It is designed for travelers who want to make the Salkantay trek as smooth as possible.

Every day the walks are approximately 15 km or 6 hours.

We have a small refuge in Wayracmachay that is practically in between Soraypampa and Chalway.

This refuge gives you the option where the walk is smooth.

You will love it since you can do it without difficulties.

Refugios Salkantay families are always looking out for you (you will never feel alone)

Relaxed travel without worries

Season: March 1st through January 10th.

DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA (HUMANTAY LAKE)

We will pick you up from your hotel between 5 am and 5:30 am in our private car, which will take you to the community of Mollepata, approximately 2.5 hrs traveling time. In Mollepata, my family will be waiting for you in the restaurant “La Casona”, where you will meet the founder of “Refugios Salkantay”- Mercedes Sotelo and where you will have the option to have some breakfast if your hotel didn’t provide you breakfast in Cusco. (Optional). After breakfast, we will take you in our van to Challacancha, which is approximately 1 hour away.

Start of the hike:

We will start the hike to our first lodge in Soraypampa which is approximately 2 hours away. The first section of the hike will take us through deep valleys and around the base of the mountain. On the way, we will see an ancient aqueduct that still provides water to the lower valleys and agricultural areas. We will then trek 7 kilometers (4,35 miles) in 2 hours, to reach Soraypampa. On arrival there will be hot-cocoa tea waiting for you and you will be shown to your private room, with a private bathroom.

Once you have settled in, we will prepare a delicious and nutritious local dish for lunch. Anyone who has any special dietary requirements or preferences will be catered for.

After a hearty lunch, we will have a brief acclimatization hike to the spectacular Tukarhuay Lagoon. With an impressive backdrop of the Tukarhuay Glacier, more commonly known as the Humantay Glacier. From here we will also have amazing views of the Salkantay Glacier, one of the most sacred mountains in Inca mythology. (The “Apu” Salkantay) reaching a massive height of 6200 meters / 20.341 feet). This excursion will take approximately 3 hours and will help you acclimatize for the rest of the hike. When we return to the lodge, there will be an aperitif waiting for us, followed by a delicious dinner.

• Total walking distance: 12km / 7.45 miles.

• Starting elevation: 3,380 meters / 11,089 feet.

• Highest elevation (Humantay Lake ): 4,300 meters /14,107 feet.

• OVERNIGHT: Refugios Salkantay: 3,850 meters /12,631 feet.

• Approximate night-time (outside) temperature at the lodge: 0 - 5°C.

• Difficulty level: Moderate.

• Approximately 5 hours

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA LODGE - SALKANTAY PASS – WAYRACC REFUGES.

After a good night’s rest, you will have to wake up to enjoy your breakfast before your trek. During this morning, there will be a short team introduction between all trekkers and the Refugios Salkantay staff to ensure a positive, family-like experience. Following the introduction, you will give your duffel bag to the muleteers for carrying. This hike will be approximately 3 hours on gradually ascending terrain. On your way, you will pass places such as Salkantay Pampa and will enjoy the outstanding views of the surrounding peaks and snow-covered mountains.

you will continue with your hike until Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m.a.s.l.- the highest point of the trek. You will be rewarded once here with hot drinks before continuing!

From Salkantay Pass, it will only be a remaining 3 hours to continue down through bucolic rolling hills and marsh-like plateaus as you take your final steps to the refuges Wayraccmachay.

We will have a happy hour with hot chocolate and coffee, followed by dinner. If the weather allows, you will get to enjoy the blue sky, along with a brief introduction to the visible Inca constellations.

• Walking Distance: 15km

• Max elevation: 15,200’/4,640m)

• Elevation Gained: 850 meters

• Elevation Descended: 850 meters

• Weather: Cold, windy, and rainy in the wet season.

DAY 3: WAYRACC REFUGES – COCHAPAMPA - LUCMABAMBA (FAMILY HOME).

At around 7 a.m., you will begin the day´s hike by hiking for approximately 4 hours downhill until reaching the lunch spot at Ccollpapampa (2,700 m.a.s.l.). In this hike, you will begin to notice the micro-climate and fauna & flora changes. You will go from cold glacier views to warmer green jungle surroundings. There will be many different species of orchids to see, as well as ferns, begonia flowers, and Hummingbirds.

