SALKANTAY
TO MACHU PICHU 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Day 01: Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
We will pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 4.30 am in a private bus and drive to Mollepata.
Along the four-and-a-half hour drive, we will stop in the town of Limatambo
(2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the
time of the Inca Empire. Here we will visit the archaeological remains of
Tarawasi, where we can appreciate an Inca Usno, or place where ceremonies
for mother earth were conducted. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a
beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata
(2800 masl), where we will meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we
will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight
climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac
River canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian
irrigation canal. In Soraypampa we will set up our first camp.
Day 02:
Soraypampa - Pass of the Inkas
We will get up at 6.30 am
, after the breakfast we continue the trek to Abra of Salcantay , we can
see the differents weathers and small houses the people who live in this
places , wildbirds and th espectacular view of Huamantay ( 5902 m.s.n.m.).
them aproximatly six hours more of trek We arrive to the second campamento
Pass of the Inkas , in this point We can see the mountain of Salcantay (6271
m.s.n.m,) .
Day 03:
Pass of the Inkas - Tambo
We will get up at 6.30 am.
after the breakfast we continue the trek to Tambo. This day We can see the
Tambo and Usnu (arqueological sites of the Inca Trail.) The inkas used this
routes for alternatives trails to arrive a Machu Pichu. We have our lunch in
this place and after that We continue to the Point of Tambo.
Day 04:
Tambo - Wayllabamba
After the breakfast We
continue to Wayllabamba ( conect to the inka trail ) the Firts four hours
arrive to Chiriasca (4850 m.s.n.m.) the point more high this day , We will
have incredibles view of the mountain of Salkantay (if We have a lucky We
see the Condor) , after the lunch We are going to go to Pampacahuana its a
interesting place . them We continue to Wayllabamba (3000 m.s.n.m.), four
hours only trek We arrive to Wayllabamba , Our third night , in this point
We will have to say bye our horseman and horses because in the INKA TRAIL
dont enter horses , the porters will carry the equipement all the inka trail
.
Day 05: Wayllambamba - Warmihuañusca - Pacaymayu
We wake up
at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast we leave Wayllabamba behind to begin
the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep
ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from
sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to
the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we see
domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that
grow at that altitude. We also cross an area of the so called cloud forest,
which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and
sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus
Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your day pack is well
stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar
level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we
descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600 masl), where we camp after
approximately 6h of hiking
Day 06: Pacaymayo - Wiñaywayna
This day is the longest but also the most
impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites
that we visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo we climb to the
second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 masl). Half way up, we visit the
archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl,
consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the
purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards
Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud-forest to finally arrive at
Sayacmarca (3624 masl). This is a beautiful complex made up of a
semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets,
liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy
climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl).
Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft,
by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks
that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the
multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive
at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is
one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along
the Inca Trail
to Machu Picchu,
and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca
means ¨town over the clouds¨. From above, one can observe a sophisticated
sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also
impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone
steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). At this
campsite we find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot
showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five
minutes away from the lodge. Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of
an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an
urban sector.
Day 07: Winaywayna - Machu Picchu
On this day and we get up at
6.30 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or The Sun
Gate. This point will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the
edges of cliffs in highland jungle. Them one hour and a half more We arrive
to MACHUPICCHU. You will then have free time to walk around, climb
the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all
of Machu Picchu, the
valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon and
the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas
Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths
other time .
From here we take the train to the city of
Cusco, where we will arrive after nightfall.
What is included:
·
Collection from your hotel in the morning and
transfer in bus to Mollepata, the starting poing of the trek.
·
English speaking professional guide
·
Meals 6 breakfasts / 6 Lunches / 6 Dinners &
snacks
·
Cook and cooking equipment
·
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and
cooking equipment) days 1 to 4
1 emergency horse
·
Porters to carry tents, food, cooking equipment
and backpacks (days 5 to 7)
·
Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the
village of Aguas Calientes.
·
Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas
Calientes to Cusco.
·
Igloo tents 2 people in each 3-people-capacity
tents, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
·
Rolling mattress per person
·
Dinner tent
·
Toilet tent
·
Kitchen tent
·
Tables & seats
·
Table set
·
First aid kt including
emergency oxygen bottle.
What is not included:
•
Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided
tour at Machu Picchu, you can
enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either
in Machu Picchu or in Aguas
Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated around 9.00pm,
dinner being at your own expense too.
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a
relaxing way to end-up the 4-day trek while you’re awaiting the return train
to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is S/. 5.00.
Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips
What you need to bring and carry:
• A
backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be
purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more
quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or
cold
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Water bottle and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs)
• Cash in soles and US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas
Calientes)
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers
required)
Optional services to be hired:
•
An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an
additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
• If you wish to visit Machu Picchu
again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee.
• An extra horse to carry your additional personal
items (above the included 9kg) days 1 to 4: A horse can carry up to 20 kg.
• An extra porter to carry your additional personal
items (above the included 9kg) days 4 to 7: A porter can carry up to 18 kg,
which should be enough for 2 people.
• Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of
the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost
• Sleeping Bag rent
Available discounts:
Students: (students require a valid International
Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age)
