Salkantay Trek 5 Days – 4 Nights

Salkantay trek After climbing 2.5 – 3 hours on zig zagging switchback up the mountain we will arrive at a glacial moraine where we can appreciate Vizcachas (andean chinchilla) and a very small lake. After 3 hours you finally arrive at the pass which is the highest point of the trip (4,600 metres/15091 feet). Here you will find yourself in the middle of two great mountains – Salkantay (6271m) and Huamantay (5850m). Salkantay is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and at the Pass the mountain itself is very close to you. From here you can also see the mountain Pumasillo (5850m) opposite you, a mountain that can be seen from a different angle when you are at Machu Picchu. We descend to Huayracmachay (or Huayrapampa) or Andenes, approximately 2.5 – 3 hours from the pass, where we will have lunch.

From here, Ápus Peru´s groups take a detour from the standard Salkantay trek, as we try to get our clients off the beaten track. We climb for approximately one hour to Unuyoc. this is not a wide track, and in the rainy season its wet and slippery. From the highest point, with views of the Santa Theresa Valley, we will descend to the campsite at Unuyoc. You are likely to be the only people at this campsite. This is a very beautiful place to camp with wonderful views. Accommodation: Camping Unuyoc 2850m. (8 hours hike to an altitude of 4,600 metres/13451 feet) booking inca jungle salkantay trek

Salkantay trek After breakfast we descend for an hour more to the high jungle (known in Spanish as the eyebrow of the jungle”, enjoying the landscapes which offer us much natural beauty. We cross the river and as we are walking along the left hand side of the River “Alto Salkantay” to the ‘eyebrow ofthe jungle’ where we can see orchids, bromeliads, typical vegetation of the area and we will see different types of birds, insects and butterflies. In comparison to the previous days of the trek, this is easy walking as we descend slowly for 3 hours to La Playa (2050m). As we lose altitude we will see citrus fruit trees, avocados, bananas, and coffee plants. 5 hours hike to an altitude of 1900 metres/6232 feet

Camping options: Remember that Salkantay is a popular route that suffers from degredation and is currently un-regulated. The third night´s camping offers a number of options, which you should talk to your guide about. These options are linked to the group´s wishes, and also what you plan to do the next day. ie: La Playa is NOT a remote campsite – for those that want to get away from the crowds you should talk to your guide about camping at Lucmabamba. Santa Theresa is also not a remote campsite and can have parties, but is a good location depending on your activities the next day. If you plan on doing the Cola de Mono, then Cola de Mono has lovely camping options.booking inca jungle salkantay trek

** All new ** Special homestay option – unique to Apus Peru! **From September 2010 Apus Peru, in conjunction with COCLA tours are offering our clients the very unique and special option of staying with a typical coffee growing family in the community of Lucmabamba on Night 3. You will sleep in a bed, and have a hot shower, as well as eating your meals with the family. this is a special opportunity for the sensitive traveller. there is an extra cost of $35, payable to Apus Peru, but going directly to the family. For more information see aventuras inca trail To do the homestay option you need to have a private tour, and up to 10 in the group accomodated in 2 houses – for more specifics refer to the COCLA homestays page. Or you can form your own group with two people, and advertise for others to join but with the extra costs associated with this option salkantay trek booking inca jungle

Salkantay trek You have THREE options here, depending on your interest and fitness. You should discuss each with your guide. You should also be aware that Salkantay is the second most touristed route in the Salkantay region and ineveitably this means you will encounter other people (its not a “wilderness” experience).

Important note

The following options are decided by “group majority” – if you are joining a “trekkers wanted” group then the decisions will be made by the group at your briefing or on the trail. An advantage of forming your own, private group, is that you can nominate ahead of time which option you wish to select.

1. Relax option. You will take motorised transport to the campsite outside the village of Santa Theresa (not always a quiet campsite) so that in the evening you can visit the recently reopened hot springs at Colcamayu. UNFORTUNATELY the Colcamayu Hot springs were completely washed away in the flooding of January 2010 and are no longer a camping option. On day 4 you will then take transport to the impressive Machu Picchu Hydroelectric System where we will have lunch and visit an Incan ruin. After this, we will walk for 2.5 hours more along the train tracks to arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes.
2. Adventurer´s option. We leave early and climb for about three hours through the jungle before descending to the interesting, but largely covered ruins of Llactapata. Don’t let your guide talk you out of this!!! Yes, its three hours climb, but it is also a very interesting introduction to Machu Picchu! Orginally discovered by Hiram Bingham at the same time that he discovered Machu Picchu, modern day explorers Vincent Lee and Gary Ziegler recently established that these ruins are much bigger and more important than previously thought. From here we have our first view of Machu Picchu, in the saddle of the mountain opposite. We descend very steeply on a muddy trackfor two hours to the impressive Machu Picchu Hydroelectric System where we will have lunch and visit a Inca ruin. After this, we will walk for 2.5 hours more along the train tracks to arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes.
3. Thrill seekers option. On day 4 we offer you the chance highest and longest zipline in South America – Cola de Mono. (check out the pics!) After doing ‘Cola de Mono’ in the morning we will take transport to the Hydroelectric Station . ** Price of Cola de Mono is additional to the cost of your tour ** After this, we will walk for 2.5 hours more along the train tracks to arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes.

We include in the price of your tour a train ticket from the Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes ($18) but the train leaves at 7.30pm, and you arrive in Aguas Calientes about one hour later, when you are transferred to your hotel. If you want to walk all the way to Aguas Calientes (ie Machu Picchu) its 2.5 hours more along the train tracks to arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes. Some people like this option, because its the closest you can get to walking to Machu Picchu (apart from the actual Inca trail) and its also nice to walk along, looking up at the ruins of Machu Picchu. Other people prefer the train. You need to talk to your guide and decide what is the most appropriate option for you. If you decide to walk along the tracks, your $18 pays for your duffel bags to go on the train.

A soak in the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes are often the perfect respite for aching muscles!!! Apus Peru include a nice celebratory dinnern the price of your tour in Aguas Calientes. Accommodation: Hostel in Aguas Calientes (normally Hostal Payacha) salkantay trek booking inca jungle

Salkantay trek Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in price) so that you can appreciate this famous city in the dawn light and before the crowds arrive. You will then have a 2.5 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna (Wayna)Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. (You need to specify if you would like to climb Huayna Picchu at the time of booking, it costs $10 extra) Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or Uyna Huayna Picchu while visiting Huayna Picchu.salkanmtay trek booking inca jungle

If you don’t get to do Huayna Picchu, other options are:
• Inti Punku (gate of the sun) this is the location where the classic inca trail arrives.
• Inca Bridge
• Machu Picchu mountain.

We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. Its a 1.5 hour walk back to the village of Aguas Calientes. We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive in Cusco approximately 4 hours after your train’s departure from Aguas Calientes.salkantay trek booking inca jungle