Salkantay to Machu Picchu,
Trek 4-days

This trek  to Machu Picchu is a more adventurous alternative to the famous Inca trail.  The trail takes you from the barren puna of the high Andes to a 4800m pass with stunning views of the nearby, sacred mountain of Salkantay (6340m.). Descending, the scenery and vegetation changes constantly, passing dwarf and cloud forests. The trek ends between coffee and banana plantations near the sacred Urubamba river. The tour is  completed with a visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu.

General information
The first part of the trek is strenuous as we must negotiate a pass of 4800m. After the pass, the trail is generally downhill until the end of the trek at La Playa. The trail is at times  bad condition as a result of rainfall. Sometimes streams and rivers have to be crossed on improvised bridges, logs and stones and there are some precipices (although not dangerous). It can be freezing cold, especially the first night but also humid and hot, near the end of the trail. Rain can fall anytime of the year and there are biting flies. But all said, it remains a wonderful trek and it is acceptable passable for the average trekker. During the trek all food is included and your luggage, except for your daypack, will be carried by mules. This is a remote area and the nearest medical help is far away. Before starting this trek one should acclimatize at least 3 days above 3000m. 

Day 1: Cusco- Mollepata- Soraypampa- Huayracpunko (4050m) (7 hours of walking). 
We leave early in the morning  for a 5 hour bus trip to Soraypampa (3850m), from where the trek starts. The trail heads toward the snow- capped mountains. On the way there are stunning views of the sacred Salkantay (6264m.) and beautiful pyramid-shaped Humantay (5910m). After 4 hours of climbing we cross the Salcantay pass (4800m.), with spectacular views of ice-capped mountains and the forested valleys of the "Ÿungas". Next, we descend for 3 hours to our camp at Huayracpunko. From here there are beautiful views over the nearby white mountaintops.

Day 2: Huayracpunko- Winay Poqo (2680m) (7 hours). Today our entire hike is  downhill and we pass a huge variety of vegetation. This area is part of the protected Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and is rich in flora and fauna. We pass through cloud forest  and subtropical forest and can appreciate  bamboo groves, bromeliads, mosses and many orchids. From here the trail runs parallel to the Rio Santa Teresa in a forested valley. Continuing, the trail crosses a cascade, which drops 300m! In the afternoon we arrive at our camp in a pleasant green meadow at Winay Poqo.

Day 3:Winay Poqo- La Playa- Hydroelectric Plant-Aquas Calientes.  In the morning we walk for 3 more hours along the Rio Santa Teresa to the settlement of La Playa, where a truck takes us to the Rio Urubamba. This part is subtropical and has banana, citrus and coffee plantations. We cross the river and continue by truck or on foot for 2 hours to the Hydroelectric Plant. From here we take the train to Aguas Calientes where we stay in a hotel. Near the hotel you can relax in the local thermal baths.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu- Cusco
In the early morning we go by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Here you have a  2 hour guided tour and the rest of the day free time to explore the magnificent ruins. At approximately 4 pm the train leaves from Aguas Calientes and arrives at 8.30 pm  in Cusco, where the tour ends. 

What to bring:
Sleeping bag, fleece, bathing- suit (for thermal baths), raingear, mosquito repellant, flashlight, toilet paper, sun protection, water purifying tablets, first-aid kit, daypack.