THE SALKANTAY TREKTO MACHU PICCHU

Prepared for:

TRIP BOOKLET

INDEX

3. ITINERARY

7. ACCOMMODATIONS

7. RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

8. TRAVEL TIPS

10. TRAVEL INSURANCE

11. CONTACT INFORMATION & EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

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ITINERARY

For a detailed description of your hikes and day´s activities, please refer to the Salkantay Lodge to Lodge

Trek brochure. What follows is a customized daily itinerary with the most relevant information.

DAY 0 CITY OF CUSCO | TRIP BRIEFINGTonight you will meet your guides and other trekkers for an important informational meeting.

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: El Mercado Hotel (Calle 7 Cuartones 306, Centro Histórico del Cusco, Cusco)

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

DAY 1 CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPAAfter an early breakfast, we are picked up starting at 7:00 am at the Cusco hotel by a MLP guide and

vehicle. At Marcoccasa, we begin our trek to Soraypampa, on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal

Path). This is a good opportunity for everyone to acclimate.

Pick up time from your Cusco hotel: 7:00am

Trekking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch en route)

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

Meals: L (en route) and D

Overnight: Salkantay Lodge

Optional: Guests who do not wish to walk may be taken to the lodge by vehicle.

DAY 2 HIKE TO HUMANTAY LAKEToday we take an acclimatization hike on the slopes above the lodge to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging

glaciers of Mt. Humantay.

Trekking Time: Approximately 4 hours Hiking Level: Moderate

Meals: B, L and D

Overnight: Salkantay Lodge

Optional activity: Horseback riding (At an additional cost)

Chakana Excursion: 5–6 h. horseback/trekking combo to a nearby high view point, where a huge Inca

cross (chakana) has been placed (1-2 h. riding on a steep hillside). This excursion will replace the hike to

glacial lake.

Short Excursion: 2 hours ride around Soraypampa in the afternoon (after hike to glacial lake).

Note: While the morning hike to Lake Humantay is optional, we strongly recommend your participation in

preparation for the strenuous hike on day three

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DAY 3 CROSSING THE SALKANTAY PASSThis is the big day! After an early start, we hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across

from Salkantay Peak.

Trekking Time: 6–8 hours (including lunch) Hiking Level: Challenging, crossing a 4,638m (15,213ft) mountain pass

Meals: B, L (en route) and D

Overnight: Wayra Lodge

Optional: Horseback Riding. You may choose to trade day 3´s hike up to Salkantay pass for a horseback

ride (entirely or partly at additional cost).

DAY 4 DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUD FORESTWe continue our descent along the left bank of the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery.

Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate Meals: B, L, and D

Optional Activity: Afternoon bike from Manchayhuaycco to Collpapampa. You will descend through a

beautiful valley in which you will admire the diverse cloud forest vegetation through the slopes of the valley.

Duration: 3hrs approximately / Level: Easy. This activity has an additional cost.

Overnight: Collpa Lodge

DAY 5 FOLLOWING THE SANTA TERESA RIVER VALLEYToday we hike along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas.

Trekking Time: 5–6 hours (including lunch)

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging (because of distance, not terrain)

Meals: B, L and D

Optional Activities: Zip Line: Located in Santa Teresa. This is a full day activity which replaces the trek. It

has an additional cost. / Biking: Option a) Yanama pass – Hornopampa – Lluskamayo. You will head

downhill almost 8,000 ft. through a dirt road admiring breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Duration: 5 hrs. Level: Easy to moderate. Option b) Descent from Hornopampa to Lluskamayo. Duration:

3.5 hrs. Level: Easy

Overnight: Lucma Lodge

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DAY 6 FIRST VIEWS OF MACHU PICCHU FROM LLACTAPATA PASSAfter a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill towards Llactapata Pass, where

we come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast.

Trekking Time: 4–6 hours

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes: 1 hour

Meals: B, L (en route) and D

Overnight: Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel

DAY 7 VISIT MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARYAfter a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu

Picchu Sanctuary (30 min). Our trip leader will give an introductory 2 hour guided tour of the ruins, after

which we have the option of climbing the steep staircase of Huayna Picchu.

