Discover Colcapampa

Colcapampa can be considered a stop on the Salkantay trek. On the Salkantay–Santa Teresa route, the second day runs from Soraypampa to Colcapampa. The Salkantay trek’s second campsite is located here at an elevation of about 3,000 m. The day-by-day sequence and the camp’s elevation are different points of reference when choosing a route.

Stages and route itinerary

On the way to Colcapampa, the trek follows the Río Salkantay; the river helps situate the approach to the stop. From Colcapampa, a Salkantay route continues via Playa Sahuayaco and Santa Teresa to Colcamayo. This makes it possible to distinguish between the stage that arrives at the town and the subsequent sequence of named stops. When comparing route descriptions, the section in question matters: one description covers the way to Colcapampa, while another covers the continuation through the places mentioned. The exact order and stage planning may vary by provider.

Landscape along the trek

The campsite is surrounded by impressive Andean scenery. From Colcapampa, the trek leaves the Andean landscape and heads toward the Ceja de la Selva and a warmer, more tropical climate. The scenery at the camp and the changing climate farther along the route offer two different perspectives on the trek. The trek from Colcapampa via Playa Sahuayaco and Santa Teresa is also described as passing through Andean landscapes, tropical flora, and various bird species. The natural features along the trek and the scenery at the campsite refer to different sections.

Hot springs near Collpapampa

Nearby are the Aguas Termales Collpapampa, about half a kilometer before the village of Collpapampa. The hot springs are volcanic in origin and lie at the confluence of the Salkantay and Totora rivers; their water flows into the Río Salkantay. The water temperature is given as 30 to 40 °C and may vary. From the community of Collpapampa, the springs can be reached via a 2 km walk in about 15 minutes. Walking time depends on conditions and how well the trail is maintained. The location before the village and the walk from the community are different points of reference for visiting. Unlike the trekking section, this is a separate natural attraction, with a river confluence and thermal waters.

Road section and distances

A 2024 project study puts the road section between Sahuayaco and Colcapampa in the district of Santa Teresa at 13.7 km. This figure refers to the named road section and should be distinguished from the trekking sequence. Sahuayaco also appears on the route from Colcapampa via Santa Teresa to Colcamayo. This lets you consider road distance and trekking stops as two different points of reference for your trip. The 13.7 km describes the road between the places mentioned; the walk to the hot springs, by contrast, starts at the community of Collpapampa.

Discover more destinations: Urubamba, Santa Teresa, Sicuani, Huaro, Calca, Manire, Checacupe, Cusco

For the main travel overview: Cuzco.