SALKANTAY to MACHUPICCHU (5 DAYS)

Experience the “Deep Peru”, hiking one of Peru’s most picturesque landscapes around CUSCO. This 5-days trekking expedition will take you to the base of the sacred SALKANTAY snow-peaked mountain  (6,271 meters, 20,700 feet), considered by locals to be the “Guardian Spirit of the Jungle.” Doing this trek will give you the opportunity to experience remote native communities as well as the region’s great ecological biodiversity before reaching MACHUPICCHU. The highest and most challenging part of this trek will take you to 15,000 feet (4,600 meters). We will take horses along the way and also provide you with top-quality camping equipment as well as very balanced and carbohydrate-rich foods. 
 
Itinerary:
 DAY 1: CUSCO – SALKANTAYPAMPA
We will pick you up very early from your hotel in one of our private vehicles to transport you 4 hours from Cusco. We will cross MOLLEPATA at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters) and ascend to SAYLLAPATA at 11,500 feet (3,500 meters). On the way, we will see quiet Andean villages and also visit KILLARUMIYOC, an site where the Incas constructed their calendar. After our visit, we will have breakfast and then continue to the Limatambo valley. We will briefly stop in the MOLLEPATA village to see the streets and relax for a few minutes before continuing to the trailhead. We will have lunch and from this site, we will hike until we arrive at our campsite called SALKANTAYPAMPA at 13,100 feet (4,000 meters).

DAY 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA - COLLPAPAMPA

We will cross the left bank of a stream in the morning before hiking steeply uphill. We will come to a series of zigzags with breathtaking views of SALKANTAY and UMANTAY and then continue to the top of the seventh switchback where the terrain levels out under SALKANTAY and then drops gently down to a small lake called SOYROCOCHA. Stopping at this site, we can enjoy the nature before walking uphill for approximately one hour and a half. We will then reach the highest pass at 15,100 feet (4,600 meters). Here, we will have a stunning view of the sacred mountains of UMANTAY and SALKANTAY. We will also be able to see a pile of stones that grows daily as each traveler adds one as he or she passes. When a tourist adds to this pile, he or she thanks the APUS (mountain spirits) for a safe trip. We will then descend to a site called HUAYRACMACH’AY at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) before continuing to HUMANTAY, a pyramid-shaped peak. We will then arrive to HUAYRACPAMPA where we will have lunch. After re-energizing, we will enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromelias and other flowers, as well as hummingbirds. We will then continue our descent through the bamboo groves and after 4 hours heading downhill, we will arrive to the village of COLLPAPAMPA at 9,500 feet (2,900 meters) where we will have dinner and camp for the night.

DAY 3: COLLPAPAMPA - LA PLAYA

After a healthy breakfast, we will continue down the valley into the forest that contains groves of bamboo and great bird watching opportunities. Flocks of colorful tropical birds roam the forest and waterfalls cascade down cliffs with water warm enough for you to bathe in. The stretch also has begonias, purple orchids and strawberries lying on the path. We will then walk to our camp site, LA PLAYA. From there, we will set up camp, have lunch and have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. There is a school where many tourists like to play soccer with local children.

 DAY 4: LA PLAYA- HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

In the early morning, we will begin our difficult climb to the LLACTAPATA pass at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters). From there, you will be able to see the magnificant Incan city, MACHUPICCHU. From LLACTAPATA, we will descend through thick vegetation, tall trees, and incredible bird diversity. After we reach the hydroelectric site, we will take a local train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night. 

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO

After an early-morning breakfast, we will take the bus to MACHUPICCHU where you will have a thorough tour with your guide. You will then have the opportunity to climb HUAYNAPICCHU before heading down to AGUAS CALIENTES to board the train back to Cusco.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:

Additional Optional Services that are included:

Not Included:

Optional services must be confirmed at the same time of booking or one month in advance.

Prices and discounts: (2011)
Adults: $510
Students: $480 (when you show your ISIC card with a correct expiration date)