Discover Machu Picchu by Salcantay |
code: PDMSAU9- Duration: 9 Days / 8 Night
- Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology, Cultural
- Transport: tourist bus, walking, train
- Accommodation: Hotels (5 Nights), Camping (3 Nights)
- Treking Grades: Moderate/Demanding ?
- Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 16
- Type Service: Shared Group Service ?
Highlights:
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Pisaq ruins and market, Ollantaytambo Fortress, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Salcantay Mountain, amazing mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, local villages and snowcapped mountains, Salcantay alternative Inca Trail, Lima
Trekking through Salcantay Mountains to Machu Picchu
In this journey you will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems from beginning to end. Moreover, the chances for ethnic and cultural exchange are ever-present with local natives who still remain closely attached to their heritage and are very willing to share it with open minds.
- Additional Services ?
-
Day 1 - International Arrival in Lima
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International airport and transfer to your hotel, there you will receive a briefing on your tour and vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru tripMeal Include: NoneDay 2 - Flight to Cusco / Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel, free morning to get acclimatized
At 13:30 pick up from the Hotel; guided sightseeing tour in Cusco like Q'oricancha temple of Sun the most important shrines during the Incas time. Visit the Cathedral the most imposing church at the main square. The tour keeps going to Sacsayhuaman, this site is a megalithic work made by the Incas; it stands on a hill looming over the city to the north-yet even these enormous stones are filled with that extraordinary Inca perfection. The next sightseeing is named Q'enqo, it shows a singular limestone outcrop, which was used to religious cult. The tour finishes visiting Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight at Cusco Hotel
Meal Include: BreakfastDay 3 - Moray & Maras Terraces of Salt Hike
Breakfast at the hotel; pick you up from the Hotel at 09:00 and transfer direction to the Sacred Valley; we start across the fertile plain of Chinchero rich with grain, potatoes & beans. Start walking in the little town of Maras; we arrive at the circular Inca ruins of Moray. In nearby Moray you find “the Inca laboratory” then we drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the salt pans of Salineras. Here more than 5000 terraces are still in production and many families of Maras bring their salt to the market of Urubamba on mules. These salt-pans were mentioned in conquering Spanish’s chronicles. We finally meet our vehicle again beside the Urubamba River for the drive back to Cusco.Meal Include: Breakfast, LunchDay 4 - Cusco / Sayllapata / Soyroccocha
Pick up from the Hotel at 05:00; leaving Cusco by car on the route to Sayllapata 4 ½ hrs, until arriving to Mollepata town, from where we continue on to Sayllapata (3600m/11808ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we start the ascent on foot towards Soraypampa (3800m/12464ft), where we take the lunch; following a climbing trail to Salcantaypampa with many level variations and along which we encounter little groups of houses, hike up for around 2 hrs ascent to our camp at Soyroccocha (4200m/13776ft), just next to the impressive glacier of Salcantay. CampingMeal Include: L (box-lunch), DinnerTotal distance 8 km (4, 99 miles)
Estimated walking time 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point (4200m/13776ft)
Day 5 - Soyroccocha / Collpapampa
Breakfast; we start a 1 ½ hour ascent; we reach the highest point of the trek Huayracmachay Pass (4525m/14846ft). From this point, we start descending towards into the so-called cloud forest. Then descending to the cloud forest along the route, it can see the remains of an ancient Inca path, a long easy descent along the Salcantay River; lunch at Huayracmachay (3850m/12628ft) arriving late afternoon to our second camp at Collpapampa (2890m/9479ft), a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in. CampingMeal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance 12 km (7, 45 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point (4525m/14846ft)
Day 6 - Collpapampa / Lucmabamba
Breakfast; continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Sta. Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads. Following the Santa Teresa River, we pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko then we pass from La Playa where we have our lunch and finally arrive to Lucmabamba (2100m/6888ft). CampingMeal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance 10 km (6, 21 miles)
Estimated walking time 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point (2890m/9479ft)
Day 7 - Lucmabamba / Llactapata / Aguas Calientes
Breakfast, walk up to Llactapata (2650m/8692ft) on the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots. Start climbing for 2-3 hrs up to Q’elloqasa Pass (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of Machu Picchu, Salcantay and Llaqtapata archeological site, which have recently been restored; descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards brings us to the Hydroelectric (lunch) from where we board a train that take us to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes train ride). Hotel accommodationMeal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTotal distance 7 km (4, 35 miles)
Estimated walking time 4-5 hours
Maximum altitude point (2860m/9381ft)
Day 8 - Machu Picchu full day / Train back to Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the bus stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological site at your leisure. Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotelMeal Include: BreakfastDay 9 - Depart Cusco / Lima International departure
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the airport for departure flight to Lima and then take your connecting flight at homeMeal Include: Breakfast -
Ask for our private prices
Optional Services:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 30
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 30
Hotels to use for this trek:
-
Included:
All mentioned transport, double or single room in the selected hotel with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, English/Spanish speaking guide to accompany visits and excursions, all transfers, meals as indicated in the itinerary, Train tickets Backpacker Class.Not included in the fee:
International airfares, domestic flights, airport departure (US$ 30 per person for international flights and US$ 6.5 for national flights) taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, personal equipment, sleeping bag, obligatory personal insurance and meals which are not mentioned, sleeping bag.
-
Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- 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/headlamp 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 and 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. 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
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
-
Book now with Sun Gate Tours
Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & ConditionsStep 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Student with ISIC card: Yes/No
Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc
Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
- Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek
Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability CalendarStep 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.