DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA - CHAULLAY

We pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. to drive for about 3 hours to Mollepata where we stop and we continue to Soraypampa where we start our Salkantay trek . As soon as we are at Soraypampa our cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff and we start hiking the first 3 hours will be a little bit uphill to get Soyrococha where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our Salkantay trek towards the Highest point which is at 4600 Meters high then after we start going down to Chaullay our first Salkantay Trek camping spot (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip).

• 1ST DAY:Total distance: 16 km (aprox.)
• Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 4,600 m (aprox.)
• Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (aprox.)

DAY 2: CHAULLAY - COLLPAPAMPA – AGUAS CALIENTES

After having our Salkantay Trek breakfast we start walking about 6:30 am ,because this day will be the longest day the first 5 hours is Downhill to get La Playa where we stop to have lunch
After a rest, we will continue our Trek By taking a Local Transportation to Get Hydroelectric station to start walking 2 more hours by taking the railrodad to Aguas Calientes.

• 2ND DAY:Total distance: 19 km (aprox.)
• Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m (aprox.)
• Aguas Calientes altitude: 1,900 m (aprox.)

DAY 3: 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 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.and after enjoying machupicchu you have to go down to aguas calientes to take the train back to ollantaytambo and then bus back cusco.

• 3RD DAY:Total distance: 4 km (aprox.)
• Estimated walking time: 1- 2 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (aprox.)
   

Included:

• Pick up from your hotel
• Professional adventure and cultural guide.
• Private transportation by bus from Cusco to Mollepata.
• Horses to carry expeditions and personal equipment,
• Horsemen responsible for horses
• A professional chef
• Kitchen equipment, dining tent, chairs, tables
• Camping tents
• Thermarest
• Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
• Boiled water to fill your bottle
• Hostel or Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom
• Entrance to Machupicchu
• Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• First aid kit, emergency oxygen and radios.

Not included

• Entrance to Huayna Picchu, has an extra cost of US $ 30
• Sleeping bag (can be rented at our office in Cusco)
• Water purification tablets
• Lunch and dinner on the 4th day in Aguas Calientes
• Extra horse to ride: US $ 50 per day.

You need to bing

• Comfortable clothes for the trip
• Shorts - shirt
• A jacket
• Hot thermal bag
• Woolen caps (Chullo), gloves and scarf.
• Sweater (recommended for Cusco)
• Rain jacket & rain poncho
• Socks
• Hiking pants & shirts
• Good hiking boots - after the walk other shoes (sandals)
• Towels
• Sleeping bag
• Mineral water & purification tablets (optional)
• Sunglasses
• Flashlights - Batteries
• Book, notebook & pen
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera & Batteries
• Knife set
• Repellent and sun block
• Walking stick and protector (optional)
• Personal Cleaning Kit
• Extra money
• Small backpack & rain cover

Personal first aid kit: bandages, antibiotics in general, pitting, anti-diarrheal, re rehydration salts, personal medications.

We carry an extensive first aid kit & Oxygen for the whole trip, but usually only for emergencies

NOTE:

Mules carry all the heavy camping gear because it is an inaccessible location.

During the day please carry a small backpack to carry your personal stuff (water purification tablets, camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight, rain jacket).

Some kind of change or buy what you can do in Cusco stores or at your hotel.

ESSENTIALS:

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Remember you are packing for 2 nights of camping and 1 night in a hotel. Porters will carry up to 8 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2 wicking t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• Bathing suit for Hot Springs
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: this trek includes 2 cold nights camping
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean - might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

PassportValid, STUDENT card (if you booked as a student)Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)Good daypack (the smaller, the better)Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won't have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips

• Hire of sleeping bag 5 season                  $25.00
• Walking stick highly recommended!       $15.00
• Single supplement                                       $60.00
• Additional night at 3 star hotel                  $85.00

Is the trek difficult? Do I need to be in good physical condition?

