DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 3850m/12,000ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 2850m/9,300ft.
- Distance Travelled: 14km/8.5 miles.
We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco around 5 am. We proceed to drive nearly 3 hours to Anta – Mollepata. During the bus ride, you will see the snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Veronica: the Holy Gods of the Incas, as well as a spactacular view of the colorful valleys below. After two hours of driving we will make the first stop in Mollepata, a small village where you can grab last minute snacks or breakfast (optional). The drive will then continue until Challacancha (the starting point of our hike). Here we will meet with our support staff, organize all the equipment, and have introductory meeting. At approximately 9:30am we start our trek to Soraypampa (3900m). After about 3 hours of hiking (9km) we reach our lunch location and the basecamp for the evening. We will have a full lunch, and take a break before trekking up to the breathtaking Humantay Lake (4200m). This is an additional 5km hike that will take 3 hours round trip- but trust us, it’s worth it! Once we reach the lake, we can observe the Humantay glacier and the stunning sunset. Soraypampa is located on the middle of the glacier valleys where at night, it is so dark it is a perfect spot to appreciate the constellations and the milky way.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – HUAYRAMACHAY – CHAULLAY
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 4650m/15,000ft.
- Minimum Altitude: 2900m/9,500ft.
- Distance Travelled: 21km/13 miles to Chaullay.
With an early start today in order to make it up the highest pass of the trek, we deliver coca tea to your tent and prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel you up for the morning. The distance to the top of the pass is 7km and should take around 4 hours to complete. During the ascent through the rocky valley we can observe the magnificent Salkantay peak and may even see chinchillas running around. At the top of the pass you will see the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo. Salkantay is the second highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the main Inca Gods known as “Apu salkantay”. Hiking to the top is the most difficult part of the trek and a great accomplishment! The next 3 hours are spent descending along a gravel and rocky path to reach Huayracmachay, our lunch spot. In the afternoon we will arrive at the upper part of the rain forest, also called a cloud forest. We will cover 9 more kilometers (3 hours) until to get Challway Village (2900m) our campsite. The second half of the day, we will observe the thick forest, decorated with colorful orchids and native plants. The majority of the year the weather is warm and pleasant.
DAYS 3: CHAULLAY – COLLPAPAMPA – LUCMABAMBA – SANTA TERESA
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 2900m/9,510 feet.
- Minimum Altitude: 2100m/6,900 feet.
- Distance Travelled: Approx 16km/10 miles.
Today we begin our hike toward la Playa, walking through thick jungle and following the Salkantay river on a gradual trail. Enroute we stop at several family hamlets to enjoy local fruits and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange and papaya). If we are lucky, the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks” will make an appearance. Lucmabamba, our camp for the evening is small town surrounded by coffee trees and is home to many local families- here you can roam around the area and shop for souvenirs. In the afternoon you have the option of going for a soak in the hot springs to relax your sore muscles. It’s about a one hour drive to the hot springs and is highly recommended after the hard journey on the mountain. Later that evening we will enjoy a full dinner.
DAY 4: LUCMABAMBA-LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Hotel.
- Maximum Altitude: 2040m/6,700 feet.
- Minimum Altitude: 2900m/9,500 feet.
- Distance Travelled: 24km/14.9 miles.
Before setting out on the trail your guide will give an explanation about the coffee we will be tasting at our plantation stop. While hiking, we pass through coffee plantations and an artisan coffee mill enroute to llactapata. Here we follow a wide, well-preserved and original Inca trail which once ran to Quito. Following the trail up the side of the ridge, we can see a multitude of butterflies, citronella, orchids, rocky streams, and stunning views of the Santa Teresa valley. From the pass we can also see the first glimps of Machu Picchu. From the pass it is a short walk to Llactapata. Still covered under vines, jungle vegetation and trees, we will explore the site before descending to the Rio Aobamba and on to the Hidroelectrica where we have our last lunch with our cook. From there, we will keep walking along the train tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes. Once in town, we check into our hotel and get some much deserved dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
- Meals: Breakfast.
- Tour: Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu. We take the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sun rise over the ruins. Your guide will spend 2 hours explaining the highlights and give you free time to explore the ruins on your own. If you have booked any additional hikes such as Huaynapicchu you will also have the time to hike these. Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes, take a train back to Ollantaytambo, and bus back to Cusco. Once in Cusco, we transfer you back to your hotel.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
- Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our horses. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
- Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek.
- Experienced Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- Personal accommodation in private campsites: Like our ancestors, we are very considerate of the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Therefore, our campsites and lodges are adapted to the environment to avoid generating negative impacts.
- Night 1: Relax on your soft bed in our state-of-the-art Sky Camp under the watchful eye of Apu Salkantay on one side and Apu Humantay on the other. Spend as many hours as you would like star-gazing through your elegant glass ceiling! (Click here to see photo)
- Night 2: Enjoy our camping huts, made of ichu (Peruvian feather grass) and wood to guarantee a pleasant rest with protection during cold nights in the mountains. (Click Here to see photo) 2 people will stay in each 4-person tent inside of each individual hut. We provide you with a thick camping mattress free of charge.
- Night 3: Experience our Jungle Domes, brand new this year! In your dome, you will find a comfortable bed, twin or double (depending on your stated preferences). These domes have been ecologically designed to not interrupt the beautiful, raw surrounding landscape of the cloud forest. (Click here to see photo).
- Night 4: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by the horses). - Entry ticket to Machu Picchu Archeological Site
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes: The last night of this trek is spent in a hotel in Aguas Calientes with a double or triple room, private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
- 1 Duffle Bag: You can put your personal luggage, up to 7 kgs (15.4 lbs), including your sleeping bag, in this bag to be carried by our horses.
- Cargo Mules: On days 1 and 2, cargo mules carry the all camping equipment and your allowance of personal baggage (7 kgs/15.4 lbs). On days 3 and 4, your luggage will be carried by car or train to your destination.
- Trekking Cook: A chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along the journey to replenish your energy. You will never go hungry!
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost)
- Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will woken up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
- Tea time daily: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
- Snacks on the trail daily: Our snacks consist of local fruits, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We will give this snack to you at the beginning of each day in your cloth bag.
- One cloth snack bag per person: To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we will give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
- Products for hygiene: Each morning, you will be provided with a warm, wet towel to clean yourself up with.
- 1 Blanket or Liner per person.
- 1 Pillow per person.
- Medical kit: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Train tickets: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (“Expedition” service with Peru Rail at 16:22 hrs (subject to availability).
- Transport: Private transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (Day 5).
- 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
- We will create a Memorable Lifetime Experience for you.
NOT INCLUDED:
Entrance fee to Salkantay Trail (S/.10 per person)
Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
Day 1: Breakfast
Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.
Option: If you feel tired after the trek to and from Llactapata, you have the option to take a train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes. (Cost: USD $31.00)
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)
- A small backpack or carry bag (larger not allowed on the train or in Machu Picchu).
- Changes of clothing.
- Comfortable shoes or runners.
- Camera.
- Water to drink.
- Rain jacket or poncho.
- A fleece or jacket.
- Warm jacket for nights.
- Basic toiletries.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent for mosquitoes.
- Hat for the sun.
- Some extra money for lunch, snacks and souvenirs.
- Original passport (cannot enter Machu Picchu without it).
- ISIC Card if applicable.
- Bathing clothes for the hot springs (optional).
