Apu Salkantay Trek
| Country | PERU |
| Trip Duration | 9 days, 8 nights |
| Season | April to November |
| Difficulty | Moderate - difficult |
| Activities | Treking |
| Transport | Bus and Train |
Trip Highlights
Highlights
Machu Picchu, Sacred Apu Salkantay Mountain, Quechua culture, Archeologie and wild life
Overview
This nine-day trip is a perfect alternative for those unable to book the Inca Trail. The Vilcabamba area was the holdout for the crumbling Inca rebellion. The trail traverses the high Andean plateau, crossing passes as high as 4,750mt - 15,585ft for an up-close view of the sacred Inca peak, Salkantay (6,280mt-20,598ft). The route then descends into the beautiful Aobamba valley with its tropical climate and vegetation. All along the way there are native Andean villages that time seems to have passed by. After a marvelous train ride, arrive at the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu for a never to be forgotten guided-tour of this architectural marvel. Hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought the “Lost City of the Incas" to the world's attention in 1911. The intricate stonework of these enigmatic ruins is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry. To this day, scholars are in disagreement as to its function and why it was eventually abandoned. Be that as it may, it remains the crown jewel of Inca architecture.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1. Lima - Cusco
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport to check-in for your flight to Cusco. The scenic flight over the Andes is approximately one hour. Upon arrival in Cusco you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to your hotel. There will be a brief meeting with our guide before lunch and a leisurely walking tour of the city. The tour will cover some of Cusco’s most important sites including the Koricancha, San Blas Plaza, and a variety of artisan stores and art galleries, with opportunities to purchase items that catch your eye.
The late afternoon and evening is free time. We encourage you to rest and to move slowly through your first day so that your body has time to adjust to the altitude. You will want to eat light (broth soups are particularly recommended) and to drink plenty of water and the coca tea that is readily available in hotels and restaurants.
| Meals | Not include |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Minimum altitude | 3,360 mt / 11,020 ft |
Day 2. CUSCO (moderate altitude adjustment hike)
Our first hike begins with a transfer to Tambomachay (altitude 3,800 meters or 12,464 feet). We will explore this important archeological complex before starting our hike back to Cusco. As we began our return, we will pass through Puca-Pucara, Qusilluchayoc and Moon Temple, where we will stop to have a nice picnic lunch. After lunch, we will continue to the Qenqo ruins, before walking to one of Peru’s most important historical sites, Sacsayhuaman, the Inca citadel perched above Cusco. We will spend time investigating the site and enjoying the spectacular views it offers of the city and the mountains before we start our walk back down into Cusco using one of the original Inca trails connected to Sacsayhuaman.
Level of Difficulty: the terrain is easy, but may feel more difficult due to altitude
| Meals | Breakfast and Lunch. |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Hiking distance | 7.10 km / 4.40 ml |
| Hiking time | 5 to 6 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 3,360 mt / 11,020 ft |
| Maximum altitude | 3,800 mt / 12,464 feet |
| Altitude change | 440 mt / 1,445 ft |
Day 3. Cusco – Mollepata – Soray
We leave Cusco on a westbound bus towards the Anta plateau. This is the spot where the legendary Inca Pachacutec defeated the Chanca tribe thus starting the expansion of the Inca Empire. We continue up to Huillque pass with its panoramic view of the east side of the Vilcabamba range. On our way down towards the warm Limatambo valley we’ll stop at the Tarahuasi archeological site for short visit. After passing through Mollepata (2,850mt/9,350 ft), a small and very typical Andean community, we begin our trek in Marco Ccasa (3,200 mt / 11,00 ft) approx. 4 hours. Since this is a rich agricultural area, we’ll see local villagers at work and possibly interact with them. The route continues towards the highlands with its very interesting and colorful surroundings, until we finally glimpse Mt. Humantay (5,917mt- 19,414 ft). After crisscrossing several streams and passing through some dense bush areas, we reach our campsite on the immense Pampa Soray (3,800 mt / 12,468 ft).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Accommodation | Camp |
| Hiking distance | 8 km/ 5 ml |
| Hiking time | 5 to 6 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 3,800 mt / 12,468 ft |
| Maximum altitude | 3,360 mt / 11,020 ft |
| Altitude change | 440 mt / 1,444 ft |
Day 4. Soray – Huayracmachay
We start our day with a hot chocolate before starting the trek through one of the most impressive area in the Vilcabamba range. Our hike will go to the base of the south face of Salcantay, one of the Inca's sacred mountains (6,217mt/20,575ft). We climb up on the southwest side of the Salcantay moraine to a high pass called Portachuelo (4,750mt-15,585ft). On this rocky area we may catch a glimpse of a lively vizcacha, a unique type of gray Andean rabbit and perhaps see a condor, the world’s largest flying bird. We will be very close to the huge south face of Salkantay, almost within touching distance. Don’t forget to carry a small rock all the way from Mollepata, since, according to Inca tradition; travelers must deposit one on an “apacheta” (a pyramid of rocks) at the pass as an offering to the “apus” (mountain spirits). The route then descends towards the Amazon basin and the Andean valley of Huayracmachay. Just past here we set up camp (4,100mt-13,45ft).
