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Route:
Technical Characteristics:
Tour Profile: Medium. Sightseeing and cultural activities designed for people who are generally fit and are comfortable walking up to 6 hours per day.
Distance: 40 km
Travel Season: Departures Saturdays from January 2 to December 20, 2023.
Accommodation:
3* hotels and lodges, all with private washrooms. Tent accommodation during hike to Machu Picchu
Be marvelled by a route full of history and natural beauty in one of the most important mountains of Inca cosmology: Salkantay. Cross the cold ‘puna’ with beautiful views of the mountain range, then descend to green valleys surrounded by forests and archaeological sites that will bring you closer to the legendary past of Peru. Top your journey off with a visit to the best-kept treasure of the Incas: the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Cusco
Arrive at Cusco airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Sacred Valley
Spend your day off in Cusco acclimatizing while you walk through its cobblestone streets, visit its markets or, if you wish, take one of the optional tours or activities. Optional activity: City tour.
Day 3
Cusco – Soraypampa – Salkantay - Andenes 18 km – 8.5 hours
Depart from Cusco to Soraypampa, starting point of your walk, with a previous stop in Mollepata. Once in Soraypampa (3,868 meters, the team will be waiting for you to begin the ascent to the Salkantay pass (4,638 meters). From the summit, the view of the peaks of the Vilcabamba mountain range is impressive, while the southern face of the Salkantay glacier rises above you. With some luck, you will be able to observe some Andean condors elegantly soaring across the sky. Rest, recharge yourself with that unique energy that the ‘apus’ have and get ready for the descent to Wayracmachay where you will have lunch. Continue downhill along the left bank of the Salkantay River, while you notice how the landscape of the ‘puna’ is filled with green tones, a sign that you are entering the jungle or cloud forest. The air starts to get warmer, the butterflies appear fluttering near the orchids, and the route fills with life until you arrive at the camp in Andenes (2,889 meters above sea level). There you will be served dinner and you will be able to rest.
Day 4
Andenes – Lucmabamba 19 km – 7.5 hours
Today you will enjoy a less demanding but interesting path. The route runs along the Santa Teresa river valley, crossing more populated rural areas. While you are moving forward, discover different plantings and learn about some local products such as bananas, passion fruits, avocados and coffee. After lunch on the road, you will walk two more hours until you find the private vehicle that will be waiting for you to move to the beginning of the Inca Trail (30 minutes approximately). From this point, you will go to the last camp of your adventure in Lucmabamba. At night, the family that will be your host will make a demonstration of delicious local coffee. After dinner, spend the night in the camp.
Day 5
Lucmabamba –Llactapata – Aguas Calientes 12 km – 5.5 hours
A new ascent - not as demanding as the first day - is waiting for you today. Start walking two or three hours to the Llactapata pass (2,735 meters above sea level) and then descend to the archaeological site of the same name. From there, you will have an impressive view on the Machu Picchu skyline and the Huayna Picchu Mountain; an angle that few travelers have the opportunity to admire. Lunch is served at a nearby viewpoint, where you can still see the Inca citadel. When finished, continue with the walk to the Aobamba River, surrounded by lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. Finally, arrive at the Hidroelectrica train station to board the one that will take you to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in your hotel before going up to Machu Picchu the next day.
Day 6
Machu Picchu – Cusco
In the morning, arrive at the bus station in Aguas Calientes. Board a coach for a 25 minute ride to Machu Picchu. The ‘Lost City of the Incas” is believed to have been built in the 1450s by Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat, yet within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel and its most prominent landmarks. Return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to the Ollanta station, from where you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 7
Cusco
After a spectacular adventure along the route of the Incas, it's time to take a break. Spend your day off in Cusco walking through its cobblestone streets, visiting its markets or, if you wish, taking one of the optional tours or activities. Optional activity: Pottery workshop at Totemiq or Shared tour to Rainbow Mountain.
Day 8
Cusco Departure
A transfer will take you to Cusco airport to board your departure flight.
Prices
Included:
- Private transfers from/to Cusco airport
- Shared services operated with a guide in Spanish and English
- All the visits mentioned in the programme: Salkantay trek and Machu Picchu
- Four nights of accommodation in Cusco, two nights camping, one night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- 5 Breakfasts on days 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8
- Lunch on day 6 at Aguas Calientes
- Transfer from Cusco hotel to the starting point of the trek at Soraypampa
- Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa
- Train ticket from Hifroelectric station to Aguas Calientes in Expedition service on day 5
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in Expedition service on day 6
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco hotel
*At camp
- Briefing before the trek
- 2 breakfasts on days 4 and 5
- 3 lunches on days 3, 4 and 5
- 2 dinners on days 3 and 4
- Professional chef
- Muleteer, porters and support animals to carry camping equipment and food. They will also carry the personal belongings of the passengers (7kg) per passenger including the sleeping bag
- Emergency horse on days 3 and 4
- Camping equipment:
- Complete equipment for kitchen, dining room and camping
- Sleeping bag
- Tents (Eureka Mountain brand)
- Mattress
- Oxygen and first aid kit
- 24 hour assistance to the passenger
Not Included:
- Expenses of a personal nature, beverages and meals not stated in the programme
- Tips for driver and guide
- Mandatory supplementary fees for special dates like Easter Holidays, Inti Raymi, National Holidays, Christmas and New Year´s mentioned separately
- International flights to Peru
- Domestic flights (we advise booking the first flights in the morning)
- Travel insurance
- Entrances to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain (Available for an additional cost)
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