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Salkantay to Machu Picchu
5 day Trek
Itinerary
*** SM4G
Salkantay to Machu Picchu
4 day Group Service 2008
***
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Map of the Salkantay to Machu
Picchu Trek |
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Day 1: Cusco - Sayllapata
- Soraypampa - Soyrococha
We depart Cusco at
about 06:00 and travel by bus to the start of the trail at
Sayllapata (3200m). On the way we'll stop for breakfast at a
typical restaurant and will be able to enjoy some superb views of
the snow-capped "Apu Salkantay" and the Apurimac River valley. In
Sayllapata we'll meet our "arrieros" (horsemen) who will accompany
us on the trek. We'll trek for about 3 hours passing through small
Andean communities until we stop for lunch at Soraypampa (3850m).
After lunch we will trek for another 4 hours to our campsite at
Soyrococha (4200m)
Note: The
government has a control point at Soraypampa and an entrance fee
will be charged. This entrance fee is not included in the price of
the trek. Currently the entrance fee is US$10 but it is likely to
increase from mid-July.
Day 2: Soyrococha - 7
Snakes - Salkantay Pass - Colpapampa
On the second day
we will climb up a steep series of switchbacks known as the 7 Culebras (7
snakes) to El Paso or Salkantay Pass which at 4600m is the highest
point of the trek. From this point we will have spectacular views
of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay mountain (6271m) and
Huamantay mountain (5917m) as well as several nearby glaciers. If
we are lucky we may be able to observe the Andean Condor in its
natural habitat. We will then descend for about 3 hours through
dramatic cloud-forest to Huaracmachay (3750m) where we will stop
for a well deserved rest and have lunch. We will pass small lakes
and moraines along the route. From now on the scenery starts to
change from high mountain terrain to a more tropical climate. It is
a further 3 1/2 hour trek downhill to Colpapampa (2600m) where we
will camp the night.
Day 3: Colpapampa - La
Playa
Today is a much
easier day, walking mainly downhill for about 3 hours to
Lluscamayo where we will stop and have lunch. We will notice the climate
becoming much warmer as we enter a zone of high-jungle known
locally as Ceja de Selva (or the eyebrow of the jungle). There are
many small plantations in this area growing coffee, coca and
several types of fruit such as bananas. We may also be lucky
enough to see the "Gallito de las Rocas" (Cock of the Rocks) which
is Peru's national bird. If we have time we will also be able to
take a refreshing shower under a waterfall. In the afternoon we
will walk for about 3 hours to our final campsite just outside the
small village of La Playa (the Beach) at the much lower altitude
of 2000m. There is a small shop here that sell soft drinks, snacks
and even a beer!
Day 4: La Playa -
Lucamabamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Breakfast at 06:00
for an early start. We will take local transport for the 20 minute
ride down the warm Santa Teresa Valley to the village of
Lucmabamba (if transport isn't available then its a 1 hour trek,
sorry!!). From Lucmabamba we start a gently climb to a recently
investigated Inca site called Llactapata (2700m) perched high up
on the side of the Vilcanota River Valley. From here we get our
first views of Machu Picchu - the magnificent "Lost City" of the
Incas. After a rest we descend along quite a steep path to the
valley floor and to Hidroelectrica (1870m). As you may have
guessed this is the location of the Hydro-electric power station
that provides energy to Cusco. There is also a train station here
connecting it to Aguas Calientes and then onto Cusco. At around
3:30pm we'll try and take this train for the 45 minute ride to
Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hostal. Please
note that this train is often unreliable and has just one or two
wagons. Tickets can only be bought when boarding the train and
cannot be bought in advance. If the train not running or is
already fully booked when we arrive we will have to walk the 2
hours to Aguas Calientes along a scenic trail beside the Vilcanota
River. Dinner will be provided in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes -
Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Rise early around
about 04:45 !! to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu.
I'm sure you'll agree that, although it's tough getting up, it's
well worth the effort to see the "Lost City of the Incas" at its
quietest in the early morning light. You'll have plenty of
opportunity to take photos and have some peaceful time alone to
enjoy the sun rising from behind the mountains. Our guide will
give you a tour of Machu Picchu telling you about Inca history and
significance of the major sites of interest. The tour takes about
2 hours after which you will have freetime to explore the ruins on
your own or climb Wayna Picchu - the mountain that overlooks the
ancient Inca city (allow a minumum of 1½ hours). By 11:00 Machu
Picchu quickly fills up with tourists arriving by train and
appears crowded by comparison with the early morning. Most people
are ready to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes around 1pm where
you can have lunch in one of the many restaurants. Late afternoon
train back to Ollantaytambo where a bus will be waiting to bring
you back to Cusco.
The above trek
itinerary is only a typical itinerary and the actual campsites
that we use may vary depending on group size, group ability and
weather conditions.
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