Group Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata - Challacancha – Soraypampa (Humantay Lake)

Stop At: Mollepata, 03670, Peru
Walking Distance – 12km / 7.45 miles
Starting Elevation – 3350 meters / 12477 feet
Highest Elevation – 4600 meters / 15090 feet
Campsite Elevation – 3850 meters / 12477 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Today’s Highlights: Walking from Challacancha to Soraypampa with not too many tourists. An afternoon visit at the Humantay Lake and views of the enigmatic ‘Apu’ Salkantay. The campsite is exclusively just for our group.

We start the day with picking you up at your hotel or hostel at 05:00 am. We’ll drive for around 4 hours, crossing Anta, Mollepata and end up at Challacancha. Through the windows of the bus you can clearly see the white snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Huamantay: the holy Gods of the Incas. But also the spectacular scenery of the higher situated areas and the lower valleys with colorful landscapes. After two hours driving there will be a quick stop in Mollepata town. At Mollepata there are toilet facilities, souvenirs shops and an optional short breakfast.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
When this short break is over we will soon continue to Challacancha, which is the start of our trail. There we will meet with our support staff. The staff will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Around 9:30 am we will start our trek to Soraypampa (3850 MASL – 12631 ft.). The first section of the path is a hike over a few deep valleys. At some parts of the trail the old water channel can still be seen. The channel still supplies water to the farmers in the lower valleys. The beginning of the trek is 7km (4.35miles) hiking around 3 hours to Soraypampa, where we will have our lunch at the basecamp.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Humantay Lake, Cusco 08001 Peru
After the lunch and a quick nap we continue hiking up to the Humantay Lake (4200 MASL – 13779 ft.). This is a 5km (3.1miles) round trip which we will walk in a total of 3 hours. At the Humantay Lake the bottom of the glacier can be seen, and also the most spectacular views of the background with the valley at sunset. Soraypampa is located in the middle of the glacier valleys and at night the sky is so immensely clear that we can really appreciate the stars, constellations and even shooting stars.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Domes at the skycamp in Soraypampa

Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Wayraqmachay – Chaullay

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Walking Distance – 22 km / 13.7 miles
Starting Elevation – 3800 meters / 12467 feet
Campsite Elevation – 2750 meters / 9022 feet
Maximum Altitude: 4650 meters / 15255 feet
Difficulty: Challenging - Moderate

After an early wake up at 05:30 am and a quick breakfast we soon start hiking up to the highest point of the trail: the Salkantay Pass (4650 MASL – 15,255 ft.). The distance is a 7km (4.34miles) tough ascent in 3 hours, between the rocky valley bottom and the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6200 MASL– 20,341 ft.). When we finally reach the top we will appreciate the spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. The Salkantay Mountain is the mountian of the Inca God "Apu" and the second highest in the Cusco region. After reaching the top of the pass follows a 5km (3.1miles) and 2 hours downhill hike to Wayraqmachay, our lunchspot. We'll walk downhill on a serpent shape and rocky gravel path trail. In the afternoon we will enter the upper part of the amazon jungle, which is also called “the cloud forest”. This is a 10 km (6.2miles) hike in 3 hours on a wide trail in the thick forests. This hike is truly beautiful, there are decorated the hills with colorful sceneries and a lot of wildlife and native plants. The forest is warm most times of the year. When finishing this magnificent hike we finally arrive at Chaullay Village (2900 M – 9,514 ft.), our base camp in the jungle.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Jungle Domes in Chaullay Village

Day 3: Chaullay - Colpapampa - La Playa – Lucmabamba

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Highlights of today: We leave as early as possible to enjoy an empty trail and to appreciate the landscape, scenery and wildlife. While trekking through the jungle you can find loads of different wild fruits like: banana, avocado, passion fruit, etc. There are also waterfalls and water streams where you can refresh your feet. Lunch in La Playa, afterwards we wil hike to our base camp in Lucmabamba where we will visit an organic coffee plantation (only if good weather conditions).

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Andean Huts in Lucmabamba

Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
We will begin the hike early and you will get the opportunity to enjoy a small part of the famous Inka trail! After a climb of 2 hours with amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley we will arrive at the Llactapata Inca site right in front of Machu Picchu.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mirador de Llactapata, Santa Teresa Peru
This will be the first archaeological site we will see of the Lost City of the Incas and a very special place to enjoy and spend time. We will be able to see not only the Machu Picchu ruins from this spot, but also the Huaynapicchu and the Machu Picchu Mountain. We will explore this Inca site with your guide who will tell you more about the Incas and this beautiful site. No worries, you will have plenty of time to take as many photos as you want.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
After visiting the Llactapata ruins, we will continue our trek with a 2 hours downhill hike. At this hike you'll enjoy views on Machu Picchu until we arrive at the Hidroelectrica train station which is our lunch place. The most impressive part of this area is the 300-meter natural waterfall which generates electricity for the region of Cusco. We will then arrive at the famous Intiwatana. After we pass this small Inca site we will reach the train rails. Next to the rails there is a nice path to walk on which we'll walk for approximately 3 hours. After this hike we will arrive at Aguas Calientes, which is located at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hostel in Aguas Calientes

Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Stop At: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Peru
Highlights of today: Early morning arrival at Machu Picchu so you will have more time to explore this truly magnificent World Wonder with less tourists. You will be there even before the Inka Trail trekkers arrive! Enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Two hours guided tour of the mystical Machu Picchu ruins.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.