Cusco and the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

DAY 1: Arrive Cusco

Upon arrival to Cusco´s airport, reception and transfer to the hotel.
Time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Cusco Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Meals Included: None

DAY 2: Half Day Cusco City Tour

At 9:00am or 2:00pm (your choice); the guide will take you on a half day tour of Cusco. We will start by visiting the Cathedral. Built over 450 years ago, it contains a fine collection of paintings of the Cusqueñan School. After this, we will visit the Koricancha, the most sumptuous temple of the Inca culture, which was dedicated to worshiping the sun. Finally we will visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and its impressive rocky constructions, followed by Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Return to the hotel.

Cusco Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 3: Sacred Valley: Pisac & Ollantaytambo

In the morning we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Pisac town, where you will visit the local market. Here is a good place to find unique and authentic souvenirs. Then, you will visit the archaeological place, this Inca site remains somewhat mysterious as to what their absolute purpose was, but it seems likely that they were part of a settlement along a vital Inca road with the Amazon rain forest to the east of the mountains, it is generally understood that Pisac provided a connecting point of sorts between the highlands and the jungle. As you explore the Pisac archaeological place, you will find that the views of the mountains and valleys are simply breath-taking. Together with the Inca site, the Pisac markets bring a good amount of visitors to town.

After this visit you will be transferred to the restaurant for lunch. After lunch, passengers will be transferred to Ollantaytambo which is one of the most beautiful, and significant, sites in the entire Cusco region and is rich with history that your guide will teach you about. It is a very interesting, and typical, pueblo with extensive, well preserved Inca ruins; we will visit the unfinished temples high above the village on the mountainside. It is one of the most impressive Imperial style complexes built by the Incas. Transfer to the hotel.

Cusco Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: Start Salkantay Trek: Mollepata to Soraypampa

At 06:00 a.m. the tour will start with private transport from the city of Cusco. We will pass the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo and after 2 hours drive we will arrive to Mollepata (2950m/9676ft) where we will stop for a short rest and have a coffee. Afterwards we will continue our drive (1 hour) towards the small settlement of Marcocasa at 3300m/10824ft. From here we start our first day of trek (5 hours) towards our camp at Soraypampa (3850m/12628ft) an Andean valley located at the foothills of the beautiful Mount Humantay (5910m/19385ft). On the way, you willenjoy fine views of the surrounding valleys of Curahuasi and Apurimac.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Salkantay Trek: Soraypampa to Huayracmachay

This morning our mules will be prepared and ready to transport our heavy equipment along the entire route. From Soraypampa we will start our 4 hour trek towards Soyrococha at 4400m/14432 where we will have our first lunch while enjoying great views of the impressive west face of mount Salcantay (6264m/20546ft).

After lunch, a 3 hours hike will take us down to our camp at Huayracmachay. On the way, we will first reach the Salcantay pass at 4750m/15580ft and then we will trek down to our camp at the Huayracmachay settlement. During our hike we will have the permanent view of the amazing mount Salcantay. If we are lucky enough we will be also able to observe the flight of the amazing condor bird known as the “King of the Andes”. During our descend from Salcantay pass we will also have the opportunity to observe the remains of an ancient Inca Trail, a road of approximately 6 meters wide. Camp at 3800m/12464ft.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Salkantay Trek: Huayracmachay to Winaypoko

After a hearty breakfast, at 08:00 a.m. we will be ready to continue our 7 hours trek heading northeast down to the Colpapampa´s Valley (3200m/10496ft). Leaving the Huaracmachay plain very soon we will start an impressive descend into the deep canyon of the Salcantay river. The highland landscape suddenly turns into an amazing cloud forest with the typical grass, bushes and trees covered with beautiful bromelias. After 3 hours we will reach the small settlement of Challway and from here another 40 minutes-1 hour hike will take us to Colpapampa village where we will enjoy a hot lunch. From Colpapampa the Salcantay River turns into the Santa Teresa River. After a rest we will continue our descend to the shores of the Totora River where we can enjoy a soak in the nearby hot water springs. Then following along the north side of the Santa Teresa River we will continue (3 hours) until reaching our next camp at Winaypoko settlement (2800m/5904ft). Just 30 minutes before Winaypoko we will have the opportunity to observe the beautiful Coripacchi waterfalls.

In the evening, at our camp we will enjoy a good meal with some wine around a camp fire.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Salkantay Trek: Winaypoko to Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes

In our last trekking day, we will hike for 3 hours down to the place known as La Playa. This trek will take us along the north side of Santa Teresa River. On the way down, we will observe plantations of banana, coffee, granadillas (a typical fruit from the area), avocado trees, etc. The sound of parrot flocks will accompany us during the hike and on the river perhaps we will be able to observe the fast fly of king fisher.

At La Playa we will enjoy lunch, after this we will board the transportation to get to Santa Teresa; from here we will continue hiking until reaching La Hidroelectrica (operation area of the hydroelectric power plant). Here we will board the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will arrive after a train ride of 1 hour. Then our guide will take you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Aguas Caliente Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: Machu Picchu

In our last day, an early morning wake up will be followed by breakfast in the hotel and then a public bus transport will take you up to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu City (2400m/7872ft). A guided tour will show you this beautiful Inca City, one of the most famous in the world. You will visit the Intihuatana, the temple of the 3 windows, the temple of the moon, the terraces, the ceremonial fountains, the sun gate and other sectors of the impressive citadel. In the afternoon, we take the public bus down to Aguas Calientes and you will return to Ollantaytambo (or Cusco) by train, from where our transport will take you back to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel.

Cusco Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9: Depart Cusco

Depending of your flight time, transfer to Cusco`s airport. End of services.

Meals Included: Breakfast