Hidden Salcantay & Inca Trail Journey |
Trip code: trip005Type Service: Privately Guided
Itinerary: Fixed
Starting Price
$0 *
Trip Length
6 Days
* (*) Price based in sharing one tent 2 people
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- Trip Overview
- Destinations: Cuzco, Machu Picchu
Activities: Trekking and Walking,Cultural and History
Highlights: Machu Picchu, Inca archaeological sites, amazing mountain scenery, Salcantay High Mountain passes, quieter trails, less tourists, local villages.
Mountains, forests and Inca ruins on the road to Machu Picchu: This trek is as beautiful with even more variety; from icy glaciers to steaming tropical forest in addition to the vestiges of Inca culture you'll see life as it is lived in the mountains on farmsteads and in tiny hamlets. The first 2 days of this exhilarating hike are the most challenging, as you hike around the skirts of ice-capped Mount Salcantay (6271m/20568ft), we go over a high pass to continue on a back-country trail, rocky in places until we join the famed Inca Trail.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Cusco / Cruzpata / SalcantaypampaPick up from the Hotel at 5:00am private transport from to Cruzpata 4 hours. We cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), then drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), from where we continue on to Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we start the ascent on foot towards Soraypampa, following a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we encounter little groups of houses, flora and small wild birds. We arrive at our campsite in Salkantaypampa (3895m/12776ft). From here we can appreciate the majestic Salkantay (6271m/20569ft).Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles)Estimated walking time: 5-6 hoursMaximum altitude point: (3850m/12628ft)
Day 2 – Salkantaypampa / PampacahuanaBreakfast; we continue our hike to start the four-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850m/15908ft), the highest of the entire route, offering impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. We then descend towards our lunch spot at Sisaypampa, a flat area from which one can observe the Salkantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we continue towards the Pampacahuana community, located next to an original Inca canal, where we set our second camp and spend the night.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles)Estimated walking time: 6-7 hoursMaximum altitude point: (4850m/15908ft)
Day 3 - Pampacahuana / LlulluchapampaBreakfast; start a downhill walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana River following its course towards the Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft). On the way down we visit the Incaracay archaeological complex. After approximately 4 hours, we arrive to Wayllabamba, where we stop for lunch. This is the point in which our trek joins the Inca Trail. Since pack animals are not allowed in the Inca Trail, we say goodbye to our horsemen and instead, are introduced to our group of porters. We leave Wayllabamba to until Llulluchapampa (3850m/12628ft), where we camp and spend the night. Along the climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna, having the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichuMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles)Estimated walking time: 6-7 hoursMaximum altitude point: (3850m/12628ft)
Day 4 – Llulluchapampa / ChaquiqochaBreakfast; hike up the highest point in the Inca Trail, reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca (4200m/13776ft) after about 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), from which we then continue to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Only 20 minutes away is Chaquicocha, where we will set our camp.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 12 km (7, 45 miles)Estimated walking time: 6-7 hoursMaximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft)
Day 5 – Chaquiqocha / Wiñay WaynaBreakfast; continue up an easy climb, to arrive at the third pass, Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. Phyupatamarca means “town over the clouds”. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft) where we spend the night.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles)Estimated walking time: 6-7 hoursMaximum altitude point: 3,900 m (12,792 ft)
Day 6 – Wiñay wayna / Machu PicchuBreakfast very early; we wake up at 4:00am an hour later and climb to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) from this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu 2,400 m (7,872 ft). From here we descend into Machu Picchu, 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians”. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Wayna Picchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where we take the train back to Poroy Train Station and transfer to your Cusco hotelMeals Included: BreakfastTotal distance: 4 km (2, 49 miles)Estimated walking time: 2 hoursMaximum altitude point: 2,700 m (8,829 ft) - Prices & Includes
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- Tour cost per person
- Trip includes:
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- Type
- Trek
- lenght
- 6 Days
- Service
- Privately Guided
- Itinerary
- Fixed
- $0
- Total cost per person:
Index More Information:
Single supplement: $Single tent US$ 36^ Back To Title
^ Back To Title- Pre-departure briefing Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure. Private transport to Cruzpata, head of the Trek Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (valid from days 3 to 6 of this program) English Speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons) 4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person) – days 1 to 3 One emergency horse – days 1 to 3 Porters to carry personal gear up (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person) including sleeping bag and sleeping pad – days 3 to 6 Chef and cooking equipment Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food) Toilet tent Accommodation for all our staff First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle. Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calie
- Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 36 for the 6 days trek) Tips for the guide, cook and porters Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip) Visa fees (if required) Passport & Visa Costs Vaccination Costs Personal Spending Money Drinks International Flights Travel Insurance Airport departure taxes Border taxes or fees
- - Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 25
- - Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 36
- - Extra porter to carry your personal equipment: add US$ 140
- - Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek: add US$ 30
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