Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N

Briefing

The night before your Trek, there will be a pre trek talk with your expert guide at our office at 6:00pm 

Pickups

Peru Hikers will pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in center of Cusco city. Some treks will allow for pickups on the Sacred Valley.

The Possible Starting Locations

Inca Trail: Cusco, Urubamba, Yanahuara and Ollantaytambo

Salkantay Trek: Only Cusco
Lares Trek: Cusco and Pisac
Rainbow Mountain Trek: Only Cusco

Day Tours: Cusco, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.

Is The Trek Difficult? Or Do I Need to Be Fit?

This famous Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a 70 km / 43.49 miles hike in the Andes of Peru.
Day two is challenging because you will climb up to 4,650meters/15,255ft the highest point on the Salkantay Trek. You should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it.
It is also important to have well acclimatization to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,400m/11,154ft) prior to start your Trek.

Are There Toilets On the Salkantay Trek?

We provide a private, clean and sanitary toilet tent with a seat.
there are local’s toilets, but the cost 1 Peruvian soles

What happens if I am unable to finish the Classic Salkantay Trek?

Hello Machu Picchu will assist you to the nearest city for help with transportation.
We always carry our first Aid Kit; in extreme situations a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Your Travel insurance is required and recommend).
Generally, we transport you to Mollepata town, when you recover quickly you will continue with the journey towards Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu (cost incurred by traveler) according to the original plan.

Are we dropped off at our hotel after the trek of Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu?

Absolutely! We will drop you off at your hotel, and also, if you booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley,our Peru Hikers representative will drop you off there.
At what time is the train departure?
It depends on the train availability; the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu to explore and enjoy this fascinating city on the way back to Cusco.
You will take the train at 15:20, 16:22 or 16:43 depending on availability.

Insurance

Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind and safety throughout the journey.
Unexpected medical emergency or illnesses prior to your trip could make you lose pre-paid, non-refundable payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulances in remote location can be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan, so it is mandatory that you purchase personal travel insurance. Your insurance must cover, personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, repatriation costs and all other expenses.
There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans available for purchase online. Very important when you take (adventure – activities).

Group Tours

Our group tours are comprised of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to our group tour you understand that some travelers might be slower or faster than you are. Your expert guide will work through the group to spend the time with everybody to make the best decision for the group.

Lost Items

You are responsible for your personal items throughout the journey. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our bus, tent, restaurant, etc. Dont leave anything unintended while hiking. Other trekkers or groups may pick it up not knowing who it belongs to.

How Is the Weather in Peru?

It depends on where you visit.
On the coast of Peru is usually quite hot although during the dry season (April – August) it can get chilly early in the morning and at night. In the Andes of Cusco, you will find two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November toApril but is usually warmer overall.
The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold nights.
Peruvian weather is difficult to accurately predict. You can see beautiful clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – this is the magic and beauty of Peru.

What Is Altitude?

The primary cause of altitude sickness is going to high too quickly. Given time your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen at specific altitudes. This is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1 to 3 nights at the given altitude.

Prevention of Altitude Sickness

Dont over – exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000ft (3,047m), increase your sleeping elevation by 1,000ft (305m) per day and for every 3,000ft (915m) of elevation gained, take a rest day.
If you start to show of symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, dont go higher until symptoms decrease If symptoms increase, go down and down.
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates. Stay properly hydrated.
Take it easy; dont over – exert yourself when you first get up to altitude.
Avoid tobacco, alcohol or other depressant drugs including, tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
Eat a high carbohydrates diet while at altitude.

Preventive Medications

Diamox (acetazolamide) changes acid balance which allows you to increase breathing and improve oxygen uptake – the same mechanism as in normal acclimatization, but faster.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is a drug decrease brain and other swelling, helping to reserve the effects.

Tipping

It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected – though not compulsory. Anything extra will be an expression of satisfaction for the persons who have assisted you on your tour. This is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your journey.
If at the end of your Trek you feel your trekking guide and support team did an amazing job, tipping is appreciated. The suggestion is that each hiker contributes the following to the collective pool. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below. For the guide, this is more personal, it would be the most welcome. It is of course at your discretion or whatever you are comfortable leaving….

Trekking Crew

Inca Trail (4 and 5 days)
Porter 60- 80 soles
Chef 160 soles
Lares trek (4days)
Porter 100 – 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
Salkantay Trek (5 days)
Porter 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
Salkantay trek 5 days
Group 655
Private 975- based on group size