Itinerary

The “Salkantay” is the Apu snow-capped mountain that protects Cusco, at 6,271 meters above sea level. On our journey, we will cross beautiful Andean landscapes, pass a 5,000-meter pass, and have the opportunity to observe condors and alpacas in their natural habitat. On this trip, we will find the beautiful and magnificent Salkantay snow-capped mountain (6,271 meters). We will be able to bathe in natural hot springs originating from the depths of the earth, see condors, various fruit plants, and a wide variety of orchids. As if that weren’t enough, we will be able to taste the most delicious coffee in Peru, the “Coffee of the Convention,” while enjoying the beautiful view of Machu Picchu from our camp. A peak that rises to more than five thousand meters in height and also has ice tongues that fall vertiginously and form glacial lagoons. The Salkantay circuit is one of Cusco’s greatest attractions. The Vilcabamba Mountain Range, where the Salkantay massif is located, is a beautiful and secluded area. Dominated by the Apu Salkantay, it boasts numerous high-elevation snow-capped peaks, such as Tucarhuay (5,910 m), Verónica (5,682 m), and Huacayhuilca (5,361 m), among others. All of them are visible from the Phuyupatamarca area on the trail to Machu Picchu. The geography is difficult and capricious around this attractive mountain complex. The Salkantay is surrounded by deep valleys and gorges, making the trek interesting but also exhausting.

Important: From January to April, Inka Rail and Peru Rail services depart and arrive at the Ollantaytambo or Pachar stations (2 hours from Cusco).
Our tour prices include transfers to these stations.

INCA TRAIL TOUR PRICES THROUGH SALKANTAY – 2024

Meals:
Varied breakfasts, including:
– Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, bread (with butter and ham)
– Eggs (fried, scrambled) or fruit.
Lunch includes:
– Soup, main course (spaghetti or rice with vegetables or meat)
– Tea or coffee

Lunch (the last lunch is not included). Dinner includes:
– Soup, main course (fish or chicken with potatoes and vegetables)
– Tea or coffee
– 3 dinners (the last day’s dinner is not included).
– Vegetarian meals must be requested.

Important:
– Spaces at Wayna Picchu Mountain are subject to availability (please inquire).
– If you wish to enter Wayna Picchu, you must pay an additional $20 (twenty dollars).
– All buses from the Inca Trail drop off passengers at Plaza San Francisco.

You must return to your hotel on your own.

Program

DAY 1.- CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SILCAKANCHA

Pick up will be between 04:30 and 05:00 from your respective accommodations. Departure at 05:00 by tourist bus towards Mollepata, a small town located at an altitude of 2,850 m.a.s.l., with a temperate climate and jungle vegetation. Around the town, we can see some snow-capped mountains that belong to the Salkantay chain, which are at an altitude of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 m.a.s.l. We will be in Mollepata at approximately 7:00 a.m. where we will enjoy this beautiful landscape that is part of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain that is located at an altitude of 6,200 m.a.s.l., contemplating this landscape we will begin our walk which will last approximately 7 to 8 hours. We will also be accompanied by the vegetation belonging to the jungle eyebrow, on the way we will have lunch, and after this we will continue until we reach SORAYPAMPA, the place of our first camp.

DAY 2 – SHALLACANCHA – ISHUPATA – SORAYPAMPA

The sunrise will be breathtaking, as the first thing we see when we wake up is the majestic Salkantay. At 7:00 a.m., we will have breakfast and then continue the journey, which this time will last approximately 7 to 8 hours. We will clearly observe the echo tone and the difference between the altitude levels. We will enter a kind of canyon that will take us to the foothills of Salkantay. After a three-hour hike, we will have lunch. Continuing our exploration of Salkantay, we will reach the pass to descend and contemplate the beginning of the jungle. This day we will arrive at CHALLHUAY, where we will spend the night.

DAY 3 – ARANYANNIYOC – COLPABAMBA

It’s the beginning of a new day, a new landscape, and a new temperature, as the temperate climate typical of the jungle begins here. After breakfast, we’ll continue our tour. Today we’ll travel through valleys where we can observe a variety of birds, mammals, insects, and other local animals. We’ll have the opportunity to observe the local way of life and enjoy the hot springs (Collpampa) and the waterfalls (Waynapoco), whenever we have time. We’ll then continue our tour, which will last approximately 4 to 6 hours before lunch (at Sahuayacu or at the beach). Then, we’ll board our bus to Santa Teresa, where we’ll spend the night.

DAY 4 – LILUSCAMAYO – INTIHUATANA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Upon awakening and having breakfast, we will continue our hike for approximately 40 minutes until we reach the banks of the Urubamba River. Here, we will use the oroya. Our journey will take approximately 3 hours to the hydroelectric plant, where we will admire the Urubamba River valley and the immense waterfall that emanates from the Machu Picchu mountain. The northeast side of Machu Picchu will be the ideal place to have lunch, and then visit the Intihuatana at km 121. At the end of our visit, we will walk from the hydroelectric plant to Aguas Calientes, where we will rest in a comfortable hostel.

DAY 5 – CLIMBING MACHUPICCHU

Today is the big day to explore the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. At 6:00 a.m., we set out for the ascent to Machupicchu, where we will have a guided tour. This hike lasts approximately one hour and a half. Upon arriving at Machupicchu, we will have the opportunity to spend three hours with the guide. In the afternoon, we will return to the citadel of Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantataymbo, where the buses will be waiting for us back to Cusco.