Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 7days

Season : mid April-November
Departure Dates: On Request
Prices Start at : $1150.00 USD
Minimum :  2 Trekkers

• A once in a lifetime physical, cultural, and spiritual journey that will take you through the magnificent Salkantay Inca Trail to the legendary ruins at Macchu Picchu.
• Challenge yourself as you hike through nine different bio-zones, changing altitudes and varied terrain mountain in Peru.
• Marvel at the exquisite beauty of the Salkantay Peak and Humantay Glacier Lake.
• Share in the culture and customs of local Andean families who maintain centuries-old traditions mountain salkantay.
• Witness environmental and social initiatives to maintain the natural integrity and improve quality of life in the region of the Cusco - Peru.
• Indulge in the comfort of our enchanting mountain lodges, the innovative gourmet cuisine, the warmth of our people, and your daily retreat to a Shangri-La for recovery of mind and body for salkantay trek
• Be inspired by the majesty of your surroundings and the knowledge that you are following in the footsteps of the Incas for trekking + inca trail, salkantay trek and tours to machu picchu.

The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office at either 6 or 7pm (exact time will be confirmed).

Day 1:

We pick you up from your hotel at 5am (Peruvian time zone) to begin our journey to 'Tarawasi' (2600m/8530ft) an important Inca archaeological complex, 2 hours from Cusco. We will have our breakfast in Mollepata - this is where we also will meet our horsemen and horses and begin our hike. We will walk for around 3 hours until we reach our 1st campsite which is called Marqocasa (3500m/11482ft). From there we will have views of the magnificent snow-capped mountain, Rayuska, which is more than 5350m/17552ft above sea level. We will spend the

Day 2:

This day begins with a nice breakfast at our camp, from where we will begin hiking for around four and a half hours towards Soraypampa (3900m/12795ft). This point has impressive views of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay (5917m/19412ft), Tucarway (5910m/19389ft), Rayuska (5350m/17552ft) and Salcantay (6271/20573ft). We will have lunch and rest there. We will then climb in an easterly direction for about an hour until we arrive at Salkantay pampa which is located at the height of 4100m/13451ft. We stay there for the night.

Day 3:

The day begins with a nice breakfast, so we can get some energy to begin our trek towards the Incachiriasca pass which is located at a height of 5028m/16495ft. This is the highest point on our hike and from there we will have a magnificent view of Salkantay or the “Savage Mountain” (6271m/20573ft) as well as the remarkably colored small lakes, which are located on the sides of this imposing snow-capped mountain. There will also be possibility of seeing condors and wild rabbits as well as other typical native animals of the Peruvian Andes - llamas, guanacos and vicuñas. After arriving to the pass, we will descend to the Pampacawana community (4000m/13123ft), where we also will set our camp.

Day 4:

We begin the day with the usual delicious breakfast and then we start walking in the direction of the archaeological site of 'Paucarcancha' and thereafter towards the village of Wayllabamba. There we will join the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and our horseman and horses will be replaced by porters. The trail continues to Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631ft), where we will spend the night.

Day 5:

After breakfast, we will start hiking a steep slope towards the Huarmihuañusca pass (also called 'Dead Woman's Pass' due to its image from afar), which is located at 4200m/13750ft above sea level. From there we will have an amazing view over the impressive Inca Trail. Then we descend to Pacamayu where we will have lunch. After resting, we climb again to visit the archaeological site of 'Runcuracay' and to reach the Runkurakay pass (4000m/13080ft). Views of the mountains and surrounding area, from these points, are spectacular.

Thereafter begins a steep descend from the pass leading to the Inca site 'Sayacmarca'. We will have a short rest there, before continuing on towards Chaquicocha (3660m/12007ft), where we will spend the night.

Day 6:

On this day we will hike towards the beautiful Inca monument, Wiñay Wayna. On the way we pass the archaeological sites of 'Phuyupatamarca' ('Town in the Clouds') and 'Intipata'. We will spend the night at Wiñay Wayna campsite (2680m/8792ft).

A short distance from this campsite is located the Inca site of the same name 'Wiñay Wayna' ('Forever Young'). Even if you are tired after the long trek, don't miss out visiting the most impressive site on the trail.

Day 7:

On the final day of our adventure, the breakfast will be served early at 4 am in the morning and we leave the campsite at 5 am, walking in the direction of the city of Machu Picchu, which is about 6 km away. We will arrive at 'Inti Punku' (Sun gate) (2730m/8792ft) and wait there to observe the beautiful Andean sunrise over the spectacular city of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). Then we will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city. Finally we visit Machu Picchu itself!

A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy left, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8923ft)! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top and you will get a magnificent view over Machu Picchu and its surroundings.

After the visit, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (the trip down to Aguas Calientes can be reached by bus or by foot) for lunch and the guide will give the train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves at 3:55pm and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 8:45pm.

If you desire an extra night in Aguas Calientes it can be arranged. This option is very popular as it allows more time to explore Machu Picchu. You can also go to the thermal springs in the town - a real treat after finishing the trail!

Note:

Campsites may be subject to change depending on allocations by the official group who controls access to the Inca Trail (Unidad de Gestión de Machu Picchu-UGM).

The Expedition Train is included in all tours (to/from Ollantaytambo). Departure times of the train can only be confirmed close to the time of the trek, if you join a group late in the day we can't guarantee that you will travel on the same train as the rest of the group.

Departure times are subject to change depending on Peru rail schedule and availability. If this is organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the Expedition train) for an increased price.

*To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card.

Tour Includes:

• Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
• Collection from hotel and train station
• Return transportation (bus to start of trail and tourist train back to Ollanta)*
• Entrance fee to Salkantay National Park, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 afternoon snacks, 6 dinners and snacks to be eaten throughout the day (breakfast on day 1 and lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included)
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Cook
• 4 man tent is provided for 2 people only.
• Sleeping mattress
• Horseman and mules until day 3 (for camping equipment and up to 8 kg of your personal belongings)
• Porters (From day 4 they will carry cooking and camping equipment)
• Oxygen bottle
• First Aid kit

 What you need to take:

• Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho, waterproof trousers, etc.
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
• Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water).
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries (including toilet paper)
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)

 Optional items to take

• Shorts
• Walking stick (with rubber tip)
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Extra money
• Bathing suit and entrance fee for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (not included)

Prices for 2013:

Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation we need to be informed in writing. Cancellation charges plus forfeiture of the non-refundable deposit will be applied as shown below calculated from the day written notification is received by Cusco Native.

Our cancellation table is as follows:

In the event of partial cancellations, the remaining passenger may have to pay any remaining charges (e.g. single room supplements or double-occupancy).