Day
1
CUSCO
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, you will visit the city of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as the Imperial City. Start your tour at the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, and see the church built by the Dominicans that still stands today. Next, visit the Plaza de Armas and see the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. Continue ascending to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Afterward, you will visit Kenko, an archaeological site where the Sun, Moon, and Stars were celebrated. Continue with a visit to Puca-Pucara, resting place and lodging of the Inca. This evening there will be a briefing at your hotel regarding your “Trekking the Salkantay” adventure.
Day
2
CUSCO I CHALLACANCHA I SOROYCOCHA
After a delicious breakfast, depart the city Cuzco and begin your trek to Machu Picchu. Enroute, discover Mollepata, a town located at 9,196 feet altitude. Continue the journey on a packed dirt road to reach Challacancha. Awaiting you there are the drivers and pack horses that will carry your baggage. From there, begin your ascent to Salcantaypampa, arriving first at Soroycocha 14,725 feet altitude where your campsite is located. Upon arrival, you can catch your first glimpses of Mount Salkantay. (B,L,D)
Day
3
SOROVYCOHA I QOLLPAPAMPA
Rise and shine with breakfast at your camp before beginning a long trek towards Qollpapampa, the second campsite. The first section leads you to the Salkantay Pass 14,878 feet altitude, the highest point on the route. See the incredible views of glaciers hanging from the Vilcabamba Cordillera as well as the south face of Mount Salkantay. As you continue onward, you will reach your lunch site, Huayracmachay, and shortly thereafter descend to a cloud forest, following the Salkantay River. Later in the afternoon, you will reach Qollpapampa for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day
4
QOLLPAPAMPA I LUCMABAMBA
Power up with breakfast and then continue descending along a narrow trail next to the Cachora River. You will soon take note of a change in the weather and the scenery: warmer, more humid, and greener. In the afternoon, you will continue trekking to Sahuayaco, a small community of 20 families, and set up camp rather close by at Lucmabamba. (B,L,D)
Day
5
LUCMABAMBA I MACHU PICCHU (AGUAS CALIENTES)
This morning, you will cross the river and ascend to the Q’elloqasa Lookout or Pass 9383 feet altitude. Here you catch your first exceptional view of Machu Picchu, the world-famous Lost City of the Incas, and partake in your last outdoor lunch on the trip. The next stop is Llactapata to view its amazing system of terraced hillsides. Afterward, continue your descent to the Aobamba River and stop at the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Plant to board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. (B,L,D)
Day
6
