Salkantay trek, 5 days

Begins at: 06.00 am 
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Start point: Cusco
Itinerary: Cusco - Mollepata - Soray - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa - Win’aypoco - Abra de Aobamba - Llaqtapata - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco 

Program

The Apu (guardian gods) Salkantay is one of 2 most important sacred mountains in the area surrounding the city of Cusco. The trek of Salkantay is the best alternative to reach the great Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and even more beautiful than the famous Inka Trail. The trek is passing through the mountains and glaciers, climate and vegetation of Sierra is replaced by the hot Silva climate and at the end of our trip - the masterpiece of the Incan architectural art, the magnificent Machu-Picchu!

Day 01: Mollepata - Soray - Huayracmachay 

The bus will pick you up early morning from your hotel and we will start our trip to Soray. On the way we will stop at the ruins of the Incan temple Tarawasi. The next destination of the route is Mollepata, a village where we will stop for breakfast. After breakfast we will travel to Soray. Our escorts and the mules for transportation of the luggage and camping gear will be waiting us in Soray.

We will stop for lunch at Laguna Soirococha. After lunch we will ascend towards the sacred mountains Umantay and Salkantay, where we can enjoy the beautiful view of glaciers. Then we will continue towards Huayracmachay and will set up our tents for overnight.

Day 02: Huayracmachay - Collpapampa - Win’aypoco 

After breakfast with an eye to the glaciers we will initiate the long descend gradually entering the Selva and observing the changing nature. In the morning we will stop at thermal baths Collpapampa and swim. Our overnight stop will be in Win’aypoco camp on Santa Teresa riverside.

Day 03: Win’aypoco - Aobamba canyon (Abra de Aobamba) - Llaqtapata 

After breakfast we will continue descending towards the valley. It is a very picturesque route: waterfalls, various birds, orchids and strawberry bushes. After lunch we will cross Santa Teresa River and will start climbing Aobamba Canyon (Abra de Aobamba). Then we will descend to Llaqtapata camp and stay overnight. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset from here. 

Day 04: Llaqtapata - Aguas Calientes

Most of the route today will be going through the forests. We will see interesting bird and plant species. In the afternoon we will reach a small town - Aguas Calientes and will stay here overnight.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

After early breakfast we will ascend towards Machu Pichhu. After 2 hours of complete guided tour to this amazing complex, you will have a leisure time to explorer on your own, visit Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains. In the evening we will return to Cusco by train.