06 Days / 05 Nights From January to December except February for Inca Trail maintenance Moderate
This incredible trek takes place under the sacred mountain of Salkantay Trek (6,271m), one of the highest and most dazzling of the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally join the 4-day Inca Trail to Machupicchu.
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha– Humantay Lake – Soraypampa
Day 2: Soraypampa- Inkachiriaska Pass - Ichupata - Pampacahuana
Day 3: Pampacahuana –Paucarcancha- Wayllabamba
Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu
Day 5: Paqaymayu - Runkuraqay - Sayacmarca- Chaquicocha- Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna
Day 6: Wiñaywayna - Intipunku - Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha– Humantay Lake – Soraypampa
Let’s start the adventure!!!!
About 5:30 a.m. your tour guide will going to pick you up from your hotel, then you are going to meet the rest of your group. A two-hour ride will take you through beautiful landscapes until you arrive at the Andean town of Mollepata, about 9180 feet above sea level, where you will enjoy a nutritive breakfast to start.
After that, we are going to continue our journey to CHALLACANCHA, our trek starting point. We will meet with our staff, who will load the equipment on horses and mules. Around 10:00 a.m., we will begin our hike toward Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level). During the hike we will have panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay, other mountains covered with snow, and around 1:00 p.m., we will arrive at the campsite where we will have a great Peruvian lunch. After lunch, we will visit Humantay Lake, an amazing lake and unique lake for its color in the mountains, (1 hour and 20 minutes hike) and we will come back to our campsite where our chef will be ready with our happy hour, some hours late we have our special dinner.
Day 2. Soraypampa- Inkachiriaska Pass - Ichupata - Pampacahuana
Ready for the challenge day?
After our great breakfast, We will leave the campsite around 7:00 am to start the four-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850 masl), the highest of the entire trail, and from which we will have impressive views of the snow peak of Salkantay. We will immediately descend towards our lunch spot Ichupata, observe Salkantay neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch, we will descend towards the Pampacahuana community, next to which exists an original Inca canal!!. Here we have dinner and set up camp.
Day 3: Pampacahuana –Paucarcancha- Wayllabamba
Good Morning Everybody!!!
At dawn, our trek leads us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will pass little creeks and visit several small archeological sites. Our last station for this day will be Wayllabamba (3000m/9843f), both our camping site and the starting point for the Classic Inca Trail on the next morning.
Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu
After that our porters staff wake up us whit a great Coca infusion to enjoy the beautiful panorama and the cozy and mystical atmosphere, our day starts early in the morning. Our trek takes us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa (3300m/10827f) and Lulluchapampa (3850/12631f) and finally leads us to the Warmiwañusca pass (4200m/13780f), which offers an impressive view of the snow capped mountain Veronica. After a short moment at the summit, we will continue walking down to our camping place named Pacaymayu (3500m/11483f).
Day 5: Paqaymayu - Runkuraqay - Sayacmarca- Chaquicocha- Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna
After a heartwarming breakfast start the adventure !!!
Today’s hike is exceptional because we will pass the ruins of Runkuraqay; Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna and we will enjoy the dramatic views of the Aobamba Valley. Start with a steady ascent to the second highest pass at Runkuracay reaching 12400 feet above sea level (3780 m.a.s.l) and passing through a circular Inca control point that occupies a commanding position overlooking the spectacular Vilcabamba mountain range below.
Catch your breath and realize the rest of Inca trail is mostly downhill. Be careful with your knees as the descent from the pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca is very steep and you may feel the strain at the end of the day.The name Sayacmarca means "inaccessible town" and describes the position of the site, ideally perched on the rocks. The one of a kind Inca trail, now a monumental structure of granite stones, continues through ever-changing layers of cloud forest full of rare orchids, hanging mosses, bromeliads, and tree ferns.
Passing the Inca tunnel, a gentle climb will take you to the third pass at 12139 feet above sea level (3700 m.a.s.l), offering incredible views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (20574 ft./6271m) and Veronica (18865 ft./5750m). Close to the pass you will find the impressive ruins of Phuyupatamarca (Cloud-level Town). A brief explanation of the mysteries of Inca architecture, before continuing along splendid Inca road to the important agricultural site of Intipata and up to the third and last campsite at Wiñayhuayna (forever young) located at 8856 feet above sea level (2700 m.a.s.l). Wiñayhuayna, named after a variety of pink orchid that grows here, is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu. There is a small gift shop, a bar and best of all, hot showers for a small fee. There will also be many more trekkers gathering here, ready for the final hike to Machu Picchu. We, therefore, recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings here. Keep an eye on your day packs and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and dinner.
Day 6. Wiñaywayna - Intipunku - Machu Picchu
Today is our Big days my friends !!!!
We will get up very early to start our most interesting day!! Around 4:00 am we will get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), to view Machu Picchu whit the first rays of the sun. That will be a hike of approx. 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be walking in darkness, so a headlight could help.
Finally once there, you will feel extremely happy, and you will be lucky to enter to Machu Picchu wonder in a unique way. We will spend the rest of the morning with 2 hours guided tour and some more exploring on your own. The shuttle bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is included, departs every 15 minutes and will be available for you descend to Aguas Calientes town.
Season: From January to December except February for Inca Trail maintenance
Difficulty: Moderate
From USD $780
More information about dates and prices upon request.Book Now
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