TREK THROUGH THE SALKANTAY TO MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

Altitude : 1950-4600 meters
High Season : April to November
Duration : 05 days and 04 nights

Attractive trek; made for trekkers wanting to have a changeable landscape; it is under sunrise code decentralization of trekking tours, since other tourist circuits have gotten famous in the last few years it's getting crowded, this trek is totally different than the others, it's not dirty, nor popular, so therefore it's not full of tourists going on this trek you may see distinct ecosystems spread across its different zones of altitude and climate. This trail runs from high valley up to the mountains and descends into a lush valley. The ecosystem is transformed rapidly.
Wonderful Second best option Instead the Classic 4 days Inca Trail.

Day 01: Cusco - Soraypampa

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 a.m in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we can see the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will have our breakfast. Here after we arrange the equipment on horses. After our breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay (6271 masl).
- Walking distance aproximately 10 Km. (L+D).

Day 02: Soraypampa - Chaullay

After an early breakfast we start trekking from Soraypampa approx 7:30 a.m we continue our hike hiking the peruvian highland, for 3 hours to start our ascent of the Apacheta pass 4,600 mts. initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation). From this point we can appreciate the spectacular views of the Mountain Salkantay, a stunning snow capped mountain (6,271 m) the second highest peak in Cuzco’s region, and also the mountains Humantay and Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. At our lunch spot after a five-hour walk, from the Apacheta Pass dowhill to lunch in Huayracpunku, and then a further 2-3 hours downhill walk to Camp in Chaullay 2,920 m. (B+L+D).
- Walking distance aproximately 20 Km.

Day 03 : Chaullay - La Playa

On this day we descend to the rim river. As we go down the birdlife is very interesting specially with hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many species of orchids and begonias. We walk the about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 5 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas. Campsite is at 2125ma sl. Meals: B, L, D
Note: if you don’t want to hike up anymore we can change the plan and take a local bus to go to santa Teresa village 1830 masl where we can erect the campingside and before dinner wi’ll go to baht in best hot spring place of Cusco called cocalmayo.

Day 04: la playa - aguas calientes

From La Playa we hike by road way around 30 minutes to Lucma, from here we start our climb up about 03 hours to Llactapata ( newly discovery Inca Site ) which is famous for a “great condor view of Machu Picchu”, then we hike downhill for about 2.30 hours to the Hydroelectric Station by 4:30 pm. Aprox. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes town which will be last 45 minutes where we spend the night in a nice hostel; you may also wish to pay a visit to the town's famous thermal springs which feel great after finishing the trail. Entrance to the springs is a small fee of $US 3.00. Allow 3 hours to really enjoy them, which is open Until 9.00 p.m. Meals: B, L, D

Day 05 : Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu - Cusco

We are going up to the Archeological site of Machupicchu 2400 masl and we will explore the ruins today at leisure and enjoy the ancient city in the tranquil morning hours, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. After the explanation of the guide you can climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or we can visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the City of Cusco. (B).

B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner