Salkantay Trek 5 days

The Salkantay trek 5 days is one of Peru’s best alternatives to the Inca Trail was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. Trek over a beautiful mountain pass at the foot of Mt. Salkantay before stopping at a local organic coffee plantation, followed by a visit to the Llaqtapata ruins.

Finally, get up early the last day to catch sunrise at the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

World's Best Hikes: Epic Trails - National Geographic Adventure Magazine rated the Salkantay trek as one for the 25 Best Treks in the World.

Overview:

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Incan trail. On this trek you will hug the base of the sacred Salkantay mountain, standing high above the surrounding mountains at a stunning 6271m/ 20,574ft. You will pass through traditional Andean communities and Inca ruins before arriving in Aguas Caliente, the town that sits below the legendary Machu Picchu.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – CUSCO TO Soraypampa – Humantay Lake - Soyroccocha

At the trail head (Soraypampa) we enjoying the amazing views of Humantay (5900mt) and Salkantay (6217mt) Mountain glaciers. Then we do a short hike up to see the turquoise Umantay Lake which will take 2,5 hours round-trip,where we have our delicious lunch in front of the beautiful glacier. afterwards we continue with a gentle climb for 1,5 hours to Salkantaypampa. we continue for one more hour uphill by switchback to our first campsite at Soroccocha located at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. Then enjoy your tea time with coffe and hot chocolate. The views on this day will be truly breathtaking. The best SUNSET of SALCANTAY
Star Point: Soraypampa (3,869 m/12,690 ft)
Trekking Time: Approximately 7 hours (including lunch in route Sakantaypampa)
Hiking Level: Moderate
Overnight: Soyroccocha

DAY 2 – CROSSING THE SALKANTAY PASS

Today’s the big day - amazing pictures of The best SUNRISE of SALCANTAY. we reach the trek’s highest point on the Salkantay Pass (4,638 m/15,213 ft). Take in views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction and the glaciated south face of Mt. Salkantay towering above. We begin our descent along the Salkantay River, where warm air starts rising from the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids.
lunch: Wayraqpunku (3,906 m/12,812 ft)
Trekking Time: 6–8 hours (including lunch)
Hiking Level: Challenging, crossing a 4,640m/15,200 ft mountain pass
Overnight: Colpapampa (2,870 m/9,414 ft)

DAY 3 –THE CLOUD FOREST- FOLLOWING THE SANTA TERESA RIVER VALLEY

Today we hike through more populated rural areas, passing through banana, granadilla and avocado orchards. We’ll camp at Lucmabamba which is surrounded by its own avocado trees and coffe plantacion. After lunch We’ll have tour of organic coffee plantation, one of many in that area that produces some
of the best organic coffee in the world.
Overnight: Lucmabamba (2,135 m/7,003 ft)
Trekking Time: 6–7 hours (including lunch)
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

DAY 4 – FIRST VIEWS OF MACHU PICCHU FROM LLACTAPATA PASS

On our last trekking day, we hike along the Llactapata Pass and come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers ever get a chance to admire. Then we’ll make our way to the train bound for our ultimate destination: Machu Picchu.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes (1,900 m/6,232 ft)
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

DAY 5 – VISIT MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY

We will take an introductory two-hour guided tour of the Inca Citadel, after which we have the rest of the morning to explore the site on our own or hike the steep Huayna Picchu or visiting the Sun Gate for expansive views. After that we go back to Aguas Calientes and later in the afternoon we return by train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and to Cuzco by minibus.

HIGHLIGHTS

INCLUDED

EXPLORE ADVENTURES DIFFERENCE

THE EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU® DIFFERENCE - DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
Explore Adventures Peru® has been setting the standard for Trekking Peruvian Andes since 2010. As one of the few specialist companies organizing high quality expeditions, we are recognized as one of the best operators on the Peruvian Andes. Come see why we are the premier Andes outfitter. When you travel with us, you gain access to people and places. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by local experts we meet along the way. And you give back. Simply by taking a trip with Explore Adventures Peru, you support the work of our explorers and indigenous Quechuas villages.

WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE!
Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-Hiking survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment, and food.

LOCAL GUIDES
KNOWLEDGE: LET OUR EXPERTS GUIDE YOU
- Professional, experienced, licensed local Quechuan guides
- Our guides are formed by expert Photographers, Explorers, History teachers, Archaeologists
- Honest, hardworking, team oriented support staff
- Over 600 times hikes on Inca Trail success experiences and client satisfaction

QUALITY EQUIPMENT
HIGH QUALITY EQUIPMENT & SERVICE.
• Rugged, four season North face, Mountain Hardwear, Doite, Vango tents
• Super warm North face, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear -30F sleeping bags
• Spacious mess tents and private toilets
• Outdoor utensils in stainless steel

FANTASTIC MEALS
• Delicious meals made from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with Water Guard
• we customize our menus depending on the preferences of the group,
• we never use freeze-dried backpacking meals
• Hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip!
• We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, non-gluten and other specialty diets

FOCUSED ON SAFETY
WE HAVE MANY LAYERS OF SAFETY BUILT INTO OUR OPERATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ON INCA TRAIL AND BEYOND .
• We have established protocols for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Certified of the oficial firemen of Peru
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• We provide evacuation by helicopter Andes Corp. For hikers seriously injured or sick.
• Emergency oxygen, portable stretchers and medical kits
• Emergency horse available in all our Alternatives treks

RESPONSIBLE TREKKING
GIVE BACK: WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH US, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Environmentally and socially responsible company
• Member of Inca Trail Porters Welfare
• Member of Leave No Trace
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Empowering Peruvian women

EXPLORE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Instead of local buses, which other companies use to reduce their costs,
we always provide private transportation. This service allows our clients
flexibility and privacy.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS
• "Great experience!"
• "Very well planned & organized"
• "Excellent service all around"
• "A solid company"
• "Highly recommended!"
• "Genuine, authentic, and flexible with deep local knowledge!"
• "Absolutely Amazing!"