Cheap Salkantay Trek. Are you up for an unforgettable hike? The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is for those willing to push themselves further and uncover the beauty of the Andes by foot. This experience includes a visit to the Humantay lagoon and the Apu Salkantay itself, a beautiful snow-capped mountain that will take your breath away. Have a walk-through of the many wonderful locations as you make your way to Machu Picchu and into the ancient Citadel. With a guide accompanying your every step of the way, you will be safe and sound all throughout the journey.
Your hotel in Cusco City (Google Map)
Cusco Centro Histórico (Google Map)
Between 4:00 – 4:30 am (Confirmed during the pre-tour briefing 1 or 2 days before the trek)
Let’s begin with a 3-hour early morning drive to the trailhead, passing the villages of Callacancha and Limatambo. You’ll have several stops to get some fresh air and admire the unique views of the Andean Mountain range and start walking alongside some unique and typical scenery of Peru. Located just one hour ahead we’ll set up at the Camp Base of Soraypampa, which is above 3850 meters. Enjoy lunch with the first glimpses of Salkantay peak. You’ll then follow an optional and scenic round-trip hike to the famous Humantay Glacier Lake, certainly not to be missed! Overnight at the Campsite of Soraypampa.
You’ll hike to the peak of the trail at Salkantay Pass in order to admire the spectacular views over the Southern mountain range, being able to spot some of the most important snow peaks, and of course, greeting at the majestic Salkantay Glacier, which raises over 6,271 meters, one of the highest of Peru. Wander around the snow before the 2-hour hike downhill to reach the camp for lunch.
The second part of the trail features a dramatic change in scenery. You’ll enter the upper part of the jungle best known as “Cloud Forest”. At the pace of a warmer atmosphere, you will be able to spot some Orchids and waterfalls all the way to the village of Collpapampa, where you will spend the night.
After breakfast, follow our guide for an adventurous hike that will take you through some amazing sights appreciating a variety of crops, including the famous coca leaf, used for hundreds of years as a sacred plant. This last section will be downhill to La Playa. Here, you’ll have a typical lunch prepared by a local cook.
In the afternoon, you are ready to continue the hike to Llaqtapata where you’ll meet a local family for a demonstration of organic coffee and chocolate preparation. These are cultivated and gathered from the nearby fields and considered one of the best in the world.
Following dinner, have a good night’s sleep at the Campsite of Llaqtapata.
Following an early start at Llaqtapata, you’ll keep strolling with enchanting views of some cascades, stopping at a Natural lookout to spot the Machu Picchu Mountain. Observe more fields loaded up with coca and different manors like bananas, and coffee en route along with interesting facts and insights delivered by our expert guide.
For lunch, you’ll have a typical meal nearby Hidroelectrica, which provides electricity to the area. From here we’ll continue walking for 2-3 hours alongside the train railway until Aguas Calientes. Of course, you have the choice to continue this portion by train (own cost). By the afternoon we will show up at Machupicchu town, spending this last evening at the foot of the incomparable Machupicchu.
At around 4:30 am we’ll head to the Inka citadel of Machupicchu via a 1-hour hike up amidst the forest, bringing you right to the Main Entrance to explore Machu Picchu before the crowds.
The tour starts with phenomenal views after passing the main entrance, along with the guide, you’ll learn more about the temples, palaces, priest houses, and more. Get some free time to explore at leisure, or use it to climb to the top of Huaynapicchu or the Machu Picchu mountains, if booked in advance they will assure you get unparallel views over the Citadel. Alternatively, you can trek to the Sun Gate at the main entrance of the Inka Trail.
Take the train to Ollantaytambo at approximately 6:30 PM and then catch the bus back to Cusco for a drop-off at your hotel or hostel on arrival.
