The Salkantay Trek

Arrive in Cusco
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

We suggest that you take it easy today to give yourself the best opportunity to acclimatise to Cusco's altitude. This city is bursting with Andean culture and is one of the great culinary destinations of South America. It also just happens to be the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the best-known archaeological site on this vast continent.

Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
Your comprehensive city tour in the afternoon includes the beautiful Koricancha, also known as Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, and the amphitheater of Kenko. Then you drive past Puca Pucara (no stop / no visit), a strategically located 'red fortress' that dominated the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

Breakfast included.

Sacred Valley Day Tour
Today, we discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Travel to the scenic town of Pisac where you'll visit the colourful local market and have free time to search for a souvenir or two before enjoying a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

We then continue our journey along the River Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, where you will visit to the Ollantaytambo ruins and one of its best preserved areas, Hanan Hucaypata. In the afternoon we transfer you back to Cusco.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Salkantay Trek
CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA
Your Salkantay Trek adventure starts with an early pick up at 5 am from your hotel in Cusco. You will go on a 3-hour drive through the scenic Sacred Valley and enjoy the white snowcapped views of the mighty Salkantay and Huamantay mountains, continuing on to Challacancha, which is the starting point of the trail. From here you will start your trek to Soraypampa, which begins with a visit to Humantay Lake. This will be a steady uphill hike of approximately 3.5 hours and once at the lake, you will be able to enjoy serene views of the crystal-blue waters of the Humantay Lake; often described as an ‘otherworldly’ paradise perched on the skirts of the Humantay Glacier. If the skies are clear, you will be able to witness to the first rays of sun peaking through the snow-covered peaks, and if you are brave enough, you will also have the chance to touch the lakes almost-frozen waters. Once you are done, you will make your way towards Soraypampa, your first camp for this 5-day journey, where you will spend the night.

Total distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles.
Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 Hours.
Max. altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3,850 m / 12,631 ft.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Salkantay Trek
SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAYPAMPA - COLLPAPAMPA
After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, it is time for the longest and most challenging, though also the most impressive day of the trek; with 16 endlessly scenic kilometers (10 miles) to get through, ever-changing scenery, temperature fluctuations and much more. The early-morning will see you crossing grass covered High Andean plains, before making the rocky ascent up to the Salkantay pass. Here, the ‘fields of green’ are replaced by ice pools, biting cold winds, and rocky terrain. Once through the pass, a welcome descent leads down into lush cloud forest and much more pleasant air temperatures, before reaching another open clearing at Collpapampa, which will become your home for the night. Today’s hike will include a real mixture of terrain, loose pathways, steep hills, and forest trails. The scenery is sublime throughout, and the route will be shared with the abundance of wildlife which is prevalent in the area, including Toucans, Hummingbirds, Andean foxes, White-tailed deer, and more.

Total distance: 16 km / 10 miles.
Estimated walking time: 7 to 8 hours.
Max. altitude: 4,600 m / 15,091 ft.
Campsite altitude: 2,890 m / 9,481 ft.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Salkantay Trek
COLLPAPAMPA - LUCMABAMBA
Feeling refreshed after a night in the mountains, this morning you will follow a pathway which runs adjacent to the life-giving Santa Teresa River for large portions of the day, ultimately heading for La Playa; a small though well-equipped village deep in the valley. As you and the water snake through this fertile region; coffee and fruit plantations punctuate the landscape, which is otherwise thorny bushes, long Ichu grassland, gushing streams and numerous temporary river crossings. The gradual descent will mean ever warmer temperatures, and greener surroundings, which will no doubt make a welcome change from the harshness of yesterday’s high mountain passes. You will then pass La Playa and find your way to Lucmabamba, the final camping site for your journey.

Total distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Max. altitude: 2,890 m / 9,481 ft.
Campsite altitude: 2,100 m / 6,888 ft

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Salkantay Trek
LUCMABAMBA - AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, you head off on a relatively easy day of walking, with a 3-hour climb up to El Mirador where you will be able to enjoy an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. From here you will head towards a rest stop at Llactapata and enjoy a snack while taking in the picturesque scenery that Machu Picchu coupled with the Salkantay Mountain has to offer. Visit the Llactapata ruins; a superb example of ingenious Inca construction techniques and agricultural methodology before being taken down a mountain trail to the nearby hydroelectric station, boarding a train to Aguas Calientes and making your way to your hotel for the evening.

Total distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles.
Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours.
Max. altitude: 2,700 m / 8,850 ft.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu Visit
AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO
A very early start this morning is essential for catching the first bus to Machu Picchu (a 20-minute ride) and enjoying the best, uninterrupted views of the early-morning sun rise above the main complex without the crowds. Your private guide will then be on hand for a personal, informed, two-hour walking tour. Once the formal section of the tour is complete, there will be free time to explore the citadel on your own. At around noon, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. A comfortable tourist bus will take you to Cusco, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Important Notes:
 Park authorities may occasionally designate different campsites than those indicated in this itinerary.
 Temperatures can drop to below freezing at night. We strongly recommend bringing thermal underwear and clothing.
 During the dry season (May to September) we recommend bringing light/breathable clothing as well as sunblock and a hat as the days can be quite hot.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Depart
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast included.