Sacred Valley and Salkantay Explorer 7days

INFORMATION DETAILS Sacred Valley and Salkantay Explorer 7days

• Departures Dates: Every day of the year (please check availability in our groups).
• Altitude: 1950 - 4600m. / 6398 - 15092 f.
• Visited Places: Cusco, Mollepata, Trail (Cruz Pata, Soraypampa, Salcantay, Huayrac Pampa, Chaullay, La Playa, Lucmabamba, Santa Teresa , Hydroelectric Center, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu.
• Salkantay Trek Availability: 

1. Daily departures are available along the year, the recommended period for this trek is April to October. 
2. All private service departure dates are adapted to your request any day you choose.

• Group Size: Vegetarian option at no extra cost. Check our regular menú
• Preparation prior the Hiking Trips: due to the altitude of the highest point in Salcantay Mountain we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco at 3350m/9840ft.
• Meals: Vegetarian option at no extra cost. Check our regular menú

Salkantay Trek Dificulty LEVEL: BY DAY

• TREK DAY 1: moderate 
• TREK DAY 2: challenge 
• TREK DAY 3: moderate 
• TREK DAY 4: moderate 
• TREK DAY 5: easy

The Salkantay Inca Trail Challenge:

At 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third largest country in South America and five times larger than the UK. Geographically, Peru can be split into three main regions: the Andes Mountains, the Amazonian lowlands and the Pacific coastal strip. Peru borders Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and the western strip hugs the Pacific Ocean. The country possesses an enormous biological diversity and the flora and fauna are largely determined by the Andes and the Amazon River. Peru’s population of 28 million can be said to be bicultural in that there are two distinct cultural groups. The mestizo (indigenous and mixed Spanish descent) and the campesinos (rural Indian highlanders) are culturally quite different. Peru is unequalled in South America for its archaeological and historical wealth and has witnessed many key cultures and civilisations although the most well-known is the Incas, even though it was only dominant for around 100 years. The Salkantay trek challenge promises a journey into magnificent lost cities, astounding natural diversity and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to one of the world’s poorer countries.

Machu Picchu:

For many visitors to South America Machu Picchu tops the list of must-see destinations in Peru. The awe inspiring Inca site is instantly recognisable throughout the world and reaching inca Machu Picchu at a height of 2,380m and first setting eyes on the scene is one of the most tremendous and exhilarating feelings you will ever experience Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu inca was hidden by the lush vegetation of this region until 1911 and is probably one of the bestpreserved ancient kingdoms in the world. The quality of the buildings inca and their inaccessibility has inspired numerous theories about their purpose over the years over Machu Picchu in Peru. 

Cusco and the Sacred Valley:

Cusco, once the head of the mighty Inca Empire, is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Full of history, dramatic scenery and the host of many fiestas and carnivals, it is the gateway to world heritage listed Machu Picchu.

Situated at an altitude of 3,310m it requires time to acclimatise. The city is an eclectic mix of Inca and Spanish architecture; everywhere you look are the
remains of original Inca walls, doorways and arches.

The Trek Salkantay:

Set off on a 4-day trek along the ‘Salkantay Route inca’, named by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine as one of the 25 best treks in the world. The Salkantay trail follows an ancient and remote Inca footpath where massive snow-capped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests with its wild strawberries and multitudes of butterflies. Off the beaten path, this trek inca is a delightful way to experience the land of the ancient Incas, surrounded by spectacular snowy peaks, crossing high passes (up to 4600m), and with an amazing view over Machu Picchu to be enjoyed on the last day trekking. Spend the last night in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo), at the foot of Machu Picchu before exploring this magical city the following day treks. 

This trek is accompanied by local guides, cooks and horsemen and a Different Travel UK tour manager. Each day’s trek is between 5 and 8 hours in duration (variable depending on group pace) and you will stay in tents during the trek, apart from in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) where you will stay at a guesthouse before taking a coach up to Machu Picchu early the following morning. The terrain will vary throughout the 4 days including some days when you will trek uphill for the majority of the day, some days through the jungle, and some days where you will trek inca through small villages on fairly flat terrain. Most days the terrain will be undulating with gradual ascents followed by gradual descents incas.

