APT06 Trekking Salcantay to Machu Picchu 12D/11N

This trekking circuit goes around the Salcantay Range and offers impressive views of the Andean valleys and the snow-capped mountains of the Vilcabamba range. Some 700 - 500 years ago, the Incas joined these remote valleys with amazing stone trails being one of those the trail which passes on the foot hills of the impressive Mount Salcantay, then climb down to the beautiful cloud forest of the Santa Teresa River passing small farming villages such us Colpapampa and Santa Teresa to finally arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes from where we will be touring the fabulous Machu Picchu Citadel.

Day 1: Lima.

Arrival in Lima and then we will transfer you to the hotel.

Day 2: Lima – Cusco.

In the morning flight to Cusco. This day we will take easy in order to get a proper acclimatization. We enjoy visiting the nearby Inca ruins of Cusco: Tambo Machay, Quenqo and Sacsayhuaman, the main Plaza de Armas in Cusco and stroll down in the narrow cobbled streets of the Imperial City of Cusco. Hotel. (B)

Day 3: Cusco – Urubamba Valley - Cusco.

We arrange a full day tour to visit Urubamba, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our visit will include the Pisac Indigenous market and the Ollantaytambo Inca fortress. On the way back to Cusco we will also visit the Inca town of Chinchero. Hotel. B

Day 4: Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa - Salcantaypampa.

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 (or to the place known as Cruzpata – this will depend of the road conditions). From here we start our first day trek (6 hours) towards our camp at Salcantaypampa. During the first part of the trek you will enjoy fine views of the surrounding valleys of Curahuasi and Apurimac. Then we will arrive to the area known as Soraypampa (3850m/12628ft) an Andean valley located at the foothills of the beautiful Mount Tucarhuay (5910m/19385ft) from where we go to our camp at 4000m (13120ft). Enjoy the first views of the impressive Mount Salcantay. B, LB, D.

Day 5: Salcantaypampa – 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 6: Huayracmachay camp – Wiñaypoko Camp.

After a hearty breakfast, at 08:00 a.m. we will be ready to continue our 7 hour 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 Challway 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 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 Wiñaypoko settlement (2800m/5904ft). Just 30 minutes before Wiñaypoko 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 together with a camp fire. (B, LB, D).

Day 7: Wiñaypoko - La Playa (Miscabamba) Village - Lucmabamba

In our last trekking day at we will hike for 3 hours down to the place known as La Playa (1800m/5904ft). This trek takes us along the north side of Santa Teresa River. 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 fisher birds. We cross the river to finally reach Cochapampa village from where a 1 hour hike will take us to Lucmabamba settlement where we will set up our camp (1700m/5576ft). (B, LB, D).

Day 8: Lucmabamba – Llactapacta – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes.

Our last day trek, and following an Inca road, will take us (3 hours) from Lucmabamba towards the Inca Ruins of Llactapata (2800m/ 9184ft) where we will spend about 1 hour visiting this interesting archaeological site with terraces, agriculture storage areas, etc. From here and weather permitting we can observe the northwest side of the Machu Picchu citadel and the summit of Huayna Picchu hill. After having our box lunch and following a steep mountain side, we will then continue our trekking (2 hours) down to the place known as La Hidroelectrica (operation area of the hydroelectric power plant). Here we will have time to rest and later on board the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2012m/6600ft) where we will arrive after a 1 hour ride. Then our guide will take you to your hotel for a well deserved rest. (B, LB)

Day 9: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

In our last day a public bus transport will take you up to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu City (2400m/7872ft). 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. (B).

Day 10: Cusco.

We will have a free day in Cusco to enjoy this enchanting Inca city. (B).

Day 11: Cusco – Lima.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Lima. Hotel in Lima. (B).
Optional tours: city tour & Gold Museum.
Day 12: Lima Out.
Transfer to the airport. End of our services or program extension. (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 1554 1295 1125 1050 997 965 925 900 855 826 265

Included:

All transfers, private transport to/from trek start point, all entrance fees, English speaking trekking guides, noted meals, complete camping equipment (tents for 2 persons, dining tent, kitchen tent, and toilet tent), and complete food services while on the trek, cook, helpers, horses for cargo, horse keepers, first aid kit, porters.
Not included: International and domestic flights, airport taxes, extras, personal trekking equipment, tips, train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vista Dome us$ 71; Back Packer us$ 50.-), Trekking Trail entrance fee (us$ 100.- pp), extra horse (us$120.-).
Grading: easy – moderate - hard

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