ITINERARY

• DAY 01: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY – HUARACMACHAY
• DAY 02: HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – AGUAS CALIENTES
• DAY 03: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 01: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY – HUAYRACMACHAY

Our hike will begin early in the morning. Our team will come to pick you up directly from your hotel in Cusco. From Cusco, we will head to Soraypampa, the base camp of Salkantay Mountain. The ride will take approximately 3.5 hours.

In Soraypampa, we will grab breakfast before beginning our hike. Temperatures at this campsite will be chilly, so make sure you are bundled up. After breakfast, we will begin our hike to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass.  This will be a moderate to challenging hike due to the altitude changes and ascending terrain. It will be approximately 3 hours of hiking along steep terrain to our lunch spot at Soyroccocha. The effort will be rewarded with the splendid views of Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains.

After lunch, we will continue ascending to the highest point of the trail, Salkantay Pass (4,600 m.a.s.l./15,090 ft.a.s.l.). The pass will be one of the most beautiful sights of the trail, surrounded by man-made apachetas left by previous hikers and travellers alike. At this spot, we will take our time to truly take in the landscapes of this truly savage, snowy giant.

From Salkantay Pass, we will hike to our camping site for the day. This will entail a 3-hour hike along descending terrain. The descent may sound easier than the hike up, but don’t be fooled. This section of the trail will be best achieved with the aid of walking poles due to the rocky terrain. Our campsite will be at Huayracmachay (3,800 m.a.s.l. / 11,750 ft.a.s.l.).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Total distance: 16 KM

Estimated hiking time: 7 to 8 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate to Challenging

Weather:  Cold & windy

DAY 02: HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – AGUAS CALIENTES

After a hearty breakfast, we will begin hiking to our first stop in Chaullay (2,950 m.a.s.l./ 9,678 ft.a.s.l.). This section of the trail will take approximately 2 hours, along descending terrain. We will also shift from high puna microclimate to brow of jungle.

From Chaullay, we will continue to La Playa, which will take another 3 hours. This is where we will have our lunch for the day. Since this is brow of jungle, we will be surrounded by lush vegetation and cultivations of coffee, coca, fruits and more.

After lunch, we will take our private transfer to Hidroelectrica. From Hidroelectrica, we will hike to Aguas Calientes town. This hike will be along the train tracks and will take 3 hours. Many hikers enjoy the lush and humid weather of this section of the trail. If you are lucky, you may even see a spectacle bear feasting on the bromeliads.  Once in Aguas Calientes, we will head to our hotel for a much-deserved shower. We will regroup for dinner in town.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Accommodation: Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes

Total distance: 19 KM

Estimated hiking time: 8 to 9 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate to Challenging

Weather:  Warm & humid

DAY 03: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Our day will begin with an early breakfast. After breakfast, we will hike for approximately 30 minutes to the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Once inside, we will have a guided tour of 2.5 hours to see the most important places in Machu Picchu including the Royal Mausoleum, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous Intihuatana where the Inca sages tied the sun at the winter solstice in June, steps, squares, fountains, etc. After the guided tour, you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own.

The return to Cusco will be after lunch (not included) and will require a train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco. The estimated time of arrival back in Cusco is between 8PM to 8:30PM.

Included:

• Pick up from hotel in Cusco
• Private transfer from hotel in Cusco to trailhead at Soraypampa
• Professional Tour Guide (bilingual)
• Permit to the Salkantay Trail
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Meals: 03 breakfast, 02 lunch & 02 dinners
• Snacks on Day 1 & Day 2
• Coca leaf tea to wake up every morning
• 1 L of potable water every morning
• Bus tickets Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
• First-aid kit
• Oxygen tank
• Return train from Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (tourist train)
• Private transfer Ollantaytambo – Cusco
• Drop off at hotel in Cusco
• Muleteers and horses for carrying camping equipment including personal luggage
• Camping equipment (tents, dining tent etc.)

Not Included:

• Sleeping bag (available for rent)
• Air mats (available for rent)
• Lunch on the third day
• Tips (not obligatory)

PACKING LIST

ESSENTIALS

• Passport
• Student card (valid & only if you reserved as a student)
• Entry stamp to Peru
• Personal backpack
• Water bottle or camelback (2-3 lts)
• Hiking boots

FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAG

Porters will take a maximum of 7 KG of personal belongings for you. This weight allowance will include your sleeping bag and mat weight (approximately 3.5 KG).

• 2-3 lightweight, easy-dry t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 3 undergarments
• 3 pairs of hiking socks
• 1 jacket (for night temperatures)
• 1 windbreaker or parka
• 1 hat
• 1 wool hat (for the cold)
• 1 personal flashlight
• 1 pair of waterproof gloves
• 1 pair of comfy shoes (for resting at the campsites)
• 1 easy-dry towel (small)
• Toiletries (note: no showers will be available but our team will provide you with a small basin of lukewarm water to groom every morning)
• Portable charger
• Plastic bag (to separate your clean/dirty clothes inside your duffle bag)

TOILETTRIES

• Sun block
• Bug repellent
• Alcohol in gel or similar for sanitizing hands
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Personal meds
• Small personal first-aid kit with band-aids, moleskin etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAY BACKPACKS

Please know your day backpacks should be comfortable to wear during long periods of hiking. Inside Machu Picchu, backpacks bigger than 25 L will not be allowed. Such backpacks will be required to be left inside the storage facilities (outside the entry gates).

Inside your personal backpack, you should have:

• Water – we will provide you with potable water at each meal to refill your water bottle
• Sun hat
• Rain clothes (park, windbreaker etc.)
• Personal electronics
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Small plastic bag for personal garbage
• Cash

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