Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel or hostel in Cusco at 5:30 a.m. You will begin your journey to the small town of Mollepata, where you will enjoy your first breakfast. After breakfast, you will continue your journey to Challacancha, where you will begin a two-hour hike to the Soraypampa refuge. Weather permitting, the views along this route are breathtaking. Visible are two large mountains, Humantay (5,900 meters above sea level) and Salkantay (6,215 meters above sea level). You will walk along the edge of old water channels until you reach the refuge, where you will have lunch. After lunch, continue the hike to Humantay Lagoon, which sits at an elevation of 4,221 meters (13,841 feet). This is an uphill hike for 2:15 hours and then a downhill hike for 1:30 hours. This is a remote lake with little tourist activity. It offers stunning views of the glacial base of the great Humantay. We will have a light snack on the shores of the lake. After a short hike around the lagoon, you will return to the Soraypampa refuge through the valley, observing the community of Soraypampa, located in the Salkantay and Humantay valleys. Upon arrival at the refuge, hot drinks and snacks will be served, as well as dinner for that evening. At night, the sky is immensely clear, and you will be able to see and appreciate the Inca constellations and shooting stars.

• Highest elevation: 4,221 meters (13,841 feet) (Humantay Lake)
• Elevation at the refuge: 3,830 meters (12,530 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Accommodation: Comfortable rooms
• Climate: Cold with rain and wind during the months of March, November, and December.
• Type of trip: Trekking

At first light, at approximately 5:30 a.m., we will wake up to a beautiful day and a hearty breakfast. You will begin the day’s hike to the highest point of our trip, the Salkantay Pass, which has an elevation of 4,638 meters (15,213 feet). During this day’s hike, you will explore the alpine vistas of the Andes during a 1-hour and 30-minute walk along the Salkantay River Valley, eventually reaching the Salkantay Pampa at an elevation of 4,154 meters (13,625 feet). The views along this trail are breathtaking. You will continue your hike through the Salkantay Valley, along glacial streams, reaching the Soyro Cocha point, located at 4,491 meters (14,730 feet). Here you will have a snack and a short break. Once again, this resting place offers wonderful views of Salkantay Peak, and you can hear the springs emanating from the foothills of the glacial peak. You will then begin the final part of your day hike, an approximately 1-hour ascent to reach Salkantay Pass at 4,660 meters (15,213 feet). This is the highest point of our journey.

Here you will see the majesty of Salkantay Peak, one of the highest peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. You will then begin a 2-hour downhill hike where you will have lunch and hot drinks in a peasant community called Wayrac machay (Cave of the Wind). You will continue our downhill descent, passing from frigid temperatures to a warmer forest, a lush jungle home to abundant flora and fauna, many species of wild orchids, elephant begonia flowers, as well as many varieties of hummingbirds. You will end our day at the Chaullay refuge.

• Highest elevation: 4,638 meters (15,213 feet) (Salkantay Pass)
• Refuge elevation: 2,852 meters (9,390 feet)
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Accommodation: Exclusive and comfortable rooms.
• Climate: Cold with wind, transitioning to a warmer zone.

After a hearty breakfast, your third day will begin with a gradual hike of approximately 5 hours to reach Sahuayacu Beach. Along this walk, you’ll see the natural volcanic waters of Collpapampa, which have been used for medicinal purposes. You’ll also pass waterfalls, many varieties of flora, and passion fruit in the midst of a jungle forest. You’ll arrive in Sahuayacu for lunch and cold drinks. After lunch, you’ll hike the last part of our day, approximately 40 minutes, to Lucmabamba, our next refuge. Here you’ll see large plantations growing coffee, bananas, avocados, and other fruits. When you arrive at the Lucmabamba refuge, you’ll have the opportunity to tour an organic coffee farm run by a local family and taste this rich, flavorful coffee along with yuca or fried plantains. You’ll then have time to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs, a 45-minute shuttle bus ride from our refuge. You’ll return by the same shuttle for dinner at the Lucmabamba refuge.

• Highest elevation: 2,850 meters (9,395 feet)
• Elevation at the refuge: 2,100 meters (6,900 feet)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Accommodations: Comfortable rooms
• Warm climate

Again, you will begin with a hearty breakfast at first light and then hike uphill for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. You will explore the rainforest along the Santa Teresa Valley with views of many beautiful local plantations growing coffee, avocados, and bananas. This is an exciting and important day of our trip. You will have the opportunity to hike along the Inca Trail until you reach L’Actabata de los Incas at an elevation of 2,736 meters (8,974 feet). At this vantage point, you will see your first view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain. This is an unforgettable spot and a great place for photographs. You will continue hiking downhill for approximately 2 hours until you reach the hydroelectric train station, which sits at an elevation of 1,771 meters (5,809 feet). You will have lunch and rest briefly here, after which you will continue your hike and reach the famous Intiwatana (sundial). According to history, this clock, made entirely of stone, worked alongside the Intiwatana located at Machu Picchu. You will then continue along an easy hiking trail for approximately 3 hours, reaching the town of Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Village. The elevation here is 1,900 meters (6,232 feet). The Hydroelectric-Machu Picchu Road is a historically significant path as it was used by North American professor Hiram Bingham when he was searching for the lost city of Vilcabamba. Fortunately, along this path, Professor Bingham met a local farmer named Melchor Arteaga who led him to Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your accommodation, continue to have dinner, and prepare for the next day.

• Highest Elevation: 2,736 meters (8,974 feet)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Accommodation: Rooms
• Warm Climate

This is the most important day of your expedition. To allow us the maximum amount of time to learn about and enjoy the famous Machu Picchu citadel, you will begin your day before sunrise so you can catch the first bus to the site. The bus ride is approximately 25 minutes. You will experience the sunrise as it opens over Machu Picchu, an unforgettable photo opportunity. You will have a two-hour guided walking tour of the citadel with our experienced guide, who will share stories and teachings of Inca culture. After this tour, there will be time to experience Machu Picchu on your own and plenty of time for photography. We will regroup at the entry point, where buses will take us back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After lunch, we will board the train to Ollantaytambo (approximately two hours) and then a bus back to Cusco. While at Machu Picchu, you have the opportunity to hike Huayna Picchu. This is a three-hour round-trip hike, and a ticket for this activity must be purchased in advance. There’s also the opportunity to walk to the famous Puerta del Sol. This activity is free, no reservation required, and lasts approximately two hours.