Day 1 CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – CAMP
We will leave very early in the morning from the hotel located in the city of Cusco, to travel by transport for 2 and a half hours to the town of Mollepata where you will have a short rest, and you can take the opportunity to buy what you need.
We will continue along the route until we reach Challacancha, the starting point of a two-and-a-half-hour hike along the road to Soraypampa at 3,800 meters above sea level. Here you will find the camp, made up of igloos with transparent roofs so you can see the beautiful starry sky at night.
After enjoying a picnic, we`ll take an excursion to Humantay Lagoon , beginning a one-and-a-half-hour trek each way. You`ll have the opportunity to make an offering to the mountain with coca leaves to ask for protection throughout the journey.
Humantay Lagoon sits at 4,200 meters above sea level and boasts breathtaking views of the beautiful snow-capped Salkantay mountain . Its crystal-clear turquoise waters create a spectacular landscape, and if you`re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip.
We will return to the camp in Soraypampa to rest, enjoy the first dinner with the group and spend the night.
Day 2 SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – COLLPAPAMPA
You`ll wake up very early for breakfast and a hot cup of tea, before starting the most challenging day of the entire Salkantay trek . We`ll begin a 4-hour uphill hike to reach the highest point, known as Abra de Salkantay or Salkantay Pass, located at 4,650 meters above sea level.
Be amazed by the beautiful landscapes and mountain views surrounding you, and appreciate the stunning Vilcabamba mountain range . Then, we`ll begin our three-and-a-half-hour descent to Wayracmachay, where we`ll enjoy lunch and rest a bit before continuing.
We will continue descending for another 3 hours until we reach Collpapampa . At this point, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River. Here we will spend the night in a camp with transparent roofs and panoramic views of the starry Andean sky.
Day 3 COLLPAPAMPA - AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, you`ll begin your descent through the beautiful Santa Teresa River valley along a lush, verdant path for approximately 5 hours. You`ll pass through fields of bananas, passion fruit, coffee, and avocado orchards. Throughout the journey to Machu Picchu , you`ll observe local flora and fauna , including condors and a variety of plants and flowers.
Upon arriving at "La Playa Village," you will take transportation to the hydroelectric train station. From there, you can take the train if you don`t wish to continue the trek (optional), or you can continue walking along a path next to the railway tracks until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes .
After you check into your selected hotel, we will have our last dinner with the guide, and we will coordinate the visit to Machu Picchu for the following day.
Day 4 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We`ll get up very early in the morning to take the bus to the entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel, and from the best viewpoint, known as the "Guardhouse," you`ll have the best views of this Inca sanctuary. Here, we`ll have a one-hour tour of this incredible site.
Machu Picchu means Old Mountain and is a jewel of Inca architecture, built in the 15th century and discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Be amazed by the history of one of the 7 wonders of the modern world and a World Heritage Site .
After the guided tour from the guardhouse, you can explore Machu Picchu on your own or continue with the guide for another hour to walk through this mysterious citadel, reaching the vicinity of the Huayna Picchu mountain entrance (optional). You will then have free time to continue exploring Machu Picchu.
Afterwards, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo station . Our transportation will be waiting to take you to the city of Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.