Imperial Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 8 Days / 7 Nights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco Cathedral - Qoricancha - Saqsahuayman - Qenqo - Puka Pukara - Tambomachay
7 stops
1
Plaza de Armas
We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel so you can rest and acclimatize. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will begin a half-day city tour starting with the Cusco Cathedral, a colonial jewel built on the site of the ancient Inca palace of Wiracocha.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
Qorikancha
Then we will visit the Qoricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, where you will appreciate the harmonious union between Inca and colonial architecture.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Saqsaywaman
Afterwards, we will take our transport to Sacsayhuamán, an imposing fortress of enormous perfectly assembled stones.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Q'enqo
We will continue to Qenqo, an Inca ceremonial center associated with worship
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
Puka Pukara
Then visit Puka Pukara, known as “the red fortress,” which served as a lookout and resting place.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
6
Tambomachay
We will end at Tambomachay, a ceremonial complex dedicated to water, famous for its aqueducts and perfectly crafted fountains.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
Cusco
When we finish, we will return to your hotel so you can rest and recharge your energy for the next day.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Cusco - Taray - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero - Cusco
7 stops
8
Cusco
We start the day at 8:30 a.m. with a pick-up at your hotel to head to Pisac.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Mirador Taray
On the way, we will make brief stops at the Qorao and Taray viewpoints, from where you can appreciate the beauty of the Sacred Valley.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Pisac
Upon arrival in Pisac, we will visit its archaeological site and traditional artisan market.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Urubamba
Then we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch featuring typical Peruvian dishes.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
Ollantaytambo
In the afternoon, we will continue on to Ollantaytambo to explore its impressive archaeological complex, with ceremonial fountains, terraces, and temples.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
13
Chinchero
We will end the day in Chinchero, where you will learn about Andean textile art in a natural dyeing demonstration and visit its archaeological site and colonial church.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
14
Cusco
Afterwards, we will return to Cusco in our transport and drop you off at your hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
5 stops
15
Cusco
Today marks the start of the Salkantay adventure. We will pick you up at your hotel around 4:00 a.m. for a 2 hour and 15 minute drive to Mollepata, where you can use the restrooms and enjoy a light breakfast.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
16
Then we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike and where you will meet our team.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
We will begin the trek to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), walking 7 km / 4.35 miles along an ancient Inca canal until we reach our Sky Camp. There you will enjoy lunch and a short rest.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
18
Humantay Lake
In the afternoon, we will hike to the impressive Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). The round trip takes about 2.5 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 miles. You will have free time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Upon returning to camp, tea time and a delicious dinner will await you, accompanied by a beautiful sunset. Finally, you will rest under a starry sky in your igloo.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa - Mountain Sky View
4 stops
20
We start the day early with an energy-packed breakfast and a cup of coca tea before beginning the ascent to Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 12,190 ft), the highest point of the trek.
Admission ticket free
21
The challenge consists of covering 7 km / 4.34 miles in about 4 hours. At the top, you will enjoy spectacular views of the valleys and the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo, considered apus or sacred mountains.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
22
Then we will begin the descent along a winding 7 km / 4.35 mile trail to Huarayramachay, where we will have a well-deserved lunch. After a rest, we will continue into the cloud forest, walking 9.5 km / 5.9 miles for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), where our exclusive Mountain Sky View Camp is located.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest surrounded by lush vegetation after a challenging and memorable day.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes
3 stops
24
Santa Teresa
We start the day at 6:00 a.m. to begin the hike to the village of La Playa, crossing the Santa Teresa Valley for about 5 hours. Along the way, you will see rivers, wild orchids, waterfalls, fruit trees, and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations. Upon arrival in La Playa, you will have a short break before continuing for another 30 minutes to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where lunch will be waiting for you at our camp.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
25
Lucmabamba Coffee Experience
In the afternoon, we will visit an organic coffee farm, where you will learn about the entire process: from harvesting to exporting. We will also explore local orange and avocado plantations.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
26
At the end of the day, you will enjoy dinner and a restful night accompanied by the sounds of nature.
12 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Ahobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
5 stops
27
You will wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea in your Jungle Dome and enjoy the last breakfast prepared by our chef.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
28
Mirador de Llactapata
Then we will begin a three-hour ascent to enter an original section of the Inca Trail, which will take us to the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft). Here you will receive an explanation from the guide and you will be able to admire your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
29
We will then descend to Aobamba, where we will enjoy lunch before continuing on to Hidroelectrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft).
2 hours • Admission ticket free
30
From this point, you can choose between taking the train to Aguas Calientes (not included) or walking for about three more hours along the train tracks through tropical vegetation.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
31
Aguas Calientes
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and have the afternoon free to rest or explore the town. In the evening, we will meet at 7:00 p.m. for dinner at a local restaurant before resting up for the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
4 stops
32
Aguas Calientes
Today we start the day very early, at 6:00 a.m., with a light breakfast before boarding one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. This will allow us to arrive before the crowds.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
33
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Upon entering, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the temples, terraces, palaces, and ceremonial enclosures, with free time for photographs. Then, if you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft). This activity is optional, requires an additional ticket, and takes between two and three hours round trip.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
34
Ollantaytambo
After the visit, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch. Finally, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo
Admission ticket free
35
Cusco
Our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Cusco - Cusco Airport (or Bus Station)
1 stop
36
Cusco
Today you will start the day with a leisurely breakfast and free time to pack your bags. You can take advantage of this time to buy some souvenirs before leaving. Later, we will coordinate the pick-up time to transfer you to the airport or bus station, from where you will continue your vacation or return home.
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
• It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.

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