4* & 5* Peru Salkantay Trek

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DAY 1: CUSCO - SAYLLAPATA - SOYROCOCHA

At 6:00 AM we'll pick you up from your selected hotel. We'll leave by our private transport to Mollepata (2800 meters). We will enjoy a beautiful scenic journey through Limatambo, stopping for panoramic views of the Apurimac Valley, where you can have a breakfast in a typical restaurant. After that we'll drive 1hour to our trailhead at Sayllapata (3 200 meters), where we'll meet our "arrieros" (horsemen) and trek staff. For 2 1/2 hrs, we will hike through traditional Andean communities like Cruzpata, Challacancha, and Soraypampa (3750 meters), before stopping for lunch. After another 4 hours, we'll arrive at our first campsite at Soyrococha (4200 meters).

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: SOYROCOCHA - HUAYRAQMACHAY - COLPAPAMPA

On the second day we'll ascend to the highest point of our trek, Salkantay Pass (4600 meters). From this point we can appreciate the special views of Salkantay Mountain, a stunning snow-capped peak (6271 meters). We will have 3 hours of walking with spectacular views of the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, small lakes and moraines before arriving at our lunch site, Huayraqmachay (3700 meters). Then we'll descend for 3 1/2 hrs to our second campsite, Colpabamba (2600 meters).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: COLPAPAMPA - LA PLAYA

On the third day, the group will have 4 hours of easy, downhill hiking. We will be introduced to a high jungle location called Ceja de Selva, where coffee, coca and fruits plantations can be observed. There will be time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, and with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird "Gallito de las Rocas". We will stop at La Playa (2250 meters) for lunch and then enjoy a free afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: LA PLAYA - LUCMABAMBA - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast at 6:00 AM, we will take local transportation for 20 minutes to Lucmabamba. From there we start our fourth day's hike, climbing for almost 3 1/2 hours to a recently discovered Incan place called Llactapata (2,700 meters), or 'high town' in Quechua. From there we have the first view of Machu Picchu, free time to enjoy the scenery, and then we descend to Hidroelectrica Train Station (Km 116), where we will have a delicious lunch. We continue walking for two hours more to Aguas Calientes (2,000 meters), where we will spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

We will take an early walk or bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu for a 2-hour guided tour, plenty of additional free time to explore, and an optional climb to the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or the Sun Gate. After that, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. We have time for lunch and wait for the train to comeback. Transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

What we recommend that you bring:

- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs & toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original passport