Description
This breathtaking trek takes you through diverse landscapes and altitudes, as we trek around the skirts of Mount Salkantay and camp within sight of the snowcapped peaks. In this tour, you will explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Salkantay, a cloud forest, Agua Calientes, Machu Picchu and much more. Join here!
Features
8 Days Salkantay Trek
Tour Details
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
Arrival in Cusco with a transfer to your hotel. A welcome meeting will be organized by your guide for a quick briefing of the tour. The rest of the day can be spent exploring Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, set in the Andes Mountains. Discover Spanish churches and mansions that sit alongside Inca ruins, enjoy the vibrant nightlife and sample Peruvian restaurants!
(-/-/-)
DAY 2: FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
From your hotel, we’ll head to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Pisac, founded during Colonial times. Here, you will be able to appreciate the mixture of tradition and have the opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase hand-made souvenirs. After the visit, we will have a great buffet lunch with an emphasis on locally grown organic products in the town of Urubamba. It is then time to visit Ollantaytambo. The narrow streets, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire. The last visit will be the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. At the end of the tour, we drop you off back at your hotel in Cusco.
(B/-/-)
DAY 3: SALKANTAY TREK - SORAYPAMPA CAMP
Soraypampa is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip at 3,886 m (12,750 ft).
Today, we will pick you up at 5:00 and travel by bus to Mollepata. Then, we take a 3-hour hike to Cruzpata, where we have lunch with panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay (4,120 m / 13,500 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,575 ft). We begin our trek by heading towards our first campsite Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way.
(B/L/D)
DAY 4: SALKANTAY TREK - COLCAPAMPA CAMP
We will have breakfast at around 5:30 and begin our hike to the highest pass on this trek. It is located at 4, 650m (15,200 ft) and halfway between two huge mountains: Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the two snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snowfall here. After a rest, we will continue our walk downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will hike for approximately 3 hours towards the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa (3,000 m / 9,800 ft). We may reach the other campsites of Challway or Andenes depending on the pace of the group.
(B/L/D)
DAY 5: SALKANTAY TREK - CLOUD FOREST
After breakfast, at 6:30, we start trekking in the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River, through a series of small brooks and creeks. We pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will set up camp in the warm climate of La Playa (2,500 m / 8,202 ft). After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy a well-deserved soak in soothing waters. A real treat after finishing the trek! (Optional).
(B/L/D)
DAY 6: SALKANTAY TREK - LLACTAPATA - AGUAS CALIENTES
On day 4 of our trek, we will have breakfast at 6:30 and then head for Llactapata, a 3-hour steady climb. Llactapata is an incredible Incan fort from which we will see Machu Picchu! After some photos and rest, we will continue on a 2-hour downhill hike, passing a variety of plantations that produce coca, bananas, and more, until we reach the Hydroelectric dam for lunch. Then, we will walk a couple more hours until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.
Optional: In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs in the town. Entrance fee is 10 soles.
(B/L/D)
DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY - THE BIG DAY!
Have an early breakfast before your guide picks you up at your hotel at 5:40. We will have a short bus journey to the gates of Machu Picchu, where you will watch the sunrise. After entering the Citadel, begins a guided walking tour (approximately 2 hours) of the Citadel complex. After this experience, enjoy some free time to explore the mysterious city as you please.
(B/-/-)
Highlights
Trips Highlights
Exploring the ancient city of "Cusco"
Visiting "Ollantaytambo"
Inclusions
What's Included
Transporation
Accommodation for 7 nights
Tour guide
Inclusions
What's Not Included
National and International flights
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and telephone calls
Travel insurance
Evacuation: in the event of a serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation