Salkantay trek with Sky Domes – 4 days

Overview

A lighter alternative to the classic 5-day trek, combining adventure and comfort! Hike among snow-capped peaks, Andean valleys, and lush rainforest, and at the end of each day, relax in EXCLUSIVE DOMES, offering WARMTH and UNFORGETTABLE starry nights!!! On the final day, the trek culminates at one…

1. Day 1CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA

   🌄✨ At dawn, we'll pick you up from your hotel at the agreed-upon time to gather the group and depart in our private transport for Mollepata, a picturesque Andean village that preserves colonial houses and traditional haciendas.

   Upon arrival, you'll be able to admire the imposing Salkantay mountain 🏔️ while enjoying a delicious local breakfast.

   🚶‍♂️ Afterward, we'll continue to Ch'allacancha, the starting point of the trek.

   There, you'll meet our team of muleteers 🐎, who will be ready to assist you while you pack your belongings for the start of the day.

   🌿 The trek begins amidst verdant valleys and the humble homes of Quechua families, ascending the slopes of Ch'allacancha.

   With a bit of luck, you might witness the majestic flight of the condors 🦅.

   The pace is relaxed, designed so that each step becomes a moment of contemplation.

   🍽️ At midday, we'll arrive at Soraypampa, where our Sky Domes await us with a delicious lunch prepared by the expedition's chef.

   💧 After a short break, we'll resume our hike for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the mystical Humantay Lagoon (3,850 m), one of the most beautiful natural treasures in the Cusco region.

   Surrounded by the Humantay and Salkantay mountains, its emerald-green water creates a breathtaking landscape.

   We'll end the day with an unforgettable spectacle 💫:

   🌅 The sunset illuminating the snow-capped peak of Salkantay, a magical scene that will forever mark the beginning of this adventure.

   🏔️ Maximum altitude: 3,850 m (10,000 ft)
   🌄 Minimum altitude: 2,850 m (8,000 ft)
   🥾 Distance: Approximately 11 km (7.5 mi)
   ⛺ Accommodation: Sky Domes Camp
   🍽️ Meals: Lunch and Dinner

2. Day 2Sorepampa -Rayampata - Choulalay

   🍞 After a good breakfast, we'll continue, ready to tackle the most intense stage of the day.

   🕖 At 7:00 a.m., we'll begin our trek across Salkantay Pampa, heading towards the left side of Humantay Mountain, the imposing neighbor of the majestic Salkantay-Salkantay 🏔️.

   ⛰️ Around 11:00 a.m., we'll reach the highest point of the trek: the Salkantay-Humantay Pass, at 4,650 meters above sea level. From this natural viewpoint, we'll be able to admire the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and even the impressive avalanches that occur on Salkantay.

   📸 We'll take a 30-minute break for photos, and then experience a special moment: the Pachamama offering ceremony, led by our guide amidst the sacred mountain scenery.

   🥾 After this experience, we'll begin the approximately 1 hour and 30 minute descent to the village of Huayracmachay, where we'll enjoy a well-deserved traditional lunch.

   🌿 In the afternoon, we'll continue our hike along the edge of the Andean forest, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, until we reach the village of Chaullay or Colpapampa (2,950 m a.s.l.), where we'll spend our second night at the Sky Domes campsite ⛺✨.

   📍 Day Information

   ⛰️ Maximum Altitude: 4,650 m a.s.l.

   🌄 Minimum Altitude: 2,920 m a.s.l.

   🚶 Distance: approx. 22 km
   ⛺ Accommodation: Sky Domes Camp
   🍴 Meals included: Breakfast ☕, Lunch 🍽️ and Dinner 🍛

3. Day 3LUCMABAMBA -HYDROELECTRIC - ÁGUAS CALIENTES

   🍞 After a hearty breakfast, we'll prepare for an adrenaline-filled adventure through unique landscapes, heading towards Llactapata.

   ⬇️ The hike begins with an approximately 2-hour descent to the Hydroelectric Plant, where we'll pause to explore the underground river and the generator that supplies energy to the city of Cusco.

   🍽️ In ​​the town of Llactapata, we'll enjoy a traditional lunch before continuing our trek.

   🚶‍♂️ We'll then continue with an approximately 3-hour hike to the charming town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

   🌿 Along the way, we'll traverse a protected area of ​​Peru, admiring its rich flora and fauna, as well as enjoying privileged views of the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains.

   🏛️ We'll also have the opportunity to visit the Inti Watana archaeological complex, a sacred site that connects the Inca energy with the sun.

   🌙 In the late afternoon, we'll arrive in Aguas Calientes, where we'll spend the night in a comfortable hotel, preparing ourselves for the grand encounter with Machu Picchu the following day.

   📍 Day Information

   ⛰️ Maximum Altitude: 2,040 m (7,060 ft)

   🌄 Minimum Altitude: 1,550 m (4,300 ft)

   🚶 Distance: Approx. 16 km (10 miles)
   🏨 Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
   🍴 Meals Included: Breakfast ☕, Lunch 🍽️, and Dinner 🍛

4. Day 4AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

   🌅 Last Day – Machu Picchu

   ☕ After an early breakfast (5:00 a.m.), we will begin our ascent on foot to the majestic Machu Picchu.

   Our goal is to arrive before sunrise to witness this unique spectacle and capture the best classic photographs 📸, before the arrival of the tourists who begin their ascent by bus starting at 7:00 a.m.

   🛕 We will then participate in a 2-hour guided tour, exploring the main temples, plazas, and archaeological complexes of this wonder of the modern world.

   🌄 For those who have purchased the additional entrance fee, there will be free time to climb Huayna Picchu mountain, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the citadel and the opportunity to visit the mysterious Temple of the Moon.

   🍽️ After the visit, we'll descend to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back according to the reserved schedule.

   🚐 From Ollantaytambo, our van will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, thus concluding this unforgettable experience.

   📍 Day Information

   🥞 Meal included: Breakfast

   🏛️ Tour: Guided tour of Machu Picchu + free time (Huayna Picchu optional)

   🚂 Travel time:

   Train: Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo = 1:45
   Van: Ollantaytambo → Cusco = 2:00

What's included

What to bring

• A 40 or 60-liter backpack with a change of clothes for the trek (recommended: t-shirts, shorts, and some warm layers)
• Breaken-in hiking boots or shoes (do not travel with new shoes or shoes that haven't been worn in a long time)
• Rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Camera, film, and batteries (batteries drain quickly in cold conditions)
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Students must bring their student ID (from the university where they study)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: cookies, lemon drops, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Water bottle
• Original passport or ID card
• Trekking poles
• Bring only the essentials for the Salkantay Trail; leave anything else you won't need at your hotel in Cusco
• Extra horse for personal items for 3 days (20 kg) – USD 75
• Vistadome train (first class) instead of the Expeditions tourist train – additional cost USD 79
• Huayna Picchu mountain climb – USD 70
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu – USD 12 each way
• Sleeping bag rental – USD 20
• Trekking poles (must be covered with rubber), rental: 1 pole – USD 8
• 2 poles – USD 12

Frequently asked questions

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Accommodation

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