Enjoy the most outstanding places in Cusco and the walk to the top of Salkantay, in this last tour we will see typical animals such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. We will also meet local people, who speak Quechua, and learn about their religion (their relationship with the Apus – mountain spirits), their customs and life in the Andes. This hike is quite long and difficult (7-8 hours per day), so we recommend prior preparation consisting of shorter hikes at lower altitudes, 3 days before starting our trip.
DAY 1: WELCOME
Transfer from the airport to the Casa Union Cusco hotel accommodation.
Hotel night in Cusco.
DAY 2: CITY TOUR
Breakfast at hotel. 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Group City Tour will allow you to discover the main archaeological and religious tourist sites of the city of Cusco.
It begins with a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco, Qoricancha the temple of the sun, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay.
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
In the morning we will pick you up at the hotel at 8:00 a.m., then we will travel by tourist transportation towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first visit will be to the Pisac Archaeological Park and then we will visit the typical native market of the town of Pisac where we will have the opportunity to appreciate the different forms of commerce and crafts. Afterwards, our next stop will be in Urubamba, traveling along the banks of the Vilcanota River, after coordination with the guide, we will have a buffet lunch. After lunch in the afternoon we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, there we will have the opportunity to walk through the town and have an idea of what this archaeological, religious and cultural center was like during the Inca Empire. On the way back to Cusco we will make a stop in the town of Chinchero, where we will observe the process of alpaca wool and we will also visit the Chinchero Archaeological Complex, where the remains of the royal hacienda of Túpac Inca Yupanqui are located. At the end of the excursion we will return to Cusco.
Pisac: It is made up of groups of archaeological remains, among which stand out platforms, aqueducts, roads associated with walls and gates, canalized water channels, cemeteries and bridges.
Ollantaytambo: It was built during the Inca era as a fortified area that includes a temple, platforms and an urban sector. Two sectors can be distinguished: one called "Araqama Ayllu", an area linked to worship and religion; and the second "Qosqo Ayllu", a complex dedicated to housing.
Chinchero: In the workshops of the artisan associations, the entire weaving process is exposed daily, from washing the wool to the final product, in which one can witness the spinning, dyeing and weaving techniques that are still practiced. the Chincherino people.
Currently, Chinchero textiles are highly recognized for their dedication in production and for maintaining the Inca textile tradition as a basis, mainly for their well-known “LORAYPO” fabric.
Return to the city of Cusco. Night at the hotel.
DAY 4: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA | SORAYPAMPA
At around 4 in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and then head on a tourist bus to the town of Mollepata (2,803 m / 9,196 ft) located about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
Once in Mollepata we will get ready to begin the walk. This is uphill for 13 kilometers on average. In the end we will arrive at the Soraypampa camp (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). In Soraypampa it's time to have lunch and recover energy. That same afternoon, visitors who wish can walk two more kilometers to appreciate the famous Humantay lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 ft).
Back in Soraypampa we will have dinner and camp in our special facilities to reduce the cold.
DAY 5: SORAYPAMPA – ABRA SALKANTAY | CHAULLAY
The second day we will get up very early to have breakfast. Then we will begin the uphill walk through the impressive high Andean landscapes of Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha. After 4 hours of hiking we will reach the Salkantay pass (4,632 m / 15,197 ft), the highest point of the entire walk.
At the Salkantay Pass we will stop to take the respective photos with a tour guide. After a well-deserved rest, we will continue descending to Wayracpampa where we will have lunch at our camp.
After lunch we will continue descending through cloud forests and observe the continuous change in climate and vegetation. In the end we will reach the Chaullay camp (4,045 m / 13,271 ft). There we will have dinner and spend the night after 22 kilometers of the route.
DAY 6: HUMANTAY LAGOON
Pick up from the hotel between 04:30 a.m. and 05:00 hrs, starting our wonderful trip passing through towns like Izcuchaca, Limatambo to Mollepata where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast, then for around 01 hour we travel to Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level), this is where we enjoy the beautiful view of the mountain sacred Salkantay (6271 m.a.s.l.).
