Mount Salkantay to Machu Picchu (5 days / 4 nights)
Day 1
:
From Cusco we drive west through the Anta Valley and over the Vilcaconga Pass. Descending into the warm and dry Apurímac Valley, we will have time to visit the Inca temple of Tarawasi, with its fine stonework. A little farther along the road we climb to the village of Mollepata, where our mule drivers will be waiting to load our things on to horses or mules. We will then hike a short distance towards a nearby valley, where we will camp at Soraypampa (3250 m / 10,660 ft).
Day 2
:
Today we climb a summit above the Blanco River, which is fed by melt waters from Mount Salkantay's glacier. It is common to see condors along this section of the trail. Continuing the steep ascent of the enormous glacier, we will reach the most spectacular pass of this trek (4825 m / 15,826 ft), below the south face of Mount Salkantay, which at 6247m (20,600ft) is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba range. Crossing the pass we descend to Cruz Qasa and make our camp at 4490 m (14,727 ft).
Day 3
:
A short hike takes us to the Cruz Qasa Pass (4715 m / 15,465 ft), where we will have exceptional views of Mount Ocobamba (5126 m / 16,813 ft). Continuing along the trail, we will make our third camp at Inca Raqay (4600 m / 15,088 ft).
Day 4
:
The final pass of our route stands at just 200 m (656 ft) above our previous night’s campsite, and from there we will descend through the narrow Chillca gorge into the fertile Urubamba Valley, where we will camp at 2800 m (9184 ft).
Day 5
:
Today we will break camp early to make the short hike to the train station for the one and a half hour journey to Machu Picchu. From the Machu Picchu station it is a 25-minute bus ride up to the Inca city.
Machupicchu was discovered by archaeologists in 1911. It stands at the summit of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River; the site was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until the American explorer Hiram Bingham began to clear the site. Today the city has been completely restored and even if it has lost some of its mystery it still remains an unforgettable sight.
Our tour includes a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas of the city and you will also have time to explore the ruins independently.
The return train leaves for Cusco in the afternoon, and upon arrival you will be met and transferred from the station to your hotel.
Includes:
Transfer to the trailhead and return to Cusco from Machu Picchu by train.
Meals: From lunch on first day to lunch on final day.
English-speaking guide.
Camping services; camp cook, wranglers and camping assistant(s).
All group camping equipment, double tents and Thermarest air mattress, kitchen tent, dining tent, and toilet tent.
All the trash produced during the trek is returned to Cusco.
First-aid kit.
Not included:
Personal expenses: clothing and sleeping bag.
We recommend bringing the following personal equipment:
A good sleeping bag (we have sleeping bags for hire at extra cost and on request).
Day pack for daily items and camera.
Small duffel bag for the majority of your gear. (If you do not have one we can provide you with one).
Warm jacket for the evening, wool sweaters, long pants, light cotton shirt and T-shirts. Hat with brim, wool or flannel shirt, comfortable walking shoes (well-broken in), Rain jacket or rain poncho.
