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. Above all, with Salkantay Trek & Rainbow Mountain Trail – Salcantay Pass you will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft. Certainly, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks.

Likewise, 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

Firstly, upon your arrival at the airport in Cusco, an Inkayni Peru Tours staff member will be there to greet you and take you to our partner hotel. Most importantly, the lodge is centrally located from the Plaza de Armas, the beautiful and bustling town center.

Also, this day will be reserved for resting to adapt to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet). Then, meet your expedition group at 5:00 pm.

• Lodging: Ayni Cusco Hotel *** or similar.

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

We will pick you up from your hotel around 8 AM and head to Moray. The drive is about 1 hour and 20 minutes and is absolutely beautiful. You will drive through the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, through lush yellow fields of wheat, and past some villages.

Finally, we arrive to the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray boasts three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.

After that, in village Maras, we visit a former salt-producing center that is thought to date back all the way to pre-Inca times. Therefore, there are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountainside, being filled daily by a little stream of water.

The last place to visit will be Chinchero. Here we can admire the well-preserved Inka walls of the main square as well as the many altars. Moving on we will participate in a wonderful introduction and learning experience of the art of Andean textiles.

• Lodging: Ayni Cusco Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 3 TO 7: 5 DAY SALKANTAY TREKKING CUSCO TO MACHU PICCHU

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

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

Consequently, we will meet with our support staff, and they will load the equipment on horses and mules. So, around 9:00 am 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. Then, around 1:00 pm, we will have a Peruvian lunch. After that, we will continue hiking toward Humantay Lake for 3 hours approximately. Absolutely, this is a beautiful lake in the heart of the mountains. Finally, we will come back to our camp where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner.

• Lodging: Campsite in Soraypampa

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 challenging part of the trek. Subsequently, we will start the hike around 7:00 in the morning. We will hike to a place called Salkantaypampa. Then, go toward the left side of the snowy peaks of Humantay located next to the Apu Salkantay. At midday, we will be on the highest point ( 4600 meters above sea level) Salcantay pass.

Certainly, 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. Then, we will have our lunch in the area called Huayracmachay. After a trek of approximately 3 hours, we will arrive at our camp in Challway (2920 meters above sea level). Finally, around 7:00 p.m, we will recuperate from the trek and eat dinner.

• Lodging: Campsite in Challway

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

Firstly, we will start our trek at 7:00 am, and we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Consequently, we walk for about 5 hours toward Playa Sahuayaco. 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 find the famous bird called the “Cock of the Rocks‘ — the national bird of Peru Once. Likewise, at Playa Sahuayaco we’ll have lunch. After that, we are going to hike a couple of hours more to get to Lucmabamba, which is our last campsite, and also the beginning of the Inca trail of Llactapata.

• Lodging: Campsite in Lucmabamba

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

Firstly, around 8.00 am we will gradually hike up for about 2 hours to finally get to LlactaPata, a beautiful archeological site that has connections to the Inca sites Machupicchu and Sayacmarka. So, we will have plenty of time to explore this nice Inca site. Then, start our descent to HidroElectrica (power plant) which will take us about 1 ½ hours. Certainly, a pleasant 3 hours walk will bring us to Aguas Calientes where we will stay in a hotel for the night. After having stored our baggage we will go out and have dinner together in one of the many restaurants.

• Lodging: Aguas Calientes Golden Sunrise 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 to have our breakfast. Then, we’ll 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, we’ll find the Inca city quiet.  You will have plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the sunrise in 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. 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.

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 the time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. Finally, you will get your train and bus tickets back to Cusco in the restaurant in Aguas Calientes.

• Lodging: Ayni Cusco Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 8:  RAINBOW MOUTAIN – CUSIPATA – CUSCO

Very early in the morning between 04:00 to 04:30 am. We will go to the south of the city, crossing fields, rivers, mountains, and villages. So, we will travel for about 2 hours until we reach the town of Cusipata, where we will enjoy our delicious breakfast.

After that, we will travel for another 45 minutes, observing beautiful landscapes, canyons, glaciers, and herds of llamas and alpacas, until we reach the starting point of the hike in Pulawasipata. So, we will walk for approximately 2 hours until we reach the Mountain of seven Colors or Vinicunca. On the way, we will observe numerous South American camelids with their shepherds dressed in beautiful colorful typical costumes.

Upon reaching the top of the Vinicunca mountain of Peru, we will have enough time to take photographs and enjoy the landscape. Besides, we can also clearly appreciate the highest snow in Cusco, the Ausangate mountain.

Later, we will undertake the return along the same path until we reach our transport to return to Cusipata. Subsequently, we will taste our delicious buffet lunch. Meanwhile, we will return to Cusco, our vehicle will leave you in the center of the city.

• Lodging: Ayni Cusco Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 9: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Transfer to the Cusco 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.
• Transportation.
• All tours.
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Entrances for day 02
• 04 night’s accommodations in 3 stars hotels.
• Rainbow Mountain tour.
• Breakfast included in the accommodations, 01 Lunch

INCLUDES FOR THE TREK SALCANTAY PASS:

• 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 6.
• 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).
• Trekking poles (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 USD $85
• 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)

WHAT TO BRING:

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

Extra services for the tour package