Huayna Picchu hike: 10am (subject to availability) Afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco Hotel: 3 – 4 hours

approx

Meals: B and L

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

END OF SERVICES

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations along The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu are located in remote places as well as in

traditional towns, yet always surrounded by stunning sceneries and local living culture. As a reference, all

the lodges are comparable to a 4-5 star property. The following information might be useful for additional

things to expect. If you have any questions about the accommodations, please contact your Travel

Specialist.

Complimentary internet is available in every room

Each room has a safety deposit box

Some lodges have Jacuzzis

Massage service

Laundry service

Toilet equipped with hair-dryers and full amenities

There are 110V compatible sockets in the lodges (220V is the official voltage)

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

Here is a basic packing list. These items are essential to ensure adventure travelers’ comfort and safety:

Day pack

Broken-in hiking boots (sneakers are not

suitable)

Full rain gear and poncho (rain jacket, rain

pants or gaiters, waterproof boots)

Gloves

Lightweight hiking pants (recommended)

and shorts

Fast-wicking and quick to dry top and

bottom base layers

Comfortable shoes/flip-flops

Cold-weather jacket

Long-sleeve fleece/sweater

Woolen hat

Baseball cap

Buff or bandana

Binoculars

Headlamp

Sunglasses

Comfortable hicking socks

Sunscreen

Insect repellant

Bathing suit

Casual mountain wear for evenings

Photo/video cameras and chargers

Trekking poles

Refillable water bottle

Notes:

Any additional clothing and luggage that you will not need on the trek can be stored at your hotel in

Cusco.

No hard suitcases or wheeled bags. Soft duffel bags and/or backpacks (“soft” luggage) are

recommended. There are duffle bags for loan. Please let us know in advance if you would need one for

the trip.

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Though we do not establish a weight limit for luggage or charge for excess baggage, we kindly ask that

you consider restricting the weight of your luggage on the trail to 10kg/22lbs.

Trains which operate between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo has issued specific luggage weight

and size limits, which is why we recommend using the duffle bags provided by MLP. The official weight

limit is 5kg per person, but the MLP duffle bags are allowed to carry up to 10kg. If you decide to carry

your own duffle bag weighing in excess of the 5kg rule, it will likely be sent by Perú Rail in the luggage

car and may have different schedules from passenger cars.

We provide limited amount of hair-dryers at each lodge due to limited energy supply and environmental

concerns.

Shampoo, conditioners and bath gel are provided at each lodge.

Bathrooms are equipped with drying lines. Laundry facilities are available at the lodges.

MLP recommends bringing hiking poles. It is possible to purchase them at several stores in the city of

Cusco, however, we offer complimentary wooden hiking sticks.

If you take any special medication or specific brand, we recommend you to bring them with you.

Traveler´s tip: Pack essential items in your carry-on baggage so that you can access them even if your

luggage is delayed: travel insurance, passport and money, eyewear and any medication, hiking boots

and a change of clothing.

Drone use is prohibited on this program.

TRAVEL TIPS

ALTITUDE AND ACCLIMATIZATIONYou will be spending time and hiking at high altitudes, ranging between 7,000 ft (Machu Picchu Area) and

13,000 ft. with the highest point reaching over 15,000 ft. (Salkantay Pass). For this reason we recommend

that our guests spend at least two nights in Cusco prior to departure. This helps with acclimating to the

altitude and also provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Cusco. Everyone’s tolerance to

altitude differs and we encourage our guests to exercise and follow a healthy diet as part of their training

program before their trip.

MONEY MATTERSCurrency: The official currency of Peru is the “Nuevo Sol” (S/.). Although US Dollars are also widely

accepted, be sure to bring crisp US bills, as torn and defaced currency are not accepted.

ATMs: ATM´s are available mainly in the city of Cusco and they dispense both US Dollars & Nuevos Soles.

If you think you might be interested in purchasing anything during your trip we recommend visiting the ATM

before your trip as it will be very difficult to get to an ATM once you are on route.

Credit Cards: Generally accepted at restaurants and shops (Visa is the most widely accepted).

During your trip you will only need cash for souvenirs and minor personal expenses, and any (optional)

gratuities you might like to offer your trip leader and assistant guides. For purchasing souvenirs and minor

personal expenses en route we recommend bringing Nuevos Soles. Please make sure to bring small bills

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and coins. Additional expenses at the lodges (such as massages or alcoholic beverages), can be charged

to your credit card, while optional tipping to guides can be offered in whatever currency is most convenient.

