Claasic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Pick-up will be from the Cusco airport upon arrival and transfer to your centrally located hotel, check-in, and free time to relax in the morning (recommended to book flights to Cusco). At 1.00 pm, you'll start a walking tour with your tour guide, visiting the most remarkable places in Cusco: Explore the plaza de Armas, see the 12-angled stone, Loreto street, and discover the temple of the sun at Koricancha. The second part is by car, a 10-minute drive to Sacsayhuaman, and enjoys Cusco's views; visit the labyrinth of Quenqo, the temple of the water Tambomachay, and the red fortress at Pucapucara. On the way back to your hotel, if you still have time, visit the giant white statue of Christ perched up the hill overlooking the city of Cusco. 

­ 

•  Duration: Half-day
• ­ Meals: None Included
• ­ Transportation, tour guide, and entry tickets included
• ­Hotel:  Marqueses or Similar

After breakfast, you will meet your guide at the hotel at 8:00 am and drive to the Alpaca center, where you will have the opportunity to learn more about llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. After that, you will drive to Mirador Taray, providing you with the best view of the Sacred Valley. The Pisac Inca Site and the Indigenous Market are our next stops as we continue our tour. Afterward, go to Urubamba for a fantastic lunch buffet with fresh products from the area. After lunch, you will go by car to the archeological sites of Maras, Moray, Salineras & Ollantaytambo to later return to Cusco. 

­ 

• Duration: Full day
• ­ Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, Buffet lunch in Urubamba
• ­Diner not included
• ­Transportation, tour guide, and entry tickets included
• ­Accommodation: Marqueses Hotel or Similar

Pickup from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. and a three-hour drive to the trailhead, arriving at about 8:30 a.m. After breakfast, you will meet the team of porters and horses and begin the Salkantay!

­ 

The first section begins with a 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3600 m/11811 ft) along an Inca-era aqueduct. At Soraypampa, our chef will prepare delectable meals with fresh local ingredients for lunch.

­ 

After lunch, you will continue on a two-hour ascent to the breathtaking Humantay Lake (4200 m/13779 ft) Once you arrive at the lake, you will have time to explore the surrounding area and relax while taking in the breathtaking views of this turquoise color lake. Then, proceed for a further two hours to the first campground at the base of Salkantay Mountain. Various species of flora and fauna, such as the Andean goose (the love bird), deer, and vizcachas, will be spotted along the trip.

­ 

SalkantayPampa is the location of the camping (3900 meters/12795 feet). This basecamp provides a clear view of Salkantay Mountain and the night sky. Prepare for dinner, observe the stars, and sleep beneath a million stars.

­ 

• Campsite Altitude: 4000 m/13123 ft
• ­Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• ­Duration: 6 hours
• ­Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, and dinner
• ­Accommodation: Camping under million stars
• ­Considered: Moderate

Wake in your tent with a hot cup of coffee or tea and the spectacular view of the mountains; you’ll have time to pack and get ready for the day. After breakfast, start with the most difficult part of the trek, a 2-hour ascent to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek, The Salkantay Pass ( 4630 m / 15190 ft); once reaching the top, take some time to explore and enjoy the amazing vistas of the snow-capped peak. Then, continue a 2-hour descend to Hayrajpunku. Here your amazing chef will be waiting for another amazing meal. After enjoying the well-earned lunch, continue descending for 3 hours until arriving at the second Campsite near the village of Collpapampa located at 2770m (9087ft). Along the way, you’ll see a variety of flora, fauna and experience the fastest change in temperature that causes a drastic change in the landscape from clod snowy peaks to green tropical areas.

­ 

• Campsite Altitude: 2770 mt / 9087 ft
• ­ Highest altitude: 4630 m /15190 ft
• ­Distance: 18 km/ 11.1 miles
• ­Duration: 9 hours
• ­Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
• ­Accommodation: Camping next to a village
• ­Considered: Challenging

After breakfast around 7:00 AM, begin the 3-hour trek along the Salkantay Valley, following the white water river from the high mountains like Salkantay, a verdant area home to several waterfalls, orchids, flowers, coffee farms, and small villages. Lunch is among avocado trees at Lucmabamba; you’ll arrive right on time to participate in a PACHAMANCA, a traditional underground barbecue with hot stones. We put all kinds of meat, vegetable, and even fruits then bury underground. While waiting for the special meal, you’ll visit Wilbert’s organic coffee farm, learn the harvesting process, and make your own cup of espresso. After the Pachamanca feast, you’ll continue the second part of the day, following an ancient Inca trail for 3 hours up to Llaqtapata archeological site; this is a unique Inca site located right in front of Machu Picchu, where you’ll catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu. Spent the night with your tents overlooking the citadel.

­ 

• Campsite Altitude: 2,750 m / 9022ft
• ­Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• ­Duration of hike:  8 hours
• ­Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• ­Accommodation: Camping in front of Machu Picchu
• ­Difficulty: Moderate

Wake up early, open your tent, and you’ll see Machu Picchu. If the weather allows, you’ll have the most beautiful sunrise over Machu Picchu, spend time relaxing, and getting ready for the final and last day of hiking to Aguas Calientes. The first part is a 2 hour downhill to Hidroelectrica Station, where you’ll get a box lunch to reenergize and say goodbye to our trekking team. Then, you’ll continue to Intiwatana (sundial rock). Hiram Bingham visited during the 1911 expeditions; this carefully carved rock is perfectly aligned with the Sundial at Machu Picchu during the winter solstice.

­ 

Continue a pleasant 3-hour hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This part of the hike is full of history because you’ll be walking around Machu Picchu and because American Explorer Hiram Bingham III used it during the 1911 expedition that led to the discovery of Machu Picchu. You’ll be able to visit the Mandor gardens; this is the exact place where Hiram Bingham arrived in 1911. He met a farmer named Arteaga and eventually discover Machu Picchu thanks to this farmer. Due to the rich flora and fauna, you’ll be able to see different species of birds and flowers. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, check-in in a hotel and enjoy a relaxing shower. Dinner at a local restaurant.

­ 

• Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m/ 6561 ft
• ­Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
• ­Duration: 6 hours
• ­Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• ­Accommodation: 3-star hotel (Susanna INN or similar)
• ­Difficulty: Moderate

On the last day and most important day, wake up early, have breakfast in the hotel, and catch the first buses to Machu Picchu. The hotel will store the heavy bags for you, and you’ll go very light to get the best of the day. Upon arrival at the checkpoint, you need to show the original passport and the entrance ticket that we will provide; once inside; you’ll explore the most important places with your tour guide, plazas, temples, palaces, and learn about the history of this amazing place. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore by yourself or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, different from Machu Picchu citadel, and not included).

­ 

Once you finish visiting Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included) and take the Vistadome panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo and then private van back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 7.30 pm.

­ 

• Duration of the tour: 3 – 4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel), others not included.
• ­Accommodation: 3-star hotel (Marqueses or similar)
• ­Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, transfer to the airport or bus terminal according to your schedule.