Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu (6 days 5 nights) Fix departure

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu (6 days 5 nights) Fix departure

This trip is the perfect combination of both adventure and glamour. Come join this adventure with our professional guides who possess knowledge of local history, geography, culture and hold the skills to create safe and quality trips!

Highlights:
* Condors in their natural habitat
* Archaeological sites of Killarumiyoc and Choquechurco
* Humantay Lake
* Cloudforest eco system
* This historic Inca City of Machu Picchu
* Salkantay Pass 4,664m/15,300 ft

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Chonta - Pincopata Ecocamp

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
Our day begins with an 9 am pick up from your hotel. Our first stop is the archaeological site of Kuillarumiyoc, a ritual site during the height of the Inca Empire that still holds great significance to Quechua society today. We will stop here and explore Kuillarumiyoc before continuing to the Condor Viewing Point in Chonta, our second stop. During the drive to Chonta you will enjoy views of the Limatambo valley. Once in Chonta, we begin our 1-hour hike to the condor viewing point. We will walk along a narrow trail that offers spectacular views of the Apurimac Canyon below. At the viewing point, there will be time to relax and observe the condors soaring over the canyon. We are almost certain to have the site completely to ourselves as most tourists tend to visit the area later in the afternoon. Here, we will be served a specially prepared boxed lunch before heading back to our vehicle to continue to our final destination, Pincopata Ecocamp.

​At Pincopata, you will be greeted with refreshing drinks prepared from locally sourced fruits before being escorted to your heated sleeping dome. There will be plenty of time to rest and take a hot shower before dinner, or perhaps enjoy the optional therapeutic massage service. If resting is not your thing, you can explore the ecocamp’s beautiful natural surroundings. If time allows, we can also arrange additional activities including horseback riding and mountain biking. Our day will end with a delicious three course dinner of typical Peruvian cuisine made from the finest natural ingredients.
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Driving Distance: 132.5 km / 82.8 mi
Driving Time: 3,5 hrs
Hiking distance: 6.4 km / 3.97 mi
Hiking Time: 2 hrs (round trip)
Altitude Chonta: 3,400 m / 11,154.86 ft
Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
Hiking Level: Moderate

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Pincopata Ecocamp

Day 2: Pincopata Ecocamp - Tilca & Choquechurco - Pincopata Ecocamp

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
We will depart Pincopata Ecocamp, after breakfast, and drive along a path through forests passing local farms and the incredible landscape of the Apurimac Valley. We will arrive at our starting point for our hike to Tilca, an important sacred Huaca located in Mollepata. Our trek to the summit of the Apu Tilca will take about 1.5 hours. During this gradual climb we will encounter Inca culture remains and at the summit, steps leading to ceremonial platforms. At the top, we will be able to appreciate views of the great snowy Salkantay mountain as well as Humantay, Camas, and Abuela among several other peaks in the Vilcabamba mountain range. We will also be rewarded with outstanding views of the Apurimac River canyon. After some time enjoying and exploring this impressive landscape we will descend and continue our journey to the archaeological remains of Choquechurco (Place where Gold is placed). This sacred place, unknown to many, is on our list of remote sites we like to visit. Situated among a forest of native Polylepis trees, this abandoned site will make you feel like a true explorer.

From this place, we will have views of Humantay Mountain, the Valley of Limatambo, Apurimac, and the town of Mollepata. Surrounded by remarkable scenery, we will stop to have lunch at this site before continuing the descent to our Pincopata Ecocamp.

Driving Distance: 20.4 km / 12.7 mi (round trip)
Driving Time: 30 minutes (round trip)
Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.25 mi
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs.
Altitude Tilca: 3,790 m / 12,431 f
Altitude Choquechurco: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft.
Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Pincopata Ecocamp

Day 3: Pincopata Ecocamp - Salkantay Pass - Humantay Ecocamp

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
Today, we experience one of the highlights of our trip, crossing the Salkantay. After breakfast, we begin our hike along the valley floor gradually starting to ascend while crossing several small pampas. Although the final climb to the pass can be strenuous, the dramatic views of Mount Salkantay’s rocky southern face at the top makes the challenge worth it. It can be cold and windy at the pass, so make sure to bring a warm jacket and a hat.

