Salcantay Trek (5 days)

Best time: All year
Timing: 5 days Trek
Grade: Moderate

Salcantay peak is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba (6,264m/20,574ft), part of the Peruvian Andes. It is located in the Cusco Region, about 60 km (40 mi) west-northwest of the city of Cusco. It is the 38th highest peak in the Andes, and the twelfth highest in Peru. However, as a range highpoint in deeply incised terrain, it is the second most topographically prominent peak in the country, after Huascarán.

Many Inca trails lace the fabled Cordillera Vilcabamba, the steep green mountains that surround Machu Picchu. Our special route follows a traditional but seldom traveled Inca trail leading up from the Urubamba River past remote ruins, then higher still into breathtaking alpine reaches where we have some of the most glorious views and campsites in the Andes all to ourselves.

TREK ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco - Soraypampa
We will leave Cusco at 5:00 a.m in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we can see the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will have our breakfast. Hereafter we arrange the equipment on horses. After our breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay.

Day 02: Soraypampa - Collpapampa.
After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 7:30 a.m we continue our hike hiking the peruvian highland, for 3 hours to start our ascent of the Apacheta pass 4,650 mts. initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation). From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m) the second highest peak in Cuzco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, from the Apacheta Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp in Chaullay.

Day 03: Collpapampa - La Playa
Wake up with a lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy hiking to Uscamayuc, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here coca and banana crops can be observed, time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird "Gallito de las Rocas" stop at Wiñaypoq’o for lunch and free time to rest. At the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl).

Day 04: La Playa - Aguas Calientes(06.30 hours aprox. Time of hike)
From La Playa we take a local transportation for approximately 20 minutes to Lucma ( or just hike if not local transport is available), from here we start our climb of about 03 hours to Llactapata ( newly discovery Inca Site ) which is famous for a “great condor view of Machu Picchu”, then we enjoy our picnic box lunch then we hike down hill for about 2.30 hours to the Hydroelectric Station by 3:00 pm. Aprox. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes which will lasted 45 minutes,
You may also wish to pay a visit to the town's famous thermal springs which feel great after finishing the trail. Entrance to the springs is a small fee of $US 3.00. Allow 3 hours to really enjoy them, which is open Until 9.00 p.m. In the evening we have dinner at a nice Restaurant, Accommodation in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu - Cusco.
We are going up to the Archeological site of Machupicchu and we will explore the ruins today at leisure and enjoy the ancient city in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. After the explanation of the guide you can climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the City of Cusco, where we arrive according to scgedule train ticket that is displayed in the briefing time.

Contact info@peruviantreks.com for more information and prices for this Cusco trek