The most traditional (and most expensive) way to get to Machu Picchu is through the Inca Trail. It takes several months of advance booking to not run out of space, it can not be done for free and the prices range from 550 to 1500 $.
Today there are many other alternatives to get to this place that we are so eager to see. And in many occasions much more fun, because they alternate with sports and adventure activities.
The Salkantay trekking is considered by National Geographic, among the 25 most beautiful treks in the world. And now that we have done it, we give faith of it.
The landscape around us is incredible, snowy mountains, pastures of yellow and green colors in continuous contrast with the blue of the sky. But if there is something incredible in this landscape is the Humantay Lagoon, with its waters of turquoise, green and blue tones, and encased among incredible mountains, it welcomes us and shows us how wonderful nature is. It is worth the walk and a lot.
Once enjoyed this incredible landscape we go back down to the starting point of the trekking to go to what will be our first camp. We eat and rest until tea time.
The coca tea is present every day. This infusion of coca leaves is typical of the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia. It is a thousand-year-old drink, which is consumed both to stimulate and to combat the soroche or altitude sickness, being neither toxic nor harmful.
Breakfast and walk! As we advance, the landscape is more incredible, the imposing and snowy Salkantay with its 6271 masl is seen closer and closer. The first section of the day, until you reach a large esplanade with streams is not too steep, the good is yet to come. Little by little we are gaining height and the views are gaining beauty. After this first great slope, we come back to another esplanade where we will rest seeing the Salkantay.
Today there are many other alternatives to get to this place that we are so eager to see. And in many occasions much more fun, because they alternate with sports and adventure activities.
The Salkantay trekking is considered by National Geographic, among the 25 most beautiful treks in the world. And now that we have done it, we give faith of it.
DAY 1 OF TREKKING
This day, the day starts very early, at 4:30 we are picked up at our hotel to leave by van for 3 hours until Mollepata. In Mollepata we have breakfast and continue to Soraypampa, starting point of the trekking. Once here all the camping material is organized, the groups and begins the ascent to the Humantay Lagoon, at about 4200 maslThe landscape around us is incredible, snowy mountains, pastures of yellow and green colors in continuous contrast with the blue of the sky. But if there is something incredible in this landscape is the Humantay Lagoon, with its waters of turquoise, green and blue tones, and encased among incredible mountains, it welcomes us and shows us how wonderful nature is. It is worth the walk and a lot.
Once enjoyed this incredible landscape we go back down to the starting point of the trekking to go to what will be our first camp. We eat and rest until tea time.
The coca tea is present every day. This infusion of coca leaves is typical of the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia. It is a thousand-year-old drink, which is consumed both to stimulate and to combat the soroche or altitude sickness, being neither toxic nor harmful.
DAY 2 OF TREKKING
At 5 o'clock in the morning the first curfew, the mate de coca comes to our cabins to begin to combat the possible effects of altitude sickness and give us energy. This second day is the hardest of all the trekking, 3 hours of ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4600 meters) and 6 hours of descent to our next camp.Breakfast and walk! As we advance, the landscape is more incredible, the imposing and snowy Salkantay with its 6271 masl is seen closer and closer. The first section of the day, until you reach a large esplanade with streams is not too steep, the good is yet to come. Little by little we are gaining height and the views are gaining beauty. After this first great slope, we come back to another esplanade where we will rest seeing the Salkantay.
After the last strong stretch we reached the long-awaited and expected passage of Salkantay at 4630 meters of altitude. And to celebrate our arrival at this point, we celebrated a ritual in gratitude to the Pacha Mama (Spiritual Mother Earth) and other Andean deities who have taken care of us while we were on the road.
From this point we began to descend, for about 6 hours, towards the warm cloud forest. In Huayracmachay we will make a small stop to have lunch and rest, and our camp will be in Chawllay. We have all afternoon to rest, enjoy the views and even give us a hot shower.
On this day, the final part of the stage is done in a van, up to Santa Teresa (1550 masl), since the road-road is very busy with cars and is dangerous. As a reward for all the kilometers done up to this moment, in the afternoon we will be able to enjoy some incredible natural hot water springs!
