Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
travel@peru-n-u.com
Hike along the famous Salkantay Trek on this 5-days group journey to Machu Picchu. Follow in the footsteps of the Incas, encountering rare orchids, waterfalls, lush greenery, and more, and arrive at their legendary “Lost City” to take a guided tour at your own leisure.
Your Hotel in Cusco (Google Map)
Cusco Centro Histórico (Google Map)
4:00 am
5 Days
Begin with a 3-hour early morning drive to the trailhead, passing the villages of Callacancha and Limatambo. You’ll have several stops to get some fresh air and admire the unique views of the Andean Mountain range and start walking alongside some unique and typical scenery of Peru. You’ll then follow an optional and scenic round-trip hike to the famous Humantay Glacier Lake, certainly not to be missed! Located just three hours ahead we’ll set up at the Camp Base of Salkantaypampa. Enjoy dinner with the first glimpses of Salkantay peak.
You’ll hike to the peak of the trail at Salkantay Pass in order to admire the spectacular views over the Southern mountain range, being able to spot some of the most important snow peaks, and of course, greeting at the majestic Salkantay Glacier, which raises over 6,271 meters, one of the highest of Peru. Wander around the snow before the 2-hour hike downhill to reach the camp for lunch.
The second part of the trail features a dramatic change in scenery. You’ll enter the upper part of the jungle best known as “Cloud Forest”. At the pace of a warmer atmosphere, look for some orchids and waterfalls on the way to the village of Collpapampa, where you will spend the night.
After breakfast, follow our guide for an adventurous hike that will take you through some amazing sights appreciating a variety of crops, including the famous coca leaf, used for hundreds of years as a sacred plant. This last section will be downhill to La Playa. Here, you’ll have a typical lunch prepared by a local cook.
In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs (at an extra cost of approx 50PEN) payable directly on-site, we highly recommend you take it.
Return to the campsite for dinner and rest.
Following an early start, you’ll continue walking through beautiful views of some waterfalls, stopping at a Natural lookout to spot Machu Picchu Mountain. Find more fields filled with coca and other plantations such as bananas, and coffee en route along with interesting facts and insights delivered by our expert guide.
For lunch, you’ll have a typical meal around Hidroelectrica, and from this point, we’ll continue strolling alongside the train rail toward Aguas Calientes. If you are feeling tired you have the option to continue this portion by train (own expense). By the afternoon we will arrive at Machupicchu town, encircled by giant rocky hills. Here, you’ll spend your last night in basic accommodation at the foot of the great Machupicchu.
*If you prefer, you can take transportation from La Playa to Hidroelectrica instead of walking, at an extra cost, payable directly on-site.
** If the group is interested in hiking up to Llactapata, there will be an extra charge of 20 PEN approx, to transfer your luggage, payable on-site.
At 4.30 am we’ll head to the Inka citadel of Machupicchu, through a 1-hour walkway in the middle of the jungle, this will allow us to explore Machu Picchu in the early morning before the crowds.
Benefit from 2.5 hours guided tour on your arrival, and learn more about the temples, palaces, priest houses, and more. Get some short free time to explore at leisure, or use it to climb to the top of Huaynapicchu or the Machu Picchu mountains (extra cost, subject to availability), if booked in advance they will assure you get unparallel views over the Citadel.
Take the train to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon and then catch the bus back to Cusco for a drop-off at your hotel or hostel on arrival.