Short Salkantay to Machu Picchu

After a nice breakfast, we continue our hike through the upper jungle. Each step of the way the surroundings are altering, there is more plant life, waterfalls, and warmer weather, some small brooks, we pass the Lluscamayo River. After a five hour hike we reach the settlement of Lluscamayo where we have lunch. Then we trek for 3 hours more, passing an awesome waterfall where we can catch our breath and take some photos. The backdrop here, of course, is astonishing. Green valleys, mountains, trees, a diversity of birds and if your lucks in you might see the Peruvain national bird, the "gallito de las rocas". Finally we get to the village of La Playa. From this point you can choose from two options.

Llactapata Ruins The route up to Llacatpata is on a part of an aged Inca Trail. Firstly it goes through some old villages of coffee and coca plantations, citrus tree orchids before extending to some exquisite high altitude meadows and then entering into an ancient forest close to the top. The scenery on the way up is the most varied and gorgeous than on the entire Salkantay Trek.

Close to the top, the trail changes to seemingly never ending stone steps as tall as park benches! Which you might find strange as the Incas were not known for being tall! The reason behind this was that the Incas were a very forward thinking population and aimed to build constructions that would not fall apart and that people could not destroy! We reach the top in a little over two hours.

The weather is cold and wet in the forest and then we walk down to the Llactapata ruins. In under 10 minutes we arrive at the ruins, the sight will leave you amazed! Beyond the valley you are rewqarded with the majestic sight of Machu Picchu!

After this we descend to the Hydroelectric plant, it's 913 meters (2995 ft)in one hour. From her the hike to Aguas Calientes is mostly level. En route you will hear a roaring sound which is a powerful waterfallthat cools us down with its spray as we pass by. It is man made and shoots out of a long tunnel in the mountain from the hydroelectric plant, a fascinating and useful. Once there we have our lunch break.

The Hydroelectric plant is also the end of the railway line from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Hydro is actually farther than Machu Picchu Town on the train. It is mostly used by locals. The hike to Aguas Calientes is down the railway tracks, 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). Its a fun trek, along the tracks, with a wide path and is sheltered by jungle vegetation, trees and flowers. This is ideal after a tough 3 day Salkantay Trek.

Its hard to explain the great happiness when we finally reach the town of Aguas Calientes, you will notice for the first time in days people that look clean with fresh clothing..Day trippers!

We finally arrive to our hotel! Then we have dinner at a restaurant and plan the next day. Overnight in a hotell!

If you chose the Santa Teresa option, we have breakfast and after a short bus trip (1hour) we hike for about 2 hours past the Urubamba River and onward to the Hydro Electric Station, where we have lunch nearby.

We have a ver early morning start(before dawn), so we can get to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate or Intipunku before the crowds. we trek the last 2 hours up to the mysterious city of Machu Picchu. We are one of the first to enter and revel in the view of the sun rising over the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu that we have waited for so long to see. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. Once there you will have a two hour guided tour, also time to take plenty of pictures and spare time to discover and explore the ruins at Machu Picchu and walk around on your own.

The you will return to Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch (not included) and take the train back to Cusco.

Pre - Trek briefing

Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing. Our guide will provided the duffel bag for your personal belonging,

Note: It is very important let us know, where you will be staying in Cusco;

Professional Guides

Experienced bilingual Tour Guide. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.

Note: A group up to 8 participants has 1 Tour Guide, a groups over 8 participants receives 2 Tour Guides

Accomodation

Camping (2 Nights) and Hotel in Machu Picchu (1 Night)

Our tents are of the brand Eureka Mountain designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent.

Hotel in Machu Picchu with private bathroom and hot water (Single, Double or matrimonial room)

Inflatable Sleeping Mattress - Thermarest mattress

We provide with inflatable mattresses of the brand Therm-A-Rest. The mattresses are 3 cm heigh that will ensure you a sufficient isolation from the cold earth!

This inflatable mattress for more comfort to sleep in the trail 

Sleeping Bag

We use only feather sleeping bags that are suitable up to minus 16°C. This means you do not need to be worry about cold as temparature at night at each trek reaches just up to 0°C (maximum -5°C)!!
 

Entrance

Included the Salkantay and Machu Picchu.

A professional Trekking Chef + Meals

3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 2x afternoon´s hot beverages and Snack every morning

The Tierras Vivas chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have raved about. If you are a vegetarian or have any restrictions, our chef will prepare special food, please advise us in advance. A vegetarian meal option is for NO extra cost. Food is typically served and buffet.

Water

Excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own, Tierras Vivas will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.

Muleteer + Horses

Our horses will carry the all camping equipement for your trek and 7 kg for your personal beloging + Sleeping bag; 

Tourist Train

From Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo, there are two companies train

Cooking Equipment

Tables and chairs, cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas

Machu Picchu ticket Bus

A shuttle bus up and down to Machu Picchu

Tourist Transportation

Early morning transfer by private bus to Soraypampa - the initial point of the trek;

The train service is finishing in Ollantaytambo Train station, then our driver is waiting for you and he will take to Cusco;

First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Our guide has received training in first aid from a physician. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen.

Extra equipment for your hike included 

• A pair hiking poles
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Rain Ponchos;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• A Machu Picchu T-shirt;.

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($80);
• Emergency Horse during the hike
• Peru Travel Insurance
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• International and domestic flights nor airport departure taxes;
• Other extras not mentioned.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 20-50 for meals not included.

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent and a single room in Aguas Calientes.

Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!

Day 1: Early morning at 05:00, we pick you up from your hotel, taken on a 3 hour drive from Cusco to Mollepata. After breakfast continue drive for an hour and a half until Soyrapampa, the trail head to start your Salkantay Trek. Ascend for 4 hours until high pass (Salkantay Mountain), then descend. After lunch descend for two and a half hours more to Chaullay campsite, where we are served dinner.

