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Transport
ticket
5 Days
From .00
DESCRIPTION:
One of the most incredible ways to visit Machu Picchu is through the Salkantay trek. This 5 days and 4 nights trekking route crosses the imposing Salkantay snow-capped mountain and then arrives at the Wonder of the World.
The Salkantay trek was named after the Salkantay mountain, also known as Salcantay or Sallqantay, in Quechua.
It is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range and is called the wild mountain. This is because the word Sallqantay means something like wild or invincible. It has glacial mountains, lagoons and crosses the Amazon jungle, which makes it one of the most beautiful and interesting hikes in all of Peru.
Leaving the hotel at 5:30 AM we will travel by bus to Mollepata (2,100m altittude). From Molllepata we will continue by bus to Challacancha, where we will begin our trek. Here we need to check our luggage, pack the mules, and begin the long ascent to our campsite next to Huayracpampa Lake. The ascent is approximately 3 hours long, and on our way we will be able to appreciate typical Andean flora and fauna. The impressive Salkantay Mountain will be above us during this stretch, and we will be camping just below the Salkantay glacier. For this reason it is recommended passengers bring a down sleeping bag, good for sub-zero temperatures.
We will begin this day by climbing for one hour to the Huayracpampa pass (4.460m). After a brief break and picture-taking session we will begin a long descent towards Santa Teresa. We will lunch in Qelqemachay. During this long descent we will be able to literally see the changes in vegetation as we go from high mountain areas down to tropical jungle with its dense forest. We will camp in Colcapampa close to the thermal baths.
The trail this day is very beautiful. The vegetation is very dense and we will see a variety of orchids and impressive water falls approximately 80 meters high. We will camp in Llucma Bamba.
Today we continue through the sub-tropical vegetation on our way to the village of Lucmabamba, where an original Inca trail still remains to this day. A gradual uphill climb through lush sub-tropical forest brings us to Llactapata (2700m), where we enjoy a stunning view of the backside of Machu Picchu amongst its neighboring peaks.
In the afternoon, we take the hydroelectric train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hotel.
We take the first bus (5:30am) from Aguas Calientes to the Machupicchu ruins. Our guide will thoroughly guide you through the ruins and bridge ruins, and In the afternoon we will take the train to ollantaytambo/Cusco.
A representative of our company will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel.
