SALKANTAY TREK + MACHUPICCHU 4D-3N

2018 DEPARTURES

Price per person: US$490 (Group tour)
Price upon Request: (Private tour)
The tour INCLUDES land tourist transportation from Cusco hotel to Mollepata village start of the Trekking, the combined campsite fees and Machupicchu entrance tickets (US$43 + US$7.70 sales tax 18%) which is about US$51, bus tickets Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu ruins, Expedition class train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, land tourist transportation back from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco and others. Besides pre-trip information + organization and all local taxes. There are not hidden extras in our prices. Other local companies 2016 prices 04DAYS-03NIGHTS SALKANTAY TREK, by group service: US$570 (2016), US$537 (2016), US$565 (2016). The price includes all money transfer fees. For full details see below.

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA:
Early morning (04:00-04:30am) a driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Mollepata village start of the trekking, a car trip of 2:30hrs, passing on the way Izcuchaca and Limatambo villages. Arrival in Mollepata village (2800m/9185ft). Breakfast at Mollepata village. Our team and horsemen (Arrieros) will be introduced, then start to pack all camping equipment. Around 08:30 – 09:00am we start our trek towards Soraypampa (3800m/12465ft), passing on the way Cruzpata community (3200m/10450ft) and Challacancha, the first 4hrs trek will be a little uphill to get Sayllapata (3600m/1180ft) for lunch. Then we continue with our trek for about 01hour gradually uphill, overlooking on the way the panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains of Huamantay (4120m/13500ft) and Salcantay (6271m/20575ft) also the Valley of Apurimac River. Besides the Salkantay pass which is over 4650m. Then 2 more hours walk downhill to reach in Soraypampa (3800m), some areas can be slippery so trekking poles are very necessary for this part. Enjoy the beautiful sunset on the Andes and the silence of the valleys. Around 05:00pm arrival in Soraypampa village (3850m) our first campsite. Welcome by our staff, tents will be ready for show you. Dinner included in tents. Overnight in Soraypampa.

• Land transport: Cusco – Molepata village 2:30hrs
• Walking distance: 15 km
• Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
• Maximum altitude: 4650m
• Accommodation: Camping tents 3800m
• Weather conditions: Cold, rainy December-March, dry
• Trail Conditions: Rocky, narrow, slippery (trekking shoes required)

DAY 2. SORAYPAMPA – HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY:
Breakfast included in Tents. We start our trekking around 07:00am, today will be a long day in our trek, we will cross Salcantay Pampa, the first 4hours is uphill to get the highest point the Salcantay pass (4650m/15250ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salcantay on the right (6264m) which is known as the second highest peak of the Cusco region and Tucarhuay on the left. Some falling snow (avalanches) can be seen on the Salcantay glacier (not causing you any danger), also some stone piles (towers) called apachetas, chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. The microclimate will change from snowy peaks to tropical areas (cloud forest). Then a walking downhill for 1hour until Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch around 01:00pm. Along the way the views are spectaculars looking out the green valleys, waterfalls, rivers, snow-capped mountains, peaks and the flora and fauna. After lunch, we continue in the direction to the start of the jungle a trek of 3:30hours, until Chaullay 2900m/9515ft), our second Salcantay Trek camp site. Dinner included in tents. Overnight in Chaullay.

• Walking distance: 19 km
• Estimated walking time: 8-9 hours
• Maximum altitude: 4,650m
• Accommodation: Camping tents
• Weather conditions: cold, rainy December-March, dry
• Trail Conditions: Rocky, narrow, slippery

DAY 3. – CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – HIDROLECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES:
Breakfast included in Tents. Early morning hiking toward La Playa Sahuayaco for about 6-7hours, walk downhill the first 3hrs will be easy until the high Jungle zone called Ceja de Selva, on this area it can be seen waterfalls 80m high, bamboo and coca plantations, orchids, fruit trees, flora and fauna of the area, we stop for a little at Lluskamayo River (2400m/7872ft). Then we continue with our walking 3:30hours more, if we are lucky we will see the gallito de las rocas (cock of the rocks), considered to be the national Peruvian bird, some woodpeckers (pajaros carpinteros). Lunch at La Playa Sahuayaco (2350m/7708ft). Then a local bus from La Playa Sahuayaco to Hidroelectrica and also a train journey of 45minutes from hidroelectrica (04:30pm) to Aguas Calientes, which in 1915 was explored by Professor Hiram Bingham when he was looking for the lost city of the Incas. Along the way some woodpeckers (pajaros carpinteros) can be seen, and avocado plantations. You will have some beautiful views of Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu mountains. Finally you will arrive to Aguas Calientes (2000m/6560ft), your guide will take you to the hotel and your porters will say goodbye to go back to start of Salcantay Trail. Here, you have the option of going to the thermal hot springs. Dinner included in Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Optional: Walking almost 3:00 hrs from hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes

