09 Day Cusco & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

09 Day Cusco & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

We have created an adventure in which you will be able to experience Peru at its best and like never before, Salkantay Trek is an ancient and remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests.

In this journey you will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems that we have in this area from beginning to end. Moreover, the chances for ethnic and cultural exchange are ever-present with local natives who still remain closely attached to their heritage and are very willing to share it.

DAY 1: CUSCO NAVEL OF THE WORLD.

Upon your arrival to the airport in Cusco, a Inkayni Peru Tours member will be there to greet you and take you to our partner lodge, located in the charming historic district of San Blas. The lodge is centrally located and only a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas, the beautiful and bustling town center. This day will be reserved for resting to adapt to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet).

Meet your expedition group at 5:00pm

Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 2: CHINCHERO (TEXTILE INTERPRETATION CENTER)-MARAS (SALT MINES) -MORAY.

Chinchero: the rainbow village, home of the ruins of the royal palace of the Inka Túpac Inca Yupanqui, a picturesque community located on a high plateau overlooking the many snowcapped peaks of the Cusco region. Here we can admire the well-preserved Inka walls of the main square as well as the many altars. We will also visit the beautiful colonial church, unique for its interior artwork and imagery. Moving on we will participate in a wonderful introduction and learning experience of the art of Andean textiles; will become acquainted with the wisdom of Andean weavings as maintained since long before Inka times. Traditional food will be prepared for lunch here.

In the afternoon we will visit Moray, an ancient construction designed for agricultural investigations and studies of different crops in a range of altitudes. Here the many concentric “rings” of terraces produce a fine gradient of micro-climates; the warmth of the lowest central ring slowly dissapates as the rings ascend outward and upward, creating reductions in temperatures until reaching the ground-level norm. When we have finished exploring Moray, we head to the salt mines of Maras, this village is known as an old salt production center, where you can find around 3000 salt pits, which are filled daily by a small stream of water And finally return to Cusco.

Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 3: FIRST DAY TREK: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA (L)(D)

We will leave from Cusco approximately between 4:30a.m. and 5:00a.m. A bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 8:00 in the morning, we will stop for last minute supplies, leg-stretching or to use the restrooms. We will continue to our trek starting point, Sayapata.

We will meet with our support staff, and they will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 9:00 a.m., we will begin our walk toward Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level). During the trip we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and the Valley of Apurimac River. About 1:00p.m., we will have a Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking toward Humantay Lake for 3 hours aproximately, this is a beautiful lake in the mountains. We will come back to our camp where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.

Lodging: Campside

DAY 4: SECOND DAY TREK: SORAYPAMPA – CHALLWAY (B)(L)(D)

Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek. We will start the hike around 7:00 in the morning. We will hike to a place called Pampas Salkantay, then go toward the left side of the snowy peaks of Umantay located next to the Apu Salkantay. At midday, we will be on the highest point ( 4600 meters above sea level).

We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay (6264 meters above sea level) which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. Around 1:00 p.m., we will have our lunch, in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Around 7:00p.m., we will recuperate from the trek and eat dinner.

Lodging: Campside

DAY 5: THIRD DAY TREK: CHALLWAY – LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA (B)(L)(D)

Around 7:00a.m., we will start our trek and we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise. We will walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco and during this period; we will observe a town called Collpabamba, also called the “Forest Cloudy Brow” where waterfalls, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks’.the national bird of peru Once at Playa Sahuayaco lunch. After lunch we are going to hike couples hours more to get at lucmabamba which is our last camp site.

Pass small coffee and fruit farms before stopping in the small town of Lucmabamba, where you will spend the night with a local coffee farming family. Learn about the coffee roasting process and explore the family’s coffee farm.

Lodging: Campside

DAY 6: FOURTH DAY TREK: LUCMABAMBA -HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES (4.5 miles. Approximately 2-3 hours)

Around 8.00am. Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes (6,693ft/2040m). In the morning, drive for two hours toward the Hydroelectric station. From there, hike for three hours to Aguas Calientes, stopping half way on the trail for some lunch. Check into your room for a shower and some rest before a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.

