Salkantay trekking to Machupicchu

We start our adventure at 04:30 AM picking you up from your lodging or hotel and the other members of the group to start the trip together with your Guide and Cook. We will leave in the direction of the town of Mollepata (2,800 masl / 9,186 feet), passing through towns like Izcuchaca and Limatambo, arriving at 07:30 AM and where we will have a break to have a light optional breakfast. We continue for an hour to Challacancha which will be the starting point of our trail to Salkantay, the Route of the Gods.

At this point we will meet with our support and logistics staff, who will be in charge of getting the equipment and mules ready. Around 09:30 a.m. we begin our trek to Soraypampa, where our first camp of the trip is located (3,910 masl / 12,828 ft.).

The first part of the hike, we will walk on an ancient road and will lead us through deep valleys on the side of the mountain. We will be able to observe an ancient “aqueduct” channel, where cold crystalline water flows and flows and supplies the inhabitants of the area. During 03 hours of walking we will arrive at our camp in Soraypampa, then we will have lunch and recover our strength. At this point we will have enough time to enjoy and take pictures of the impressive views of the canyon that extends in the area, you can see the glaciers and snow-capped mountains of Salkantay and Humantay.

In the afternoon and after a rest at our camp, we will start the 1 hour and 30 minutes hike to the dazzling turquoise Humantay Lagoon (4,210 masl / 13,812 ft). Here we will enjoy the beauty and charm of the place, a magnificent opportunity to take incredible dreamlike pictures.

Back to our camp, we will observe the sunset admiring the valley with an impressive scene that will fill you with peace and harmony in your being. Time to find yourself!

Time for tea and then enjoy our delicious dinner. At night we will have the chance to contemplate the stars and the firmament full of constellations in the sky, finally we will go to our accommodations to rest under the stars.

• Distance: 12 kilometers from Challacancha to Soraypampa.
• Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.
• Climate: Cool with presence of wind and cold nights.
• Starting Altitude: 3,600 - 3,700 masl (Challacancha - Inka Canal)
• Campsite Altitude: 3,910 masl (Soraypampa)
• Maximum Altitude: 4,200 masl (Humantay Lagoon).
• Meals: Lunch, Tea time, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Andean hut, outdoors.

This is the big day to challenge the Salkantay, very early at 05:00 AM to enjoy a nutritious and energetic breakfast to start the hike to the highest point of this day, the Abra Salkantay (4,630 masl / 15,190 ft) for 4 hours with a journey of 7 KM. From the top we will contemplate beautiful high Andean valleys and the powerful and imposing snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo.

From this place we will make an Inka ceremony, praying to the Apus to allow us to continue to our destination.

We continue down a winding and rocky descent to Wuayracmachay (3,800 masl / 12,467 ft), where we will have lunch. After a short rest we will continue our trek.

In the afternoon our goal will be to reach the Amazon jungle and get to know the “Cloud Forest”, in this journey you will appreciate the radical change of the high mountain landscapes and immerse ourselves in the Amazon amidst an epic scene surrounded by mist.

You will enjoy the wildlife until you reach our camp at Colpapampa (3,910 masl / 12,828 ft). This is the place where this demanding trek ends, a well-deserved rest and a fortifying dinner.

• Distance Traveled: 22 kilometers from Soraypampa to Colpapampa.
• Hiking Time: Approximately 10 hours.
• Difficulty: Challenging.
• Weather: Cool with presence of cold and wind, at night cold-temperate.
• Starting altitude: 3,910 masl (Soraypampa).
• Camp Altitude: 3,910 masl (Colpapampa)
• Maximum Altitude: 4,650 masl (Salkantay Pass)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Dome hut, outdoors.

We will wake up in the incredible and warm jungle of Colpapampa, also known as "the top of the Cloud Forest"; we will have our breakfast from 06:00 AM to begin our journey to reach Sahuayaco Beach. We will have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery that hides this area, the high Andean jungle makes our trip more unforgettable.

