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. Explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Salkantay, a cloud forest, Agua Calientes, Machu Picchu and much more. Join here!
Features
8 Day Salkantay Trek
Tour Details
DAY 01: Arrival in Cusco (-/-/-)
Arrival to 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 remains and enjoy the vibrant nightlife or sampling Peruvian restaurants.
DAY 02: Full day Sacred Valley tour (B/L/-)
From your hotel, we’ll head to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Pisac, founded during Colonial times; you will be able to appreciate the mixture of tradition. Here you will 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. After lunch, it’s 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 at your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 03: Salkantay Trek – Soraypampa Camp (B/L/D)
Soraypampa is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip at 12750ft.
On day one, we pick you up at 5am and travel by bus to Mollepata. Then, we take a 3 hours hike to Cruzpata, where we have lunch with panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay (4120m/13500ft) and Salkantay (6271m/20575ft). We begin our trek by heading towards our first campsite Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way.
DAY 04: Salkantay Trek – Mighty SALKANTAY!! (B/L.D)
We will have breakfast at around 5:30am and begin our hike to the highest pass on this trek. It is located at 4650m/15200ft 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 snow 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 three hours towards the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft). We may reach the other campsites of Challway or Andenes depending on the pace of the group.
DAY 05: Salkantay Trek – Cloud Forest (B/L/D)
After breakfast, at 6:30am, we start trekking through 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 (2500m/8202ft). After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy a well-deserved soak in soothing the waters. A real treat after finishing the trek! (Optional).
DAY 06: Salkantay Trek – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)
On day four, we will have breakfast at 6:30am and then head for Llactapata, a three-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 two-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 of hours more until Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.
Optional: In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the hot springs in the town. Entrance is 10 soles.
DAY 07: Machu Picchu in its Glory- the BIG DAY! (B/-/-)
Wake up early for breakfast before our guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:40 am to begin the short bus journey to the gates of Machu Picchu where you will watch the sunrise. After entering the Citadel begin a guided walking tour (approximately two hours) of the citadel complex. After this experience, enjoy some free time to explore the mysterious city as you please.
Highlights
Trips Highlights
exploring Cusco
visit Ollantaytambo
Inclusions
What's Included
Transporation
Accommodation for 7 nights
Tour guide
Inclusions
What's Not Included
National and International flights.
Evacuation: in the event of a serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation.
Meals and drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
Tips and gratuities.
Optional excursions.
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and telephone calls.
Travel insurance.