Tour The Hidden Valleys Of Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

Transport

Transportation by vehicle from hotel to the start of the trek. Transportation by vehicle from the end of the trek to Cusco.

Meals

All meals included during trek. Available options on the menu for Vegetetiarians, Vegan, & Gluten Free.

Guide

Professional guide with Wilderness First Responder certificate along the 5 days. At the start of each season in February, our guides participate in official training to keep their knowledge current, covering topics such as first aid, evacuation procedures, and destination information, while simultaneously undergoing rigorous testing that assesses their practical application of wilderness and first aid skills, ensuring their readiness for any challenges they may face

Others

-Transportation -Professional bilingual guide -Bus ticket Machu Picchu to Machu Picchu Village (RT) -Hotel in Ollantaytambo -Hotel in Machu Picchu Village -Train tickets -Double occupancy tents with Thermarest sleeping pads -Guided tour in Machu Picchu -Lunch in Machu Picchu Village on day 6 -All meals during trek -Non-alcoholic drinks -Kitchen and dining tents -Cook and field staff -Horses and drivers -Entrance tickets -Solar energy lamps -Eco toilets -Adequate garbage disposal -First aid kit and oxygen tank

Accommodation

The Classic Camping Set-Up: We always make sure to have the best equipment on our treks. On the basic trek, you will always find sleeping tents (double occupancy) with Thermarest sleeping mats, dining tents (with tables, stools, and dining tools) and cooking tents (where our staff will prepare your delicious meals).

Not included:

Others

-Personal travel insurance -Dinner in Ollantaytambo on day 4 -Dinner in Machu Picchu Village on Day 5 -Laundry service -Airline tickets -Sleeping bags (rent available) -Personal gear -Alcoholic beverages -Additional services -Tips -Extras

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Day 1 Cusco – Limatambo – Acopía
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cusco – Limatambo – Acopía

From Cusco, we drive toward Limatambo, past the Tika Tika Pass where we will attain our first views of majestic Mount Salkantay and Humantay on the horizon, before crossing the Anta plateau. Driving past breathtaking panoramas of this vibrant agricultural region with views of rugged snowcapped peaks in the background, we will arrive at the trailhead just beyond the village of Misquiyaco where we’ll begin our trek through one of Peru’s newest private conservation areas signed into law in 2021. We begin our uphill hike through an old growth Meso-Andean Relict Forest, a rare type of inter-Andean cloud forest that exists in less than 0.02% of Peru’s vast territory. Among the species that inhabit this forest are the Tasta (Escallonia myrtilloides) and Chachacomo (Escallonia resinosa) tree species, which protected by Peruvian law. As we approach the heights, we will observe how the ecosystem changes with the altitude, leaving behind the tree line to enter the high grasslands to reach our campsite at Acopía (4154 masl / 13,628 fasl).

(L / D)

Driving distance: 95 km (59 mi) – Time: 2:45 hours

Trekking distance: 10.5 km (6.6 mi) – Time: 5-6 hours
Day 2 Acopía – Cruzjasa Pass – Mirador De Pampacahuana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Acopía – Cruzjasa Pass – Mirador De Pampacahuana

Leaving Acopía, we will continue our uphill climb toward the first pass at Tambomachay (4367 masl/ 14,323 fasl). As the day warms up, we may see some Andean bird species, including Condors, as they soar majestically above the mountains. After 4-5 hours of gentle uphill climbing, we will reach our lunch spot Uspaccasa (4,559 masl/ 14,953 fasl), a sheltered area just beyond the pass with majestic views of Mt. Salkantay and Mt. Humantay. After lunch, we’ll continue along the high ridge and veer right toward Cruzjasa Pass (4,683 masl / 15,360 fasl) where we will have fantastic views of the South face of Mt. Palcay, the south face of Mt. Salkantay and the Pampacahuana Valley and enjoy the special feeling of solitude that comes with knowing there are few other humans in the vicinity. From here, we descend on a steep trail to our campsite where we will sleep surrounded by mountains and stars at Mirador de Pampacahuana (3902 masl / 12,801 fasl).

