Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

Cusco- Soray Pampa- Salkantay Pass- Huayracmanchay: Early morning pick up from the hotel then a 4 hours bus ride from CUSCO (3400mt)- MOLLEPATA(2700mt ) to SORAYPAMPA (3750mt), on the way before arriving in MOLLEPATA we will stop off at which is an Inca temple with one of the finest examples anywhere of INCA polygonal masonry in a long retaining wall, on the upper level are 28 tall niches for displaying the mummies of the Inca nobility and also TARAHUASI was the site of the battle between the Spanish and the Incas. Briefly stop in MOLLEPATA for having breakfast and then continuing our journey to the trail head in SORAY. We start a gentle hike at the head of the valley and then we cross to the left bank of a stream then the trail goes steep uphill and comes to a serious of zigzags with a breathtaking of amazing views of SALCANTAY and UMANTAY continuing to the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under SALKANTAY’s lateral moraine and drops gently down to the small lake SOIROCOCHA where we stop for lunch. After walking 4 hours up, we reach to the highest pass (4,750m) from where we can have a stunning scenery of the sacred mountains in the Peruvian Andes UMANTAY and SALKANTAY that will compensate the great effort in reaching the top which is marked by a pile of stones that grows daily as each traveler adds his pebble to thanks the APUS (mountain spirits) for a safe trip and good luck. Then we descend to our First camp site at HUAYRAJMACHAY (375001).

Huayracmachay- Colpapampa- La Playa: After an early breakfast, we will leave the beautiful pyramid-shaped peak of HUMANTAY behind as we drop below the tree line and we enter then tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromelias. and other flowers and lots of hummingbirds, this level is level is known as a cloud forest and continuing our descend through the groves of bamboos however don’t forget to keep looking back at the snow peaks behind you framed by bamboo fronds. After 4 hours of heading down we arrive in the tiny settlement of COLLPAPAMPA where we will have our lunch, afterwards we will hike like 4 more hours, this section paradise for birdwatching as flocks of colorful tropical birds roam to the forest followed down through bamboo groves and the spectacular cascades and the water air temperature is now warm enough for you to welcome a bath. This is an incredible stretch with begonias, purple orchids and strawberries, and we will arrive at LA PLAYA (our campsite) which is located along SANTA TERESA river.

La Playa- Lucmabamaba- Llactapata: After a healthy breakfast the trail continues down the valley into forest from increasingly tall trees and groves of bamboos providing some birdwatching opportunities. This Day is a lying on the paths then after lunch we cross the Santa Teresa river, In Lucmabamba we will have the opportunity to visit a coffee farm, the owner will teach us about techniques to produce best coffee in the world, afterwards we will start a difficult climb to Aobamba pass 2700 rn. Afterwards a short descend to Llactapata where we set up our campsite and see the sunset with a stunning scenery of one of the main highlights in South America.

Llactapata- Hidroelectric- Aguas Calientes: The shortest day, we will hike 2 hours down in the way have opportunity to see thick vegetation and tall trees some excellent birdwatching opportunities and then we can see the faint outlines. Reaching to Hidroelectric we will enjoy our last lunch and we follow the rail tracks heading up the URUBAMBA valley to AGUAS CALIENTES town, where our tour guide leaves us in our accommodation and enjoy a good shower, we will meet at night to enjoy the last dinner.

Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu- Cusco: The most important day, After an early morning breakfast we will take a bus ride up to MACHU PICCHU sanctuary and entering early for the best photos opportunities and then spend the rest of the morning visiting and exploring the archaeological sites and take the time to climb up to HUAYNA PICCHU (if you booked in advance) before heading down to AGUAS CALIENTES to aboard the train back to CUSCO and leave in your hotel.