From Cusco: 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu & Visit – Cusco, Peru

EXPERIENCE:

DAY01: MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
We will pick you up at 5:00am from your hotel and travel by private van to the village of Mollepata in the verdant Apurimac River Valley. After breakfast and getting ready, we will take a three and a half hour walk to Sicllapata. Here we will eat lunch surrounded by beautiful panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay. We will continue our trek towards Soraypamapa (4000m/12750ft) for another 4 hours. This campsite is the highest and coldest campsite of the whole trip.

DAY02: SORAYPAMPA –QOLPAPAMPA
The second day is the longest day of the trek. After an early breakfast, we will start hiking up a moderate climb for three and a half hours until we reach the Salkantay Pass (4600m/9800ft). From this point, we can soak in spectacular views of Salkantay. At the pass you can leave a piece of rock carried from the bottom as a present for the mountain spirit.

We will continue a downhill trek for two hours to Huayracmachay. After a quick rest, we will continue our hike for three and a half hours through the Amazon jungle (do not forget your bugspray!). We will reach our second campsite, Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft) and have dinner. Depending on how quickly the group hikes, other possible campsites are Andenes or Challway.

DAY03: QOLPAPAMPA – THE BEACH
After breakfast at 5:30am, we will start a 6 hour hike through the tropical jungle. We will cross the Lluskamayo River and a variety of small streams so waterproof shoes are a good idea. We will pass through gorgeous valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls. Your guide will show you naturally growing tropical fruits and native plants and flowers.Then will spend the night in campsite of La Playa (2500m/8350ft). We will also have the option to spend a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs and enjoy the refreshing river.

DAY04: THE BEACH – LLACTAPATA – HOT SPRINGS
In the morning, we will leave La Playa and start a 3 hour climb to reach Llactapata (2.700m/8910ft), an incredible Inca fort from which we will enjoy our first view of Machu Picchu! After some pictures and rest, we will descend for two hours to the Hydroelectric Plant, where we will have our final lunch. At about 4pm, we will reach to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night. In Aguas Calientes, we will enjoy a celebratory dinner and enjoy the comfort of beds and hot showers at a local hostel. You will also have the option to take advantage of the thermal springs in the evening (10 soles).

DAY05: MACHU PICCHU
1) we can hike for one and a half hours from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, or Taking bus
By waking up early, you will witness the magnificent sunrise at this ancient Inca city. At Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours. After the tour, you will have free time to explore this mysterious city by yourself. When you finish at Machu Picchu, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch where he/she will give you your train ticket back to Cusco.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore Machu Picchu and the surrounding area
Enjoy the scenic views of Salkantay Mountain
Visit the Inca ruins of Llactapata and hike on the original Inca Trail
Treks through the different types of landscapes,
Follow in the footsteps of the Incas on a trkes along the Salkantay Trek

Discover top places to stay, exciting tours, and unforgettable events in Peru, and popular cities like Cusco, and Lima.