Llactapata or Santa Teresa

Day 2 - 3: Hike through a tropical cloud forest, passing the Lluscamayo River. After a 5 hour trek we reach the settlement of Lluscamayo. After lunch continue the trek for 3 hours, finally reaching the village of La Playa. From this point you can choose from two options for your hike to Machu Picchu.

Llactapata

From La Playa its a 2 hour walk to Aobamba, where you camp. The next day its a 4 hour hike to the Llacatapata ruins. After the visit you will descend for 4 hours till you reach hidroelectrica, then continue the hike by railway to Aguas Calientes town or Machu Picchu.

Santa Teresa hot spring

The easy route down the valley to Santa Teresa. If your group decide to go straight to Santa Teresa you will take the bus for an additional cost. At Santa Teresa you will visit the hot springs. The next day, continue the trek to Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes town by railway.

Hiking to Machu Picchu

Day 4: Wake up at 4:00 and walk up to Machu Picchu (1hr 30min), guided tour in Machu Picchu, then free time in the lost city, in the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, then bus to Cusco

Optional Service to be hired

• Walking sticks or trekking poles USD 20 for both;
• ZIP Line in Santa Teresa: U$ 40;
• You need to take 7 kilos of personal belonging included in the tour price carried by horses ...If you would like to request more porterage for personal items each extra 3 kilos requested is USD 20 additional charge but you can just request this in the office at your checking;
• Maybe you have to doubt to walk in this trek, you can hire the extra emergency horses, the price is USD 80;

Extra Information

• The camping equipment to Salkantay trek will be returned to Cusco on day 4th, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, mattress.
• Camping (double tent) provided in 1st, 2nd nights
• The bed (double room) provided in Aguas Calientes town on 3th nights
• This trek to Salkantay included 7 kilos of personal items and 2 sleeping bag (included in our service) in the tour price carried by horses. Regarding horses who carry personal items. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather clothing and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as horses do not walk alongside you
• You will meet up with your bag at lunch and then it will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
• The bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes included in this trek and our guide will provided on day 3

Tipping & extra money to the hike

It’s very important to take EXTRA MONEY. You need to take at least 200-300 soles emergency money:

• The local people built the small markets in the route and you can find the water, snack, chocolate, cola etc.
• Your first breakfast, last lunch no included
• Entrence fee to the hot spring
• If you cannot walk to Salkantay trek, our guide will help to you to up the horse.
• Tip to Salkantay Machu Picchu: If at the end of your trek you felt your trekking guide(s), and staff did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference: however as a guideline we suggest each hiker contributes USD 50 per person to a collective tipping pool, more is always appreciated.

During the Short Salkantay trek we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with. and last night you spend a small hotel.

Please Note: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town is not a 3 star hotel but it is clean, safe and comfortable with a friendly and very helpfully staff. They have private Twin, Double and Triple rooms, with small private bathrooms and hot gas water system. Hotel has one of the best locations in town, only few blocks from Train and Bus Station and you don't have to do anymore long uphill hikes to get to your room! It is about 10 minutes from the hot spring pools. We try to include an economical accommodation option for this trek to make it accessible for everyone but recommend that if you are wanting better accommodation in Aguas Calientes to celebrate your accomplishment of the trek.

UP-GRADING HOTELS in Aguas Calientes town: If you would like to stay in a Hotel 3 star or more, you have to pay extra. Please request this at the time of booking.

Single Supplement: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we'll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 50 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the train or accommodation or do you want to stay extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly to info@tierrasvivas.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.

IMPORTANT TO ACCOMMODATION: You must present your passport with the TAM immigration slip (copy) to all hotel accommodations. The national sales tax (18%) is charged to all Peruvian citizens and foreigners staying 60 consecutive days or more. In case the room is shared by both a taxable and non-taxable guest at the same time, the sales tax will be applied to the whole room. So please take every caution to not lose this piece of paper. You need to bring it to the Cusco office for your checking.

In this trek is included the train Expedition the return is 18:20 from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then you will take the tourist bus to Cusco, you will arrive between 22 hrs to 23 hrs to Main square or Plaza Armas.

If you prefer Vistadome train or Luxury train for this trek, the extra price is U$ 45 dollars. let us know before your booking your service.

Luggage and backpacker for you Trekking

Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. The horses carry your luggage from Soraypampa (1st day) to Playa camping (3th day). 3 day hike, our chef takes your luggage by bus to Hidrolectrica. From there to Aguas Calientes, you are expected to carry your own luggage (max 3 hrs), in case, the local train running, our chef take your luggage to the town. We recommend keeping the weight under 7 kg/15lb. You will need to carry clothes.

If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Salkantay trek is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to put your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.

What do you take to the Salkantay?

• Original passport (+ copies for a case of lost),
• Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)
• Travel insurance (+ copies for a case of lost),
• Pocket money in Nuevos Soles,
• A backpack
• A small rucksack,
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers or a rain poncho - this can be purchased in Cusco),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
  Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refill.
• Optional: walking sticks; you can also rent it from us,
• Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.

Starting & Meeting Point
Departure Point: Cusco - We pick you up from your hotel.

Departure Time: 05:00

Briefing Point: Our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek 

Briefing Time: Between 17:00 - 18:00

Return Point: Cusco - Our driver will drop-off in your hotel or Airbnb department

More information about the Short Salkantay Trek

• Salkantay Trek FAQs
• Classic Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trail
• Salkantay Trail vs Lares Trek
• How to book 4 day Salkantay?
• Camping equipment included
• Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets
• Responsible Travel 

4 Day Salkantay Trek:Camping equipment included!!