Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days)

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and will go by bus to Mollepata. The trip will take about 3 hours and when we arrive at Mollepata, you will have time to have a delicious breakfast. While having breakfast the cook and the horseman will pack all the camping equipment and cooking stuff. Ready for hiking, we start the first 3 hours hiking uphill to get to Cruzpata. In panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains Humantay (4120m/13500ft) and Salkantay (6271m/20575ft) we will have lunch. This is only the beginning of the picturesque views that are awaiting us! We will continue our hike towards Soraypampa, our first campsite (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip), very close to the second highest snow-capped mountain of Salkantay. Walking time: 07h00.

After having breakfast at around 6.00am we start walking. This will be the day with the longest hike. The first 4.5 hours is uphill to get to Huayracmachay. On the way, we will pass the highest point of our trek (4600m / 15100ft above sea level). We will appreciate spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, which is known as the second highest point of the Cusco region. Arriving in Huayracmachay we’ll have lunch and then continue our walk downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Challway. Walking time: 09h00

After an early breakfast, at 4.30 am, we start walking through the upper jungle, crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of little brooks, reaching Playa Sahuayaco after approx. 6 hours. We will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. Arriving at Playa Sahuayaco, the packing horses will return to Mollepata and we will take a local bus to the hydroelectric plant “Hidroeléctrica”. From Hidroeléctrica we’ll travel to Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Village, where we arrive at around 5.00pm and you’ll have time to relax, have a nice dinner and enjoy a relaxing bath in the hot springs. Walking time: 06h00

Morning begins very early, around 4.30am, with breakfast at 5.00am. The plan is to experience a beautiful sunrise at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. To get there you can either walk for about 1.5 hour or take the bus from Aguas Calientes that takes about 25 minutes. Arriving at Machu Picchu, we will see the magnificent citadel quietly being filled with the light of the day. After a short rest, a walking tour is given by your guide (approx. 2 hours), after that, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. For those who still have energy there is the option to climb the Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)! It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top (prior booking is necessary, US$ 10.00 per person). Later in the afternoon, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo from where we’ll return to Cusco by bus (arrival at around 10.00pm). End of the service.