Salkantay Trek

Bus/Taxi:    From Santa Teresa to Hydro Electrica      
Start:           12:00 - Hydro Electrica (2,050m / 6,700ft)
End:             15:00 - Aguas Callientes (2,050m / 6,700ft) 
Hike:            A flat 2-3hr hike along the train tracks to Aguas Callientes.
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Santa Teresa (1,600m / 5,200ft)
Collectivos to Hydro Electrica run every hour on the hour starting at 8AM for 5 Soles per person. However, we didn't seem to find one and took a taxi, picking up other passengers we paid 7 Soles per person.

12:00   Hydro Electrica (2,050m / 6,700ft)
As you are dropped off at "Hydro Electrica" you see a long market along the train tracks. You can have a tasty breakfast here.
We heard that there is a "sun clock" worth looking at, but didn't look for it ourselves.

As you start heading down along the tracks you will see stairs on your right with a sign "Salida". Take these stairs up through the forest and as you emerge on the other side you will the the actual - active - track and a train platform.


Follow this track for about 2.5 hours to Aguas Callientes.


Soon you will reach a train station, with piles of bags on the other side of the tracks. Head past the station to the right of the tracks and take the trail down toward random shacks and Machu Picchu signs.


You will see two bridges - auto and pedestrian, with an attendant - this is the road to Machu Picchu. You will need take the road to the left for another 30 minutes to get the Aguas Callientes.

15:00   Aguas Callientes (2,050m / 6,700ft)
If you've been to Peru for at least a few days you will immediately realize that Aguas Callientes is surely another country. Groomed walkways surround beautiful hotels with (showered) couples strolling by - it almost looks like Europe.


Of course, you will soon rediscover Peru if you are a budget traveler looking for less extravagant accommodations. If you are a light sleeper - avoid getting a room facing the train tracks - the night trains are very disturbing.
We stayed at Kcuychi Hostal (facing the train tracks) for 45 Soles for the night and another 20 Soles for a 7PM checkout next day, after Machu Picchu.

We spent the afternoon doing laundry, going to the thermal springs (which are not that exciting and kind of dirty - locals say it's better to go in the morning, while the water is clean), and pampering ourselves with a massage after 4 long days of hiking.


We also ran the necessary errands - buying bus and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu for the last day of our adventure.