Salkantay to Machu Picchu 7D/6N

This amazing trek runs beneath the sacred Salkantay mountain (6.271m), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally join the 4-day Inca Trail to Machupicchu.

Departures every month. Prices available from $680 US per person 4 people minimum. Please contact us for any further information.

Day 1. Cusco - Cruzpata

We will leave Cusco at 7:00 am in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we will stop in the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. Here we will visit the archaeological remains of Tarawasi, where we can visit an Inca Usno the place where ceremonies for mother earth were conducted. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we can see various plants, native birds and the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru). In Cruzpata we will set up our first camp.

Day 2. Cruzpata - Soraypampa

We will depart at around 8:00 am in the direction of Soraypampa along a rural trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately six hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can view the majestic Apu Salkantay (6271 masl). We will camp and dine at this place.

Day 3. Soraypampa - Pampacahuana

We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start the four hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850 masl), the highest of the entire trail, and from which we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. We will immediately descend towards our lunch spot, observing Salkantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we will descend towards the Pampacahuana community, next to which exists an original Inca canal. Here we have dinner and set up camp.

Day 4. Pampacahuana - Wayllabamba

We will leave camp at around 8:00 am to start a downhill walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana river following its course towards the Wayllabamba community (3000 masl). On the way down we will visit the Incaracay archaeological complex (Paucarcancha) which is made up of rectangular constructions, plazas, retaining walls and terraces. After approximately four hours, we will arrive in Wayllabamba, where we will camp for the night.

Day 5. Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo

We will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. We will also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your day pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600 masl), where we will camp after approximately 6h of hiking.

Day 6. Pacaymayo – Wiñaywayna

This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites that we will visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo we will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 masl). Half way up, we will visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud-forest to finally arrive at Sayamarca (3624 masl). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge. Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.

Day 7. Wiñaywayna – Machupicchu

On this last day we will get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we will descend into Machupicchu, and 40 minutes later we will enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. We will then descend to the control point where we will register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We will immediately 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 the Huaynapicchu mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths. From here we will take the train to the city of Cusco, where we will arrive after nightfall.

Included:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek

• Inca Trail and Machupicchu entrance fees

• Igloo tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks

• One mattress per person

• Dining tent with tables and chairs

• Kitchen tent

• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 10 people)

• Cook and cooking equipment

• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 4

• 1 emergency horse

• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 5 to 7

• Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters / horsemen

• Meals (06B, 06L, 06D + snack and teatime service every day)

• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

• Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes

• Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

• Transfer: train station - hotel

Not included:

• 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 around 9.00pm, dinner being at your own expense too.

• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is US$ 1,50.

• Tips

What you need to bring and carry:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek

• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)

• Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes

• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters

• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 17.00 / 7 days)

• Flashlight and batteries

• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)

• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold

• Sun block

• Insect repellent

• Toilet paper

• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.

• Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)

• Matress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you

• towel

• swimsuit (recommended for hotsprings)

Optional Extras:

• An extra horse to carry your personal items (days 1 to 4): US$ 40.00 / 3 days. A horse can carry up to 40 kg.

• An extra porter to carry your personal items: US$ 60.00 / 4 days. A porter can carry up to 18 kg, which should be enough for 2 people.

• An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose. Also, if you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee will be charged.