INKA TRAIL
SALKANTAY – MACHUPICCHU
05 days / 04 nights
Tour Description:
The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive SALKANTAY snowcapped mountain (6,264m) and three others over 6000m. SALKANTAY is an outstanding snow peak, located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cuzco in south central Peru. It is the highest mountain of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Because of its proximity to the city, it is easily accessible and is climbed frequently.
Attractive trek; made for trekkers wanting to have a changeable landscape; it is under sunrise code decentralization of trekking tours, since other tourist circuits have gotten famous in the last few years it's getting crowded, this trek is totally different than the others, it's not dirty, nor popular, so therefore it's not full of tourists going on this trek you may see distinct ecosystems spread across its different zones of altitude and climate. This trail runs from high valley up to the mountains and descends into a lush valley. The ecosystem is transformed rapidly.
Itinerary
DAY 01: CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA
We will leave Cusco at 4:30 a.m in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we can see the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will have our breakfast. Here after we arrange the equipment on horses. After our breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay (6271 masl).
Walking distance aproximately 12 Km. (Lunch+Dinner).
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
DAY 02: SORAYPAMPA COLLPAPAMPA
After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 7:30 a.m we continue our hike hiking the peruvian highland, for 3 hours to start our ascent of the Apacheta pass 4,650 mts. initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation). From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,264 m) the second highest peak in Cuzco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, from the Apacheta Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp in Chaullay 2,920 m. (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner).
Walking distance aproximately 20 Km.
Approximate Walking Time: 8-9 hours
DAY 03: COLLPAPAMPA SANTA TERESA.
Wake up with a lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy hiking to Uscamayuc, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here coca and banana crops can be observed, time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird "Gallito de las Rocas" stop at Wiñaypoq’o for lunch and free time to rest. At the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl). from here we will take a small car by aproximately 45 minutes to Santa Teresa village where is the hot spring (optiomal hot spring bath) and also we will spend a night here. (Bbreakfast+Lunch+Dinner).
Walking distance aproximately 16 Km
Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours
DAY 04: SANTA TERESA AGUAS CALIENTES
After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek to the village Colpani, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (where we will cross the river by cables because there isn't any bridge). From here we will catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. from here we will continuo walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night. (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner).
Walking distance aproximately 10 Km
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES MACHUPICCHU
We are going up to the Archeological site of Machupicchu and we will explore the ruins today at leisure and enjoy the ancient city in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. After the explanation of the guide you can climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive about 10:30 p.m. (Breakfast).