This valley has a climate of radiant sunshine and dense vegetation, ideal for producing quality coffee. We will appreciate orchids, begonias, bromeliads and many medicinal plants used for the Natural Medicine of our region. We will arrive at Playa Sahuayaco (2,064 masl / 6,772 ft), enjoy a nutritious lunch and a short break, and then continue by bus to our campsite in Lucmabamba (2,017 masl / 6,617 ft).

We will have the option to visit the hot springs of Cocalmayo in the afternoon, located in the town of Santa Teresa (1,700 masl / 5,577 ft). Finally we will head towards our third camp where we will spend the night, to recover energies since it will be the big day to challenge the Inca Trail through the jungle, Llactapata.

• Distance Traveled: 15 kilometers from Colpapampa to Lucmabamba.
• Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Weather: Hot during the day and warm at night.
• Starting Altitude: 3,910 masl (Colpapampa)
• Campsite Altitude: 2,017 masl (Lucmabamba)
• Minimum Altitude: 1,700 masl (Santa Teresa).
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea time, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping tent, outdoors.

It will be our last sunrise in a tropical zone, we will take strength with a comforting breakfast and begin our journey uphill for more than 2 hours to the Amazon Inca Trail of Llactapata.

From Llactapata (2,740 masl / 8,989 ft) we will explore this impressive place, with our guide we will learn about the hidden history of the Incas. From its viewpoint you will have an incredible and unique view of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park (2,430 masl / 7,972 feet), you will also appreciate the mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.

We will continue with a downhill hike for more than 2 hours until we reach Hidroeléctrica (1,890 masl / 6,200 ft), where we have lunch at a local restaurant. The final part of this arduous day will be our hike along the path of the train tracks, until we reach the village of Aguas Calientes.

At Machu Picchu Pueblo (2,020 masl / 6,627 ft) will be the place to rest and gather strength for the most important day of this adventure tour. We will have the last dinner with all the members of the group and it will be the moment where we will provide the plans and details of our visit to Machu Picchu for the next day.

Note: During the rainy season, the Llactapata - Machu Picchu trek is not guaranteed due to the risk of accidents. We reserve the right to change the itinerary of this day for its integrity.

• Distance covered: 18 kilometers from Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes.
• Hiking Time: Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
• Difficulty: Challenging to Moderate.
• Weather: Hot during the day and mild at night.
• Starting Altitude: 2,017 masl (Lucmabamba)
• Hotel Altitude: 2,020 masl (Aguas Calientes)
• High Altitude: 2,740 masl (Llactapata)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel, Machu Picchu Village (Aguas Calientes).

This last day we will wake up very early to head to the wonder of the Modern World. After our breakfast, we will go by bus to Machu Picchu (2,430 masl / 7,972 ft) during a 30 minute uphill ride.

We will report to the Machu Picchu Control and begin our guided tour of the citadel, discovering the "Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu". During more than two hours we will explore the most important constructions and temples of this city, the architecture of the Incas is really incredible and unimaginable as amazing! Feel sure that this will be the best experience ever, you will feel the real sensation of finding yourself.

After all our tour in Machu Picchu, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,020 masl / 6,627 ft) on foot and have free time to get to know the place, as well as to have lunch.

Finally, our package includes the tourist train to the town of Ollantaytambo (2,790 masl / 9,154 feet), and then take our transportation to the city of Cusco (3,350 masl / 10,991 feet).

• Distance: 5 kilometers from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Hiking Time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Difficulty: Easy and Moderate.
• Weather: Hot during the day and cold at night (Cusco).
• Starting Altitude: 2,020 masl (Aguas Calientes)
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 masl.
• Maximum Altitude: 3,350 masl. (Cusco)
• Meals: Breakfast.

IMPORTANT: If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you should make sure to book these tickets well in advance. The estimated time it takes to climb up and down is about 3 hours on either mountain.