The thermal waters of Santa Teresa are located in Cocalmayo, are on the slopes of the mountain, and on the banks of the Urubamba River. It has three pools, of different sizes and depths, which are supplied with medicinal waters that vary between 40º and 44ºC. These waters have properties to treat bone problems, rheumatism... It is a very nice place to rest from the walks to Machu Picchu.
Our last day of camping will be in this place, in Santa Teresa. A beautiful area between mountains covered with vegetation, where the song of the birds is always present.
Hidroeléctrica is the last point at which cars arrive to go to Machu Picchu. From here there are two options, walk to Aguas Calientes, a beautiful walk always accompanied by the train track and under the shade of huge trees for about two and a half hours, or on the tourist train, which has several hours.
A snack, a juice, frontal in the head and we started to climb from Aguas Calientes towards the access door where we will be asked for the tickets of Machu Picchu.
At 6 o'clock in the morning we are already up, at the gates of Machu Picchu, the emotion is intense...
Currently entry to the citadel is mandatory with guidance, in our case, we will accompany our expedition guides.
And once enjoyed this great WONDER OF THE WORLD, we decided to return by bus to Aguas Calientes, pick up our backpacks from the hotel and go to the train station. It is worth doing at least one of the trips on the train.
We arrive at Ollantaytambo, where the transport vans arrive and shout the names of each one of us so we can go up... The journey to Cuzco is approximately 2 hours...
From this point we began to descend, for about 6 hours, towards the warm cloud forest. In Huayracmachay we will make a small stop to have lunch and rest, and our camp will be in Chawllay. We have all afternoon to rest, enjoy the views and even give us a hot shower.
DAY 3 OF TREKKING
The third day of trekking is more relaxed, about 6 hours, 18 km through the jungle where you can see orchids, bromeliads, different species of birds, insects and butterflies of intense colors. Compared to the previous day, the walk is easy, since for several hours we descend progressively to La Playa (2050 masl). During the day we will see citrus fruit trees, avocados, bananas and coffee plants.On this day, the final part of the stage is done in a van, up to Santa Teresa (1550 masl), since the road-road is very busy with cars and is dangerous. As a reward for all the kilometers done up to this moment, in the afternoon we will be able to enjoy some incredible natural hot water springs!
The thermal waters of Santa Teresa are located in Cocalmayo, are on the slopes of the mountain, and on the banks of the Urubamba River. It has three pools, of different sizes and depths, which are supplied with medicinal waters that vary between 40º and 44ºC. These waters have properties to treat bone problems, rheumatism... It is a very nice place to rest from the walks to Machu Picchu.
Our last day of camping will be in this place, in Santa Teresa. A beautiful area between mountains covered with vegetation, where the song of the birds is always present.
DAY 4 OF TREKKING
This day presents several options at different times. The road to Hidroelectrica from Santa Teresa can be done by taxi, or on foot, both options are on the same dusty road (if it is very hot the best option is the taxi). The trek usually lasts about 3 hours and the taxi ride about 45 minutes.Hidroeléctrica is the last point at which cars arrive to go to Machu Picchu. From here there are two options, walk to Aguas Calientes, a beautiful walk always accompanied by the train track and under the shade of huge trees for about two and a half hours, or on the tourist train, which has several hours.
DAY 5 OF TREKKING
This day the day begins very soon, at 3 o'clock in the morning we are standing! But we know it will be a great day, one of the Wonders of the World awaits us!A snack, a juice, frontal in the head and we started to climb from Aguas Calientes towards the access door where we will be asked for the tickets of Machu Picchu.
At 6 o'clock in the morning we are already up, at the gates of Machu Picchu, the emotion is intense...
Currently entry to the citadel is mandatory with guidance, in our case, we will accompany our expedition guides.
And once enjoyed this great WONDER OF THE WORLD, we decided to return by bus to Aguas Calientes, pick up our backpacks from the hotel and go to the train station. It is worth doing at least one of the trips on the train.
We arrive at Ollantaytambo, where the transport vans arrive and shout the names of each one of us so we can go up... The journey to Cuzco is approximately 2 hours...
Undoubtedly one of the most wonderful trekking... Peru falls in love, and its mountains more... we know it's worth...
If you already decided to get to Machu Picchu through the Salkantay route, do not hesitate to visit these links:
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