Inca Trail alternative - Salkantay
Day 1. Cusco - Soray
On the first day we leave Cusco early and drive to the sub-tropical town of Marcocasa (6 hour drive), situated in a citrus growing area. We stop in Mollepata for any last minute snacks, and drive onwards to Soraypampa for lunch.
This is a beautiful spot, affording view of the Humantay massif as well as Salkantay. We have lunch, and it is here that we wave goodbye to our drive and meet up with our mules that will carry our gear.
After lunch we follow a gentle path towards today's destination, Soraypampa campsite at 3,800 metres, a distance of approximately 8 km, and 2-3 hours walk. Our camp features a dining tent, toilet tent and spacious personal tents, and is rooted in the valley at the foot of the towering peak of Salkantay (6,271 metres). The cooks will bring warming soups and meals, washed down with steaming hot teas and coffees.
Day 2. Soraypampa - Chaullhuay
On the second day we wake up early with a cup of tea delivered to your tent, and head towards our target, the pass at 4,600 metres, between Salkantay and Humantay, which is the highest point on our trek.
It's straight uphill, a series of switchbacks taking us to a small plateau used for farming. Then it's up again for the final 300 metres to reach the pass. This is dotted with small piles of stones, or apachetas, left by locals and travelers to honour the mountain gods. From this point we can see glaciers on the mountains on either side of us. This is a challenging but spectacular day's walking.
Our descent takes us through very different landscapes from screes, to high puna glasslands and finally to the beginning of the cloud forest, in Spanish appropriately named ‘ceja de selva’ - literally ‘eyebrow of the jungle’.
The flora and temperatures change dramatically and the warm winds from the Amazon basin start to blow into our faces. Orchids and flowers appear and we spend the night camping at a small village, where a beer or soft drink can be bought to celebrate the day's efforts. 7-8 hours walking.
Day 3. Chaullhuay - Playa
After a good night's sleep in the oxygen rich valleys, we continue to descend on the 'Peruvian flat' through a now verdant landscape, where there is a good chance of seeing exotic birds like parakeets as well as farmers going about their daily work.
We may take a break at the natural hot springs by the edge of our path. The ice cold mountain river running alongside provides sharp contrast to the warm relaxing water of the springs. Fully revitalised, we continue on to the village of La Playa.
Here the group can decide to camp at La Playa (5-6 hours' walking in total) and walk to Llactapata on day 4, or continue by bus (ot walk, an extra 3 hours) to the hot springs at Santa Theresa (7-8 hours' walking in total).
Santa Theresa is a series of beautiful hot springs of various temperatures, ideal for a relaxing soak after a trek. We camp in the grounds, allowing ample opportunity to enjoy the healing powers of the warm water. There is a freezing cold stream for those that like the contrast treatment.
Day 4. Playa - Llactapata OR Santa Theresa - Aguas Calientes
Llactapata itinerary:
We continue through sub-tropical vegetation to the village of Lucmabamba, where an original Inca trail remains. A gradual uphill climb through lush sub-tropical forest brings us to Llactapata (2,700m), from where we enjoy a back - side view of Machu Picchu and vistas of the surrounding peaks. In the afternoon we take the train from the hydroelectric plant to Aguas Calientes where we spend a night in a basic hostel.
Day 5. Aguas Calientes - Macchu Picchu - Cusco
On the final day of our expedition we visit Machu Picchu. We take an early bus to the site.
Here we will have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours. Then we have time to explore the mysterious remains on our own before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch and the late afternoon or evening train back to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
Included services
Transfer to trek, large dome tents for 2 people, basic camping mat, dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent, basic toilet facilities & a tap at each camp, English speaking guide, cook and equipment, horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment and 10kg of personal luggage), meals whilst on trek, first-aid kit, entry and guided tour of Machu Picchu, bus to and from site, train / bus ticket back to Ollantaytambo / Cusco.
Not included
First breakfast, last lunch and dinner, sleeping bag, tips, items of a personal nature, hot spring entry (usd 3).
What you need to bring
A kit bag (to go on horses) with personal items max 8kg, a day rucksack (you will carry) with extra clothes and good rain jacket, strong footwear - ideally trekking boots, warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters, sleeping bag (can be hired at our Cusco office for usd 12), torch and batteries, camera, films and batteries, hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper. Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc. 2 litre capacity water bottle and sterilizing tablets / water filter (ie. Micropur). Don't forget to bring a towel and swimsuit (recommended for hotsprings).
We operate this as a standard group trek with weekly departures as well as a private trek - with price dependent on the number of trekkers.
|