Then passengers will begin the 3 km walk to Humantay Lagoon for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The road to the Lagoon is steep, however our small groups and our guides will take the time to enjoy and arrive at the Humantay Lagoon without pressure. Finally we will arrive at our long-awaited destination, enjoying a magnificent view of the lagoon and the entire Andean landscape. Additionally, those who wish can go up to the viewpoint to have a better view of this wonder of nature of the blue-green lagoon and snow-capped peaks.
Next, we have the easy part of our hike. We have to go down to Soraypampa for 50 minutes. Then we will take our private transportation to return to our private restaurant where a delicious buffet lunch will be waiting for us. After lunch we will return to the city of Cusco arriving at approximately 6:00 pm.
DAY 7: CHAULLAY – SAAHUAYACO BEACH | SANTA TERESA
The third day begins very early with a nutritious breakfast. Next we will continue with the walk. The route continues to be surrounded by beautiful nature and simple paths, almost always descending.
After about 40 minutes of walking we will arrive at the Town of Collpa (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), where you can see the Santa Teresa Valley.
At the beginning of the afternoon we will arrive at Sahuayaco Beach (2,200 m / 7,218 ft), where we will have a restorative lunch. There we will board a transport that will take us to the town of Santa Teresa (1,550 m / 5,085 ft). There we will rest and have dinner at a tourist accommodation.
Visitors who wish can cool off in the warm waters of the Cocalmayo thermal baths, considered the best in Cusco. The entrance price is 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
DAY 8: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC | HOT WATERS
Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric | Aguas Calientes On the fourth day we will wake up early to have breakfast at the tourist accommodation.
Then we will continue the walk through beautiful landscapes full of coffee, banana, pineapple, avocado, as well as some coca leaf crops.
We will walk for a few kilometers to the Hydroelectric station (1550 m / 5,085 ft). There we will rest and have lunch and then continue with the final route to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,087 ft).
In the famous town of Aguas Calientes we will stay in a tourist accommodation and then have dinner. A good option to relax is to visit the town's thermal baths (not included in the tour). The cost of entry to this place is 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
DAY 9: HOT WATERS | MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
The last day will be dedicated entirely to getting to know Machu Picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft). Very early we will have breakfast at the tourist accommodation to board the buses that will take us to Machu Picchu (30 minutes of travel).
Once in the Inca citadel we will tour the archaeological site in the company of a tour guide for approximately 2 hours. We will also have free time for photos.
After visiting Machu Picchu we will return to Aguas Calientes where we can have lunch (not included in the tour). After that we will go to the train station (at least 30 minutes before the train departure time). The train will take us to Ollantaytambo where we will board a tourist bus that will return us to the city of Cusco. The tour ends there.
DAY 10: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Transfer from the airport to the Casa Union Cusco hotel accommodation.
Hotel night in Cusco.
DAY 2: CITY TOUR
Breakfast at hotel. 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Group City Tour will allow you to discover the main archaeological and religious tourist sites of the city of Cusco.
It begins with a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco, Qoricancha the temple of the sun, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay.
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
In the morning we will pick you up at the hotel at 8:00 a.m., then we will travel by tourist transportation towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first visit will be to the Pisac Archaeological Park and then we will visit the typical native market of the town of Pisac where we will have the opportunity to appreciate the different forms of commerce and crafts. Afterwards, our next stop will be in Urubamba, traveling along the banks of the Vilcanota River, after coordination with the guide, we will have a buffet lunch. After lunch in the afternoon we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, there we will have the opportunity to walk through the town and have an idea of what this archaeological, religious and cultural center was like during the Inca Empire. On the way back to Cusco we will make a stop in the town of Chinchero, where we will observe the process of alpaca wool and we will also visit the Chinchero Archaeological Complex, where the remains of the royal hacienda of Túpac Inca Yupanqui are located. At the end of the excursion we will return to Cusco.
Pisac: It is made up of groups of archaeological remains, among which stand out platforms, aqueducts, roads associated with walls and gates, canalized water channels, cemeteries and bridges.
