itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE CUSCO AIRPORT & TRANSFER TO HOTEL
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. For the next couple of nights, you’ll stay at El Retablo, a simple, well-presented property nestled amidst Cusco’s ancient cobbled streets.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 2: EXPLORE CUSCO
Spend this first day acclimatising to the altitude and independently exploring bustling Cusco, the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. The Plaza de Armas, with its cafes and fabulous views, is a great place to start. The chocolate museum, ‘El Museo Cacao’, is also well worth a visit and provides excellent insight into cocoa production in Peru, not to mention cooking classes and marshmallows with chocolate fondue in the café! There’s also a whole host of ancient Inca palaces, temples and Spanish Colonial buildings to discover.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 3: COMMENCE THE SALKANTAY TRAIL. TREK 3651m - CUSCO-SOYROCOCHA 4491m
This morning, your vehicle transfer from Cusco climbs steadily to Mollepata (2803m), and from there continues along a dirt-track road to Challacancha where the support team and horses will be waiting to carry your luggage. From Challacancha (3651m), the ascent towards Salkantaypampa begins, with an overnight stop along the way at the first campsite, Soyrococha (4491m), nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Salkantay mountain.
While the shorter, classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is generally better known, the longer, quieter and lesser-trodden Salkantay Trail will take you on an impressive journey through a variety of landscapes from snow-capped mountains to tropical cloud forest, including an abundance of flora and fauna from indigenous trees and plants, to corn and fruit farms. Voted by the National Geographic as one of the world’s most beautiful treks, this strenuous hike involves traversing the high pass of the impressive Salkantay mountain culminating, of course, in a visit to the magical ancient lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of Inca ruins while also gaining a real sense of how Andean communities live today - plus you’ll witness a unique view (unseen on other trails) of the awe-inspiring Inca citadel. Although the Salkantay Trail is undoubtedly the most arduous option to choose, the rewards you will reap will certainly make the challenge worthwhile.
Porters, horses and mules will carry all the equipment and up to 7kg of luggage per person. The porters are local Quetcha people who know the area very well and usually set off slightly earlier to ensure the camp is set up before you arrive.
Accommodation: Camping
Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours / 11km
DAY 4: TREK SOYROCOCHA (4491m) – SALKANTAY PASS (4535m) – QOLLPAPAMPA (2870m)
It’s an early start today for the long trek towards Qollpapampa, the location of the second campsite. The first section of today’s trail climbs up to the Salkantay Pass (4535m), the highest point on the route, which reveals incredible views of glaciers hanging from the Vilcabamba Cordillera and south face of Mount Salkantay. Continuing onwards, there’s a stop for lunch at Huayracmachay, and shortly thereafter a descent which follows the Salkantay River into stunning, lush cloud forest.
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp or lodge-to-lodge upgrades available)
Approximate Walking Time: 11 hours / 19km
DAY 5: TREK QOLLPAPAMPA (2870m) – LUCMABAMBA (2135m)
Today the descent continues along a narrow trail alongside the Cachora River. It’s a real pleasure to witness the scenery becoming increasingly green and the weather warmer and more humid. In the afternoon, the trek continues on to Saghuayaco, a small and friendly community of 20 families, and camp will be set up nearby at Lucmabamba.
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp or lodge-to-lodge upgrades available)
Approximate Walking Time: 10 hours / 17km
DAY 6: TREK LUCMABAMBA (2135m) - HYDROELECTRIC PLANT (1771m) & TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Today the hike continues across the river and ascends to the Q’elloqasa Lookout or Pass (2860m), where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, the renowned ‘Lost City of the Incas’. This particular view is, in fact, unique to those who trek the Salkantay Trail, since other trekking routes only reveal the city at the very end. After a final stop for your last lunch in the great outdoors, continue onwards to Llactapata, a beautiful place with amazing terraced hillsides. The descent then continues to the Aobamba River and you’ll stop at the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Plant in order to board the train and make the 30-minute journey to the town of Aguas Calientes. A night of what will feel like luxury lies ahead; you'll stay at El Mapi, a boutique 3-star hotel, and enjoy a well-earned dinner in the restaurant with your group.
Accommodation: El Mapi
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours
DAY 7: VISIT MACHU PICCHU AND STAY OVERNIGHT IN OLLANTAYTAMBO
Up early today to catch the first bus to Machu Picchu where you'll have free time to explore the complex independently. Then, it’s back to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Ollantaytambo from where a bus will transport you to your hotel, Pakaritampu, home for the next couple of nights. Ollantaytambo is a charming and peaceful place where ancient Andean ways of life continue to this day, the perfect spot to wind down after a demanding trek.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 8: AT LEISURE IN THE SACRED VALLEY TOWN OF OLLANTAYTAMBO
Make the most of your time in this lovely place to relax and reflect on your significant hiking achievement. While it’s important to factor in some rest after the trek, there are a number of optional activities we can arrange from mountain biking, horse riding and rafting to visiting local markets or fascinating Inca ruins.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 9: DEPART
You will be transferred to the airport in good time for your onward journey.
