Get ready for the Salkantay 5 Day Trek challenge! Discover the majesty of the Andes!

Salkantay 5 day trek  to reach Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world. there are currently several routes between the Andes and the Cusco jungle. The one you choose will depend on time, economy, level of difficulty and other factors that only you can determine. What we do assure you is that the route you take to get to Machu Picchu will be the best because you will be able to enjoy wonderful landscapes and your experience will be unique. Therefore, this time we will share a way to reach Machu Picchu Picchu by the 5 day Salkantay trek.

WHY DO THE SALKANTAY 5 DAY TREK?

First let’s answer why you should do the Salkantay 5 day trek and within the most outstanding features of the trek, it is known that:

• It is one of the best trekking that Cusco has in order to reach Machu Picchu.
• Salkantay is the highest peak of the Vilcabamba mountain range and is called the wild mountain.
• It is about 75 km (46 miles) in distance and about 3000 m (10 000 ft) in altitude.
• The challenging level of trekking makes travellers enjoy their new adventure to the fullest.
• It passes through incredible spaces such as Laguna Humantay and other places that only this route can offer you.
• Getting to Machu Picchu by the Salkantay route is not easy, but it is not very difficult to achieve.
• You will be very close to the majestic Nevado Salkantay.
• You will be mesmerised by the beauty of the mountains and snow-capped peaks along the route.

WHEN TO DO THE SALKANTAY 5 DAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?

Salkantay trek is located in Cusco. It is important to know that during the year there are two well defined seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season is the best time of the year to do this interesting trek, because the presence of rain is minimal compared to the rainy season. In addition, the temperature varies from 32°F to 66.2°F and rarely drops below 28.4°F or rises above 71.6°F.

If you are interested in doing this hike we suggest you make your reservation between April and early November.

SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU, DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

This trek promises you an incredible adventure. On part of the way I assure you that you will want to return to your country, maybe enjoy the sun, beach, sand and all the comfort you are used to; but believe me, when you reach your goal you will know that it was all worth it. So, if you dare to do the Salkantay Trek 5 days, don’t only prepare yourself physically but also emotionally and mentally; you will really need it. Anyway, let’s go with the itinerary of the 5 days of adventure in this magical land, Cusco.

DAY 1: ADVENTURE GETTING TO KNOW CUSCO, MOLLEPATA, SORAMPAÑA AND HUMANTAY LAKE

To start this adventure, if you are close to the centre of Cusco our transportation will pick you up from your accommodation. If this is not your case, there is no problem, since we will previously coordinate the place and time of meeting to leave Cusco towards Mollepata.

Once we are in Mollepata we will take the opportunity to do some last minute shopping and then continue on to Soraypampa at 3900 m.a.s.l. Here the muleteers and mules will be in charge of transporting our luggage. The best thing about this part of the day is that from Soraypampa we will be able to enjoy some panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, so we will take the opportunity to recharge our batteries and have lunch because then we will head to the hypnotic waters of the Humantay lake. Finally, after our visit to the Humantay lake we will return to our campsite for dinner and to spend the night. In this way we will have finished with the 1st day of adventure on the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu.

DAY 2 SORAYPAMPA TO CHALLWAY HIKE

The second day of the trek is the most challenging in terms of hiking, so we will have a nutritious breakfast super early to make the most of the day. Get ready because you will experience drastic changes in landscapes and climate. Don’t be scared! The best part of the day will be the satisfaction of seeing the lush landscapes. Don’t forget to bring your rain poncho, you will need it.

The challenge of the second day will be to reach the left side of the Humantay snow-capped mountain, located next to the Apu Salkantay. By almost noon, we will be at the highest point of the route, which is at 15,092 feet above sea level. It’s crazy! Recommendation: bring coca leaves, it will help you with the hike.

From this point, we will be able to observe the majestic Salkantay snow-capped mountain located at 20,551 feet above sea level. An important fact is that you will have in front of your eyes the second highest mountain in Cusco. Would you like to know which is the highest mountain? Here is the link.

Around 1:00 pm, we will prepare to recharge our energy with a delicious lunch in the town of Huayracmachay. After this small break, we will continue our hike for 3 more hours until we reach our Challmay campsite, located at 9,581 feet above sea level. We will have dinner almost at 7:00 pm and get ready to spend the night.