Temperatures will be dependent upon the weather which may be rainy and cold or dry and sunny for trekking. You should be prepared for all weather conditions. On average the temperature will range between 5 to 15C during the day and -10C to 5C at night.This trek is graded challenging because of the combination of 4 long days of trekking over varying terrain, high altitude on some parts of the trek the fact you are camping. It is advised that you are of a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s exertions. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who regularly exercises or someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new. If you do not already regularly exercise it is crucial that you start training before departure to ensure your best chance of success on the challenge. It is possible to complete the challenge without training but it will be difficult and may hinder your experience. We require a medical form to be completed by everyone upon registering, and any pre-existing conditions, medications used and other medical issues must be noted and (if relevant) signed off by your GP. Any conditions that develop must be declared and a new medical form completed and signed for trekking sacred valley and salkantay explorer and machu picchu.

ITINERARIO DETALLADO DE MACHU PICCHU TREKKING

Sacred Valley and Salkantay Explorer 7days

Trekking Day 1: Arribal in Cusco - City Tour

Arrival and transfer in Cusco.

At the schedule time, our uniformed personnel will be waiting for your arrival at Cusco airport or the bus terminal, carrying a sign with your name on. We will then take you to the hotel. The tourist mobility for the service we offer is fully equipped for your comfort. Travel time will vary depending of the location of your hotel.

Arrival at the hotel, registration and accommodation.

13:30 pm City Tour Cusco

We will pick you up from your hotel at 14:00 pm to begin our tour of the city, where our professional guide will provide you with the necessary information on all the attractions that we will visit. The tour guide will be attentive to any questions and / or needs that each of our visitors require.

First, the main temple of the Sun known as the "Qoricancha". Secondly, "Sacsayhuaman" known as the head of the Puma in reference to the city of Cusco which was built in the shape of a Puma, and the head of the puma was exactly Sacsayhuaman. After we will visit Qenqo temple in honor of mother Earth or Pachamama. We then continue with our bus to Pucapucara that, in Incas time, was an entry control to the sacred city of Cusco. Finally, a visit of Tambomachay Inca temple in honor of the natural element of water.

We then return to Cusco. It will be up to you to decide to either stay in the main beautiful square of Cusco or be taken to your hotel.

Trekking Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour

8:30 a.m. We will pick you up from your hotel to start our tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will leave the city to reach the viewpoint of Taray, from here we can enjoy the beautiful Inca terraces and existing farmland which surround the sacred river of the Incas "Willcamayuc". Later on, we´ll visit Pisaq the archaeological Park, also the Indian market which is as colorful as the local people.

The Pisaq Andean Market is the best place to shop for crafts and souvenirs.

After some free time we will continue our journey to the village of Urubamba, where will have lunch at a delicious buffet.

Continuing our journey we'll reach the last living Inca town "Ollantaytambo".

Ollantaytambo is remembered as a mythical love story, a drama of love that prevails against all obstacles. It is believed that this city was built by General Inka Ollanta in a time of rebellion against the Royal army of the Inka to prevent its binding to the beautiful princess Cusi Qoyllor "beautiful star".

After a 40 minutes' drive we will reach Chinchero which is surrounded by the colonial houses, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dresses, all surrounded by the local temple, where you will appreciate the painting of local people who later where well-known as the creator of the "Escuela.

Cusqueña" founders. The Colonial church is rich in art and jewelry and well appreciated by their population.

Lunch is included on this tour in the town of Urubamba.

19:00pm Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

Trekking Day 3 : Cusco - Trek Mollepata - Trek Soraypampa

4:30 am Pick up from hotel,by our tourist bus, We´ll travel through the Andes , reaching the village of Mollepata.

Where you can gear up on last minute supplies or anything you may have forgotten back in town (water, rain poncho, bug spray, etc). Once the horsemen have taken the large packs and all last-minute supplies have been purchased, it’s time to start the trail.

The “trek” on this first day is for the majority of the time simply walking on the road that runs all the way back to Soraypampa. While the views are stunning and the trail occasionally takes a steep shortcut through the cow pastures, the scent of eucalyptus invades you as you head up out of Mollepata and out into the wide open valleys that dominate this section of the Andes, and it feels incredible to breathe the thin, mountain air and slowly slip further back into the middle of nowhere.

Eventually the trail makes it way all the way to the back of the valley, and the outpost tent settlement of Soraypampa comes into view. Little more than a collection of 4 or 5 ranching families who rent out campsites to passing trekkers, Soraypampa is an utterly surreal location. Nestled at the base of towering 3,600 mts or 8,528 fts. Andean peaks such as Mt. Salkantay at 6264 mts or 20551.18 fts, Soraypampa is our protector of Apu Salkantay: windswept, barren, freezing, and utterly enchanting. Most tour companies have covered campsites here to protect campers from the harsh elements, and it’s quite easy to fall asleep after a long day of trekking and the sound of the nearby river lapping you into a slumber.