At the pass, we’ll have time to celebrate our accomplishment with a delicious picnic lunch before descending down the Salkantay Valley. We finish the day and spend the night at our high Ecocamp in Huayracmachay that will also offer excellent views of Mount Humantay and Salkantay.

Hiking distance: 13,44 km / 8,4 mi
Trekking time: 6 - 7 hrs. Approx.
Altitude Pincopata: 2850 m / 9348 ft.
Altitude Salkantay Pass: 4650 m / 15,255.91 ft.
Altitude Huayra: 3,900m / 12,792ft
Hiking Level: Challenging



Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Humantay Ecocamp - Milpo Ecocamp

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
We start day 4 with a trek downhill that lasts approximately an hour before heading uphill to a new trail. This new trail offers impressive views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the peaks of Pumacillo and Choquetacarpo. The trail then continues up into the high grassy planes as far as the Abra Pass, from which we will be able to gaze upon the impressive northwest face of Mount Humantay. Here, we will enjoy lunch with views of the Salkantay and the Manchayhuayco valleys, as well as the mountains Camas, Abuela and Yanama.

After lunch, we begin our hike down the Humantay River Valley to our next Ecocamp that is situated along the banks of the river. You can use the afternoon to relax at the comfortable Milpo Ecocamp where we will also have dinner and spend the night.

Hiking distance: 10 km/6 mi Approx.
Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hrs.
Altitude Huayra: 3900 m / 12,792 ft.
Altitude Milpo: 3,100m / 9,840 ft
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Milpo Ecocamp - Lucma - Machu Picchu Pueblo

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
After a nutritious breakfast, we will hike down the valley as far as Totora. Part of the hike will be along a country road before we cross the Santa Teresa River and hike along the left side of the valley. This section of our route will take us through the cloud forest where we will have plenty of opportunities to see unique birds and orchid species. When we arrive at Huiñaypocco, our transport will be awaiting to drive us to Lucuma where we’ll have a special lunch.

Then, we’ll visit the local coffee plantation where the local guide will show us how highland coffee beans are picked, processed, and roasted. You will have the opportunity to savor some freshly roasted coffee and even buy some coffee directly from the local farmer.

In the afternoon, we will board the train for the scenic ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) where you’ll have plenty of time to settle into your hotel and explore the small charming town. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.

Trekking distance: 10 km/6 mi
Trekking Time: 5 - 6 hrs.
Driving time: 30 minutes
Train ride: 20 minutes
Altitude Milpo: 3100 m / 9840 ft.
Altitude Lucuma: 1,850m / 6,068ft
Altitude Aguas Calientes: 2000/ 6560 ft.
Hiking Level: Easy to moderate



Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo o similar

Day 6: Machu Picchu Pueblo - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Pass By: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
After breakfast, our local guide will accompany us to the Machu Picchu archaeological site by bus. After checking in at the park entrance, we will explore the unique Inca ruins and uncover the mysteries of this sacred city with an in-depth guided walking tour.

Other options during this visit include climbing Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. These climbs are physically challenging, but the magnificent views from the peak of both mountains make the effort worthwhile. Please notify us in advance if you’d like to climb one of these mountains as we must book this prior to your arrival at Machu Picchu.

After our tour, we will enjoy lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge before taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. We will reconnect you with your luggage, take the train to Ollantaytambo, and then transfer to our vehicle for the remaining journey back to Cusco.

Altitude Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m/ 6,560 pies
Altitude Machu Picchu: 2430 m / 7972.44 pies
Altitude Ollantaytambo: 2792 m / 9160.11 pies
Distance Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo: 32 km / 19.8 mi
Distance Ollantaytambo-Cusco: 60 km / 37.28 mi
Train time: 2 hrs.
Driving time: 2 hrs.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.