Salkantay to Machupicchu Trek
4 days

We start the day picking you up at your hotel at 05:00 am. We travel in our tourist transport for about 4 hours, crossing Anta, Mollepata and ending in Challancha. Through the windows of our tourist transport you can clearly see the white mountains of Salkantay and Huamantay, the protective gods of the Incas. But also the spectacular landscapes of the higher areas and the valleys located lower with colorful landscapes. After three hours of travel there will be a quick stop in the town of Mollepata, where we will find toilet facilities, souvenir stores and an optional simple breakfast.

We will then continue on to Challacancha, which is the starting point of our trek, where we will meet our support staff. The staff will organize all the equipment, horses and mules.

Around 9:30 in the morning we will begin our trek to Soraypampa (3850 masl - 12631 ft). The first part of the route is a hike over a couple of deep valleys. In some parts of the trail we will be able to appreciate the channel of a small river. The canal continues to supply water to farmers in the lower valleys.

Our next stopping point is Soraypampa, where we will have our lunch in the field, after lunch we must continue walking until we reach the Humantay Lake (4200 masl). This has a distance of 5 kilometers and around which we will walk in a total of 3 hours. At Humantay Lake, the lower part of the glacier can be seen and also the most spectacular views of the valley with sunset background. Soraypampa is located in the middle of the glacial valleys and at night the sky is so immensely clear that we can really appreciate the stars, constellations and even shooting stars.

As soon as you leave the tent, you will find the presence of the majestic snowy Salkantay; After a good breakfast, we will undertake the most difficult and most beautiful hike of the trip, leaving at 7:00 am. (7 to 8 hours walk) we will cross the site called Pampa Salkantay and then we will go to the left side of the snowy Humantay located next to the snowy Salkantay, at 12:00 p.m. we will be at the highest point (Salkantay pass 4500 m.a.s.l.). We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountain and the imposing snowy Salkantay (6264 m.a.s.l.) is known as the second highest peak in the region of Cusco, then after 1 hour of rest we have lunch for the day, in the area called Huayrac Punku, we continue our walk of approximately 3 hours to the camp of Rayanniyoc (2890 m.a.s.l.) or to the camp of Chaullay (2920 m.a.s.l.) where we will have the second camp.

At 6:00 am. We will begin our hike to La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. We will be walking for approximately 6 hours, during the hike we will see: waterfalls, wild orchids, but also coffee, banana and avocado plantations. Here you can taste the famous passion fruit and granadilla. We will see a village called Colpapampa, also called "cloud forest front" where you can observe waterfalls, hot springs, fruit trees, varied flora and birds. If we are lucky, we will be able to see the famous bird called "El Gallo de las Rocas" this bird is the national bird of Peru. After lunch at the beach, we will take a local transportation to the train station of Hidroeléctrica.

Here you will have two options:

1° If you are exhausted you can take the train to Aguas Calientes.

2° If you are still willing to walk, you can walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours along the train track. Once in Aguas Calientes we will go to the lodge which is included in the tour. At 7:00 pm. We will have dinner at a local restaurant.

The highlight of the hike, Machu Picchu! We will wake up early at the hotel. This is best for visiting Machu Picchu, before the mass of people arrive. The Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint is open from 6:00 am. Until 5:00 pm. We board the first bus that leaves at 5:30 am. Heading to the citadel of Machu Picchu, where we will arrive in 30 minutes or if you want you can walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Here we will have a guided tour of 2 to 3 hours. We will visit temples, palaces, priests' houses, a sundial, the industrial sector and agricultural fields. After this guided tour, you are free to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (book in advance to get your tickets) or visit the sun gate.

At the indicated time you will go down to the town of Aguas Calientes to board your train to the town of Ollantaytambo and then to the city of Cusco.