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Head Office Cusco - Perú : |
Trekking tours around Cusco
Salkantay – Santa Teresa Teresa – Machu Picchu Trek
A fascinating and alternative route to Machu Picchu to the traditional well known and crowded IncaTrail is to undertake a hike along an ancient trail where the high Apu Salkantay (6261 meters, second highest mountain in the Cusco area) is a very impressive highlight.
This alternative is reserved for lovers of adventure challenges and real nature. The path begins in Mollepata, starting point for a spectacular trek across the Cordillera Vilcabamba. This range of steep mountains and snow covered peaks stretches over about 100 kilometers between Cusco and Apurimac, showing an excellent example of south Peru's Andean biodiversity. At the end of the four days trek there is Aguas Calientes, the main gate to Machu Picchu.
Itinerary
Day 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA
Our private car will pick up us at 10:00 a.m. in Cusco, and then we'll travel to Mollepata, which is located southwest of Cusco (3 and 1/2 hours drive). This includes the visit to Tarawasi in Limatambo; we will arrive in Mollepata (2690 mts. above sea level) at about 01:00 p.m, where we will have lunch. Then we start driving up to Soraypampa, arriving there in about 2.30 more hours driving (3,850 meters above sea level), where we’ll camp. Dinner. (L.D)
Day 2: SORAYPAMPA - COLLCAPAMPA
Early in the morning (at 7 a.m.) we'll begin to walk to Salkantaypampa and to Soyrococha (with magnificent views of huge Salkantay and its glaciers, as well as Umantay and Tucarway mountains nearby) and to El Paso del Salkantay, which is about 2 hours ahead (a 4600 meters high pass), then we'll head down to Collcapampa (at 3800 meters), already in the cloud forest vegetation. Collcapampa is a small village with hot springs, and we may have the chance to take a bath before heading to our campsite. (B,L,D)
Day 3: COLLCAPAMPA - LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA
At 7 a.m. we’ll begin to walk, passing the waterfalls of Tinajayoc. After these, we'll continue trekking along the Santa Teresa river down to La Playa (at 2500 meters), where temperature is quite enjoyable. Campsite in La Playa or in Lucmabamba, not far from Santa Teresa. (B,L,D)
Day 4: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA - MACHUPICCHU
From Lucmabamba we’ll take the trail to Llactapata, from where we´ll have a first view of the Machu Picchu ruins, and then continue down to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Plant located in the Urubamba river valley. (luggage will be taken by car to Santa Teresa and to the hydroelectric plant train station). Once there, we’ll visit an archaeological site near the river called Intihuatana. From the hydroelectric train station we'll take the train to go to Aguas Calientes (8 km), arriving there at about 5 p.m. In Aguas Calientes you will have accommodation in your planned hotel. (B,L).
Day 5: MACHUPICCHU
At about 07:30 a.m. you will have a guided private visit to Machupicchu. In the early evening you’ll take your train back to Cusco.
Included :
- English Speaking Guide
- Private Transportation until Soraypampa (The first campsite)
- Cook
- All meals during the trek until arriving in Aguas Calientes (vegetarian options available)
- Complete Camping Equipment (2 person tents, Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet tent)
- Tables and Chairs
- Mattress
- Horses, to carry all the equipment
- Extra horses for the clients in case of emergency
NOT Included :
- The hotel for the last night in Aguas Calientes
- The Machu Picchu visit
- Train ticket back to Cusco
We recommended to bring:
- Sleeping Bag (If you don't have one, please ask for assistance)
- Water bottle for the first day until lunch time
- Water tablets (Micropur)
- Extra money for expenses in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Original Passport in hermetic plastic bag, it could get wet
- Mosquito Repellent
- Sun cream, Sunglasses
- Head sun protection
- Flashlight
- Tablets for altitude sickness (Easily to buy in the drugstores in Cusco)
- Heavy Clothes (Hat, Scarf, Wind Breaker, Poncho, Gloves)
- Hiking Boots
- Extra pairs of socks (Feet can get wet, is really important to have dry and warm socks)
- Toilet paper
- Personal gear, medicines
- Camera + Film