Sensational Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the Salkantay Pass (4600m/15092ft), which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain (6264m). Then we’ll descend again and have time to enjoy the lush vegetation of the ecosystem. Our campsite will be at Collpapampa (3000m/9842ft), in the heart of the rainforest.

Hiking time: 10-11 hours
Daytime weather: Warm with mosquitoes.

The third day is dedicated to the region’s flora and its plantations. After descending into a dark forest and enjoying the diverse orchids, bromeliads, and many other plants, we will see coffee, cacao, and fruit plantations. We will also have the pleasure of meeting local families from Wiñaypoco (2650m/8694ft), Granadilla (2100m/6890ft), and Lucmabamba (2000m/6561ft). Our camp will be in Lucmabamba.

This afternoon, you will spend time with a local rural family in the forest, where you will have the opportunity to witness the cultivation and processing of coffee. Depending on the variety, newly planted coffee trees take approximately three to four years to begin bearing fruit. The fruit, called a coffee cherry, turns a deep, bright red when ripe and ready to be harvested. Due to the botanical characteristics of the coffee plant and the fact that coffee is often grown in mountainous areas, the widespread use of mechanical harvesters is not possible, and the ripe coffee cherries are usually picked by hand—a difficult and labor-intensive process. We will show and explain the entire process from tree to cup. You will also have the opportunity to ask local people questions about the cultivation process.

Hiking time: 7 hours
Weather: Warm during the day with mosquitoes.

Optional: After strenuous days of hiking, we suggest you relax in the Santa Teresa hot springs. Afterward, you should coordinate with your tour guide to arrange transportation from Lucmabamba to Santa Teresa. (Not included in the service).

After breakfast, we will hike along the Inca Trail
to the archaeological site of Llactapata at 2650 m/8694 ft
(Beautiful landscapes to discover flora and evidence of the Inca culture).

From here, we will have an exceptional view of Machu Picchu Mountain and the Vilcanota Canyon.

Then we will continue down to the Hidroeléctrica train station (1950 m/6398 ft), where we will stop for a while to relax and have lunch before continuing
to the village of Machu Picchu
(2050 m/6726 ft). Overnight in a hotel in Machu Picchu village.

Climate: Warm with some insects.
Hiking time: 8-9 hours

Our big day has finally arrived! After all our efforts on the trek, we are rewarded with the privilege of visiting the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.

Now it’s time to leave the hotel and take our bus at 5:30 a.m. to arrive at dawn at our destination: Machu Picchu. Here, our guide will share their knowledge of the Inca way of life while showing us the main attractions, such as temples, altars, residences, and Inca work areas. After this delightful visit, we will gain a deeper understanding of Inca culture and life.

Once everything is complete, we will take our bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will have time for lunch and to say goodbye to the town, creating lasting memories.

Finally, we will take the afternoon train back to the city of Cusco.

After breakfast, we will depart towards the Salkantay Pass (4600m/15092f) which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m). 

Then we will descend again and have time to enjoy the growing vegetation of the ecosystem.

Our camp site will be in Collpapampa (3000m/9842f), in the middle of the tropical forest with warm weather and mosquitoes.

Walking time: 10-11 hours
Climate: Warm with mosquitoes
Altitude: Soray Pampa (3900 m) – Salkantay pass (4600 m) – Collpapampa (2900 m)

After an early breakfast, we will descend through a cloud forest, where the vegetation grows brilliantly, among these outstanding benefits, for example, a great variety of Orchids, Bromeliads, Bomareas, etc.

We will also meet some families in Wiñaypoco (2650m / 8694f). ) and Granadilla (2100m / 6890f), where we will take our vehicle and go to Hidroeléctrica where we will have lunch.

From there we will continue walking or by train (this is additional because it is not included) to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Walking time: 5-6 hours
Weather: During a warm day with mosquitoes
Transportation time: 1h30, from La Playa to Hidroeléctrica.

Our big day has finally arrived, after all our efforts put into the hike comes the reward of having the privilege of visiting the wonderful citadel of Machupicchu.

Now it is time to leave the hotel to take our bus at 5:30 in the morning and arrive at dawn at our objective of Machupicchu, here our guide will share with us his knowledge about the lifestyle within the Inca community while we shows the main attractions: such as temples, altars, residences and work sectors of the Incas, after this joyful visit we will be able to understand more about the culture and life of the Incas.

Once everything is done, we will take our bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will have time to have lunch and say goodbye to the town of Aguas Calientes just as we keep it in our memories.

Then finally we will take the train in the afternoon that will take us back to the city of Cusco.