• Walking distance: 16 km
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
• Maximum altitude: 2,750m (Chaullay)
• Accommodation: Hotel category 3*** Aguas Calientes village
• Weather conditions: Hot, rainy December-March, dry
• Trail conditions: Rocky, narrow, slippery

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO:
Breakfast included at Hotel. Early morning the guide will pick you up from your hotel and take to bus station, from where you will take the local bus up to Machupicchu ruins, which is about 25 minutes. (Machupicchu ruins opens its gates at 6:00am). Guided tour of Machupicchu ruins (2:30hours) with English-Spanish speaking guide as temples, palaces, priest houses, a sundial, the industrial sector and the farming fields. Then you will have extra time to explore the site on your own. Optional if you have booked Huaynapicchu Mountain (2720m/8920ft) is a good choice for the ones who want to explore more this area, which takes 2:30hours round trip from the check point, (extra cost of ticket and pre-booked in advance US$12). If entrance tickets for Huaynapicchu Mountain is sold out, we have more options as hiking to Sun Gate 2:30hours round trip, or hiking to the Inca Bridge which is 1:30hour round trip. Once you had finished exploring Machupicchu and surroundings, you may go back to the buses and head down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch in some restaurants. After lunch you will take the train back from Aguas Calientes station to Ollantaytambo and finally transfer by tourist bus from Ollantaytambo station to your hotel in Cusco.

• Walking distance: 5 km
• Estimated walking time: 2:30 hours
• Maximum altitude: 2,700m
• Cusco city elevation: 3400m/11,152ft
• Weather conditions: Hot, Rainy December-March, dry
• Trail conditions: Rocky, narrow, slippery (Machupicchu or Huaynapicchu)
• Land transport: Ollantaytambo village – Cusco 1:40 hrs

WHAT IS INCLUDED: The tour INCLUDES land tourist transportation & escort guide from Cusco hotel to Mollepata village (start of the Trekking), the combined campsite fees and Machupicchu entrance tickets (US$43 + US$7.70 sales tax 18%) which is about US$51, English-Spanish speaking guide for 04Days Trekking, horses and porters to carry all the camping equipment (spacious sleeping tents, sleeping bags, double thickness foam sleeping mattress, cooking equipment, dining tent, kitchen tent and tables), horses for riding in emergency cases, 7hg personal luggage allowance to put on the horses, experienced cook, all meals (3 breakfast, 4 lunches, 3 dinners), food (includes fresh fruit, avocados, fish, chicken, meat, pancakes, omelettes, pasta, soup and rice) recommended for trekking journeys, also hot drinks as coca tea and coffee, filtered drinking boiled water, bus from La Playa Sahuayaco to Hidroelectrica, train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, one night hotel in Aguas Calientes, guided visit of Machupicchu ruins with English-Spanish speaking guide, lunch in Machupicchu, bus ticket dawn from Machupicchu ruins to Aguas Calientes village, train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, land tourist transportation back from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco. Besides pre-trip information + organization and all local taxes. There are no hidden extras in our prices. Our company, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco provides for our guest comfortable Tents as Eureka, North Face or Doite, in single & double occupancy, besides oxygen & first aid kit, exclusive for foreign.

NOT INCLUDED: Breakfast (1° day) but you can have in Mollepata village, sleeping bags for the trekking, dinner in Aguas Calientes (3° day) and lunch at the end of the tour (4° day), we recommend in Aguas Calientes village where there are restaurants. Optional hotsprings US$3.5 and entrance fees to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain (US$12) and gratuities for the guide, cook and porters. Our staff is well paid so tipping is voluntary, as desired.
Note: Machupicchu village or Aguas Calientes. In private or group tour insurance coverage is not included during trekking.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

You can see that in Rumbo Explora we have developed for you tailor-made itineraries with the best price as competitive as possible, providing an excellent service and paying our guides 10% above the legal wage agreed with association of the tour guides – Cusco. Our staff are some of the best paid in Cusco & Machupicchu, which allows us to attract only the Best Tour Guides and Land Transportation with national permit, to none other local company, that can only provide a cheaper price by providing a far inferior service and saving on staff costs, ¿How? Hiring tour guides in training without experience and not paying them, besides avoiding taxes to government.

Big Travel companies from Europe, North America, Australia and others work with the Peruvian Tour Operators located in Lima-Peru, who work as middlemen receiving from them good prices from the Tours & Packages, and paying to us 40 to 50% minor the normal price, besides 2 to 3 months delayed, being this the reason that Rumbo Explora have decided to offer tours & packages directly to travelers.

