Salkantay Trek To Machupicchu

We leave Cusco at 06.00 am in a private transportation and start a scenic morning scenic bus ride to our trail starting point at Challacancha. Along the four-hour drive, we cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), then Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft) and finally Challacancha, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction we start our hike, following the paths of the locals on a soft ascent towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft). After lunch in Salkantaypampa, we start our sometimes steep 2 hrs ascent to our camp at Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). This will be a cold night so very warm clothes are essential.

• Level : Moderate, mostly up hill
• Duration : 4 Hours of hike
• Location : Cusco to Challacamcha, to Soyrococha Andean landscapes
• Description : Andean landscapes
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner included Casona de Yucay Sacred Valley
• Night at : Camping

We depart early after breakfast and start a 1,5-hour ascent, which brings us up to the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4525m/14842ft) where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range with the South face of Salkantay towering above us, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest, Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. A long though easy descent along the Salkantay River, brings us late afternoon to our second camp at Qollpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in.

• Level: Moderate, mostly down hill
• Duration: 8 Hours of hike
• Location: Soyrococha to Colpapampa
• Description: Andean landscapes glaciers and Semitropical landscapes
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner included Camping
• Night at: Camping

Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. We pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, the bustling small town of La Playa and finally our third camp at Lucmabamba (2,100m/6888ft). On the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado, as well as exuberant local flora. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as we descend. At dinner we can enjoy a glass of wine by the light of the camp-fire.

• Level:    Moderate, mostly down hill
• Duration: 7 Hours of hike
• Location: Collpapampa to Lucmabanba
• Description: Andean landscapes and Subtropical landscapes
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner included
• Night at: Camping

After breakfast, we start climbing for 2-3 hours up to El Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we board a train that takes us to Aguas Calientes (short, scenic 40- minutes train ride). Accommodation at the chosen hotel.

• Level: Moderate, mostly up hill
• Duration: 6 Hours of hike
• Location: Cusco to Challacamcha, to Soyrococha
• Description: Cultural contact, Andean landscapes and Inca remains
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner included
• Night at: Presidente Hotel Aguas Calientes

We wake up early and take bus up to the ancient Inka ruins of Machupicchu, upon arrival in Machupicchu you will have a guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it (please note that there are only 400 visitors allowed per day), or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.

• Level: Moderate, mostly up hill
• Duration: 2 Hours of hike
• Location: Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu
• Description: Cultural contact, Andean landscapes and Inca remains
• Meals: Breakfast, included
• Night at: