Day 1 Cusco - Andenes
We leave Cusco at 04.00 am in a private transport and start a scenic morning bus-ride to our trek starting point at Soraypampa. Along the four-hour drive, we drive through the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire, where the archaeological remains of Tarawasi are located. The road continues up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2800m/9184ft) and the small community of Cruzpata (2750m/9020ft) to finally reach Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), the starting point of the trek, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction and a quick breakfast, we start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft), crossing Salkantaypampa, and then starting a 2 hrs steep ascent to Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). Continuing uphill, we reach the Abra Huayracmachay (4600m/15088ft), the highest mountain pass in the program 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 brings us late afternoon to our first campsite at Andenes (3,500m/11480ft).
Meals B, L, D
Total distance: 18 km (11,25 miles)
Estimated time: 8-9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,600 m (15,088 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Day 2 Andenes - Lucmabamba
Today we continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Salkantay River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads. After 1, 5-2 hours we arrive at the settlement of Chaullay, and after another 45 minutes to the town of Collpapampa. From Collpapampa, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River. After a rest, we continue our descent to the banks of the Totora River, then passing the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, the bustling small town of La Playa and finally our second 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.
Meals: B, L, D
Total distance: 20 km (12,50 miles)
Estimated time: 8-9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,100 m (6,888 ft)
Day 3 Lucmabamba - Aguas Calientes
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Total distance: 12 km (7,50 miles)
Estimated time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
Day 4 Aguas Calientes - MachuPicchu - Cusco
We wake up early and board a bus to MachuPicchu where we begin a complete 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.Meals:
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress
Group Service
Includes:
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. Eureka Timberline 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested and Eureka Timberline 2XT for single travelers
- One foamy sleeping pad per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
- Professional tour guide (spanish and english)
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3
- 1 emergency horse every 6 persons – days 1 to 3
- Wranglers – days 1 to 3
- Accommodation for all our staff
- Meals (03B, 03L, 02D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
- One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environ
- Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
- Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
- Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
- Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Train ticket from the Hydroelectric power plant to Aguas Calientes (day 3)
- 1D MachuPicchu entrance fee
- RT Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – MachuPicchu – Aguas Calientes (day 4)
- Backpacker train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Should there be no train tickets available in the direct route Aguas Calientes – Cusco, a train ticket Aguas Calientes – Sacred Valley with an additional private transportation from the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco will be provided
- Transfer train station-hotel included only if returning on day 4
- 24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit
Not include:
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or MachuPicchu
- Dinner on day 3, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at MachuPicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in MachuPicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
- Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the program while you're awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/10.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
- Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
- IGV Tax
- Other services not mentioned in the program
Nosotros
Mapa de sitio
Soporte
pool service US$ 520.00
pool service US$ 610.00
