Unique Salkantay Trek 4 Days

This Andean mountain adventure begins at 4:30am with pick up from your hotel, drive  in our private van for 3 hours to the Soraypampa trailhead. Travel along curvy roads in the Andes and have views of the villages Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. At the Soraypampa trailhead, have a delicious and hearty breakfast while enjoying the spectacular views of the Humantay Mountain (5,900m/ 19,356ft) and Salkantay Mountain (6,217m/ 20,396ft) glaciers.

***We take a 2.5 hour round-trip hike up to visit Humantay Lake, take in the beautiful, crystalline-blue waters of the Lake. Be mesmerized by the beauty of such an incredible creation of nature, then hike back down to the starting point to continue with your trek to Salkantay Pampa, here you will enjoy a hot lunch.

Next, we make our way to our first campsite at Soroccocha (4,400m / 14,517ft), situated at the foot of the towering Salkantay Mountain. At camp, will have afternoon tea to warm up and appetizers waiting for us. Tents will be set up and you can settle in before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 12kms / 8 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging

The guide will wake you with a hot mug of coffee or tea to enjoy in the tent before you get up. After a tasty breakfast we continue onwards and upwards for one hour, we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). Feel truly awed by the spectacular views of these three towering snow-capped mountains: Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay. These peaks are considered sacred by the Andean people and the guide will tell you about how important these Apus are in traditional Andean beliefs. Below you are spectacular rivers of whitewater and small scenic lakes. Head down for 2 hours  to  Huayracmachay for a hot lunch. Later we descend for 3 hours to the rural community of Chayllay. Along the way, love the refreshing lush green valleys and spectacular waterfalls. You have crossed over from the dry Andean highlands and are descending towards the warm and humid Amazon!

Then we will take the local transpotation to Lucmabamba where we will camp.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 18kms / 11 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

After another hot drink enjoyed in your sleeping bag, you will be treated to the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. From here, we walk in the footsteps of the Inca, along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, be amazed at the incredible views of deep valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located right across the valley front Machu Picchu. There, we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon. From there, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco. Nearby, we have lunch before we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner and go to our hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• 3* Accommodation:  Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
• Distance: 15kms / 9 miles
• Time: Approximately 9 hours
• Difficulty : Moderate

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at the hotel, take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu, be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and something that you will not want to miss! The guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. See most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to the hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

• Meal included: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu this tour is without a tour guide.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done by booking time.