Mount Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu

From Cusco we will drive to the trailhead in the Apurimac Valley. We will drive as far as Soraypampa, where we will meet our wranglers, who will be responsible for the mules and horses that will carry most of our gear. From Soraypampa, we will begin with a hike up a gentle slope with fine views of the southern face of Mount Salkantay (6,271 meters / 20,568 feet), dominating the skyline directly in front of us. Today, we will also visit Humantay, a stunningly beautiful glacial Andean Lake, with green and turquoise waters surrounded by soaring snow-covered mountains. After completing the toughest stretch of our route, we will make camp and relax by enjoying the magnificent surrounding scenery.

Traveling distance/time:

Cusco – Mollepata: 101 kilometers / 62.75 miles (paved road)

Mollepata – Soraypampa: dirt road: 22 kilometers / 13.6 miles. Total 4.5 -5 hours.

Trekking distance:

6 kilometers / 3.12 miles (4-5 hours)

Altitude:

• Soraypampa: 3,864 meters / 12,677 feet.
• Lake Humantay 4,200 meters / 13,779 feet

Meals: Lunch, dinner

After breakfast we will head up towards the next pass at the base of Mount Salkantay, where we will be met by even more dramatic views as we stop to rest and take photos.  From the pass, we will head down to our next campsite. This day’s hiking will take us from the high Andes into a cloud forest environment. Just one hour after passing the highest point of the trail, we will find ourselves amid tropical vegetation, with temperatures much warmer than those experienced on the first day. These forests are the habitat of many species of orchids and several endemic bird species, including several varieties of hummingbird.

Trekking distance:

15 kilometers / 9.56 miles (6-7 hours)

Altitude:

• Soyrococha 4,485 meters / 14,714 feet.
• Salkantay Pass 4,622 meters / 15,164 feet.
• Collpapampa: 2,831 meters / 9,288 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

We will make an early start today to ensure that we have plenty of time to enjoy this area, with its varied flora and abundant birdlife, including Peru’s national bird, the cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana). The trail will take us further into a valley filled with beautiful scenery, dotted with the smallholdings of local farmers who grow tropical fruits and coffee.

Trekking distance:

15.9 kilometers / 9.15 miles (6-7 hours)

Altitude:

• Collpapampa: 2,831 meters / 9,288 feet.
• Lucmabamba 2,060 meters / 6,758 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today’s early start will give us plenty of time to visit the Inca ruins of Llactapata and appreciate the fine surrounding scenery. We will hike along the route established by the Incas who built the complex network of highways that linked every corner of their vast empire. It is a demanding ascent to Llactapata, but we will be well rewarded by the extraordinary scenery that surrounds us during this section of our trek. As we complete the ascent, we will pass through a forested area that is home to abundant birdlife, including hummingbirds, toucans and Peru’s national bird, the fascinating cock-of-the-rock. It is from Llactapata that you will get your first view of Machu Picchu, seen from an angle that very few visitors to Peru’s most emblematic archaeological site experience. The next part of the hike is much less demanding physically, while the scenery that surrounds us is some of the most rewarding of the entire trip. We will descend further into the Urubamba canyon, venturing deeper into a cloud forest environment. After passing the hydroelectric station, we will continue to the town of Aguas Calientes by train (around one hour).

The last night: We spend in Aguas Calientes town, in a hotel tourist class.

Trekking distance:

13.2 kilometers / 8.35 miles (6-7 hours)

Altitude:

• La Playa 1,946 meters / 6,382 feet.
• Lucmabamba 2,060 meters / 6,758 feet.
• Llactapata Pass 2,705 meters / 8,874 feet.
• Llactapata 2,588 meters / 8,490 feet.
• Hydroelectric station 1,782 meters / 5,846 feet.
• Aguas Calientes 2,020 meters / 6,627 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today we will get up early to visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu, which was only rediscovered in 1911. Standing at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until the American historian Hiram Bingham began to clear the site. Your guided tour will include the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses, and residential areas of the Inca city.

Optional; after the tour you will have the option of climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain (2-3 hours, subject to availability, please make your booking as soon as possible).

In the afternoon we will return to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Cusco, where upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Altitude:

• Machu Picchu 2,460 meters / 8,070 feet.
• Aguas Calientes 2,020 meters / 6,627 feet

Traveling time:

Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo (train): 55 kilometers / 34.17 miles (1 hour 30 minutes)

Ollantaytambo–Cusco (private vehicle): 77 kilometers / 47.4 miles (1 hour 30 minutes)

For trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you should make your booking at least five days in advance, so we can make the necessary preparations, although we recommend that you make your booking up to 90 days in advance. Full refunds (minus administration costs) can be offered 45 days before your scheduled departure date. After 45 days, only partial refunds will be given.

Yes, for trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you can add other travelers to your group before departure. Write to us for more information on the treks, hikes and tours we have available.

The maximum group size is 16 persons. For more than 16 persons, a second group must be organized. A single guide travels with 8 participants. For larger groups, an assistant guide will also accompany the participants.

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent, with a member of the same sex or partner, family member or friend, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like your own private tent an additional supplement will be payable. Please contact us in advance, because on some trekking and hiking routes this option may depend on the availability of spaces at campsites designated by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.

Use of plastic bottles on the network of Inca Trails to Machu Picchu is not permitted. Other treks and hikes do not have this restriction, but we always recommend and encourage our travelers to use reusable canteens or second use plastic water bottles. Our cook will provide you with boiled water to refill your bottle at all the campsites.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

You will need to carry your daypack with all the personal items you need during the day. The rest of your luggage will be transported by us (van / porters). Porters are only permitted to carry 8 kilos for each person (including sleeping bag). As a company, Andean Adventures Peru is committed to the well-being of its porters during treks and hikes, ensuring that they are properly paid, well fed, and comfortable at our campsites. On some of our trekking and hiking routes, pack animals are used.

We supply all the camping equipment needed for groups to enjoy the great outdoors safely and comfortably: 4-person tents for every two participants; air mattresses; complete table service; dining tent, chairs and tables; kitchen tent; latrine tent; sleeping bags on request (many travelers choose to bring their own sleeping bag; however, we also offer sleeping bags for hire at an additional cost).

Our full time logistics staff continuously maintain and/or replace all our equipment. To ensure proper use of our equipment, all gear is handled by our trained field crew during treks and hikes.

Yes.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.