Overview
The Salkantay to Machu Picchu expedition unfolds as a thrilling trekking adventure, leading adventurers through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. This journey encompasses traversing majestic mountains, weaving through picturesque green valleys, crossing pristine rivers, and immersing in the richness of local culture.
The pinnacle of this trek lies in reaching Machu Picchu, one of the modern world’s seven wonders. Explorers will delve into the ancient ruins, unraveling the history and culture of the Inca people. Along the path to Machu Picchu, travelers will engage with local inhabitants, gaining insight into their customs and traditions, adding a cultural dimension to this unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
We pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus for approx. 2 hours to Mollepata, where we will have breakfast, this first breakfast must be ordered at a local restaurant in Mollepata. After that, we take again the private transportation to Challacancha for about 40 minutes more of travel, where our trek is going to start.
The 3 hour hike will take us to Soraypampa where we will have lunch with panoramic views of our Domes and the beautiful snow-capped peaks Humantay (4,120 m / 13,500 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m / 20575 ft) we will start our hike to Soraypampa, our first camp (3,800 m / 11,750 ft, the highest and coldest camp of the trip) admiring the beautiful landscape on the way as an optional visit we will go to the Humantay lagoon which is located at 1: 30 minutes walking from Soraypampa.
We will have breakfast around 5:30 am. and start our hike to the highest pass of this trek (4,650 m / 15,200 ft.) located halfway between 2 huge mountains, Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From this pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible, there is a possibility of seeing snow here.
After a rest, we will continue our hike (downhill) through a spectacular cloud forest to Huayraqpunku, where we will have lunch. Then we hike again after lunch in the direction of the beginning of the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Chaullay or Collpapampa (3,000 m / 9,800 ft).
After breakfast, at 6.30 am, we start the day’s hike through the high jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of streams to reach Playa walking approx. 4 hours, where we will camp in geodesic domes in a coffee plantation where we will learn about the coffee process so we will harvest, roast and grind coffee as part of this hike.
Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits, plants and as soon as we are at the beach place where we will spend the night, on the other hand, the horses will return to Mollepata. From here, there is something optional to do, so we can take a local bus to drive one hour until we get to santa teresa, where we can enjoy the natural hot springs (bus fares and entrance fees to the hot springs are not included in this tour and are optional).
Today’s highlight: The best day of the trek! We will try to arrive as early as possible to Llactapata. We walk along a part of the original Inca trail and get some experience from the natives who live here in the area. Have the opportunity to harvest various fruits and have one of the best views of the Urubamba Valley, see the Salkantay Trekking mountain in the background and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu!
We will have breakfast at 6 am. and we will leave our camp on the beach, we will walk for about 20 minutes to get to Lucmabamba, so we will do the original Inca Trail of Llactapata from this place, we can see Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from far away, after arriving to Hydroelectric where we will have lunch then we continue walking, passing a variety of plantations of crops, coca, banana we will be walking approximately two and a half hours along the train track until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs of the town (entrance 10 soles) a real pleasure after finishing the hike.
We get up early in the morning around 4 am. to have breakfast and leave for Machu Picchu which takes 1:30 minutes walking, but there is another option to take the first bus that leaves at 5:30 am. to Machu Picchu (takes 25 minutes) to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun rises.
Your guide will give you a 2-hour tour and then you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2,720m. / 8,890 ft.) It takes 1:45 minutes to reach the top (optional and check availability). Then you will take the train around 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm or 6:20 pm depending on the availability of the train, so you will arrive to Ollantaytambo after 2 hours of travel, so a private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Includes
- Professional bilingual guide (spanish - english).
- Train (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo).
- Pick up from the hotel.
- Andean ceremony, offering to mother earth.
- A cook to prepare all meals.
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and 4 snacks.
- Luxury domes with private bathroom and hot shower.
- 01 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- Bus up (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu).
- Wood burning fireplace.
- Transportation (Cusco - Soraypampa and Ollantaytambo - Cusco).
- Horsemen and mules to transport equipment, food and personal luggage (7 kilos per person).
- Kitchen equipment: dining tent, kitchen with table and chairs.
- Entrance fees to Machu Picchu.
- First aid kit.
Not included
- Last dinner
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking sticks.