SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU (BUDGET) 4 DAYS + RETURN BY BUS

Price
$440.00
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This is our shorter version of the budget option returning by bus for the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. The trek passes by stunning scenery including Humantay Lake and the snowcapped peak of Salkantay. The trek is 3 days ending in Aguas Calientes where we spend the night before ending the tour with Machu Picchu itself on day 4. This is a great option for those short on time and travelling on a budget who want to avoid the more expensive return by train.

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

This is our shorter version of the budget option returning by bus for the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Salkantay is a popular alternative trek to the classic Inca Trail trek but no less beautiful. The trek passes by remote Andean communities and stunning scenery including the snowcapped peak of Salkantay mountain itself. The tour is 3 days of trekking ending in Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night before visiting the site of Machu Picchu itself on day 3. This is the ideal option for those short on time and travelling on a budget who want to avoid the more expensive return by train.

ITINERARYITINERARY
DAY 1 – Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
Meals: lunch and dinner
Pickup at your hotel in the morning between 4.30 and 5 AM and we start our drive to Mollepata (2900 m) where we will meet with the horsemen and horses that will carry our camping equipment (you will also pay your entrance fee of 10 soles). On the way we will also have a 30-min stop at a local restaurants in order for you to have breakfast (not included). Already it is possible to see the snowcapped peak of Salkantay mountain (6267 m) from this area. We start our trek and will walk for about 2 hours ascending up to Soraypampa (3920 m), our first campsite, passing through some wonderful mountainous scenery along the way. Here we will then take a break and have lunch to recover our energies. After lunch we will hike for about 1.5 hours up to the stunning Humantay Lake. We will stay there for about 1 hour in order to take in the views and take pictures of this incredible lagoon. We then make our way back to Soraypampa for dinner. Tonight we go to bed very early in order to wake up early on Day 2.

DAY 2 – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Salkantay Lake (optional)  Chaullay
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
We wake up at 5 AM and start this day with a hot tea or coffee. After a good breakfast we start walking for about 3 hours to the Salkantay pass at an altitude of 4600 meters (this is the highest point of our trek). This is the toughest stretch of the whole trek and if you don't feel like walking all the way up you can also rent a horse on site (about 90 soles). Once we arrive at the Salkantay pass we pause to take in the views and take some rest. Here our guide will also explain about the relationship that the Incas had with their mountains and we will also take part in a short ritual. We then continue our adventure descending towards Wayrapunku where we will stop to have our lunch. On our way down we might even be able to visit another lake, the Salkantay lagoon, but this entirely depends on the group speed and timing (it takes about 1 hour total to reach the lake and return back to the normal path). After eating and a break we will continue in high jungle areas populated with large trees that contain a number of bromelids and orchids. We will arrive to our camp site in Chaullay (or Colcapampa) and relax, have dinner and sleep here for the night. Total trek time for the day is about 9 ot 10 hours.
 
DAY 3 – Chaullay  Playa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes 
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
On the third morning, after breakfast, we will set off along the trail passing through several different ecological zones and an abundance of flora in what is one of the most beautiful parts of the trek. We will trek for about 5 hours until we reach La Playa (2200 m) and we will stop for lunch before we take a bus to Hidroelectrica (about 1 hour drive). From here we will continue for a further 3 hours walking by the train tracks (totally flat) until the town of Aguas Calientes (2010 m). Tonight we will not be camping but spend the night in a local hostel and then go out to a local restaurant for dinner that evening. We will go to bed early though because we will have a very early start the next day to visit the site of Machu Picchu.
 
DAY 4 – Aguas Calientes  Machu Picchu – Hidroelectrica  Cusco 
Meals: breakfast
We get ready around 4.00 am to walk up hill from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The ticket control entrance should be passed about 6.00 am and we will enter the site to see one of the wonders of the world. At the ruins your guide will take you on a tour of the site. We will visit enclosures, plazas, sacred fountains, temples, towers and he will explain the different functions of each area such as the agricultural and urban sections. The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and you will then have free time to explore the site yourself.
After spending some time at Machu Picchu, at around 11.30 AM, you will need to start making your way back down from the site to Hidroelectrica in order to take your bus to Cusco that leaves at 3 PM. It takes about 3 hours walking to get back to Hidroelectrica. The bus arrives in Cusco at around 10.30 PM and will drop you off near the main square.

INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDEDINCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED
INCLUDED
  • Accommodation pickup
  • Transportation (bus to start of trek, bus from Hidroelectrica back to Cusco)
  • Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
  • English-speaking guide
  • Pre-tour briefing the evening before tour
  • Horse to carry tents, food and cooking equipment, and up to 5 kg personal equipment (additional personal equipment horse available at extra cost)
  • Professional trekking cook
  • Meals as indicated in description
  • 1 night in hostel in Aguas Calientes
  • Camping equipment (tent, mattress, dining tent, kitchen tent)
  • First aid kit and assistance in case of problems
  • Sleeping mattress (sleeping bag can rented for an extra price)
 
NOT INCLUDED
  • Extrance fee - 10 soles
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented)
  • Extra horse to carry personal belongings (available at extra cost)
  • Trekking poles (can be rented)
  • First day breakfast and last day lunch (or dinner)
  • Water and snacks (can be bought on the way)
  • Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and back down (optional)
  • Personal medical kit (recommended)
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Sunglasses and sun cream 
  • Insect repellent 
  • Accommodation dropoff (tour ends in San Francisco square)
  • Tips for guide, horseman, cook
 
EXTRA OPTIONS
  • Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu climb - These are two optional climbs that you can add to your booking. The Huayna Picchu takes about 45 mins and it is usually full far in advance. The Machu Picchu climb takes about 1.5 hours. Tickets for climbing up to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain must be booked in advance when booking Machu Picchu tickets. If you want to do either of these (you can only do one) you must book this at the same time and it cannot be added on later. Please make sure you check availability before booking these as there are limited spaces each day.
  • You can hire an extra horse for personal belongings at an extra price.

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONIMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • This is the shorter version of the Salkantay trek that normally lasts for 5 days as a standard. For this reason you might leave together with a group of people who booked the 5-day tour. After arriving at La Playa you will then leave your group and guide and take a bus to Hidroelectrica, where you will join another group and guide (who left on the tour a day before) and you will end your adventure with them.
  • Groups are usually from 6 to 12 but can be up to 16 people per group.
  • We recommend that you acclimatize to an altitude of around 2500-3000 meters for some days before attempting this trek and that you are in reasonable physical condition. Temperature changes quickly together with altitude (from 4000 to 2000 m). If you have any illnesses or conditions you MUST inform of these when booking. In some cases we will require a medical certificate in order to permit you to take part in tour.
 
WHAT TO BRING
  • Original passport 
  • Hiking boots or strong footwear, waterproof recommended!
  • Trekking poles (can be rented)
  • A backpack (30 to 40L) with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
  • Water bottle - minimum 2 litres or plastic bottle
  • Rain gear - jacket + trousers or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
  • Warm clothes, including fleece jacket. Thermal clothing is highly recommended and can be also worn in the sleeping bag during cold nights
  • Trekking pants, zip off model is recommended
  • Gloves or mittens, scarf, woollen hat for cold nights
  • 3 pairs of warm socks
  • Sandals or jogging shoes for comfort while at camp
  • Sleeping bag  (you can rent one from us -$15 for the whole trip)
  • Flashlight / headlamp and extra batteries
  • Swimming gear for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional)
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions) and waterproof bags for your camera
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Personal medical kit / supplies
  • Extra cash for snacks, water and energy drinks to buy on the way
  • Travel insurance

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