Salkantay Trek

On the first day, pickups for the tour will begin at 5:30 am from your accommodation and will drive 4 hours to the start of the Salkantay trek. On our way, we will stop at Mollepata, a town on the Valley where we can buy the last minute items to start our 5 days hike. We will also enjoy breakfast here before driving the rest of the way to the starting point of the trail, called Soraypampa at 3,883 meters or 12,740 feet. If it is a clear day, we will be able to see the majestic Humantay and Salkantay Mountains before us.

Our chef will prepare lunch, and after eating we will start our uphill hike for 8 km (5 miles) to the first campsite which takes 3 hours. Our campsite is called Soyrococha and is located at 4,400 meters or 14,435 feet and is one of the highest campsites in the Cusco region. Here, it is essential to have warm clothing, thermals, and a sleeping bag good for at least -20°C (-4°F) since the temperature can reach below freezing.

On the second day of Salkantay trek in Peru, we will hike for a total distance of 16 km (10 miles) and will get to see different ecological zones.

We will start by hiking uphill for about 40 minutes until we reach the Salkantay Pass at 4,635 meters or 15,200 feet.

Here, we will stand right below the towering Salkantay Mountain which is the highest peak in the area at 6,264 meters or 20,551 feet.

If we are lucky we might see condors. We will then descend for 3 hours to our lunch site located at Rayanniyoc. On the way, we will be able to see the changing geography, as we start in the grassy highlands and end in the green cloud forest. After lunch, we will continue descending for 2 hours and will enter the tropical cloud forest where we can see wild orchids and other native flowers, as well as hummingbirds. We will continue our descent through the bamboo groves, until we arrive at the village of Collpapampa which sits at 2,855 meters (9,366 feet), and here we will have dinner and camp.

On this day we will hike for a total of 16 km (10 miles) and will get to enjoy a cultural afternoon with a local farming family. After breakfast, we will continue down the valley for about 6 hours into a forest that contains bamboo groves and great bird watching opportunities.

Flocks of colorful tropical birds roam the forest and warm water cascades down nearby cliffs. The trail here gradually descends, and on the way our guide will point out the various flora and fauna in the area. We will reach our campsite located at the small village of Lucmabamba which is at 2,008 meters (6,588 feet), and here we will also have lunch. In the afternoon, we will do some farming activities that will depend on the time of year but may include collecting and roasting coffee beans, picking avocados, oranges, passion fruit, and also we may be able to harvest some honey. We will also have the option to eat traditional guinea pig for supper!

On the fourth day, we will hike for 8 km or 5 miles and will need to get up early. From Lucmabamba to our lunch site we will hike for about 5-6 hours. We will start ascending through the lush rainforest for about 2 and a half to 3 hours to the Llaqtapata Pass which is at 2,700 meters or 8,910 feet. Then we will then descend for 15 minutes and arrive at the archaeological site of Llaqtapata where we will stop and have some snacks. This site provides our first view of Machu Picchu from the other side of the valley, and we will learn about how Llaqtapata was an important astronomical center.

After resting, we will begin our descent for 2 and a half to 3 hours down the mountain until we reach the hydroelectric station, where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. After eating we will say good-bye to our chef, then we will hike for about three hours to Aguas Calientes (2,040 meters or 6,692 feet), the town located at the bottom of Machu Picchu. We will follow a flat route next to the train tracks and will get to see Machu Picchu from afar from different angles as well as nearby farming terraces. At Aguas Calientes we will check into our hotel and then will have some free time to visit the hot springs before meeting for supper at a local restaurant.

After having breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide and take the 25-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu. You will have a 2-hour tour with your guide where you will see and learn about the most important sites including the Temple of the Sun, the main plaza, Intiwatana, and the Temple of the Condor.

After your tour, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, and in the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where we will pick you up from the train station. Finally we will take you in a bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.