Total distance: 4.5 miles. Approximately 2-3 hours of trekking

Lodging: Aguas Calientes Hatun Samay Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 7: FIFTH DAY TREK: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)

This last day starts very early. We will wake you up at around 5.00 am have breakfast and then take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. There are two good reasons to be at the entrance of Machu Picchu very early:

1. It is well worth the effort to get up early as the Inca city is quietest in the early morning and you will have plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the sun rise over Machu Picchu.
2. Our guide will give you a tour around Machu Picchu telling you about the history of Machu Picchu and the most important temples and altars. Of course he will also take you to the classical view point (sacred Rock Hut), this vantage point offers a terrific view of the whole inkan city. After that, if you still have plenty of energy you should climb Huayna Picchu Mountain. This is the steep mountain dominating the background of Machu Picchu.

From the top of Waynapichu you have an absolutely stunning and breathtaking view of the complete Machupicchu area. It takes 1 hour to climb Waynapichu and 1 to 1 ½ hours (depending if you want to make a detour to the great cavern) to return down. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machupicchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch.

Usually we take the bus at around 1:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guides give you time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You will get your train and bus tickets back to Cusco in the restaurant in Aguas Calientes.

Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 8:  QUESIUNO – VINICUNCA – QUESIUNO – CUSCO

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and head south from Cusco through the beautiful landscapes of valleys and agricultural communities. This route to the community of Quesiuno (4,326m / 14,192 ft) will take about 3 hours. Upon arriving to this community we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef.

After breakfast we will begin our hike, following a beautiful creek through a portal in between the mountains, accompanied by our first views of Ausangate, the fifth highest peak of Peru. Along the way we will pass through herds of hundreds of alpacas and llamas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.

Our total ascent will last about 4 hours, bringing us to our final destination and highest point on our trek, Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain (5,020 mts / 16,466 ft), or, as we like to call it, Apu Ausangate’s Poncho! Here we will stop to admire and appreciate the outstanding views in all directions and the rare geological formations that appear to be painted with exotic colors by Gods hand. Far below and into the distance are infinite valleys and glaciers as far as one can see.

We will stop for about 30 minutes – the perfect amount of time to rest, to have a snack, and immerse yourself in this wild environment before we must begin our descent, roughly three hours. Upon arrival at the trailhead our chef will be waiting with a delicious hot lunch. We will have time after lunch to visit some of the local households and observe the lifestyle and customs that are still being practiced today since Inca times. Here the native language of Quechua is spoken very well and agriculture is essential for life.

At the end of the day our tour will conclude with an opportunity to meet with local people from the community before making our journey back to Cusco in our private van. We will leave you back at your hotel around 7:00 p.m.

Meals: Continental Breakfast / snacks / fresh lunch
Lowest Altitude: 4,326 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance: 15 km / 9 ¼ mi
Travel time: 4-5 hours ascent; 3-4 hours descent
Level of Difficulty: Very Challenging

Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 9 :TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Transfer to the airport in the morning or afternoon according to your flight details (End the tour)

INCLUDES BEFORE AND AFTER THE SALKANTAY TREK

• All transfers from and to the airport.
• All transportation.
• All tours.
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• All entrances for day 02
• 04 night’s accommodations in 3 stars hotels.
• Rainbow Mountain tour.
• All breakfast included in the accommodations , 01 Lunch

INCLUDES FOR THE TREK:

• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide.
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+.
• Chef.
• Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment
• Pick-up and transportation from your hotel to the start of the trail.
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes, Day 4.
• Inflatable mattress .
• Oxygen bottle.
• First aid kit.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo
• transportation Ollantaytambo-Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
• Single Supplement US$300 (solo travelers)
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
• International and intra flights.
• Meals where are not stated
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee US$35
• Entrance ticket to the hot springs
• First breakfast and last lunch at Aguas Calientes.
• Meals where not otherwise stated as included.
• Gratitude or tips for your crew (cooks, horse herders, guides)

THINGS TO BRING:

• Original Passport
• Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film widgetkit id=15
• Torch with spare batteries

“CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2018”