Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco –Pincopata EcoCamp

After breakfast, we’ll meet with our guide to begin our city tour; we’ll iniciate with a visit to the central market, then walk to the main plaza and around some of the most representative streets in Cusco. After a nice lunch, we’ll start our drive to Mollepata and our first Ecocamp, Pincopata.
During the drive, we’ll pass local villages, winding our way through the Limatambo Valley before ascending to our Ecocamp, located on the property of one of the region’s oldest haciendas. Here, we’ll have time to relax and explore before enjoying a traditional welcome dinner.

• Includes: B, L, D. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Driving Distance: 220km/137.5mi
• Driving Time: 2.5 hrs.
• Altitud: 2,850m/9,348 f

Day 2: Pincopata EcoCamp – Soray EcoCamp (3,883m / 12,737ft)

After breakfast, we’ll drive 30 minutes to our trailhead at Marcoccasa, from here we begin with a short uphill walk, then we continue hiking along an aqueduct overlooking the spectacular Rio Blanco Valley and the snow-capped mountain peaks of Salkantay and Humantay, arriving at Soray EcoCamp in time for a fresh light lunch.
During the afternoon, we offer an optional hike to Lake Humantay, nestled at the base of the southern face of the mountain.
If you prefer a more relaxing afternoon, you can schedule a relaxing, soothing massage or take in the breathtaking views surrounding our camp.

• Includes: B, L, D.

• Hiking distance: 10 km/6 mi Driving
• Distance to trailhead: 5 km /3.12 mi
• Driving distance: 28km/17mi
• Altitude: 1,013m/3,384 f

Day 3: Soray EcoCamp – Huayra EcoCamp

Today, we’ll experience one of the highlights of our trip: crossing the Salkantay Pass (4,664 m/15,300 f). After breakfast, we’ll start our hike along the valley floor, gradually gaining elevation and crossing several small pampas (fields). The challenging final ascent to the pass will be rewarded with dramatic views of the Salkantay’s rugged southern face.
At the pass, we’ll have time celebrate our accomplishment before descending to the Salkantay Valley where a delicious picnic lunch will be waiting. We’ll finish the day’s journey at our high Ecocamp in Huayracmachay with views of the Humantay and Salkantay.

• Includes: B, L, D.

• Hiking distance: 13.44 km/8.4 mi
• Time Hike: Approx. 6 – 7 hrs.
• Altitude: 3,900m /12,792 f

Day 4: Huayra EcoCamp – Milpo EcoCamp

We will start our trek down for about an hour; then we continue gradually uphill to a new trail with impressive views of the Vilcabamba range. We can see the Pumacillo and Choquetacarpo Mountains. The trail continues gradually up in a puna environment until we arrive at the high pass, where the views are quite impressive, from this location we can see the northwest face of the amusing Humantay Mountain. Here we’ll have lunch with views of the Salkantay and the Manchayhuayco valleys and the company of more beautiful Mountains, such as Camas, Abuela and Yanama. We will start our hike down to the Humantay river valley to our new EcoCamp nearby peculiar vegetation on the shores of the river.

• Includes: B, L, D.

• Hiking distance: 10 km/6 mi
• Time Hike: 4 – 5 hrs.
• Altitude difference: 3,000m/9,840 f

Day 5: Milpo EcoCamp – Cafe EcoCamp

After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll continue hiking down the valley to the junction of Totora. Part of the hike will be along the road before we cross the Santa Teresa River and hike the left side of the valley. Our hike will take us through the typical cloud forest with good opportunities to see some birds and orchids. Later, we’ll arrive in Huiñaypocco, where our transfer will be waiting to drive us to Cafe EcoCamp. At this camp, we’ll have a special lunch to say goodbye to our trekking days.
In the afternoon, we will be visiting the local coffee farm for a tour. The local guide will show us how Alturas coffee beans are picked, processed and roasted. You then will have the opportunity to taste some fresh roasted coffee, and if you like it, you can buy some directly from the local farmer

• Includes: B, L, D.

• Hiking distance: 10 km/6mi.
• Hiking Time: 5 – 5 hrs.
• Altitude: 1,850m / 6,068 f

Day 6: Cafe EcoCamp – Machu Picchu Town (2,000m / 6,560ft)

Wake up to a cup of a local coffee and a tropical breakfast. We’ll have several options for today, depending on your needs and wants. No matter where the morning takes us, in the afternoon, we’ll board a scenic train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) with plenty of time to settle into our hotel and explore the town.

Option A: Hike

We will depart from the Ecocamp and hike along an Incan trail to Llactapata Pass (2,865 m/ 9,400 f). From there, we descend to an archeological side with an impressive view of Machu Picchu across the river valley. We will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at a local hostel before continuing to the floor of the Aobamba River Valley, finally arriving at the train station to meet the rest of the group.

Option B: Zip Line

Drive through Santa Teresa Valley amidst lush plantations of coffee, bananas and other Tropical fruits to the Zipline Park. Experts will be waiting to “show us the ropes.” After a safety talk and brief instruction, we’ll be ready to soar across the Sacsara River Valley. After lunch, we will continue to the train station to join the rest of the group.

Option C: Hot spring

For a more relaxing morning, we’ll drive to the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, just outside of the town of Santa Teresa, where clear, steaming hot water runs flows out of the rock into the Urubamba River. We will have plenty of time to enjoy and relax before meeting the rest of the group at the train station.

• Includes: B, L, D.

• Hiking distance: 11.84 km/7.4 mi Approx.
• Time Hike: 6 hrs.
• Altitude: 900 m/2,952 f

Day 7: Full day Machu Picchu

After breakfast, our local guide will accompany us by bus to the archeological site of Machu Picchu. After checking into the park, we will have our first up-close and personal experience with Machu Picchu. Our guide will help us rediscover the mysteries of the sacred city in a thorough walking tour. After that, we’ll climb the Machu Picchu Mountain. The rigorous climb will be challenging, but the magnificent views from the mountain’s peak are worth it. At the top, we will take the time to catch our breath and enjoy this unique, bird’s-eye view of Machu Picchu.
We will have lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, close to the park entrance; you will have the option to return to the citadel during the afternoon to take some spectacular pictures and take in the historic city at your own pace.

Day 8: Machu Picchu – Cusco (3,360m / 11,000ft)

After breakfast, we will board our train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo we’ll drive through the Sacred Valley and the town of Chinchero, before arriving at the city of Cusco.
If you decide to stay in Cusco, we are happy to arrange a hotel for you.

• Includes: B, L.

• Hiking distance: 11.84 km / 7.4 mi
• Time Hike: Approx. 3.5 hrs.
• Driving distance: 70 km/43.75 mi
• Altitude: 1,360 m/ 4,460 f