Suggestion for Tips: Guides US$5-10 per day, per person.

Note: it is not customary to tip taxis; however tipping is appreciated by the drivers of any private transfers

(US$5 per service). It is also customary to tip 10% at restaurants.

GETTING AROUND CUSCOMost of the restaurants and attractions in the city of Cusco are within walking distance of each other, so our

suggestion is to get a map from your hotel and discover this amazing city on foot. There are plenty of taxis

available and the cost is very low (between 4-6 Nuevos Soles), yet we recommend to always ask your hotel

or restaurant to call a taxi for you. It will arrive in a few minutes, and is more secure for the same price as

street taxis.

WEATHERCusco has only two climate seasons: a dry season from April to October, and a wet season from November

to March. June to August are often the coldest, driest months. Shoulder seasons can be more variable.

The weather in the mountains can change quickly and you should be prepared for 4 seasons in one day. It

is recommended to bring winter clothing and rain gear at all times.

Expect temperatures ranging from 23°F to 14°F (-5°C to -10°C) at night and up to 68°F (20°C) during the

day. Check weather forecast online at: www.weather.com

WHAT TO DO IN CUSCOThe city of Cusco offers a great blend of culture, history and modern day life in the Andes. Get a sense of

the city´s past by visiting impressive historical sites such as the main Cathedral, the Sun Temple

(Qoricancha) and Sacsayhuaman fortress. Walk the traditional streets of the city through neighborhoods

like San Blas, where the fusion of colonial and Inca architecture can be seen in every corner, and visit

specialty craft shops for great art and metalwork. Feel the pulse and color of modern day life at the old San

Pedro Market, the main and oldest trade center in Cusco, where one finds even the wildest of goods, from

fruits and vegetables to even traditional items used in Andean rituals. Save time (and room) for dining as

Cusco has magnificent places to eat and drink, from fine dining to casual snacks.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Salkantay Trek takes place in remote locations and at certain times at very high altitudes. In order to

ensure a safe experience for every guest, we kindly request that every guest presents valid proof of

insurance coverage as a minimum for Medical Emergency Treatment and Evacuation. Please note that

some insurance policies exclude Adventure Travel Activities or similar from the coverage, so please be

careful when assessing and/or purchasing your insurance policy and please make sure that the insurance

policy includes Adventure Travel Activities or similar coverage.

Definition of “Valid Proof of Insurance”: Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP) requires presentation of the

following information at least 60 days prior to trip start date:

Name of Insurance Company and Name of Specific Policy (if applicable)

Coverage registration number or code

24hr emergency telephone numbers provided by the insurance Company

MLP recommends BUPA Global Travel to offer insurance coverage for Medical Emergency Treatment and

Evacuation only, including Adventure Travel Activities. Upon your request, MLP can provide the

aforementioned insurance policy (Bupa Global Travel). Please consult our Travel Specialists for rates. The

full terms of coverage of the mentioned policy can be found at:

https://global.ihi.com/travel+insurance/single+trip/cover.aspx. Please note that this insurance does not

cover for trip cancellations.

If you have not already purchased travel and trip cancellation insurance, we strongly encourage you to do

so. If something unforeseeable should occur at last minute to prevent you from taking an active vacation,

we unfortunately cannot provide any type of reimbursement.

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CONTACT INFORMATION & EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

We ask for all non-emergency phone calls to be directed FIRST to the Cusco office during business hours.

MLP-CUSCO OFFICE (MON-FRI: 8:00 AM. - 8:00 PM. EST.)

Phone: +51 (0) 84 262 640

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@mountainlodgesofperu.com or

your Travel Specialist.

THE FOLLOWING PHONE NUMBER IS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY: If there is an emergency while you are traveling to Cusco (illness, travel delays, or anything that will impede

you from joining the program), please contact one of the following MLP staff members for immediate

assistance:

24HRS PERU EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: (+51) 979 381 263

Emergency Email Address: 24-7@mountainlodgesofperu.com

Thank you for choosing Mountain Lodges of Peru! We look forward to seeing you soon in Cusco.

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