AAPT04 Mount Salcantay – Machu Picchu 5D / 4N

One of the best Non Traditional routes leading to the famous Inca city of Machu Picchu is the trail known as the Salcantay-Machu Picchu Inca route or Alternative Inca Trail. This remote path leads us through an amazing variety of landscapes and habitats varying from green, rich valleys full of blossoming forests and trees of different species to highland fields and glacial moraines flanked by steep rocky and icy peaks of impressive beauty. During our trip we have to cross a high pass below the spectacular glaciers of the Humantay (5,917m – 19,414ft) and Salcantay (6,270m -20,572ft.) peaks. Crossing awesome mountain and lush cloud forest landscapes, from our last camp site we trek down to the shores of the Urubamba River and from there by train we will be transported to the small town of Aguas Calientes for a well deserved rest in a comfortable hotel. Next day we will enjoy a full day tour to visit the amazing "Lost City" of the Incas: The fabulous Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa - Soraypampa.

At 05:00 a.m. starts the tour with private transport from the city of Cusco. We will pass the localities of Izcuchaca and Limatambo and after 02 hours drive we will arrive to Mollepata (2950m/9676ft) where we stop for a short rest and have a coffee. Afterwards we continue our drive (1 hour) towards the small settlement of Marcocasa at 3300m/10824ft. From here we start our first day trek (6 hours) towards our camp at Soraypampa (3850m/12628ft). During the first part of the trek you will enjoy fine views of the surrounding valleys of Curahuasi and Apurimac. Soraypampa is an Andean valley located at the foothills of the beautiful Mount Tucarhuay (5910m/19385ft). Enjoy the first views of the impressive Mount Salcantay. LB, D.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Huayracmachay.

From Salcantaypampa we start our 4 hours trek towards Soyrococha at 4400m/14432 where we will have our first lunch while enjoying great views of the impressive west face of Mount Salcantay (6264m/20546ft). After lunch a 3 hours hike will take us down to our camp at Huayracmachay. On the way on we first reach the Salcantay pass at 4750m/15580ft and then we trek down to our camp at Huayracmachay settlement. During our hike we will have the permanent view of the amazing Mount Salcantay. With luck we can also observe the flight of the amazing Condor bird known as the "King of the Andes". During our descend from Salcantay pass we will also have the opportunity to observe the remains of an ancient Inca Trail, a road of approximately 6 meters wide and also observe the beautiful Salcantaycocha Lake. Camp at 3800m/12464ft. (B, LB, D).

Day 3: Huayracmachay camp – Wiñaypoko Camp.

After a hearty breakfast, at 08:00 a.m. we will be ready to continue our 7 hours trek heading northeast down to the Colpapampa´s Valley (3200m/10496ft). Leaving the Huaracmachay plain very soon we will start an impressive descend into the deep canyon of the Salcantay river. The highland landscape suddenly turns into an amazing cloud forest with the typical grass, bushes and trees covered with beautiful bromelias. After 3 hours we will reach the small settlement of Chaullay and from here another 40 minutes-1 hour hike will take us to Colpapampa village where we will enjoy a hot lunch. From Colpapampa the Salcantay River turns into the Santa Teresa River. After a rest we will continue our descent down to the shores of the Totora River where we can enjoy a soak in the nearby hot water springs. Then following along the north side of the Santa Teresa River we will continue (3 hours) until we reach our next camp at Winaypoko settlement (2800m/5904ft). Just 30 minutes before Winaypoko we will have the opportunity to observe the beautiful Coripacchi waterfalls. In the evening at our camp we will enjoy a good meal with some wine around a camp fire. (B, LB, D).

Day 4: Wiñaypoko - La Playa (Cochapampa) Village - Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

In our last trekking day we hike for 3 hours down to the place known as La Playa. On the way down we will observe plantations of banana, coffee, granadillas (a typical fruit from the area), avocado trees, etc. The sound of flock of parrots will accompany us during the hike and on the river perhaps we can observe the fast fly of king fishers. After our arrival at La Playa, we cross the river to finally reach Cochapampa village from where a truck will transport us to the plains of Santa Teresa valley at 1500m (4920ft). From here we continue driving for a 1 hour more towards the place known as La Hydroelectric (operation area of the hydroelectric power plant) where we board the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we arrive after a 1 hour train ride. Then our guide will take you to your hotel for a well deserved rest. (B, LB)

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

In our last day an early morning awake up will be followed by breakfast in the hotel and then a public bus transport will take you up to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu City. A guided tour will show you this beautiful Inca City, one of the most famous in the world. You will visit the Intihuatana, the temple of the 3 windows, temple of the moon, the terraces, the ceremonial fountains, the sun gate and other sectors of the impressive citadel. In the afternoon we take the public bus down to Aguas Calientes and by train you will return to Ollantaytambo from where our transport will take you back to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco. End of our program. (B).

Gross Rates per Person in US$:
Pax Number 2 3 4 5 6 7/8 9/10 11/12 13/14 15/16 SS
Gross us$ pp 860 685 575 525 480 455 440 420 390 370 50

Included: Private transport from Cusco to Marcocasa + Noted Meals during the trekking (B= Breakfast, LB= Lunch Box, D= Dinner) + Complete camping equipment + emergency horse + mules for the transportation of heavy equipment + muleteers + professional bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide + cook + helpers + first aid kit + local train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes + hotel accommodations in Aguas Calientes based in double or twin bed rooms + local public bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes + private transfer from the train station to the hotel in Cusco.

Not included:

Entrance fee to Salcantay trek and Machu Picchu (us$ 100.- pp – can change); one way train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vista Dome: $71.- pp; Tourist Class train: $50.-pp), international and domestic flights, airport taxes, extra horse (us$110.-), tips, personal trekking gear, extras.

Grading: moderate - hard

Personal weight allowance per passenger: 10 kgs (this to be carried by horses)

Fix Departures:

For our 5 days Salcantay – Machu Picchu Trek we offer fix departure tours starting from Cusco every Sunday & Thursday (from April to December). Departures are guaranteed with minimum 2 participants.

Net rates per person: us$ 500. – pp.

Included:

Transfer from Cusco to trek start point, professional English/Spanish speaking guide, noted meals, complete camping equipment (tents for 2 persons, dining tent, kitchen tent), complete food services while on the trek, cook, helpers, horses, horse keepers, first aid kit, entrance fee to Machu Picchu, one way back packer train ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco.

Weight allowance per passenger: 8 kgs (this to be carried by horses)