Salkantay trek is one of the alternative routes to the famous Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu. National Geographic magazine named it one of the twenty-five best routes in the world. During the walk you can admire the Salkantay mountain range and its majestic glacier, which in Quechua language means "wild mountain".
The first day includes the transfer from Cusco to Soroypampa, from where the trek begins. The surrounding landscape is characterized by snow-capped mountains with sharp peaks overlooking the valley of the Apurimac river. After 3 hours of trekking, the first stop in Soroycocha (4400 m above sea level). Then continue to the highest point, the Salkantay Pass. After admiring the panorama of the mountain range, continue down for another 3 hours to the Huayraqmachay camp. Dinner and overnight in a tent.
After breakfast we start with 3 hours of trekking mainly downhill through subtropical forests with waterfalls, fruit trees, wild orchids and bamboo woods. Stop for lunch in Collpachaca, and in the afternoon another 3 hours walk to reach Playa Sahuayaco, where we will camp for the night. Here the higher temperatures favor the cultivation of coffee, bananas and avocados.
First destination of the day is the Patallacta site, reachable in about 3 hours. From here, you have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu: you go from subtropical vegetation to coca plantations. After 3 hours of walking downhill in the middle of the vegetation, you will arrive at the hydroelectric plant, where you will have lunch. Finally, the last two hours of walking to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night with dinner included.
Altitude in Aguas Calientes: 2040 m above sea level
Breakfast at dawn to take the shuttle bus and arrive at the entrance to the archaeological site. Private visit of the ruins of the so-called "lost city of the Incas", one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. In addition to the classic circuit, you can take additional walks to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, the famous Sun Gate or the Inca bridge.
After the visit, return to Aguas Calientes on foot or by shuttle bus. From here you get on the train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Return to Cusco for overnight.
Altitude in Cusco: 3399 m above sea level