After lunch and well-deserved rest, you will continue with your trek to the next family house Lucmabamba at 2400 m.a.s.l. This hike will be approximately 3 hours on gradually downhill terrain. Along the way, you will explore beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and again, flora and fauna. Here you will have another tropical forest microclimate, where local people farm coffee, passion fruit, papayas, oranges, and avocados.

Here we will now have dropped in elevation and be in the high jungle region and we will head to our family home for the night and meet our local family. You will have a private room, a private bathroom with hot and cold showers.

We will then visit the coffee farms which belong to the Refugios Salkantay family. The coffee from this region is considered one of the best in the world. If you are a coffee lover this will be a phenomenal experience for you! You will sample the recently prepared coffee made from the freshest, toasted and ground coffee beans.

You will also enjoy a traditional dinner before resting for the evening.

• Walking Distance: 18 km

• Night Elevation: 2,400 meters

• Elevation Descended: 1,400 meters

• Weather: Warm and hot.

DAY 4: LUCMABAMBA (FAMILY HOME) - LLACTAPATA INCA TRAIL- WATERFALLS AT HIDROELECTRICA-AGUAS CALIENTES

Our local family will wake you up bright and early with a cup of hot coffee, in bed a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you and after breakfast, we will continue to hike very early, along an original Inca trail. After a 2 – 3 hour climb, with spectacular views over the Santa Teresa valley, you will arrive at the Llactapata pass. At the top of the pass, we will see a small house belonging to the Sra. Susana, who will provide us with a refreshing drink, before you continue on your way. Here you can also ask any questions you may have about the rest of your journey to Machu Picchu or Santa Teresa.

We will then start to descend, arriving very quickly at the Inca ruins of Llactapata, the first archaeological site, situated just in front of Machu Picchu. On this part of the descent, we will have a continuous view of Machu Picchu as well as Huayna Picchu and the Machu Picchu mountain.

We will continue downhill for about 2 hours until we reach the hydroelectric train station where we will have lunch. One of the most impressive sights in the area is the natural waterfall which powers the electricity for the whole Cusco region! Here we will cross the river on an impressive bridge. Lunch is included here and this is where we will receive our main backpacks.

From this point, if you wish to continue to Machu Picchu you can walk along the train lines, for approximately 2- 3 hours, to the town of Aguas Calientes. This is a popular route and almost impossible to get lost if you follow the tracks.

We include your hotel in Aguas Calientes and your breakfast the next day.

• Walking Distance – 18 km / 11.2 miles

• Starting Elevation – 2450 meters ASL / 8038 feet ASL

• Campsite Elevation – 2000 meters ASL / 6561 feet ASL (Aguas Calientes hostel)

• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.

• Approximately 8 hours.

*This is where our services finish and you say “adiós” to"Refugios Salkantay!

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

You will need to arrive early at Machu Picchu which means waking up early! Machu Picchu opens at 6 a.m. until 5p.m. You can choose to hike up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes which is a hike of about 2 hours. OR you can take the shuttle bus up to the archaeological site for $12 USD (one way) which takes 30 minutes.

If you wish to hire the services of an official guide, there are many at the entrance to Machu Picchu, who form groups for a guided tour. The cost is usually around s/.20 soles per person for a group tour and around s/.150 soles for a private tour. A guided tour usually lasts 2 hours for this mystical site. A regular entrance ticket will only allow you to visit for about 2 -3 hours.

When you enter Machu Picchu you will head to the principal viewpoint. Here you may take your idyllic, postcard photos of Machu Picchu. After seeing the sunrise (weather permitting), you will start your guided tour which will take about 2.5 hours. You will visit the most important sites and temples inside the archaeological site. At the end of the tour, you will have some time to take photos, or if you have reserved the permit to climb Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain, to climb your respective mountain. These permits need to be reserved ahead of time and cost $70 USD per person). If you haven’t reserved a climb, you can hike to the Sun Gate (1.5 hours approximately) or even to the Inca Bridge (45mins).

• The citadel of Machu Picchu has many steps and uphill climbs

• Approximately 4 hours.

