Salkantay Trek 6D/5N

This incredible adventure begins at 5am, the guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive in our private van to Soraypampa, which takes 3.5 hours. Along the way, enjoy spectacular views of villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, stunning valleys and snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay. At the trailhead (Soraypampa), we have breakfast and enjoy the amazing views of the glacial mountains Humantay (5,900m/19,356ft) and Salkantay (6,217m/20,396ft). Give your duffel bag to the horsemen, keeping only a small daypack for the trek ahead. We take a 2.5 hour roundtrip hike up to see the turquoise Humantay Lake and later, we gently ascend to Salkantaypampa, where we will camp for the night. Hot drinks and appetizers will be ready and the tents will already be set up, so you can settle in before dinner. The views on this day are truly breathtaking!

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 13kms/8.1 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

The guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy before breakfast. Today, we will continue walking off the beaten track for about 3 hours uphill. Stop for another delicious and hearty lunch along the way. We will continue the trek for another 3 hours to reach our campsite, which is approximately 1km away from the mountain, Salkantay. On the way, enjoy the magnificent views of all the surrounding snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and amazing valleys. Upon arrival at camp we will have appetizers and drinks ready. The amazing views of Salkantay will be towering over as you have a rest before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 14kms/8.7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

This morning a hot drink will help you brave the cold morning and a hearty breakfast will get you ready for the trek ahead. The day begins with a slow uphill climb of approximately 4 hours to reach the Incachiriaska Pass at 4,880m/16,010ft. Incachiriaska is a Quechua word which translates to “the place where the Inca cools down.”  Around this area lives the Andean Condor, the world’s largest flying bird. From here, the trail levels off downhill and we reach the campsite for the night at Sisaypampa.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

After a delicious breakfast, we hike to a valley called Pampacahua. There, we find a Inca Canal that is still in full use by the local farming communities. At the end of the Pampa we will visit our first Inca archaeological site named Paucarcancha that. Afterwards, arrive at Wayllabamba for lunch. Later, we will walk 4 hours to KM 82. From there, take the private van to Ollantaytambo and get dropped off at the hotel. Later that evening, have a beautiful dinner in Ollantaytambo.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
• 2* Accommodation: Veronica View or Tunupa Lodge
• Distance: 9 kms/6 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

We start this exciting day early by leaving the hotel with your guide at 5:30am. On arrival at the train station, receive your lunch to put in your daypack. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am onboard enjoy the passing scenery and maybe even have breakfast (not included).The hotel can provide a picnic breakfast to take on the train, if requested the day before.

Get off the train at the famous Km104, this is where the trek begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level). After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, show your passport at the checkpoint and visit the first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half is a gentle upward climb. Along the way, stop at several outlooks and have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. Pass through several microclimates, including cloud forests, which can be damp or rainy at any season of the year. The next hour or so are a slightly steeper, a beautiful waterfall is your reward at the end!

When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos, from here you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. As you are close to Machu Picchu, now we are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. The guide will an informative talk about the ruins and the incredible flora and fauna of this area, he will answer any questions before the short 5-minute walk to where we have lunch.

Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch while admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!

Later take an hour-long walk on a gentle up and down path, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca, known as the Gringo Killers. After the stairs turn the corner and enjoy the first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Take the time to savor this moment and take many photos. The last 60 minutes walk from the Sun Gate provides many opportunities for more photos of Machu Picchu from these unique vantage points. Make sure to go slowly and enjoy the walk down to Machu Picchu, ask your guide questions about the historical places along the way to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. Arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in the shots. Take the time to enjoy this magical experience before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes and checking into the hotel. Have a delicious dinner, later walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to the hotel and rest after such an exciting day.

• Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• 3* Accommodations: Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
• Difficulty: Moderate

You will leave your duffel bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

Today is the day, Machu Picchu! After an early breakfast at the hotel, take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you will want to miss! The guide will give a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. See many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.

When you have had enough of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition Train will take you to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. See Wiñay Wayna from the train, look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station and drive back to the hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Expect to arrive at the hotel by 7:00pm.

Note After the tour, for those who have booked in advance the extra hike up to Huayna Picchu Mountain, the hike up to Huayna Picchu will be done without a guide.

• Meals: Breakfast

IMPORTANT:

•  On the 2 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
• An upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by request and bit it has to be done at booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.