at INDIO FELIZ
- Zipline tickets
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us for $ 20)
- Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes
- Tips for muleteers and guides
- Huayna Picchu tickets
- Machu Picchu montaña tickets
Packing list
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down sleeping bag (if you don’t have one, you can rent one from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, few t-shirts, few pairs of socks, sun hat, warm long underwear, light trekking pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Day backpack (50 liter) that can allow you to put all your belongings if you are not hiring extra porter
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes)
- Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Book to read (you will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Bug repellent
- Extra money to tip and buy somethings along the trail
Important information
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS
How long before should I book this tour?
This tour does not require to book permits with long in advance but Peru by Locals still needs at least booking a week in advance to put everything together.
What is the weather like during the year?
The Cusco area has only 2 well-defined seasons: the wet season and dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but also there are several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically at noon the temperatures can reach 23 °C (77°F), the annual highest temperature.
Should I tip to the guide and driver? If I do, how much I should I tip?
Our guides are paid fairly according to Peruvian labor laws – that is why, we don’t force our clients to tip the crew. However, most of our clients want to give them an appreciation for the work they do and the service they receive so, if you feel like giving them an appreciation or tip them, feel free to do it at the end of their work. If that’s the case we recommend to tip with 15% of the total cost.
Is there any age limit?
In this tour there is not minimum age or limit,- any person can join this tour including a person in a wheelchair.
Peruvian Currency
The Peruvian sole is the currency of Peru, and usually fluctuates in the 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo sol to 1 US Dollar.
Language
Spanish is the national language of Peru, also a 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (Inca language) Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English.
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours and we cater to your interests when we plan your tour
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members which have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protect our environment.
- We are committed to creating Jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to education of needed once.
- Our trips are designed carefully to your needs and we create diverse unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length, a we offer wide range of tours and treks and all the tours. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes free worry trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru small group specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, like history or photography for all ages whether you are traveling alone, with friends, in couples, family. At Peru by Locals there is not
Small groups are the best and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Prices
| Flowers house 2* | Casa andina 3* | Sumaq hotel 4 * | Pueblo hotel 5 * |
| $ 670 | $ 740 | $ 990 | $ 1280 |
Note:
Students: discount of $20, but you have to supply us with a copy of your ISIC card when booking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with us.
Children up to 15 years of age will be considered as students, under the condition that you supply us with a copy of the passport at the booking time.
BOOK NOW
In order for us to reserve your spot on this trek, you are required to send us the following information: full names, passport number, age, gender, nationality and make the relevant deposit of US$200 per person using PAY PAL as indicated below:
When you have sent us the information of each person, made your deposit using PAYPAL and once we have both, we will confirm your tour. Thank you so much for choosing PERU by LOCALS.
If you have any questions, send us an e-mail to: info@perubylocals.com