Trekking Day 4: trek Soraypampa -  trek Salkantay Pass - trek Huayrac Machay - trek Challway

The second day is far and away the hardest day of the trek. It’s long, it’s cold, and you have to make your way over the 4,650 mts – 15,256 fts Salkantay Pass. Nonetheless, waking up at sunrise amidst the sprawling grasslands of Soraypampa, the sun illuminating the 6264 mts or 20551.18 fts Andean peaks springing up from behind you makes for an energizing and mesmerizing start to the day.

The climb to the pass takes anywhere from 3-4 hours, and it is a fairly steep grind of narrow switchbacks and steady uphills until the rock structures of the pass finally come into view. Unless hiking in June or July the trail should most likely be devoid of any snow or ice, although hail, sleet, ice, and rain are possible at any time of the year.

Though the air is thin and the trail is steep, anyone who is fairly physically fit and acclimated to the altitude can make it over the pass. We had, and probably we´ll have 60-something year old people in our group and they made it over the pass just fine. Our group carry extra oxygen, Also you can ride a horse and let them catch a ride over the pass.

Once having crossed the pass it is the start of a long path downhill where you will eventually drop over 1,700 mts or 5577 vertical ft until you arrive to our campsite in Challway.. Along the way to Challway there are various tent encampments and small villages scattered amongst the plains, and it is incredible to think that there are a handful of local people who live permanently so far removed from modern society and amongst such harsh natural conditions. Interestingly enough, nearly every small village (example: population 4 or 5) that you pass, there is at least 1 or 2 small. The trail weaves its way down the flank of the mountain and parallels to the Salkantay river that grows exponentially as you make your way down the valley, finally making it an hour or so before sunset to the village of Challway. The camping here is ready.

Trekking Day 5 : trek Collpapampa - trek La Playa - trek Lucmabamba

The trail from the village of Challway to lunch at La Playa is when you make the noticeable change from the mountains down into the jungle. Trickling streams amongst the sub-alpine plains give way to raging waterfalls and streams .There are a number of river crossings across bridges constructed from simple tree logs and branches, and it’s the kind of scenery that you expect a massive python or puma to lurch out at you at any given moment, although allegedly no pythons exist here and pumas are exceptionally rare. the vista of the river valley and the occasional stream crossings are enough to occupy your mind for the 4 hour trail down to lunch.

The area known as La Playa is our lunch place, here that the mosquitos and gnats start coming out in force, So the insect repellent will be our best best way to keep them away.

We continue to Santa Teresa our campsite.

We take a local bus for an hour long bus ride wich will bring us to the town of Santa Teresa, which is the first actually town that you’ll encounter along the trail, and is also famous for the Santa Teresa hot spring that bubble up right outside of town.

Optional trekking: Santa Teresa Hot Springs .

After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy the well-deserved soothing water!.

Trekking Day 6 : trek Santa Teresa - trek Hydroelectric - Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)

After breakfast you’ll walk for four hours until you reach the Urubamba River and have lunch by the hydro-electric station there.

Hydro is actually farther than Machu Picchu town on the train. It is mainly used by locals.

The walk to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo) is along the train tracks ,12 kilometers (7.5 miles).

Walking along the train line is much more enjoyable than we anticipated as a wide path undulates beside the tracks. Almost the entire distance is shaded by jungle foliage, trees and flowers, the incline is very gradual. This is the perfect "cool down" after 4 days of trail.

We can tell that we are getting close to our destination of Aguas Calientes: we notice more and more "clean looking" trekkers in fancy clothes looking very fresh... they are day trippers!. We are only a short walk away from a hot shower. The first in 4 days! There are no words to describe the joy of seeing the town of Aguas Calientes, the tired legs are quickly forgotten as we are near our hotel. Not only would we get to take a hot shower, but also sleep in a real bed... Hurra!

We all meet for dinner at a restaurant and get a plan for our next day.

Overnight in hostal in a soft bed. !you gonna love it! Won´t want to get up of bed? Come on ,You must do it. Tomorrow is Machu picchu! dream with it!

