Salkantay Inca Trek (Small Group)
5 Days 4 Nights
A fascinating Incan trek, hiking along the Andean mountains, whilst being able to enjoy breathtaking landscapes. After 4 days of trekking, you will get to Machu Picchu Town and have a full visit to the wonderful archeological site. This is trek ´off the beaten path` and a great option for those who like to do something different.
Day By Day Itinerary:
Day 1: 1st Day Salkantay Inca Trek - Mollepata to Soraypampa (Small Group) (B,L,D)
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in our private van and take you to Mollepata where you will start the Salkantay Trek and meet your chef and porters. Today you will be slowly introduced to this trek by doing 4-5 hours of walking, which will also help you to get acclimatized and to feel comfortable with the trek. Along the way you will enjoy lunch, prepared by the chef in a beautiful scenic area. After lunch you will continue until you reach the Soraypampa Campsite, where you will have the rest of the day to relax. During the evening the chef will prepare a delicious dinner for you.
Overnight at Soraypampa Campsite. (Altitude: 4000m, 12750ft)
Day 2: 2nd Day Salkantay Inca Trek - Soraypampa to Challway (Small Group) (B,L,D)
Today after an early breakfast and some coca tea. We will head from Soraypampa, and begin the gentle climb for about three hours to Salkantaycocha. You will then have lunch very close to the Salkantay Mountain and glaciers, giving you an amazing view. After lunch and a little rest we continue to climb steeply towards the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay pass (4,800m, 15744 ft) From here we descend for 3 to 4 hours with outstanding views and a breathtaking landscape until we reach our destination in time for dinner.
Overnight at Challway campsite. (Altitude: 2850m, 9350ft)
Day 3: 3rd Day Salkantay Inca Trek - Challway to Playa (Small Group) (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will continue the Salkantay Trek downhill to Colcapampa Village, while enjoying increasingly abundant vegetation. We continue walking past some waterfalls until we arrive at Wiñaypocco to enjoy lunch. After lunch we walk through the high jungle (known in Spanish as the eyebrow of the jungle) enjoying the landscapes and natural beauty that surrounds us. The afternoon follows a gentle descent to the small high jungle village of La Playa where our campsite is located and dinner will be waiting for us.
Overnight at La Playa campsite. (Altitude: 2500m, 8200ft)
Day 4: 4th Day Salkantay Inca Trek - Playa to Aguas Calientes (Small Group) (B,L,D)
Today, after another early breakfast you will climb for about three hours through the jungle before descending to the interesting, but largely covered ruins of Llactapata, which was originally discovered by Hiram Bingham at the same time that he discovered Machu Picchu. From here we have our first view of Machu Picchu, in the saddle of the mountain opposite. We descend for two hours to the impressive Machu Picchu Hydroelectric System where we will have lunch. After this, we will walk for 2 ½ hours along the train tracks to arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes and to your hotel. Here you can have a massage and relax your very tiring muscles.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (Altitude: 2000m, 6500ft)
Day 5: 5th Day Salkantay Inca Trek - Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Small Group) (B)
Today in the morning, you will transfer from your hotel to the ruins to meet your private tour guide for your tour of Machu Picchu, ´The Lost City of the Incas`. You will learn about the history of this Incan sacred site and the tour will include visits to some temples such as the Sun and the Condor. You will also visit, whilst learn some interesting facts about the Incan sacred terraces, aqueducts and houses. After the tour, you will have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent site on your own. There are many short trek options, such as a the one to the Sun Gate for an impressive view of Machu Picchu or a visit to the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance for the Inca Army. The most adventurous should not miss the Wayna Picchu ´young mountain climbing, which requires a very early start (5.30am) as only 400 people are permitted on this climb each day. In the afternoon you will transfer back to Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco via the train.
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Includes:
- Small and intimate group of 2-8 people
- Return transfers from hotel to train station
- Professional English speaking Inca Trail tour guide
- All entrance tickets to the attraction sites including the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
- Snacks and drinks
- Great food throughout the tour
- Bottled water daily
- 3 nights in comfortable double tents
- 1 night at a quality bed and breakfast type hotel
- Equipment: new professional camping tents, comfortable air mattresses, dining tent, tables, chairs, cooking equipment, first aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Porters to carry camping and cooking equipment
- 2 bus trips from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and 1 bus trip up to Machu Picchu
- Train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
- Local Taxes
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Does Not Include:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Airport taxes (US$6 domestic departures, US$30 international departure)
- Extra porter to carry personal belongings (please request – additional payable)
- Tips and extras
- Additional add on activities
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