Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru

We offer a US$40 discount to students with a valid International Student Identity Card ISIC and children under the age of 16 years old. (University ID or Youth Travel cards NOT valid)

Children under 08 years old receive a US$70 discount.

SAE members: $15 discount per person, it will be discount at the time of your final balance payment.(ask it to our office crew once you are in Cusco)

Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek 6 days Private Service Departure Dates 2009

What is included

What is not included

What you need to bring/carry:

Options:

Important note: You must decide if you want to hire the services of a personal porter in advance when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the porter's trekking permit. You cannot decide to hire an additional porter once you arrive in Cusco.

Other information:

(3) IMPORTANT:
As you may realize we are very happy to announce (publish) our 2009 trek prices and departures, but we are very clear too that some of the third party cost such, entrance fee to Machu Picchu, train tickett return, etc, may increase later, even a month before your trek departure as is been happening the last 05 years.
If any of the third party costs listed below (what is included) change to increase the cost of the trek we will immediately update the trek price listed on our website and will inform by email to every client, Clients will be liable for paying any increased cost of the Inca Trail trek upon arrival in Cusco.

Andean Life Trek Cancellation Policy

1. The trek deposit must be paid prior to the date shown on the trek confirmation email. Clients must email Andean Life to confirm that they have paid the deposit. Failure to pay the deposit and/or inform us of the deposit payment details before this date will result in automatic trek cancellation.
2. The trek balance must be paid in the Andean Life office prior to 8pm, at least 2 days prior to trek departure. Failure to pay the trek balance prior to this time will result in trek cancellation.
3. Trek cancellations made between payment of trek deposit and 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure date: Return of all payments made, less the trek deposit of US$200 per person, less any costs associated with receiving and returning the payment.
4. Trek cancellations made after 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure: No cash refund. However we will give to your Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance ticket, your bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and your return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (approximate value US$150). Please note that the client will be responsible for changing the dates of any of these tickets (if necessary) and any costs associated with such changes.

In all instances of trek cancellation by the client Andean Life will provide written confirmation of the cancellation and details of any payments lost so as to be used in the event of any insurance claim made by the client.

Important note about possible changes to trek prices in 2009:

The price of our standard 4 day Inca Trail group service as listed on our website is based on the following costs:
(a) Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee is 238 Peruvian Soles (approx US$73) per tourist and 39 Peruvian Soles per porter (approx US$12)
(b) The price of the train service from Aguas Calientes to Cusco in Backpackers class is US$46 per person (2007)
(c) The price of the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is US$6 per person
(d) The current rate of Peruvian sales tax (IGV) is 19%
The above costs are based on all information currently available. Although the government has not confirmed the price of the Inca Trail andMachu Picchu entrance fee (trek permit) in 2008.
An increase to any of the above third party costs are completely outside of the control of Andean Life and will be passed directly on to our clients. As soon as we are aware of any such increase we will immediately update our website and the price of our trek increased accordingly. Clients be be asked to pay any differences to the cost of the trek when paying the trek balance upon arrival in Cusco. The actual cost of the trek permits / train tickets and bus tickets is clearly marked on the respective tickets so it will be very clear to our clients that an increase to any of the above costs has occurred. We appreciate you understanding in this matter.

Salkantay Trek Itinerary 6 Days / 5 nights program 2009.

Day 1. Cusco – Mollepata – Challacancha – Ichupata. 12 km. Aprox.
Bus from Cusco to Mollepata (approx. 4 1/2 hours). On the way to Mollepata we'll briefly stop off at the ruins of Tarawasi - an Inca temple with one of the finest examples of Inca polygonal masonry in a long retaining wall. On the upper level are 28 tall niches possibly used for displaying the mummies of the Inca nobility. This area was the site of a battle between the Spanish and the Incas. Hernando de Soto and his soldiers were resting here on their way to Cusco when they were attacked by nearly 4000 Inca warriors; 4 Spaniards were killed and many injured.
Arriving at Mollepata in the early morning then we will drive to Challacancha (45 minutes).

Today we'll hike from the pastures to just above the village of Challacancha. In the morning you'll have magnificent views of Nevado Humantay (5917m). After about 3 hours trekking we'll arrive at the small settlement of Soray where the valley broadens and flattens and Nevado Salkantay comes into view. To hike from Soray to the camp of Ichupata in the upper valley requires about two ½ hours.

Day 2. Ichupata – Pampacahuana. 14 km. Aprox.
Alter a cold night, you`ll be on a trail that ascends, very gradually to Inca Chiriaska (where the Inca cools down), which is the highest point of the trip (4,950mt-16,200ft). 3 hours of gentle hike aprox.
The hummingbird inhabits the lower valleys around Nevado Salkantay, but here in the rocky crags is the home of the Andean Condor, the world's largest bird.
At the pass there are some absolutely mind-blowing views of the cordillera Vilcabamba and Urubamba, we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak, we will dessend towards the Pampacahuana community, next to to which exist an original Inca Canal. We will camp and have dinner at this place. 4 hours descending aprox.

Day 3. Pampacahuana – Ayapata. 12 km. Aprox.
In the morning you will see that the valley begins to narrow and the river becomes a canal. The Incas frequently cut canals through valleys to increase the agricultural land - this is an excellent example. From Pampachuana it's a 3 hours hike down the narrow, steep valley to the Inca fortress of Inkaracay (also known as Paucarcancha). This is a site well worth exploring.
It's about another 1/2 hours walk down to the small village of Wayllabamba. where you join the Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Depending on the progress made by the group on the previous days, we may camp the night at Wayllabamba or continue a few hours further along the Inca Trail and camp at Ayapata camp site. Our mules and horsemen will return to Mollepata and be replaced by porters.

Day 4. Ayapata – Chaquicocha. 14 km. Aprox.
Up at 0600, breakfast at 0630, wide awake and full of enthusiasm (!) to commence trekking at 0700.
The trail from Wayllabamba to the 1st pass of Warmiwañusca (4200 m highest point on the Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. ) climbs nearly 1200 m. and takes about 4 hours. Lunch is provided 10 minutes after the pass.
It`s another 1½ hours (easy down walking) to Paqaymayu, then we`ll climb to the second mountain pass named Runkuraqay (3900 m), we will desscend into the Chaquiqocha valley
(3,400 masl ), where we’ll cook dinner.

Day 5. Chaquicocha – Wiñay Wayna. 09 km. Aprox.
Easy day, we will get after two hours of hike one of the most amazing spots such Phuyupatamarca, a stunning Inca site located at the top of a mountain.
Then we walk down hill to Wiñaywayna, 2 hours aprox.
At Wiñaywayna we’ll set up camp and have dinner. There’s also a place to take a hot shower (US$1.5 extra) and a small restaurant for those who may wish to participate in the consumption of alcoholic beverages!!!

Day 6. Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco. (6 km)
Up at 0430, breakfast for 0500 and back on the trek to Machu Picchu early to arrive at Inti Punku (the sun gate) just prior to sunrise at approx. 0645 with beautiful views of Machu Picchu (depending on luck with the weather).
We'll arrive at Machu Picchu ruins (2400m) at 0730 and have a guided tour of the Ruins for about 2 1/2 hours followed by some free time. This is an ideal opportunity to climb the mountain of Wayna Picchu offering great views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valleys.
In the early afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes by tourist bus for a meal in one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a relaxing soak in the town's hot thermal springs.
Return by train back to Cusco. End of trek.
(Note that this is a typical itinerary and may be subject to change depending on speed of the group, group size and availability of camping space allocated by the UGM. Alternative campsites may be used.)

The Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek

Salkantay Premium Private Service 6 days (ST602)