In this way, we will have finished the most demanding part of the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

DAY 3 TREK FROM CHALLWAY TO LUCMABAMBA

At approximately 7:00 a.m., we will start our hike while enjoying the beautiful sunrise. We will walk for approximately 5 hours towards the Sahuayaco Beach, during the course of time we will observe a village called Collpabamba, also known as “the eyebrow of the cloud forest”, where we will be able to observe waterfalls, fruit trees, a great variety of flora and different species of birds.

If we are lucky, we will also be able to observe the famous Peruvian national bird, called “El Gallito de las Rocas”. Once in the Sahuayaco beach sector we will have our lunch, after which we will walk for a couple of hours more to reach Lucmabamba, place that will be our last camping area and also the beginning of the Inca Trail of Llaqta Pata.

DAY 4 TREK FROM LUCMABAMBA TO AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

The level of trekking for the fourth day is light, so don’t worry; it’s all over and you are getting closer and closer to your goal Machu Picchu! To start this great day we will first have breakfast and then walk for about 2 hours until we reach Llaqta Pata, a beautiful archaeological site that has a connection with the Inca site of Sayacmarka and Machu Picchu.

Take advantage of the time of circuit by this place, to take many photos and if you want videos; after a prudent time of exploration by the place, we will continue with our route and we will begin to descend until arriving to Hidroeléctrica, we will continue with the trekking until arriving to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night and we will prepare our things because tomorrow we will leave very early. So, we must leave everything ready to return to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu.

DAY 5 MACHU PICCHU!

It was all worth it! Today you will finally know and enjoy the magic that hides this magical place, we are sure that you will be mesmerized with the beauty of its buildings, the terraces, canals, mountains, everything in Machu Picchu is perfect and you achieved it, because you focused on a goal and you accomplished it.

You will only be able to feel this beautiful sensation once you are in front of the Waynapicchu or young mountain and you will be able to take the traditional postcard photo that many travellers keep as a memory of a wonderful experience.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOING THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU

• Choose an authorized agency that guarantees you a good trip.
• Prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally; you will go through many emotional changes and need to be prepared.
• Make your travel reservation 3 months in advance.
• If you follow an exclusive dietary plan, do not hesitate to let us know when coordinating the itinerary.
• If you feel that you can’t go on during the trip, think of positive moments. It will help you to continue.
• Prepare yourself for all the adrenaline you will feel.
• Let your only concern be enjoying the trip.
• Carry cash in soles preferably, as you may be able to make last-minute purchases.
• Carry a camera.
• Make sure your travel backpack only carries necessary things.
• Always wear suitable shoes for trekking.
• Do not forget to protect yourself from the sun’s rays, use sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
• Wear suitable trekking clothes; do not wear jeans.
• Carry quick-drying shirts for changes.
• Bring personal hygiene items.
• Flashlight with spare batteries (or also an environmentally friendly option).
• Rain poncho or waterproof clothing, you will need it at least on the second day of the hike.

WHAT DOES THE SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU INCLUDE?

During the 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, the following is included with Inkayni Peru tours:

• Professional tour guide.
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
• Cook
• Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7 kg of your personal items.
• Pick up and transport from the hotel to the start of the trek.
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the tour where you will need to carry it on your own).
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 happy hours and 4 dinners. If you have a dietary request, such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Comfortable and spacious 4-person tent, which will be used only by 2 people.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes on the fourth day.
• Inflatable mattresses/sleeping mats.
• Oxygen bottles.
• First aid kit.
• Entrance fees to Machu Picchu.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip).
• Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco.

WHY BOOK WITH INKAYNI PERU TOURS?

Because, our work aims to practice sustainable tourism, promote the responsible use of natural and cultural resources, and focus on operations that improve the quality of life of local populations, strengthening their social, environmental, cultural and economic development.

Our company considers the importance of revaluing the true historical, cultural and spiritual legacy left by our ancestors. We believe that we can achieve to be the best link with the Andean world, with an excellent corporate image, as well as an unlimited passion for our Andean heritage.