Mollepata

Mollepata is a decent-sized Peruvian mountain town. A few hours' drive away from Cusco, it is the launching-off point for backpackers taking the Salkantay trail.

Understand
For the trail, some travelers choose porters and guides that will drive them further up into the mountains, but independent trekkers will begin their trek in the square. Although most businesses are closed in the early morning when most trips start, there is one restaurant on the square that will sell you a delicious, decent breakfast and cocoa, coffee, or tea. They also have a restroom available for use- be sure to make a purchase if you will be using their restroom, everything gets more expensive the more remote you get, including toilet paper costs. They also sell a few sundry items that might be useful on your trek. Everyone in town knows where the Salkantay trail begins. Ask anyone in the town which way to go, and they will tell you the way. If you don't speak Spanish, just say "La Trocha del Salkantay?" and they will point you in the right direction. Be prepared to go through mama's chicken coop though. The trail out of town goes between backyards. Mollepata is in Peru.

Get in
To get to Mollepata you can take a taxi (60-80 soles for the whole car) or take a shared minibus from Arcopata in Cusco for 15-20 soles per person.

Eat
There are a couple of restaurants at Mollepata, so you will not die of hunger. On Sundays there is a market on the central square, where you can get a decent meal for 8 soles.

Sleep
There are four to five guest houses at Mollepata. Independent tourists are quite rare and places are generally empty. You even have to make quite some effort in order to get in.



Connect
There are two internet cafes at the bottom of the main square.

Go next

 * Soraypampa
 * arrange a taxi a day in advance for 80 soles per car
 * go together with luggage of tourists agencies at officially 9a.m. (more often at 10a.m.) for 10-20 soles per person