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Camping Equipment – Salkantay Trek

TENTS & LAMPS FOR OUR CLIENTS:
All of our tents are made of waterproof materials. Rumbo Explora, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco offer deluxe & private services for our demanding clients, supplying solar-powered lamps, for giving an excellent service at night, thus substitute the gas lamps currently employed for group tours by many local companies. The camping equipment with some brands or models:

• Eureka Tunnel Vision – larger groups
• Eureka Timberline 4 Outfitter – double occupancy
• Eureka Timberline 2XT – single occupancy
• Eureka K2XT – double & single occupancy
• Eureka Equinox – single occupancy
• The North Face VE25 – double & single occupancy
• Doite Cima 4 – single & double occupancy
• Doite Kailas 3 – single & double occupancy
• Doite Himalaya – single & double occupancy

TENTS & LAMPS FOR OUR STAFF (GUIDES, COOKS AND PORTERS):
Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping foams, rain ponchos and shoes for our staff are manufactured in Peru. We can guarantee the comfort of our staff during the excursion. For deluxe private Salkantay Trek our company, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco supply solar-powered lamps for our staff, to give an excellent service at night, thus substitute the gas lamps currently employed in group tours by many local companies.

COLLECTIVE TENTS:
For Salkantay Trek program it is employed dining tents, kitchen tents, and shower tents available. Additional to camping equipment we have porter backpacks, support belts, shoes, duffle bags, porter jackets, all manufactured in Peru. Besides our partner in Cusco have provided free insurance for all Salkantay Trek staff, we can guarantee that our staff are well paid in Cusco region, we consider them as the absolute minimum requirements for treating our camp staff fairly and as human beings.

SLEEPING MATS/PADS & SLEEPING BAGS:
For giving a top comfort service for all our clients at Salkantay Trek we work widely with three layers of orthopedic foamy pads, to guarantee a good rest, after a long hiking.
Our company, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco provide for our guests clean and comfortable sleeping bags (eureka), who offers different models in remote areas far away from city for different temperatures.

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT / TABLEWARE & CUTLERY:
For ensuring a maximum hygiene and the best service possible, our company, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco buy all fresh produce and food directly from local markets, where we can find out fresh fruits, meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables and others. Also it is employed for Inca Trail cutlery which is stainless steel, dishes, cups and glassware made in China, as Salkantay Mountain is located in the Andes, in remote areas far away from Cusco city, the weather is cold and plastic equipment not good. Besides the kitchen is equipped also with ovens, exclusive for our clients.

WATER FILTERS FACILITIES:
Rumbo Explora guarantee all meals and food along the Inca Trail. Travellers do not have to bring water purification tablets or water filters on the trek. Be sure that we operate in areas where water source is clean besides it is filtered for cooking and boiled for drinking purposes, and it is regularly monitored, for not put our clients’ health at risk. We use biodegradable soup and detergent, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco, exclusive for clients of Rumbo Explora.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSABILITY:
Toilet facilities: As Salkantay Trek program takes several days, our company, in shared operation with our partner in Cusco employ (toilet tent) portable toilet facilities including biodegradable bags (manufactured in United States). Some organic wastes are taken out and buried in remote areas far away from Trail, or carried back to Cusco. On the journey of Salkantay Trekking there are not proper flush toilets.

In Cusco & Machupicchu: On the Salkantay Trek (protected area) is not allowed drop-off rubbish or polluting the environment that is why our Company put in operation the collecting of garbage from all our excursions where we operate following the Peruvian regulations, respecting the protection to environment.

In Puno & Lake Titicaca: Rumbo Explora recommends to all our drivers during the excursions, put on tourist transportations and motor boats a small rubbish bin and all this will be taken to the garbage collector and then to the Municipal dump, to avoid the pollution in Lake Titicaca region.

In Arequipa & Colca Valley: As the excursion to Colca Valley takes 02Days or more, people carry water in plastic bottles for several days, which produces garbage against the environment. We decided to collect all wastes possible from all our tours, especially from our Trekking program in Colca Valley where we operate, taking back to Arequipa to send to Municipal dump

Lima & Nazca-Paracas and other places: Lima, Nazca and Paracas are towns located on the desert, where the temperature in summer gets warm up to 30°-35° degrees, and wastes produce contamination. We suggest to all our visitors put the wastes into the rubbish bin.

FOR EMERGENCIES – FIRST-AID-KITS & OXYGEN BOTTLES:
Inca Trail program, Salkantay, Ausangate, Lares Treks and others implies downs and ups along the trekking and not medical centers, in some areas our clients will cross hiking over 4300m/14,100feet, is our priority to carry for emergencies oxygen & first aid kit, exclusive for foreign. Our guides are trained in first aid, and we can guarantee the trekking for the Inca Trail program and all treks where we operate. In a future not far away we will provide satellite phone as a priority for our services on Inca Trail program, exclusive for our clients and staff, just for emergencies.