Visit Machu Picchu! Salkantay is a sacred mountain and the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range at 6271 m/20570 ft. It is one of the most important mountains in the Cusco region, Peru. The mountain is known for awakening the spirits of the mountains like Nevado Tucarhuay and Nevado Humantay, and for offering beautiful landscapes, from peaks and snow-capped mountains to lush tropical jungles, high-altitude vegetation, and flowers of all shapes and colors. It is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, and it's a great alternative to the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek is a famous trek in Cusco, Peru, and is considered one of the TOP 20 BEST HIKES IN THE WORLD, due to its diverse landscapes, physical challenges, and the opportunity to experience local culture.

INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Pickup from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Soraypampa.
• Tents.
• Professional guide (Spanish and English).
• Cook and kitchen equipment.
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and kitchen equipment) - days 1 to 3.
• Meals (03B, 03L, 02D). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
• First aid kit.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu.
• Bus ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (day 4).
• Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archaeological site.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the last day.
• Optional train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (day 3).
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• IGV tax.
• Other services not mentioned in the program.

NOTE: As the weather can be very cold and cloudy, clothes may get wet and not dry overnight, especially in certain situations or conditions. So, please bring some spare clothes.

DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA (MARCOCCASA) - SORAY PAMPA

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 am to start this unforgettable Inca Trail Tour through Salkantay, heading to Marcoccasa (3400 m/11154 ft), passing through the town of Mollepata (3000 m/9843 ft). In Marcoccasa, we will meet the muleteers and the rest of the group and begin our hike. We start the hike within a magnificent valley, surrounded by snow-covered mountains like Humantay (5217 m/17116 ft) and Salkantay (6264 m/20551 ft).

We will cross different valleys, getting a glimpse of the local farmers' life, before reaching our first campsite in Soray Pampa. Our chef will welcome you with hot drinks, snacks, and dinner. The night will be cold due to the altitude.

Soray Pampa: 3900 m./12795 ft.
Weather: Cold.
Transport time: 4 hours.
Hiking time: 6 hours.

Optional: On the way to Soray Pampa, we recommend taking a 2-hour detour to see Humantay Lake and the snowy peak of Humantay. You will have to ascend from Soray Pampa (3900 m/12800 ft) to Humantay (4220 m/12800 ft).

DAY 2: SORAY PAMPA - SALKANTAY PASS - CHAULLAY

After breakfast, we will head towards the Salkantay Pass (4600 m/15092 ft), which offers an exceptional view of the Salkantay snowy peak (6264 m). From there, we will descend again and have time to enjoy the growing vegetation of the ecosystem.

Our campsite will be in Rayampata (3000 m/9842 ft), in the middle of the tropical jungle with warm weather.

Chaullay: 2950 m./9678 ft.
Weather: Warm with mosquitoes.
Transport time: 4 hours.
Hiking time: 9 hours.

DAY 3: CHAULLAY - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast, we will descend through the forest, where vegetation grows intensely, and you will be able to see a great variety of orchids, bromeliads, bomareas, etc. Then, we will visit some families in Lucmabamba (2000 m / 5651 ft), where we will have lunch, and La Playa (2100 m / 6890 ft), where our vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to the Hydroelectric. From there, we continue by train to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.

Weather: Warm during the day.
Hiking time: 5 hours, during a warm day with mosquitoes and cold at night.
Transport time: 1 hour and 30 minutes, from La Playa to Hydroelectric.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Early after breakfast, we head to Machu Picchu (2400 m/7874 ft) by tourist bus. We enter the historic sanctuary very early to do our Machu Picchu tour, recharge energy, open our arms, and feel the magic of this ancient place. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Inca citadel; it's undoubtedly a moment you've been eagerly waiting for. After the unforgettable moment, our guide will start the tour, and you will get to know more about the history and architecture of this wonderful place. You should know that the current visit time is limited to a maximum of 3 hours. Inside the Machu Picchu citadel, we can explore the different areas in which it was divided, its population distribution, and interesting details like how, despite being isolated, it could self-sustain.

After finishing the tour, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and to explore the town of Aguas Calientes, which has many restaurants and craft shops. Here, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco, concluding our SALKANTAY - MACHU PICCHU hike.

Weather: Warm during the day.
Hiking time: 2 hours.
Transport time: 30 minutes.

INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Morning hotel pickup and transfer to Soraypampa.
• Tents.
• Professional guide (Spanish and English).
• Cook and kitchen equipment.
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and kitchen equipment) - days 1 to 3.
• Meals (03B, 03L, 02D). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
• First aid kit.
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu.
• Bus ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (day 4).
• Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archaeological site.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the last day.
• Optional train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (day 3).
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• IGV tax.
• Other services not mentioned in the program.

What should I bring?

Backpack with rain cover, sleeping bag, clothing for both warm and cold weather, including a waterproof jacket, rain pants, and lightweight pants, hiking shoes, sandals or slippers (for showers and hot springs), wool or synthetic socks, sweater, long and short-sleeved shirts, rain poncho, hat, swimsuit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes), sunscreen, insect repellent, alcohol and hand sanitizer, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper, camera (wrapped in a plastic bag), flashlight and batteries, some snacks like chocolate bars and nuts, original passport, original ISIC student card, and extra money in Peruvian soles.

NOTE: As the weather can be very cold and cloudy, your clothes may get wet and not dry overnight, especially in certain situations or conditions. So, bring some extra clothes to change into.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Bring your passport or identification document.
• Bring cash in both Peruvian soles and US dollars.
• Carry a small backpack with a camera, a sun hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
• Wear appropriate, non-slip hiking shoes.
• Carry some snacks and a water bottle, as prices can be higher along the route.
• Visit and enjoy the Cocalmayo and Aguas Calientes hot springs.
• Regarding your luggage, you can take up to 7 kilograms on the train.
• During the high season, there may be more visitors to Machu Picchu, so be prepared for some waiting time to board the bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Arrive half an hour early at the train station before the departure time, and present your ticket and identification.

To start your reservation process please send us the following information:

• Name and surname:
• Passport No.:
• Nationality:
• Date of birth:
• Sex:
• Phone:
• It is very important your information about your hotel in the city of Cusco, so we can pick you up there at the beginning of the tour..

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