All our treks (Inka Trail, Salkantay, Ausangate, Lares, etc) are moderately difficult, lengthy and traverse rough mountain terrain. We kindly recommend that if you plan to conquer any of these routes to be in relatively good physical condition, plus acclimatization. These means arriving to Cusco at least 02 days prior to your trek departure to adjust to altitude. During the last two months leading up to your trek we suggest a regular and moderate exercise routine to improve endurance and stamina. We wish for you to have the best experience possible! To Cusco at least 02 days prior to your trek departure to adjust to altitude. During the last two months leading up to your trek we suggest a regular and moderate exercise routine to improve endurance and stamina. We wish for you to have the best experience possible!

Are vegetarian, vegan, and/or other special diet needs available?

Of course! Without any additional costs! When you make your reservation, please inform us of any dietary needs or requirements, including allergies!

Vegetarian foods will be absent of all meats, chicken or fish. We will assume that eggs and cheese or other lactose products are OK.of all meats, chicken or fish. We will assume that eggs and cheese or other lactose products are OK.

Most of our main meals are a buffet-style, leaving you the option to avoid anything undesirable to you.

If there are any food items or veggies that you cannot stomach, perhaps onions, tomatoes, mushrooms.. etc, upon your request we will ask our chef to leave them out or separate this item.

We can also attend lactose-intolerant or gluten-intolerant diets. We cannot accept individuals with serious allergic or life-threatening reactions.

I have a food allergy. May I still participate?

Every day we receive many clients with food allergies to nuts, wheat, etc. Please inform us in detail of your condition upon making your reservation.

We kindly ask that you declare the severity of your reaction and any medication that you take in case of emergency.

If your allergy is severe, we ask that you be accompanied by a friend or individual conscious and fully responsible of your situation and ready with any medication.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT CLIENTS WITH LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES

When must I arrive in cusco or arrive to your office?

We require that all clients arrive to Cusco at least 48 hours before the start of your trek, although 03 nights before is ideal. You must pay your remaining balance two days before your departure for your trek. This will assure that all individuals are acclimatized and adjusted to the high altitude conditions to begin your trek comfortably. Please note that your remaining balance must be paid in cash in our office and cannot be paid before your arrival.

Our office hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm. (Please aim to arrive 7:30pm at the latest!)

Are hiking sticks or poles necessary?

For this trek more than any other, we do recommend hiking sticks, especially for those with any known knee problems. The poles will assist your balance and reduce the impact on your knees.

Inca Footsteps Company will rent hiking sticks for $25

Where can I store my baggage that I dont need for the trail?

Any baggage that is not necessary for your trek may be stored in your hotel in Cusco (most hotels offer this service free of charge). In the case that your hotel may not provide this service, we will store your baggage safely in our office free of charge.

What is the weather like during the trek?

The best time for making the trek with good weather is between the months of April – October when there is minimal rainfall and clear skies. The driest months are June – August, which is winter in the Andes.

January to March is summer in Peru, which means rainy season for Cusco and especially the Inka Trail, which is located mostly in the tropical cloud forest.

Where do I have to be the morning of the start of my trek and where will I finish at the end?

We will pick you up from your hotel to begin your trek and upon finishing, we will also leave you at your hotel.

I wish to have a train company or train option different to that which Inca Footsteps Company offers, is this possible?

If you wish to change your train company or option (such as Vistadome de Peru Rail, to Ollantaytambo or the whole route to Poroy), or your departure time, additional fees may apply. You must speak with one of our sales agents to inquire about availability and the additional costs.

The Salcantay trek to Machupicchu, it is the best alternative hike to the Inca Trail, designed for those who still wish to hike to Machu Picchu. The ecosystem has a wide-range biodiversity. Come and see yourself an outstanding mountain scenery, biodiversity, and an old-living culture off the beaten path.

• The Salkantay Trek is listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
• The Salkantay Trek is definitely one of the very best trekking adventures that you will find in Peru and in the continent of South America.
• After the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is the 2nd most popular trek to Machu Picchu (and a lot less crowded).
• Hiking alongside the magnificent Apu Salkantay and arriving at the ruins of the majestic Machu Picchu is one of the best experiences known to mankind.
• Trekkers can see natural bridges, snowcapped mountains, colorful valleys, waterfalls, wildlife, unique plants, and cloud forest.
• Camping with less people allows you to control your own trip and have the best views of these incredible mountains!