This tour is totally different than normal Salkantay trek, we specialize in designing life-time journeys and always strive to find the best and most beautiful treks in the region. In wishing to share the outstanding landscapes of the Andes. and acknowledging that such beauty should be enjoyed in the most natural, unique and exclusive off the beaten path.
Enjoy some of the most beautiful sights along the Salkantay Trail including Humantay Lagoon and a campsite right by the base of the prominent Apu Salkantay. Better yet, enjoy hiking along a section of the Inca Trail before reaching Machu Picchu as well.
This incomparable experience should be yours through Machulas Journey featuring, !!nothing is impossible!!.
Machulas Journey offer daily departures from March to January, this tour can be done any days of the week and 11 months of year, and you can book any day of the week except February (nobody work) because SALKANTAY TREK is close and we take as our vacation.
We recommended to book Salkantay Trek at least one month in advance, that means we can organize your trip better without problem.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 am to 4.30 am in our private transportation before embarking on a 3.5-hour car drive to the trail head at Soraypampa (3800 m.a.s.l / 12467.19ft). Once in Soraypampa, you will enjoy your first breakfast along with your hiking’s group´s chef, guides and support team. Your will also meet your group´s muleteers and give your duffle bags to them.
After breakfast, you will begin your trekking adventure to Machu Picchu by hiking up to Humantay Lagoon. This hike will be approximately 1.5 hours and will take you to the skirts of Humantay Mountain where the beautiful, crystalline-blue waters of the Humantay Lagoon lay. After breathing in the beauty of such magical place, you will begin making your way back down to the starting point to continue with your hike to the lunch spot. This hike will be approximately 2 hours of gradual ascent until reaching Salkantaypampa (4,000 m.a.s.l / 13123.36ft) with an estimated arrival time of 1 p.m. Salkantaypampa is located on the skirts of the Salkantay glacier mountain and has some unmatched views of the Salkantay Mountain.
After lunch and a well-deserved break, you will take continue along gradually ascending terrain for approximately 3 hours until the campsite at Ichupata (4,400 m.a.s.l / 14435.7ft ). Needless to say, this campsite will have you closer to the magnificence of Salkantay Mountain and will make your overnight stay an unforgettable night under the stars.
After a crisp, early wake up accompanied by amazing views of the surrounding glacier peaks and mountains, you will enjoy your breakfast and get ready for the day´s hike. From Ichupata, you will hike for approximately 3 hours until reaching the pass known as Inca Chiriaska, located at (5,100 m.a.s.l / 16732.28ft). Just as its name in Quechua implies, this place is cold (almost frozen depending on the time of year) but has the best views of the mountains by the Salkantay glacier peak. You will enjoy the breath-taking scenery with your hot tea drink before continuing on. The hike from the pass will be to the lunch spot at approximately 3.5 hrs downhill. At this spot, you will see yet another glacier beauty the Paltayoc peak.
After lunch and a well-deserved break, you will continue hiking for another 3.5 hours downhill to the campsite at Pauccar Cancha. Pauccar Cancha is located near the Inca ruins of Pauccar Cancha at 3,300 m.a.s.l / 10826.77ft).
After breakfast, you will visit the Inca archaeological site of Pauccar Cancha before continuing on with your hike. Today´s highlight will be entering to the Inca Trail for a section of the original path. On this hike, you will be mesmerized by the stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. In addition, you will also get a taste of the Inca Trail by visiting the famous Llactapata Inca archaeological site. This site is known for having been an Inca village characterized by its houses, water channels, and many farming terraces gently bordering the mountain side. From Llactapata, you will hike for about 1 hour until your lunch.
After lunch and a well-deserved break, you will hike for another 2 hours until Km 82 where you will meet our private van Ollantaytambo-bound. Once in Ollantaytambo, you will enjoy your dinner and will take a train to Aguas Calientes town for your overnight stay.
After early breakfast at the hotel, you will walk to the bus station alongside your guide to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. The bus service is first come, first served basis, departing every 5 minutes and lasting approximately 25 minutes to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to Machu Picchu, you will walk into Machu Picchu with your guide to the main lookout point. Here, you will be able to take your post card pictures of Machu Picchu. After enjoying the sunrise (weather dependent), you will begin your 2 to 3 hrs guided tour of Machu Picchu. During your guided tour, your guide will explain and take you to the most important sections of the citadel.
Following your guided tour, you will get to explore Machu Picchu with your tour guide. You will also have free time to explore the site on your own. If you have booked the extra hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain, you will climb it at this time. If you do not book this extra hike, you will still have the option to climb to the Sun Gate (an hour and a half) or to the Inca bridge (45 minutes).
After your visit to Machu Picchu, you will be required to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes town to enjoy your lunch (not included). You return train from Aguas Calientes town to Ollantaytambo will be in the afternoon – those who have not booked either extra hike will have train tickets for the service at 2:55 pm and those who have booked either extra hike will have train tickets for the service at 4:22 pm.
In Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting for you to transfer you back to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel.