8-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru
Trip Type: Multi-day Tours
Duration: 8 days
Hike through the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, admiring the magic of the Andes and magnificent snow capped mountains with lakes, lagoons and wildlife. This is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail and to reach the wonderful citadel of Machu Picchu.
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Hike through the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, admiring the magic of the Andes and magnificent snow capped mountains with lakes, lagoons and wildlife. This is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail and to reach the wonderful citadel of Machu Picchu. Day 1: Arrive in Cuzco and optional walking tour
After your arrival, you will join your tour guide for a briefing about the wonderful trip that awaits you. After breakfast at the hotel, you can take a free walking tour (optional) and seePlaza de Armas(Main square of Cusco), Stone of 12 angles and San Pedro market.
Day 2: Open Day at Leisure
You have the day to spend at your leisure. You can take an optional full day Sacred Valley tour (additional cost) and visit Urubamba Valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the Chinchero marketplace.
Day 3: The Adventure Begins - Mollepata - Sraypampa
On day 3, you'll be picked up at 5am and travel by bus to Mollepata. You will hike for about three hours to Cruzpata, where you will have lunch enjoying panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay.
Day 4: Mighty Salkantay
You'll have breakfast at around 5:30am and begin the hike to the highest pass on this trek, located halfway between two huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From this pass, the view of the two snow-capped mountains is incredible. Head downhill through a cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where you will have lunch. Then, you'll hike again for about 3 hours towards the jungle until reaching the second campsite.
Day 5: Cloud Forest
After breakfast (at 6:30am), you'll start trekking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a series of small brooks and creeks. You'll pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. Reach your campsite and after some rest, you will go to the hot springs (optional) and enjoy a well-deserved soak in the soothing waters.
Day 6: Llactapata - Aguas Calientes
You will have breakfast at 6:30am and then head towards Llactapata, on a 3-hour hike up. Llactapata is an incredible Inca fortress, from which you can see Machu Picchu. After some photos and rest, you will continue on a 2-hour downhill hike passing a variety of plantations that produce coca, bananas, and more until we reach the hydroelectric dam for lunch. Then, you'll arrive to Aguas Calientes.
Day 7: Machu Picchu
You will have breakfast and then your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel (approximately 5:40am). You will take the bus up to majestic Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise and begin your walking tour (2 hours) with your guide. After this, you will have time to explore the mysterious city by yourselves. Then, you will return to Cusco.
Day 8: Depart Cusco
You will be provided with breakfast in the hotel and you will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight home.
After your arrival, you will join your tour guide for a briefing about the wonderful trip that awaits you. After breakfast at the hotel, you can take a free walking tour (optional) and seePlaza de Armas(Main square of Cusco), Stone of 12 angles and San Pedro market.
Day 2: Open Day at Leisure
You have the day to spend at your leisure. You can take an optional full day Sacred Valley tour (additional cost) and visit Urubamba Valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the Chinchero marketplace.
Day 3: The Adventure Begins - Mollepata - Sraypampa
On day 3, you'll be picked up at 5am and travel by bus to Mollepata. You will hike for about three hours to Cruzpata, where you will have lunch enjoying panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay.
Day 4: Mighty Salkantay
You'll have breakfast at around 5:30am and begin the hike to the highest pass on this trek, located halfway between two huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From this pass, the view of the two snow-capped mountains is incredible. Head downhill through a cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where you will have lunch. Then, you'll hike again for about 3 hours towards the jungle until reaching the second campsite.
Day 5: Cloud Forest
After breakfast (at 6:30am), you'll start trekking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a series of small brooks and creeks. You'll pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. Reach your campsite and after some rest, you will go to the hot springs (optional) and enjoy a well-deserved soak in the soothing waters.
Day 6: Llactapata - Aguas Calientes
You will have breakfast at 6:30am and then head towards Llactapata, on a 3-hour hike up. Llactapata is an incredible Inca fortress, from which you can see Machu Picchu. After some photos and rest, you will continue on a 2-hour downhill hike passing a variety of plantations that produce coca, bananas, and more until we reach the hydroelectric dam for lunch. Then, you'll arrive to Aguas Calientes.
Day 7: Machu Picchu
You will have breakfast and then your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel (approximately 5:40am). You will take the bus up to majestic Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise and begin your walking tour (2 hours) with your guide. After this, you will have time to explore the mysterious city by yourselves. Then, you will return to Cusco.
Day 8: Depart Cusco
You will be provided with breakfast in the hotel and you will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight home.
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