This amazing trek runs beneath the sacred Salkantay mountain (6.271m/20569ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally reach Aguas Calientes on the fourth day. The impressive Sacred Inca city of Machupicchu is visited on the last day of the program. This itinerary is an interesting alternative for those not having found spaces on the Inca Trail trek to Machupicchu.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa

 

We leave Cusco at 05.00 am in a private transportation and start a scenic morning scenic bus-ride to our trail starting point at Challacancha.  Along the four-hour drive, we stop in the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. Here we visit the archaeological remains of Tarawasi, where we can appreciate an Inca Usno, or place where ceremonies for mother earth were conducted. We leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), and then Challacancha (3900m/11480ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. After a short introduction we start our hike, following the route until our campsite in Sorayampa. Meals: L, D

 

Day 2: Soraypampa to Collpapampa

 

We depart early after breakfast and start on a soft ascent towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft) after 5-hour ascent which brings us up to the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4525m/14842ft) where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. A long though easy descent brings us late afternoon to our camp at Collpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 3: Collpapampa to Aguas Calientes

 

Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Salkamayo River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp at the village of (2155m/7068ft), where we can refresh in the river before dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 4: – Aguas Calientes

 

After breakfast, we cross the river and start climbing - passing through some coffee plantations- up to El Mirador (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and Salkantay and take a good rest. A 2-hour descent brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we get to Aguas Calientes, in a Hotel or hostal we’ll pass the night. B, L

 

Day 5: Machupicchu to Cusco

 

We wake up early and board a bus, which will take us up to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. We will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.

 

Notes:

 

• Departure and arrival times are approximated.
•  Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the evolution of the group.
• Alternative Options: A hotel room in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu can be booked for you for the fourth night, as an alternative to the campsite at Puente Ruinas, close to the village of Aguas Calientes. Please beware that in case of choosing this option, the hotel expenses will be charged as extras, and the dinner on the fourth night as well as the breakfast on day 5 will not be included in the program. Please check the “Optional services to be hired” section in this program.

Included

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Soraypampa (starting point of the trail)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, 2005-new, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• One foamy sleeping pad per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people)
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 4
• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 4 to 5
• Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters / horsemen
• Meals (03B, 04L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day)
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• RT Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket from the Hydroelectric power plant to Aguas Calientes (day 4)
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker or Vistadome service, upon request)
• Transfer train station-hotel in Cusco

Not Included

• Night hotel in Aguas Calientes Town
• Breakfast on the first day Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too.
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is US$ 1,50. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips: please beware that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not according to your wish.

Recommendations

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Flashlight and batteries
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 9.00 / day)
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)

Optional Services

Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu: please let us know if you wish us to make the hotel booking and, in this case, your requested hotel category and accommodation, and the number of nights you wish us to book. Our Reservation Department will provide you with a list of our selected hotels, services and prices for you to choose from. Our hotel choice is based on previous client reports and regularly updated. Please beware that if you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included (24.00US$ adults, 15.00US$ students).

 

Therm-a-rest inflatable mattress rent: US$ 5.00 / day.

 

Sleeping Bag: Our sleeping bags are –20ºC-comfort and mummy form and include a sleeping bag liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips. rent: US$ 9.00 / day.

 

More Info

Appropriate clothing along this hike

 

Hiking pants and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the fourth day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, and can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

 

Climate

 

Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.

 

Along the Salkantay route, temperatures range from 10- during the day if it’s sunny, to 05- during the day if not sunny and can drop below freezing at night. In Aguas Calientes/Machupicchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.