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Accommodation | Camp |
| Hiking distance | 9 km / 5.5 ml |
| Hiking time | 7 to 8 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 3,800 mt / 12,468 ft |
| Maximum altitude | 4,750mt / 15,585ft |
| Altitude change | 950 mt / 3,116 ft |
Day 5. Huaracmachay – Collpapampa
Today we’ll follow the route that the last Incas used to escape the Spanish in this remote region of the Vilcabamba range. The trail continues along the left bank of the Sunchucata River. On the way down toward Rayanpata we’ll observe how the landscape changes from arid highlands to tropical jungle. Further down, we see where three streams meet to form the Santa Teresa River. We continue on to the community of Collpapampa (2,900mt- 9,515ft).
A special lunch wait for us, the trail continues along the left bank of the Santa Teresa River. As we lose altitude, the weather warms but remains at a comfortable temperature.
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Accommodation | Camp |
| Hiking distance | 8 km / 5 ml |
| Hiking time | 5 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 2,900mt / 9,515ft |
| Maximum altitude | 4,100mt / 13,45f |
| Altitude change | 1,200 mt / 3,936 ft |
Day 6. Collpapampa – Lucmabamba
The trail crosses several creeks and passes by delightful waterfalls. Vegetation becomes more abundant and we'll see lots of multicolored flowers, butterflies and noisy little green parrots called "cordilleranos". Our lunch break will be on the riverbank before continuing to the campsite near the village of La Playa, also known as Miscabamba (2,200mt- 6,562ft). The families who live here are socially organized in the same manner as their Inca ancestors; in an “ayni” or cooperative system designed to share construction and farming work. There will be a good chance to play soccer or volleyball with the locals.
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Accommodation | Camp |
| Hiking distance | 12 km / 7.5 ml |
| Hiking time | 6 to 7 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 2,200mt / 6,562ft |
| Maximum altitude | 2,900mt / 9,515ft |
| Altitude change | 700 mt / 2,296 ft |
Day 7. Lucmabamba – Machu Picchu
We start our last climb, crossing Llactapata pass. There are Inca sites just on the other side of the pass and a spectacular panoramic view of the outline of Machu Picchu. Then we descend into the rich, tropical Aobamba valley with its fields of oranges, paltas (avocados), bananas, granadillas (passion fruit), coffee and sugar cane. After saying good-bye to our camp staff, we board the train for a 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu. We’ll overnight at comfortable lodgings in Aguas Calientes, the town just below Machu Picchu.
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Hiking distance | 12 km / 7 ml |
| Hiking time | 6 to 7 hours |
| Minimum altitude | 1,900 mt / 6,232 ft |
| Maximum altitude | 2,736 mt / 8,974 ft |
| Altitude change | 836 mt / 2,742 ft |
Day 8. Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning, we’ll take the bus up to the ruins to enjoy a guided-tour of this enigmatic site. After the tour there will be time to wander around and appreciate the beauty and mystery of Machu Picchu. Later on, you may choose to climb Wayna Picchu (2,700 mt/8,856 ft), the jutting peak overlooking the area, or Machu Picchu mountain 3,300 mt/ . Around mid-afternoon we’ll take the bus back to the train station for the return trip to Ollanta them a bus to Cusco. The tracks run along the Urubamba river valley, the route taken by Hiram Bingham in 1911 when he re-discovered Machu Picchu. On arrival to Cusco, we transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast and lunch are included.
| Meals | Breakfast and Lunch |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Hiking time | Full day |
| Minimum altitude | 2,000 mt / 6,560 ft |
| Maximum altitude | 3,360 mt / 11,020 ft |
| Altitude change | 1,360 mt/ 4,460 ft |
Day 9. Cusco - Lima - Home
We will enjoy a final breakfast together before transferring to the Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. You will be greeted in Lima and given assistance with your flight connections.
| Meals | Brakfast |
| Accommodation | Not include |
Included
- Bilingual guide. There will be a trip briefing with guide before departure
- Airport or train station reception and departure transportation
- Private bus to the trailhead, return tourist train to Cusco and hotel transportation
- Entrance fees
- Round trip bus ticket Machu Picchu /Aguas Calientes
- All meals indicated on the itinerary. Vegetarian meals on request at no additional cost
- Horses and mule handlers. Tents, kitchen gear and meals for mule handlers
- Camping equipment: double 4 season tents (REI - single tent available: $35 per person for entire trip), thermarest pad, and kitchen, dining and toilet tent. Tables, stools and all kitchen gear
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bath and breakfast
- First-class trekking services including: hot water, soap and towels for washing, camp cook and assistant(s)
- Maximum weight per passenger: 6k/13lbs. Heavy luggage returns to Cusco
- Walkie-talkies on treks
- First-aid kit and oxygen bottle
- All trash produced during the trek returns to Cusco.
Not Included
- Hotels in Cusco. For description of categories, please check hotel page
- International or domestic flights. Cost of domestic flights (with a Peruvian airline) Lima-Cusco-Lima: $216 total per passenger
- Airport taxes: International $32 and domestic $6 each flight
- Any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip, such as, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets or travel insurance, nor additional expenses encountered as a result of flight or train schedule changes, delays, strikes, cancellations, missed connections or acts of God
- Personal items like individual gear, sleeping bag (Peru Sur Nativa rents sleeping bags: $25 per person for entire trek), medicines, laundry, phone calls, etc.
- • Gratuities.
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Special Offer
A private departure from 4.... make a group of friends, ask for special departure!!!
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