This is one of the most interesting and important alternative treks to do, due to its wide range diversity in flora and different ecosystems, and its inca site laid on top of a mountain and just in front of the back of the Machupichu mountain, and this trail finally gets to Aguas Calientes located at the base of the historical and archeological site of Machupicchu, from where we take a early bus up there to see the sunshine and avoid crowds whilst doing Machupicchu with one of our English speaking tour and knowledgeable guides. book now and save 20%.
• Early morning transfer by private tourism bus to Soraypampa (headtrail).
• Accommodation: Camping (03 nights) and Hotel (01 night).
• Local guide throughout to Salkantay trek.
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu and Waynapicchu mountain
• Meals: 04 Breakfasts, 04 Lunches, 04 Dinners and 04 afternoon hot drinks.
• Chef.
• Muleteer
• Horses for carry all heavy gear and 5 kg (passenger equipment).
• Camping equipment: Double tent, sleeping roll mat
• Communal dinner tent, cooking tent and toilet tent.
• All eating and cooking stuff, stools and tables.
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
• Return ticket by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Tourism bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco.
Not included in this trip:
• First breakfast and last lunch.
• Travel insurance.
• Sleeping bag
• Tipping your trek stuff is optional but customary.
Meals budget: Allow USD 20-40 for meals not included
Single tent: Please note that if you have booked the "Single tent" option for this tour, you will receive your own single roomand tent for all night stops.
Local flights: All local flights aren't included in the cost.
Day 1: Cuzco - Soray - Huayracmacha (L, D).
Early morning pick up at your hotel to after doing a 3 hour bus ride from Cusco (3400m)- to Mollepata (2700m), and one and a half hour drive more to Soraypampa (3750mt). Briefly stop in Limatambo or Mollepata to have breakfast and then carry on our journey to the trailhead in Soraypampa.
We start a gentle hike at the head of the valley. The trail goes steep uphill and comes to a serie of zigzags. All around, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Humantay and Salkantay. Then, to catch our breath, we will drop gently down to the small laguna Soirococha where we stop for lunch.
After walking 4 hours up, we reach the highest pass (4,550m) from where we can have a stunning scenery of the sacred mountains in the Peruvian Andes Humantay 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 thank the Apus (mountain spirits) for a safe trip and good luck. Then we descend to our First campsite at Huayracmachay (3750m).
Day 2: Huaracmachay - Collpampa (B, L, D).
After an early breakfast, we will leave the beautiful pyramid shaped peak of Salkantay behind us. From now, the fauna and flora change as we enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromilias and also beautiful birds. This level is known as a cloud forest. Continuing our descent through the groves of bamboos; 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 you set up our camp site, and have lunch and afterwards take a relaxing bath at the natural hot springs and take the same way back up to the camp site at Collpapampa.
Day 3: Collpampa - La Playa (B, L, D).
After a healthy breakfast, the trail continues down the valley into the forest, from increasingly tall trees and groves of bamboos, providing some bird watching opportunities without missing the view on the chaotic river.
You will be going across some amazing untouched path where strawberries grow at your feet and passion fruit are above your head in a decor of begonias and purple orchids! To finally arrive to our Camp site in La Playa.
Day 4: La Playa - Llactapata - Hydro - Aguas Calientes (B, L, D).
We wake up early this day to start a nice way up hill which will give us some amazing views on the valley. After 3 hours, we will enjoy a break in a Pampa overlooking one of the main highlights in South America Machu Picchu. It s a magical view given to us that the main part of tourists will never see!
A 3 hours going down the path easily leads the hikers to the bamboos groves and into a forest of increasingly thick vegetation and tall trees. Some excellent bird watching opportunities!
Reaching to la hidreoelectrica we follow the rail tracks heading up the Urubamba valley to our last camp site in Puentes Ruinas (Aguas Calientes).
Day 5: Puente Ruinas - Machu Picchu - Cusco (B).
After an early morning breakfast we will take a bus up to Machu Picchu sanctuary and enter early for the best photos opportunities and then spend the rest of the morning visiting and exploring the ruins. Before leaving, let s take the time to climb up to Huaynapicchu (45 min) before heading down to Aguas Calientes to aboard the train back to Cusco.
