Day One
CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SAYLLAPATA – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAYPAMPA
06.00 am. Departure by private transport to Mollepata town at 2,850 m. A beautiful 3 hour scenic journey through Izcuchaca and Limatambo, with a stop for breakfast and panoramic views of the Salkantay Mountain in the Cordillera of Vilcanota. You will see spectacular views of the chains of snow capped Vilcabamba, the colorful village of Mollepata and the lush Apurimac River Valley. At this point due to the challenging and rocky road conditions you will transfer into another truck or minibus. After passing Cruzpata then Challacancha, you will arrive to the trailhead at Sayllapata at 3,600 m, where you will meet with the Arrieros (horsemen) and trekking staff. The Trek commences with a gradual climb of 250 meters for about two and a half hours through pristine Andean valley landscape before arriving to Soraypampa. After visiting a spectacular glacial lake you have lunch. The trek continues after lunch with a gentle climb for approximately two and a half to three hours through more unspoiled Andean valley’s to the camsite at Salkantaypampa (3,950m).
Day Two
SALKANTAYPAMPA – COLLPAPAMPA
After an early breakfast you will start trekking a moderate climb for three hours to reach the Apacheta Pass at 4,590 m. From this point you can appreciate spectacular views of Cusco’s second highest peak, the stunning snow capped Mount Salkantay (6,271 m) and also the snow capped mountains Humantay and Huayanay. There is an option to take a short forty minute walk from the pass to see the lake of Soraycocha located just off the trail. You will continue two hours downhill to lunch in Huayracmachay, and then depending on the group ability, weather and walking conditions, the guide will decide whether to camp at Rayan-niyoc at 3100 m or travel a further 2 km to camp at Collpapampa 2920 m. At Collpapampa there are naturaly hot springs pools.
Day Three
COLLPAPAMPA – LLUSCAMAYO – LA PLAYA
In the morning you will start with 3 hours of easy hiking from Collpapampa, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle zone called Ceja de Selva. Here we will see different kinds of plants, fruits, flowers, many birds plus coca and banana crops can be observed. You will have time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, and with luck you can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird “Gallito de las Rocas”. You will stop at Lluscamayo 2,400m for lunch and free time to rest before the 3 hour walk to our last campsite in La Playa 2,350 m. A small village is located here with electricity and a shop
Day Four
LA PLAYA – LUCMABAMBA – LLAQTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA / AGUAS CALIENTES
The morning starts with a trek to the village of Lucmabamba, where you can see the remains of an Inka trail. You will follow this rising trail where you will see coffee, banana and passion fruit plantations and a superb view of the Santa Teresa Valley. After climbing for four hours to reach Llaqtapata 2,700 m, you will typically enjoy some free time to rest and observe the mountain of Machu Picchu. After, you will hike two hours downhill to the Hydroelectric Plant at 1,870m, where you will have the last lunch with the trekking staff. The arrieros, horses and donkey herders will prepare their return back to Soraypampa and you will head to Aguas Calientes town by train (45 minutes) where you will eat an evening meal. You will spend a night in a hotel or hostel, depending on what options you purchased from your trekking company.
Day Five
AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
In the morning you will have the option to either hike up to Machu Picchu (45 minutes) or take the shuttle bus. You will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu that includes all the major points of interest (2 – 3 hour). A typical guided tour visits The Temple of the Sun, The Three Windowed Temple, The Caretakers Hut and Intihuatana (The Solar Clock). After your guided tour you will have free time for further exploring, photos and an optional climb of the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon or The Sun Gate. You will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking a train back to Cusco (4 hours).
