Salkantay & Machupicchu
(05 Days)

05 Days / 04 Nigth
Max. Altitude: ----
Route: Trekking Salkantay & Machupicchu
Availability: All year
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 5

Machupicchu the sacred city of Machu Picchu (in Quechua: old mountain) is the greatest Inca masterpiece. Incredibly daring and inventive, it was built on the most difficult, wild and inaccessible mountain area available. It is known world-wide not only for it´s impressive and unique ruins, but also for its unusual location on the edge of an abyss, from which one can appreciate the vigorous waters of the Urubamba river.

How the Incas were able to carry the huge blocks of stone to the top of the mountain and build such a spectacular exponent of their wisdom and culture remains a mystery to this day.

Itinerary

Day 01: Cusco - Soraypampa
Between 4:00am and 4:30am, you will be picked up from your respective accommodation and at 5:15am we will take a private bus to Mollepata which lies at 2850 m / 9,350 ft above sea level- an area of High Andean scrubland, continuing the bus journey to where we will start the walk to the Campsite Soraypampa (3800m). We will trek for 2 hours before taking our lunch break and then 4 hours to the campsite.

Day 02: Soraypata - Challhuay
Sunrise will be breath-taking as the first thing that we see will be the majestic snowbound Salkantay. At approximately 7:00am we will have breakfast before continuing our trek of approximately 7-8 hours during which, we will be able to contemplate the differences between the high altitude planes. We will go through a canyon which leading us to the foothills of Salkantay. We will have rewarding lunch after 3 hours walking. As we continue our Salkantay adventure, we will reach the pass to descend and be able to observe the beginning of the jungle. We will end the day in Challhuay where we will spend the night.

Day 03: Challhuay - Santa Teresa
A new day and a new landscape and climate as here begins the temperate climate typical of the edge of the jungle. After breakfast, we will continue the trek. Today`s trek will take us through valleys where we will be able to observe distinct birds, mammals, insects and other wildlife of the area. We will have the opportunity to witness the lifestyle of the people who live here and enjoy the thermal baths of Collpapampa and the waterfalls of Waynapoco if time permits. Following this, we will continue our trek for approximately 4-6 hours before lunch (Sahuayacu or Playa) and then we will travel to Santa Teresa (in bus or van) where we will spend the night.

Day 04: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes
We will continue our trek after breakfast to the site of Hidroelectrica where we will have a lunch break. After lunch, we will continue by walking along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Here, we will rest in a comfortable hostal, where our tour cook will prepare our dinner and we will spend the night.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu - Cusco
Today is the big day we will discover the historic site of Machupicchu. Setting off at 6:00am we will make the ascent up to Machupicchu where we will have a guided tour.

What’s included

• Bus (Cusco, Mollepata).
• Professional guide in English and Spanish.
• Tent.
• Sleeping Matt.
• Dining/Kitchen tent.
• Breakfast x 4, Lunch x 4, Dinner x 4.
• Horses (only for the camping gear).
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance to Machupicchu.
• Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• 1 optional bus ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (dependent on the availability of PERURAIL) and bus onward to Cusco.

• Breakfast on first day
• Lunch on final day
• Sleeping bag
• Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes.
• Tips

What to take

• Passport
• small back-pack
• Sleeping bag.
• Clothes for rain, depending on the season.
• Sensible shoes for trekking.
• Warm clothing.
• Water bottle and water purifying tablets.
• Torch.
• Sun cream.
• Insect Repellent