Trekking Day 7 : Excursion to Machu Picchu

We catch a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu, the buses start running from 5:30-6am. What does this mean? This means that all the people who took the 1st bus are most likely going to get to Macchu Picchu before others and be the first enjoying the Sunrise, also well rested and relaxed and with full of energy for climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machupicchu mountain if you decide it.

Macchu Picchu is an incredible spectacle of architecture, culture, and history.

Macchu Picchu is special , and watching the sun break the mountains and illuminate the city of stone is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The setting for the ancient city is absolutely stunning, and the feeling of reaching it by foot over 5 days of such intense physical exertion and the swath of rugged terrain that you’ve since left behind makes the entire moment of standing atop Macchu Picchu much more rewarding than had you simply taken a train from Cusco and then a bus to the top.

Overall this journey is highly recommended, just be sure to bring some good rain gear, some really strong bug repellent, and be prepared for an absolute madhouse on the final day of the trail “cause after 10 am thousands of tourist are coming from Cusco in a day trip to Machupicchu.

Ok, so here’s the deal with Huaynapicchu Picchu. Only the first 400 people who got to the entrance fees can climb Huayna Picchu, the famous little mountain that sits inside of Macchu Picchu. 200 hundred people at 7:00 am and other 200 hundred at 10:00 am. If you want to do it, please let us know at the moment of your reservation.

At 6:45p.m. (depending on availability), you will be taking a train to Ollantaytambo and from there; a bus will drive you to Cusco.

Arriving approximately at 22:30 pm

End of our Services Machu Picchu Trekking

INCLUDES in Sacred Valley and Salkantay Explorer 7days:

• Transfers In / Out - trekking
• Transportation Cusco-Mollepata. (Start walking)
• Professional bilingual tour guide English /Spanish.
• Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
• Hotel for 2 nights in Cusco.
• Tour to the South Valley of Cusco.
• Entrance Fee to Machu Picchu.
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks, 4 dinners. ” Vegetarian (vegan) food on request at no extra cost!
• Cook. (Professional for trekking)
• Drinking water along the Inca trail, machu, only on meal times.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 1st Aid Kit
• 01 Oxygen Ball
• Horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
• Horse men
• Quadruple & waterproof Camping tent “02 people only”
• 01 Sleeping Mattress per person
• 01 night in touristic hostel in Aguas Calientes “Machupicchu Village”.
• Return train tickets in Expedition Service (Machupicchu.Ollanta and bus to Cusco) transfer to Hotel.

RESERVATIONS for Sacred Valley and Salkantay Explorer 7days:

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@machupicchutrekking.com and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.
Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:
"MACHU PICCHU TREKKING is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations , offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”.

NOTE: CUSCO NATIVE, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.

Packing List for trekking sacred valley and salkantay explorer to machu picchu:

•  Day pack
•  Broken-in hiking boots (sneakers are not suitable)
•  Full rain gear or poncho
•  Gloves
•  Lightweight hiking pants (recommended) or shorts
•  Breathable dryfit top-wear
•  Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
•  Cold-weather jacket
•  Long-sleeve fleece/sweater
•  Wool hat
•  Baseball cap, sombrero and bandana
•  Binoculars for trekking
•  Headlamp
•  Sunglasses
•  Comfortable hiking socks (at least 4 pairs)
•  Sunscreen
•  Insect repellant for trekking
•  Bathing suit
•  Casual mountain wear for evenings
•  Photo/video cameras and chargers, machu, tours.
•  Trekking poles (MLP provides wooden walking sticks at the first lodge)
•  Refillable water bottle (hydration bags are recommended)

 

Baggage Specifications for trekking:

• Please, no hard suitcases or wheeled bags. Soft duffel bags and / or backpacks (“soft” luggage) are recommended.
• We provide a limited amount of hair-dryers at each lodge, due to limited energy supply and environmental concerns.
• Shampoo, conditioners and bath gel are provided at each lodge.
• Bathrooms are equipped with drying lines.
• Any additional clothing and luggage that you will not be needing on the trek can be stored at your hotel in Cusco.
• If you do not have an appropriate sized duffel bag, we can provide a duffel bag on loan at the pre-trek briefing (the night before departure from Cusco). Please return it to your trip leader after the trek.
• Though we do not establish a weight limit for luggage or charge for excess baggage, we inform guests that luggage is mainly transported by mules and/or porters along the trail. We kindly ask that you consider restricting the weight of your luggage on the trail up to 10Kg/22Lbs.