Itinerary

• Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA.
• Day 2: SORAY PAMPA – COLLPA PAMPA
• Day 3: COLLPA PAMPA – LA PLAYA – OR  SANTA TERESA
• Day 4: LA PLAYA- LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.
• Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

High snow-capped mountains, lowland jungle and the Inca site of Llactapata fron where you can see machupicchu .the trek offers a perfect mix of trekking, culture and nature.

DAY 1

CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA.

We will begin Salkantay Expeditions by picking you up very early from your hotel in Cusco in one of our private mini vans. We will then take you to the start of the trek, a 4 hour drive from Cusco. We will cross Limatambo, at (2,700m/8,900ft) and ascend to Mollepata, located at (3,500m/11,500ft). We will start the hike from Mollepata village, observing the Incan streets before walking to Sayllapata for lunch. We will then hike until we arrive at our campsite, Soray Pampa, at (3,800m/12,500ft).

DAY 2

SORAY PAMPA – COLLPA PAMPA

On the second day of Salkantay Expeditions, we will cross the left bank of a stream in the morning before hiking steeply uphill. We will come to a series of zig-zaging paths with breathtaking views of the SALKANTAY and UMANTAY mountains before continuing to the top of the seventh switchback where the terrain levels out under SALKANTAY Mountain, then drops gently down to a small lake called SOYROCOCHA. Stopping at this site, we can enjoy the nature before walking uphill for approximately 1 1/2 hours. We will then reach the highest pass of Salkantay Expeditions, at (4,600m/15,100ft).  Here we will have a stunning view of the sacred mountains of UMANTAY and SALKANTAY. We will also be able to see a pile of stones that grows daily as each traveler adds one as he or she passes. When a tourist adds a stone to this pile, he or she thanks the Apus (mountain spirits) for a safe trip. We will then descend to a site called HUAYRACMACHAY, at (3,800m/12,500ft). We will then arrive at HUAYRACPAMPA where we will have lunch. After a filling lunch, we will enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromelias and other flowers, as well as hummingbirds. Finally, we will arrive to the village of COLLPA PAMPA, at an elevation of (2,900m/9,500ft).

DAY 3

COLLPA PAMPA – LA PLAYA – OR  SANTA TERESA.

After a healthy breakfast, we will continue down the valley into the forest which contains groves of bamboo and will make for some great bird watching opportunities. Flocks of colorful tropical birds roam the forest and waterfalls cascade down cliffs with water warm enough for you to bathe in. This stretch of the Salkantay Expeditions trek also has begonias, purple orchids and strawberries bushes lying along the path. We will then walking to our camp site, LA PLAYA. Once there, we will set up camp, have lunch and have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. There is a school where many tourists enjoy playing soccer with the local children. Also, you have the option to arrive at Santa Teresa the next day by walking through the valley to hydrolectric, then on to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 4

LA PLAYA- LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.

In the early morning, we will begin our difficult climb to the llactapata pass, located at 8,900 feet (2,700m/8,900ft). From there, you will be able to see the magnificant Incan city, Machu Picchu. From llactapata, we will descend through thick vegetation, tall trees, and incredible bird diversity. After we reach the hydroelectric site, we are going to walk behind Machu Picchu along the river until we get to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.

DAY 5

AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu where you will have a 2 hour walking tour of the mysterious ciyt lead by a knowledgeable guide. You will then have several hours of free time for your own exploration of the city. During this time, you will have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain(tickets must be purchased in advanced). If you have not purchased a ticket, you can trek to the sun gate or to the Inca bridge before you head back down to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to  Ollantaytambo then  bus to Cusco.

Salkantay Expeditions Includes:

• Trek briefing the night before you embark on the Salkantay Expeditions Trek at our office with your trekking guide
• Pick up from your hotel
• Transfer in private transport to soraypampa (the trail head)
• Tents: We place 2 people in each 4-person-capacity tent to allow for greater comfort and extra space to keep your backpacks.
• Thick Foam mattresses (Carried by horses)
• Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs (very confortable)
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people)
• 3 meals per day, tea every afternoon, snacks every morning
• Portable private toilets
• First-Aid Kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Porters, horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment)
• Extra horse in case anybody gets tired or wants to ride it just for the photo
• Drinking Water every morning, lunch, happy hour, and dinner time. Hot water in your plastic bottle to sleep and water for washing your feet and hands.
• Expedition Tourist Class Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the sacred Valley then a private Van to transfer you back to your hotels in Cusco.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
• Round-trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu with plenty of time to explore on your own
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes double or triple accommodation with private rooms, private bathrooms, Hot showers,
• Wifi, and storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
• Climb to the sun gate for free, inka bridge.
• 8 kg / 16 p of weight to be carried by our horses ( you will trek only with your day pack which is way more confortable than carrying a big bags )

Not Included in Salkantay Expeditions:

• Tips for the guide, horsemen, and cook.

Price: US $480 per person.
Minimun 2 peolpe required
Group Size: 2-8 people

Note:

Salkantay Expeditions services include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco. This is an additional service that we provide, which sets us apart from other tour providers.
For all group bookings of greater than 3 people, we offer you a free city tour or tour of the Sacred Valley.
Pachacutec Expeditions, does not have any hidden fees. We includes a porter that will carry your personal belongings in all of our treks, at no additional cost.
We will provide you with a duffel bag to put all of your belongings in. The duffel bags easily fit 8 Kilograms /17 pounds per person including your sleeping bags.
However, you will still need to carry your day pack with all of your essentials like water, sunscreen, passport, etc
We offer a discount of US $20 to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and to children under the age of 16 years old. Scanned copies of your ISIC card or child’s passport must be provided at the time of payment of the deposit for the trek in order to qualify for the international discount.

Train for the end of the Salkantay Expeditions Trek:

We suggest our tourists 6:45 p.m. train. This departure time will allow you to spend more time at Machu Picchu and do more activities like climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, which can be booked additionally. Also, you can walk to the sun gate , the inca bridge, and still have time to enjoy the hot springs or some cervezas after a long trek.
The 6:45 p.m. train will arrive in Ollantaytambo train station at 8:20 p.m. and you will be picked up by your driver outside of the train station. The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it so that there will be no confusion. If you do not see the driver initially, just wait for them outside the train station. Once the driver has picked you up, then you will travel for 1 1/2 hours in a van before you arrive back at your hotel/hostel. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 10:00 p.m.
Also, we suggest the 2:55 p.m. train for travelers who are planning to leave Cusco city early in the morning the next day to continue with their travel plans.
Important: We guarantee these early Expedition departures, as per the itinerary, if you book your tours in 2 months in advance. Otherwise we may be forced to offer the Expedition train that departs at 6:45 p.m. only.

There is an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train, which is an extra US $35 per person. Please let us your preference at the time of booking.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If you are thinking of climbing Huayna picchu mountain you must book in advance. Only 400 people can hike Huaynapicchu per day. You will climb it on your own after the tour in Machu Picchu, starting around 10:00 a.m. We recomend that you book your tickets in advance to let us know  of your interest in Huayna Picchu. Machu Picchu Mountain is an alternative climbing mountain, which also offers fantasic views of the site. We recomend it if huayna Picchu Mountain is overbooked.

Rentals

Hiking poles: US $1o.00 (pair)

Sleeping bag US $2o.00

Air Matress US $15.00

For treks that includes accommodation at Aguas Calientes, we will stay in a hotel. In contrast to other companies, we will not be staying in basic shared rooms or sharing showers.