This hike through Peru will provide you with images and sounds of peace. The snow-capped Salkantay is one of the best known mountains in Cusco, Peru, measuring approximately 6270 metres. By this route, you will experience the variety in climate and vegetation that exists between the mountainous region and that of the jungle, before arriving at Machu Picchu. This gives you a good idea of the experience that you might be looking for; we guarantee that you will find it. Peru is unmatched when it comes to hiking.
DAY 1. Cusco – Soraypampa
We leave the city of Cusco at 5am by tourist bus to Mollepata where we will have breakfast. We will meet with the staff
and the team for this trek. We start our walk heading to Soraypampa where we will have our first camp, at the foot of the majestic Salkantay.
Overnight stay.
DAY 2. Soraypampa – Arrayanniyuc
After a good breakfast in the morning, we start our longest walk of the whole trek. We will pass by the side of the snow-capped mountain Humantay, neighbour to Salkantay. We pass over 4600 metres high. From there we will have a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain Salkantay. After the pass we will descend to our next camp of Arrayanniyuc (3400 metres).
DAY 3. Arrayanniyuc – La Playa
Today is an unforgettable hike due to the surprising variety of vegetation. We continue our descent toward the Yunga
zone (part of the subtropical Andes region close to the jungle). We follow the course of the River Santa Teresa and observe a variety of orchids and waterfalls along the way.
Overnight stay in the camp.
DAY 4. La Playa – Hydroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
We will walk in the direction to the archaeological remains of Llactapata. From there we will have a panoramic view of
the mountain Machu Picchu. We will descend towards the hydroelectric plant and continue our hike to Aguas Calientes.
Overnight stay.
DAY 5. Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Archaeologists believe that the city of Machu Picchu was built in the middle of the 15th century.
After breakfast we will walk and ascend by stairs to the citadel of Machu Picchu. This is a sacred day to marvel at the amazing archeological city. We return to the town of Aguas Calientes by bus and take the connecting train to Ollantaytambo and from there by bus to Cusco.
Note: It is possible to organise in advance to climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu. The climb is difficult. It is important that you have good shoes, you don’t carry a heavy load and that you don’t suffer from vertigo. It is also possible to climb the mountain of Machu Picchu (almost opposite Huayna Picchu). In both cases you need to organise in advance entrance to these mountains.
Lunch and dinner are not included.