• Machu Picchu: Easy to moderate.

Please note: Huayna Picchu tickets are subject to availability. Please ask your Refugios Salkantay specialist for details upon booking.

Machu Picchu Mountain may be hiked as well, instead of Huayna Picchu Mountain. This hike is more challenging and takes four hours minimum, round-trip (at an extra cost of USD $70 per person).

INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:

1. Hotel Pick up in Cusco.

2. Private transport (Cusco - Mollepata / Mollepata - Challacancha.)

3. Hot shower at all lodges.

4. Fresh towels and soap are provided at all lodges.

5. Rooms in private cabins: Soraypampa, Wayracpunko, Lucmabamba, Aguas Calientes.

   We have double rooms, twin rooms, and triple rooms.

6. Includes mules and horsemen to carry your personal items for the whole trekking route until we reach Hydroelectric.

7. First Aid kit in all lodges.

8. All meals are included during the hike until the last day when we reach Hydroelectric.

9. Sleeping bags are NOT required as we provide plenty of blankets at each lodge.

10. We also provide a natural walking stick for the hike at no extra cost- one stick per person.

11. Water is provided. (Bottled).

12. WiFi Free

13. All our Refugios have renewable energy to charge their cell phone.

14. Coffee tour

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:

1. First breakfast in Mollepata

2. Entrance fee to Salkantay Trail (S/.20 per person)

3. Machu Picchu entrance ticket. (www.machupicchu.gob.pe )

4. Return train: (Machu Picchu - Ollanta) www.perurail.com / www.incarail.com

5. Return to Cusco (Ollanta - Cusco) (There are “collectivos” for s/15.00 soles per person /Private transport: S/ 100 for 4 people, as you leave the train station).

6. No services in Aguas Calientes

7. No services inside Machu Picchu

2 OPTIONS TO RETURN TO CUSCO FROM AGUAS CALIENTES:

1. Train: (AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO) There are many different train times for trains back to Cusco. Then from Ollantaytambo – Cusco, Buses all day until 8 pm approx, which will leave you in the Plaza San Francisco -2 blocks from the Plaza de Armas.

2. Bus. A 3-hour walk along the train tracks (Aguas Calientes - Hydroelectric) then a public bus /minibus - 6 hours Approx. (Hydroelectric - Cusco)

Any additional information on how to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, hotel in Aguas Calientes, or options on how to return to Cusco (by train - by bus) we are very happy to help you.

WHAT TO BRING:

1. A change of clothes for each day – please be prepared for every type of weather from cold and hot, to wet and dry.

2. Rain gear (waterproof jacket and trousers) or a rain poncho. You can buy a rain poncho almost everywhere but best to do so in Mollepata for around $1.50 USD.

3. Good walking boots, preferably with ankle support and waterproof. Spare, dry socks are a necessity.

4. Sandals to allow your feet to rest.

5. Headlamp and batteries (Very Important) Extra spare batteries – *PLEASE DISPOSE OF IN SPECIAL RECYCLING FACILITIES

6. HATS! A hat to protect you from the cold, protect against the sun, and the rain.

7. Sunblock.

8. After sun /hydrating creams.

9. Insect Repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although there is no recorded malaria in the area, bites can be itchy.

10. Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolate, dry fruits, trail mix, etc.

11. We recommend bringing water sterilization tablets if you want to drink water, which you can collect along the way. Your basic medical kit /first aid kit, which you may need along the route – with any prescription medication, plasters/band-aids, painkillers, anti-diarrhea tablets, etc.

12. Swimsuit (if you want to enjoy the thermal springs).

13. Cash! – Enough for snacks, tips, souvenirs, - bring in small denominations - no large notes.

14. Original Passport and student cards.

15. Please bear in mind that knives or anything with a sharp metal point, will be confiscated in Machu Picchu.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

1. A horse for riding in case of emergencies (Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay) $20 USD per person if you need to hire a horse

* $ 360 per Person

* All our tours are priced in US Dollar.

You will always have a private room with a private bathroom just for you in all the places where you will sleep.

Important:

If you are alone, don't worry, check our availability and our dates to be able to join one of our already confirmed groups.

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