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Voykit pocket guide · Peru
Mollepata
Spend one night in Mollepata to start the Salkantay trek; arrive by shared minibus (≈15 soles) or taxi (≈70 soles).
Mollepata is a small mountain town serving as the trailhead for the Salkantay trek. One night is enough to rest, stock up, and begin the hike. Accommodations are basic guesthouses; food is limited but sufficient.
- Country
- Peru
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (rainy season, check)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PEN
- Money
- Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget S/30–45 soles excl. bed · Mid S/45–70 soles excl. bed · High S/70+ soles excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
- Emergency
- Police 105 · Fire 116 · SAMU ambulance 106
- Plugs
- Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
- Tipping
- Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (continental) at Apu Tilca | S/8–10 |
| Meal at Sunday market | S/8 |
| Taxi from Cusco (whole car) | S/60–80 |
| Shared minibus from Cusco | S/15–20 per person |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CUZ · Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
- Bus or taxi about 3 h to Mollepata
Typical fares
- Cusco → Mollepata, shared minibus
- about S/18 per person, 1.5 h (check)
- Cusco → Mollepata, taxi (whole car)
- about S/70, 1 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; the trail starts from the main square. Taxis can be arranged for onward travel.
See and do
Known for
- Salkantay trail start
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Soraypampa | Taxi arranged a day ahead, 80 soles per car or 10–20 soles per person with agencies | ≈1 h (check) |
Sleep
- Apu Tilca Restaurant Turístico
- 20 soles per person; cold showers, no Wi‑Fi; breakfast optional (8–10 soles).
- Hospedaje Chokequirao Mollepata
- 15 soles per person; basic rooms, cold showers, no toilet seats.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the toilet? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo |
| Can I have water? | ¿Me puede dar agua?me ˈpweðe daɾ ˈaɰwa |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
- Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests
Scams and watch-outs
- Restrooms are paid; bring small change.
- Internet cafes are limited to the square.
- Rooms may lack functional sockets; charge devices in the dining area.
Mollepata is low‑traffic and safe for trekkers; basic hygiene facilities require small purchases.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mollepata yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Salkantay trail start
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Mollepata coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Mollepata, revision 4827327 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4827327
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/mollepata). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.