Salkantay Hike — Hike to Machu Picchu
Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Alternative to the popular Inca Trail Tours 2020. This route will allow you to reach Machu Picchu through the lower valley of the Urubamba River, joining Aguas Calientes. You will pass through simply incredible and extremely varied landscapes, passing from the rocky Salkantay pass and culminating at an altitude of 4,600 m at the foot of the glaciers, to the equatorial jungle. 4 days of walking to reach the small town of Aguas Calientes, 2,200 m above sea level, very close to the famous site of Machu Picchu. Please note that an additional 1 day is required to reach the starting point of the trek and an additional 1 day for the visit of Macchu Picchu tours and the possible return to Cusco. Many operators offer this hike at astonishing prices (between $ 250 and $ 470 per person), but with a little will and ingenuity it is quite achievable in autonomy. Take advantage as this hike does not require a paid permit!
exit D-1 from Mollepata:
To get to Mollepata, take a “colectivo” or a minivan on “Arcopata” street located northwest of downtown Cusco.
Route:
Wait 2:30 hours, we recommend that you go to Arcopata street starting at 2 p.m., knowing that the buses leave once full, which sometimes takes time, and that it is dark around 5:30 p.m. (in November).
Upon reaching Mollepata (2900 m), just before Place d’Arme, on the left, you will find a “lodging” for 25 soles (€ 8), the room for two (a bit expensive but negotiable), minimal comfort and Enough to eat right across the street with a generous menu of 2.5 soles.
Difficulty
Medium, but should be acclimatized to the altitude, especially with a 8–10 kg bag.
Number of nights
6 nights including 1 night in a “hotel” at the place of departure and 1 night at the place of arrival. (possibility of camping in Aguas Calientes)
Plan
Micropur
Acclimatization of 6 days at 4600 meters.
Layer of rain …
Day 1
Elevation: + 1100 meters / 16 kms
Number of hours of walking: 7 hours.
Recommended departure around 6:30 a.m.
Take the street that goes up in the upper left corner of Place d’Armes. Follow the climb that goes a little to the right. Feel free to ask for directions to the many locals you come across, stating “Soraypampa”.
Follow the driveway and at the different junctions take the path uphill on the left.
After about 1 hour on the road, exit the driveway and take a small trail that takes a big left turn. To reassure you, ask the many “muleteers” who live nearby and whom you will not miss. Ask for the way to “Soraypampa”.
Approximately 2 hours later, you will come to a channel that you must follow to the right along a flat path at the beginning and then upwards. After which you will arrive at a small town (3 or 4 houses) where you will continue following the small path that goes up and where you find the canal. Note that there is a path that passes through this town, do not follow it.
Follow the path that is still obvious, then go up a false descending plane along the left side of the valley and this until Soraypampa. Possibility of camping in Soraypampa with shelter (tarps to protect your tents from the rain) for 5 sunsets. We recommend that you continue for an additional 45 minutes of ascent (+150 meters) following the path to the right towards Salkantaypampa (about 4000 meters above sea level). There is no shelter there, but the place is beautiful, free, and you will find a stream to get water.
Day 2
Elevation: + 600 meters / — 800 meters / 23 kms
Number of hours of walking: 7 hours.
Recommended departure around 7 a.m.
Take the path uphill to the left (400-meter drop) before reaching a floor and continue on a second climb for the remaining 200-meter drop to reach the pass, the famous “Paso Salkantay”, at 4600 meters.
Descend the unique path that passes through several villages to Chaullay (2900 meters), where you can camp on private land. You can also continue to Collpapampa (2800 meters) always on the same path that goes down to the river, which a bridge allows you to cross, then gently climbs up to Collpapampa. Water sources for refueling in both Chaullay and Collpapampa.
This part is interesting because we go from an “alpine” environment with ice and snow to a lush jungle of the equatorial forest type, all on foot and on the same day.
Day 3
Elevation: -500 meters / 13 kms
Number of hours of walking: 4 hours.
Short day of walking (4 hours) without difficulty to reach La Playa (2300 meters). Follow the path that goes down to the river. Just before the bridge, take the small path that descends to your left (river and then to your right) and continue to the beach.
Be careful, do not go beyond La Playa, as you will not find a place to camp before the next stage that is impossible to reach the same day, even for very good walkers.
Various campsites available and busy “tents”. Possible water supply.
Day 4
Elevation: + 400 to 600 meters / — 500 meters
Number of hours of walking: 6 to 8 hours.
From La Playa, follow the carriage road that descends for approximately ½ hour, then take the ancient Inca paved road, indicated by a large sign, and gently rising to your right.
Follow this path for about 3 hours, on the side of the mountain. You change the valley.
Return to the Hydroelectric through Llactapata. Then you can see Machu Picchu in the distance.
From Llactapata to Hydroelectrica, wait a good hour of arduous descent … You will see a beautiful suspension bridge that will allow you to cross the river that will then continue to the right. Be careful, after about 30 minutes of walking, the path leaves the main road to take the form of a small path that climbs to the right. It is indicated but not very visible … You will end up after 15 minutes in construction works, it is very ugly but you have reached the entrance of Hydroelectrica, which goes down to a railway line lined with small food stores as well as construction sites.
Once at the station, there are two solutions available to get to Aguas Calientes:
Take the train but it is very expensive, a real scam! 45-minute trip in a special “tourist” car, mandatory, with panoramic roof and soft music … for $ 18 per person, or 59 soles. For information, holders of Peruvian nationality pay 2 soles …
The other solution is to walk an additional 3 hours, but along the railroad.
Aguas Calientes is the starting point to visit Machu Picchu. The Salkantay trek, unlike the Inca trail, unfortunately does not directly lead to this Inca wonder. If you insist on that, you will have to pay the $ 370 claimed by local agencies to guide you on the “Inca Trail”.
Remember to reserve your machu picchu tikets 2020 a few days in advance.
in peru you have other alternatives of travel this short inca trail the trek lasts 2 days . other alternatives you have 2 day inca trail with camping but you travel to Peru for more days I recomend choquequirao trek the tour lasts aprox 4 or 9 days.
