{"id":326,"date":"2026-05-31T10:23:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T15:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/?p=326"},"modified":"2026-06-26T21:43:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T02:43:49","slug":"challacancha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/en\/information\/challacancha\/","title":{"rendered":"Challacancha"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Challacancha is a beautiful and peaceful spot in the Peruvian Andes, known as the starting point of the famous <strong>Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu<\/strong>. Surrounded by high mountains, ancient canals, and fresh Andean air, Challacancha is the perfect place to begin your adventure into the heart of the Inca world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where is Challacancha located?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Challacancha is located in the <strong>Anta Province<\/strong>, in the <strong>Cusco region of Peru<\/strong>, near the small town of <a href=\"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/en\/information\/mollepata-cusco-peru\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"384\"><strong>Mollepata<\/strong><\/a>. It sits at an elevation of around <strong>3,600 meters (11,811 feet)<\/strong> above sea level. This makes it a great place to start acclimatizing before trekking higher into the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Challacancha from Cusco?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">By car or private transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From Cusco, the journey to Challacancha takes about <strong>3.5 hours by car<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cusco to Mollepata:<\/strong> around 2.5 hours on a paved road<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mollepata to Challacancha:<\/strong> about 1 hour on a dirt road<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On foot (optional hiking route)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some hikers choose to start their walk in <strong>Marcoccasa<\/strong>, a small village before Challacancha. This adds extra trekking time but offers more scenic views and helps with altitude adjustment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/en\/transportation\/bus-from-cusco-to-challacancha\/\" type=\"transportation\" id=\"453\">bus service to Challacancha from Cusco<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can you see and do in Challacancha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Starting the Salkantay Trek<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Challacancha is where most <strong>5-day Salkantay Treks<\/strong> begin. From here, hikers head toward <strong>Soraypampa<\/strong>, where they typically spend their first night in mountain domes or tents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Incan water canals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most fascinating features of Challacancha is its <strong>ancient Inca water system<\/strong>, which still functions today. These stone canals were built with incredible precision and continue to supply water to nearby communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Panoramic mountain views<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From Challacancha, you can see the majestic <strong>Salkantay<\/strong> and <strong>Humantay mountains<\/strong>, along with deep valleys and traditional Andean farmlands. It\u2019s an excellent place to take photos and enjoy nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should you pack for Challacancha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As this is a high-altitude mountain zone, you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Warm clothes for cold mornings and nights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waterproof hiking boots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hat, gloves, sunglasses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunscreen and insect repellent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Snacks and plenty of water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A good camera or smartphone for photos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weather in Challacancha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dry season (April to October)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the best time to visit. Days are sunny and dry, with temperatures between <strong>10\u00b0C and 20\u00b0C (50\u00b0F\u201368\u00b0F)<\/strong>. Nights can be very cold, sometimes dropping below <strong>0\u00b0C (32\u00b0F)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rainy season (November to March)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rain is more frequent, especially in the afternoons. The trails may be muddy, but the landscape is lush and green, offering a different kind of beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should you acclimate before visiting Challacancha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Due to the high elevation, it\u2019s important to <strong>spend at least 2 days in Cusco<\/strong> before heading to Challacancha. This helps your body adjust to the altitude and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for visiting Challacancha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start early<\/strong> in the morning to enjoy the best weather and lighting for photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bring cash<\/strong> in Peruvian soles \u2013 there are no ATMs in the area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Respect local customs<\/strong> and nature \u2013 don\u2019t leave trash behind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay hydrated<\/strong> and take your time while walking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Challacancha good for beginner hikers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes! The hike from Challacancha to Soraypampa is considered <strong>moderate<\/strong>, making it a good option for beginners. It takes about <strong>3 to 4 hours<\/strong> to complete and offers plenty of photo stops and gentle climbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What comes after Challacancha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Challacancha, most trekkers arrive at <strong>Soraypampa<\/strong>, where they stay overnight in eco-camps or lodges. From there, the next day includes a steep climb to <strong>Salkantay Pass<\/strong>, the highest point of the trek at <strong>4,650 meters (15,255 feet)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Challacancha is one of the main starting points of the Salkantay Trek, located high in the Andes near Cusco. This guide explains its altitude, location, weather, trail conditions, and what hikers should know before beginning the journey to Machu Picchu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-information"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Challacancha: Start Salkantay Trek | Enjoy Peru<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover Challacancha, the scenic and peaceful starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Learn how to get there, what to see\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/en\/information\/challacancha\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Challacancha: Start Salkantay Trek | Enjoy Peru\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover Challacancha, the scenic and peaceful starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Learn how to get there, what to see\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/enjoyperu.org\/en\/information\/challacancha\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Enjoy Peru\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-31T15:23:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-27T02:43:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/localhost\/enjoy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/challacancha.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mia\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b777d30b24feba94fba57c80e7993df0\"},\"headline\":\"Challacancha\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-31T15:23:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-27T02:43:49+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":575,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/challacancha.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"information\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/\",\"name\":\"Challacancha: Start Salkantay Trek | Enjoy Peru\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/information\\\/challacancha\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/challacancha.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-31T15:23:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-27T02:43:49+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/enjoyperu.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b777d30b24feba94fba57c80e7993df0\"},\"description\":\"Discover Challacancha, the scenic and peaceful starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. 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