Salkantay Trek (5 Days)

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 am and 5:00 am to take a bus to Mollepata.

We’ll embark on a breathtaking scenic journey through the plains of Anta with stunning panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay and other snow-capped mountains, as well as the Apurímac River Valley.

Breakfast stop in Mollepata before Challacancha. Stretch, rest, grab supplies. Join us for a seamless Salkantay adventure! There we’ll meet our support staff who will load the equipment onto horses and mules.

Around 9:30 a.m., we’ll start our hike to Soraypampa (3900 meters above sea level). If we maintain a steady pace, it will take about 4 hours to reach Soraypampa, the first campsite (with glass domes and cabins offering a very pleasant panoramic view), where we’ll have lunch.

After lunch, in the afternoon, we’ll visit Humantay Lagoon (4200 meters above sea level), which requires a 3-hour round trip hike from the campsite to see the Humantay glacier lagoon.

A delicious and comforting dinner awaits us in the evening.

In the wee hours of the morning, we’ll gently rouse you with a steaming cup of coca tea. As the clock strikes 5:00 am, a hearty breakfast awaits, signaling the start of what promises to be the most challenging day of the Salkantay trek.

At around 6:00 am, we’ll set out, ascending towards the pinnacle of our journey.

Trek 6km uphill through rocky mountains with Mount Salkantay as backdrop. Join us for an unforgettable journey!

Upon reaching the summit, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before us, showcasing the rugged grandeur of the mountains and the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, standing tall at 6264 meters above sea level—the second highest in the Cusco region.

After a leisurely descent of approximately 2 hours, around 1:00 pm, a sumptuous Peruvian lunch awaits us at Huayracmachay.

We continue to Chaullay, a gentle 3-hour downhill walk to our campsite at 2900m altitude. Recharge and enjoy the journey!

Here, amidst the rustic charm of indigenous cabins, we’ll settle in for a well-deserved rest. Come 7:00 pm, a hearty dinner awaits, a fitting reward for conquering the trails of the day.

At 6:00 am, we’ll kick off our hike towards the quaint village of La Playa, threading through the Santa Teresa Valley.

You’ll soak in the freshness of this new landscape during our 6-hour trek today. Along the way, we’ll be treated to a tapestry of sights including rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, and plantations of coffee, banana, and avocado.

Don’t miss the chance to sample the renowned passion fruits and granadilla en route.

We’ll pass Colpapampa, a cloud forest village, for cascades, birds, hot springs, fruit trees, and diverse flora and fauna.

La Playa

With a stroke of luck, we might even catch sight of the splendid “Cock of the Rock,” Peru’s national bird. After a hearty lunch at La Playa, a brief 20-minute walk will bring us to our base camp nestled in Lucmabamba capsules.

We take pride in being the sole travel agency offering this unique camping experience in the region (2400 meters above sea level). We’ll delve into the tropical forest for a spell and visit an organic coffee plantation.

For coffee aficionados, this will be nothing short of heavenly—you’ll have the chance to savor freshly brewed coffee made by the locals! If coffee isn’t your thing, fear not; you can still relish the decadent aroma of freshly roasted and ground coffee wafting through the air.

Coffee stands as the primary agricultural industry for the locals in the jungle, with vast hectares devoted to its cultivation for export to the United States, Asia, and Europe.

Though coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia, it wasn’t until the Spanish invaded Cusco that it found its way to this region.

Today signifies the eagerly anticipated culmination of our trekking expedition, leading us to the illustrious Machu Picchu—a site hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With the dawn breaking after a restorative night’s rest at our lodge, we’ll seize the opportunity to outpace the crowds, ascending to the pinnacle of Machu Picchu to bask in its tranquil allure amidst the gentle morning glow.

Opening its gates from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, Machu Picchu awaits our footsteps. Opting for a leisurely stroll (with a bus ride available for $12.00), we’ll venture into the hidden realm of the Inca’s Royal Citadel. Here, a two-hour guided exploration will unravel the mysteries of this ancient city, unveiling its temples, terraces, palaces, priestly abodes, sundial, industrial precincts, and verdant agricultural lands.

Behold the marvels of Inca engineering, a testament to their foresight and innovation, which remains partly shrouded in enigma even today.

Crafting a sustainable and picturesque community on the mountainside, devoid of modern tools or iron, stands as a testament to their ingenuity. Water, channeled through intricate canals, flowed through the streets, a lifeline for its inhabitants.

When a Peruvian guide introduced this site to Hiram Bingham, it was a verdant wilderness, hardly recognizable and in dire need of restoration. Since then, painstaking efforts have revitalized Machu Picchu, safeguarding its legacy for the world to cherish.

Huayna Picchu Mt. and Machu Picchu Mt.

Post-tour, the opportunity beckons to ascend either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance ticket booking recommended). Each ascent and descent requires approximately three hours, leaving ample time to immerse oneself in the enchantment of this ancient citadel before descending to Aguas Calientes.

There, awaiting our departure at either 4:22 pm or 6:20 pm (depending on availability), a group minivan will transport us to Ollantaytambo, from where we’ll journey back to Cusco. Rest your weary limbs and body now, for though the physical exertion may cease, the memories forged will endure, enriching your spirit for weeks and years to come.