Trekking Around Salkantay Sacred Mountain From KM 82 To KM 122 (Machu Picchu) 7D/6N
This trek is designed for people who enjoy the outdoors and physical challenge of hiking over high passes with unparallel rewards of spectacular views while visiting rare archaeological sites. One of our best treks...
Trek, Rigorous.
DAY 1 - KM 82 / PAUCARCANCHA
We pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to Km.82 where we meet our crew and we head off north on a trail that leads us past the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata. We view Llactapata, one of the famous ruins on the "classic" Inca Trail from an Inca lookout place, then continue to ascend past the village of Huayllabamba to our camp at the Inca settlement of Paucarcancha. We camp at this beautiful set of ruins that probably was a control point and trading post where two different canyons join. We may pass by some of the trekkers on the classic Inca Trail in the morning, but once we ascend past Huayllabamba, we see few others until the last part of our trek. L, D.
DAY 2 - PAMPACCAHUANA VALLEY / SISAYPAMPA
Our trail brings us gradually uphill into the Cordillera Vilcambamba through the Pampaccahuana Valley. We enter a spectacular region of high pastures in beautiful alpine country. There is sparse vegetation, as the dry grasslands of the Andean puna zone are all above the tree line. We sometimes see local Quechua people with their herds of alpacas and llamas or working the land in traditional ways. Tonight we camp at Sisaypampa at 13,776 feet. B,L,D.
DAY 3 - INCACHIRIASCA PASS / ICHUPATA
This morning we ascend to cross the spectacular 15,900-foot Incachiriasca Pass, a notch next to Salcantay (20,574') and spectacular views of neighboring Huamantay (19,239’). The pathway at the top of the pass is marked by rock cairns (apachetas) left by local people to honor the mountain Apus (spirits). Up here, we're close to huge glacial moraines and we enjoy amazing looks at the fabulous icefalls. It’s not unusual to see condors soaring in the blue skies overhead or see the spectacle of avalanches cascading down the glaciers. Our camp is at Ichupata (14,400'), below Salcantay Pass, which we cross tomorrow morning. From camp we enjoy incredible views of Salcantay as well as Huamantay glaciers. B,L,D.
DAY 4 - SALCANTAY PASS / COLCAPAMPA
This morning we go up and over Salcantay Pass (15,700'), and from this alpine paradise of turquoise tarns and glacial moraines, begin our descent into orchid-draped forests and subtropical farm country, quite a contrast in environments. Today’s long hike takes us down through a valley to the small settlement of Colcapampa, where there is hot springs nestled in junction of 3 small rivers forming the Santa Teresa River. Overnight in camp. B,L.
DAY 5 - COLCAPAMPA / SANTA TERESA VALLEY
We continue to gradually descend, hiking down into the lush, subtropical Santa Teresa Valley, with its beautiful display of waterfalls and botanic garden that includes: Bromeliads and orchids characteristic of the Andean cloud forest. The weather is warmer and there are a few peaceful farms with coffee and fruit plantations along our route as we trek on a narrow trail above the Santa Teresa River to the little village of Lucmabamba. Overnight in camp. B,L,D.
DAY 6 - SANTA TERESA VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU VIEW
We hike steeply uphill on an ancient Inca trail to pass near Inca ruins hidden in the lush forest at Llactapata. This is a tough uphill hiking day, but we are amply rewarded with a spectacular and panoramic view of legendary Machu Picchu across the valley. We begin descending a steep trail that will take us to the train station just in time to catch the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in small hotel near the hot springs. B,L. Dinner on your own.
DAY 7 - MACHU PICCHU
Early rise to spend a full day with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and a delicious buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. We catch the afternoon train to Cusco. Arrive in Cusco and transfer to your hotel. END OF OUR SERVICES. B,L. Dinner on your own.
Price Includes:
- All meals marked as B,L,D at the end of each day in the itinerary.
- Service of local official guides.
- Service of camp staff: Cook, assistants, porters.
- All group camping and cooking equipment: Passenger tents based in double occupancy. Dinning tent with tables, silverware and chairs. Toilet tent with biodegradable chemical toilet.
Price Does Not Include:
Internal flights, any meals not specified after each itinerary day, airport departures taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, entrance nor buses to and from Machu Picchu on day 7th, expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, and so on.) Trip member must provide sleeping bag. (please note that sleeping bags can also be rented for $4 per day).