Itinerari
Day 1 – Transportation to Sayllapata – Soyroccocha
Pick up from the Hotel at 5:00am; leaving Cusco by car on the route to Sayllapata 4 ½ hrs, until arriving to Mollepata town, from where we continue on to Sayllapata (3600m/11808ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we start the ascent on foot towards Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), where we take the lunch; following a climbing trail to Salcantaypampa with many level variations and along which we encounter little groups of houses, hike up for around 2 hrs ascent to our camp at Soyroccocha (4200m/13776ft), just next to the impressive glacier of Salcantay. Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, and Dinner
Total distance: 8 km (4, 99 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft)
Day 2 – Soyroccocha – Collpapampa
Breakfast; we start a 1 ½ hour ascent; we reach the highest point of the trek Huayracmachay Pass (4525m/14846ft). From this point, we start descending towards into the so-called cloud forest. Then descending to the cloud forest along the route, it can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, a long easy descent along the Salcantay River; lunch at Huayracmachay (3850m/12628ft) arriving late afternoon to our second camp at Collpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in. Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Total distance: 12 km (7, 45 miles)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: (4525m/14846ft)
Day 3 – Collpapampa – Lucmabamba
Breakfast; continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Sta. Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads. Following the Santa Teresa River, we pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko then we pass from La Playa where we have our lunch and finally arrive to Lucmabamba (2100m/6888ft). Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Total distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: (2890m/9479ft)
Day 4 – Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Breakfast, walk up to Llactapata (2650m/8692ft) on the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots. Start climbing for 2-3 hrs up to Q’elloqasa Pass (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of Machu Picchu, Salcantay and Llaqtapata archeological site, which have recently been restored; descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards brings us to the Hydroelectric (lunch) from where we board a train that take us to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes train ride).
Overnight at Aguas Calientes Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Total distance: 7 km (4, 35 miles)
Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours
Maximum altitude point: (2860m/9381ft)
Day 5 – Full Day Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, early transfer at 5:30am to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activities by yourself (not included in the price):
1. Climb to Wayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Wayna Picchu from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant.
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you’ll return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Cusco – train departure to Cusco; upon arrival to Cusco reception and transfer to the Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Cusco – Our representative will assist you and transfer to the airport and say goodbye.
