Cusco Peru Adventure - Inca Trail
Trek Salkantay to Machu Picchu - Itinerary CAMPING
Destinations: Salkantay Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco Peru
Duration:       5 days / 4 nights
Tour Type:     Peru Adventure, Peru Nature, Moderate to Challenging Trek

DIFFICULTY: CHALLENGING

DAY 1

Cusco – Andenes                                                                                                (B, S, L, D)

We leave Cusco at 04.00 am in a private transport and start a scenic morning bus-ride to our trek starting point at Soraypampa. Along the four-hour drive, we drive through the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire, where the archaeological remains of Tarawasi are located. The road continues up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2800m/9184ft) and the small community of Cruzpata (2750m/9020ft) to finally reach Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), the starting point of the trek, where we meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction and a quick breakfast, we start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salkantay (6271m/20569ft), crossing Salkantaypampa, and then starting a 2 hrs steep ascent to Soyroccocha, just next to the impressive glacier of Salkantay (4200m/13776ft). Continuing uphill, we reach the Abra Huayracmachay (4600m/15088ft), the highest mountain pass in the program where, besides enjoying stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range with the south face of Salkantay towering above us, we may also observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, which is approximately 6 meters wide. A long though easy descent brings us late afternoon to our first campsite at Andenes (3,500m/11480ft).

Distance:                         18 km / 11.25 ml
Minimum Altitude:            3250 masl / 10660 ft
Maximum Altitude:           4600 masl / 15088 ft
Approximate Time:           8-9 hrs
Gradient:                         moderate - challenging

DAY 2

Andenes - Lucmabamba                                                                                      (B, S, L, D)

Today we continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Salkantay River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads.  After 1,5-2 hours we arrive at the settlement of Chaullay, and after another 45 minutes to the town of Collpapampa.  From Colpapampa, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River.  After a rest, we continue our descent to the banks of the Totora River, then passing the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, the bustling small town of La Playa and finally our second camp at Lucmabamba (2,100m/6888ft). On the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado, as well as exuberant local flora.  We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as we descend. At dinner we can enjoy a glass of wine by the light of the camp-fire.

Distance:                         20 km / 12.50 ml
Minimum Altitude:            2100 masl / 6888 ft
Maximum Altitude:           3500 masl / 11480 ft
Approximate Time:           8-9 hrs
Gradient:                         challenging

DAY 3

Lucmabamba – Aguas Calientes                                                                        (B, S, L, D)

After breakfast, we start climbing for 2-3 hours up to El Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. We enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machupicchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we board a train that takes us to Aguas Calientes (short, scenic 40-minutes train ride).

Distance:                         12 km / 7.50 ml
Minimum Altitude:            2088 masl / 6560 ft
Maximum Altitude:           2000 masl / 8692 ft
Approximate Time:           5-6 hrs
Gradient:                         moderate

Overnight in Aguas Calientes (included in price).

DAY 4

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco                                                                         (B)

We wake up early and board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it (please note that there are only 400 visitors allowed per day), or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge.  In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs.  From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.

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