Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 days

Itinerary

 DAY 01: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

After an early-morning pick you up from your hotel, we’ll leave Cusco and travel through the province of Anta, here we will stop to participate in an Andean Blessing ceremony. Following steep-sided river canyons, we descend into the Limatambo valle before climbing again to the town of Mollepata, where we will stop for breakfast and then continue our bus trip for another hour until we reach the first campsite, Soraypamapa. Once there we have a break and lunch. Then we will get ready to start our trek to Humantay Lake where we will do a ceremony in honor to the APU SALKANTAY (mountain spirits). We will make an offering to Pachamama (despacho) in which all of us participate and then go back to camp where dinner will be ready. Walking Distance – 8km / 4.97 miles Starting Elevation – 3350 meters ASL / 10990 feet ASL Highest Elevation – 4600 meters ASL / 15091 feet ASL Campsite Elevation – 3920 meters ASL / 12861 feet ASL Difficulty: Moderate Meals: Lunch and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time) Accommodation: Sky Lodges Adventure: Moderate-High! (Especially the trek to Humantay Lake)

Day 02: Soyraypampa – Abra Salkantay – Challway

After an early breakfast, we will start the trek to Salkantay Pass (4600m). As you take in the panorama you will see not only Salkantay but also the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, Pumasillo, and the Huayracmachay valley. Where we will offer a coca leaf K´intu (an arranged set of leafs) to the Apus. From the pass we start our descent into the valley. As we travel, the vegetation changes from the sparse grasses of the puna and mountain passes to lush cloud forest home to butterflies, hummingbirds, and a wide-variety of flora. After lunch we continue our trek to Challway through Andean cloud forest where the energies of orquids and native plants will guide our steps down the river. Walking Distance – 22 km / 13.7 miles Starting Elevation – 3800 meters ASL / 12467 feet ASL Campsite Elevation – 2750 meters ASL / 9022 feet ASL Maximum Altitude: 4650 meters ASL / 15255 feet ASL Difficulty: Challenging Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time) Accommodation: Camping Adventure: Absolutely, 100%! The raw and breath-taking beauty of this day’s hike along with its challenging nature will quench any wanderlust you’ve been trying to cure!

Day 03: Challway – Playa Sahuayaco – Cocalmayo

Today is a more relaxing day. We start with a small descent and then walk along a newly built road towards the valley. We will get a look at rural life in the valley, and, if in season, we can harvest some “granadilla” from the passion fruit family, or maybe some of the region’s incredible avocados. We’ll pass through this beautiful valley, After a 2 hour walk, we will arrive at the town of Sahuayaco, also known as “La Playa” for lunch. Once we have had time to rest, we will board a bus that takes us to the baths of Cocalmayo where we can bathe. Walking Distance – 10km / 6.25 miles Starting Elevation – 2750 meters ASL / 9022 feet ASL Campsite Elevation – 2400 meters ASL / 7874 feet ASL Difficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time) Accommodation: Camping

Day 04: Cocalmayo – Hidroelectrica – Machu Picchu

At 7 a.m. in the morning we will have our breakfast and then get ready to board our bus to the hydroelectric dam where we will have lunch. Rights afterwards we will start our walk along the shores of the Wilkamayu River (sacred river, guardian of Machupicchu). On this walk we can already observe the impressive Apu Machupicchu and Apu Huaynapicchu. Once we reach Machupicchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) we will make ourselves coomfortable in our rooms.In the evening, there are plenty of restaurants, markets, the hot springs, or simply a period of relaxation in your hotel room to enjoy. 4 hours walking Walking Distance – 10 km / 6.25 miles Starting Elevation – 2450 meters ASL / 8038 feet ASL Campsite Elevation – 2000 meters ASL / 6561 feet ASL (Aguas Calientes hotel) Difficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time) Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 05: The Sacred City of the Incas Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today’s Highlights: Your excitement for our rendezvous at Machu Picchu will rise as we are hiking early in the morning through the forest to reach the site before most other tourists – even the Inca Trail trekkers!! You will have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent World Wonder while you enjoy the beautiful sunrise from this once-in-a-lifetime viewpoint. Your group will learn about this mystical place in a two-hour guided tour of the Arqueological site. Afterwards, you can opt to climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain (if you have pre-booked tickets) or walk to the Sun Gate (without extra tickets). Our pilgrimage will end in Machupicchu. Activity Overview: Touring Machu Picchu with optional hike Activity Level: Easy, hike: strenuous Activity Length: 2-5 hours exploring and optional 2-3 hour strenuous hike; Machu Picchu is at 7,972’ elevation