(B / L / D)

Total Trekking distance: 14.5 km (9 mi) – Time: 7-8 hours
Day 3 Mirador De Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha – Llactapata – Chamana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mirador De Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha – Llactapata – Chamana

We’ll take our leave of imposing Mt. Salkantay and continue our hike downhill along an ancient Inca canal flowing down the center of the Pampacahuana Valley, passing through a landscape dotted with small farm settlements. At the end of the valley, we’ll once more begin to observe a greater variety of vegetation as we descend past the tree line before arriving in Paucarcancha, a remote Inca site at the confluence of the Pampacahuana and Q´esca valleys. After a short visit to explore the Inca stone walls and remnants of ancient houses at the site, we will have lunch. Then we’ll continue our journey downhill and join the first stretch of the famed Inca Trail, descending toward the Patallacta ruins. This site was once an important rest stop for the Inca on the way to Machu Picchu. After a brief visit, we will continue to our campiste at Chamana, which is a private campsite that we have equipped with a hot shower for you to cleanse and refresh after the strenuous activity of the previous few days. Camp at Chamana (2585 masl / 8480 fasl).

(B / L / D)

Trekking distance: 16.8 km (10.4 mi) – Time: 6-7 hours
Day 4 Chamana – Huayna Q’Ente – Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu Pueblo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Chamana – Huayna Q’Ente – Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu Pueblo

At this point, we will be on the edge of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, where we will explore the secluded archaeological cite called Machu Q’ente. Depending on the pace of the group and the amount of time available, we may also have the opportunity to visit Huayna Q’ente, another remarkable cite located nearby. After the visit, we will leave the Sanctuary through the town of Q’oriwairachina and head towards Piscacucho, where the main entrance to the Inca Trail is located. The trail will take us alongside the Vilcanota River and through several more ancient archaeological sites. In fact, this is the same path that Hiram Bingham used when he was first led to Machu Picchu by local people living here in 1911. From here, we’ll travel by car to Ollantaytambo, in time to take the afternoon train to Machu Picchu Village, where we’ll spend the night before visiting the magical citadel of Machu Picchu on Day 5. Dinner on your own.

(B / L)

Trekking distance: 15.1 km (10.4 mi) – Time: 7-8 hours

Driving distance: 15.6 km (9.7 mi) – Time: 30 min

Train ride: 43 km (27 mi) – Time: 1:45 hours
Day 5 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

After an early breakfast, a quick, half-hour bus ride brings us up the road to the gates of Machu Picchu where we’ll enjoy a guided three-hour tour of this ancient hilltop citadel. Exploring the various sectors and entering some of the houses and temples will bring these iconic ruins to life for us. As we immerse in this mystical place, we’ll feel that we’ve entered a dream of ancient times. Wandering among these ancient manmade structures blended seamlessly into natural surroundings, will leave us with a sense of wonder and reverence, and gift us with memories to savor for years to come. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the village where a train will take us back to Ollantaytambo. On-board entertainment, snacks, and hot and cold refreshments are available. Arrive in the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will be picked up and driven back to the city of Cusco.

(B / L)

Machu Picchu visit – Time: 3 hours

Bus ride to Machu Picchu (RT): 12.4 km (7.7 mi) – Time: 1 hour

Train ride: 43 km (27 mi) – Time: 1:45 hours

Driving distance Ollantaytambo to Cusco: 79 km (49 mi) – Time: 2 hours

5 days tour

The Hidden Valleys Of Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Hidden Valleys Of Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

Cusco – Limatambo – Acopía

Acopía – Cruzjasa Pass – Mirador De Pampacahuana

Mirador De Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha – Llactapata – Chamana

Chamana – Huayna Q’Ente – Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu Pueblo

Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

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