Ollantaytambo: It was built during the Inca era as a fortified area that includes a temple, platforms and an urban sector. Two sectors can be distinguished: one called "Araqama Ayllu", an area linked to worship and religion; and the second "Qosqo Ayllu", a complex dedicated to housing.
Chinchero: In the workshops of the artisan associations, the entire weaving process is exposed daily, from washing the wool to the final product, in which one can witness the spinning, dyeing and weaving techniques that are still practiced. the Chincherino people.
Currently, Chinchero textiles are highly recognized for their dedication in production and for maintaining the Inca textile tradition as a basis, mainly for their well-known “LORAYPO” fabric.
Return to the city of Cusco. Night at the hotel.
DAY 4: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA | SORAYPAMPA
At around 4 in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and then head on a tourist bus to the town of Mollepata (2,803 m / 9,196 ft) located about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
Once in Mollepata we will get ready to begin the walk. This is uphill for 13 kilometers on average. In the end we will arrive at the Soraypampa camp (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). In Soraypampa it's time to have lunch and recover energy. That same afternoon, visitors who wish can walk two more kilometers to appreciate the famous Humantay lagoon (4,200 m / 13,779 ft).
Back in Soraypampa we will have dinner and camp in our special facilities to reduce the cold.
DAY 5: SORAYPAMPA – ABRA SALKANTAY | CHAULLAY
The second day we will get up very early to have breakfast. Then we will begin the uphill walk through the impressive high Andean landscapes of Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha. After 4 hours of hiking we will reach the Salkantay pass (4,632 m / 15,197 ft), the highest point of the entire walk.
At the Salkantay Pass we will stop to take the respective photos with a tour guide. After a well-deserved rest, we will continue descending to Wayracpampa where we will have lunch at our camp.
After lunch we will continue descending through cloud forests and observe the continuous change in climate and vegetation. In the end we will reach the Chaullay camp (4,045 m / 13,271 ft). There we will have dinner and spend the night after 22 kilometers of the route.
DAY 6: HUMANTAY LAGOON
Pick up from the hotel between 04:30 a.m. and 05:00 hrs, starting our wonderful trip passing through towns like Izcuchaca, Limatambo to Mollepata where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast, then for around 01 hour we travel to Soraypampa (3850 meters above sea level), this is where we enjoy the beautiful view of the mountain sacred Salkantay (6271 m.a.s.l.).
Then passengers will begin the 3 km walk to Humantay Lagoon for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The road to the Lagoon is steep, however our small groups and our guides will take the time to enjoy and arrive at the Humantay Lagoon without pressure. Finally we will arrive at our long-awaited destination, enjoying a magnificent view of the lagoon and the entire Andean landscape. Additionally, those who wish can go up to the viewpoint to have a better view of this wonder of nature of the blue-green lagoon and snow-capped peaks.
Next, we have the easy part of our hike. We have to go down to Soraypampa for 50 minutes. Then we will take our private transportation to return to our private restaurant where a delicious buffet lunch will be waiting for us. After lunch we will return to the city of Cusco arriving at approximately 6:00 pm.
DAY 7: CHAULLAY – SAAHUAYACO BEACH | SANTA TERESA
The third day begins very early with a nutritious breakfast. Next we will continue with the walk. The route continues to be surrounded by beautiful nature and simple paths, almost always descending.
After about 40 minutes of walking we will arrive at the Town of Collpa (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), where you can see the Santa Teresa Valley.
At the beginning of the afternoon we will arrive at Sahuayaco Beach (2,200 m / 7,218 ft), where we will have a restorative lunch. There we will board a transport that will take us to the town of Santa Teresa (1,550 m / 5,085 ft). There we will rest and have dinner at a tourist accommodation.
Visitors who wish can cool off in the warm waters of the Cocalmayo thermal baths, considered the best in Cusco. The entrance price is 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
DAY 8: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC | HOT WATERS
Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric | Aguas Calientes On the fourth day we will wake up early to have breakfast at the tourist accommodation.
Then we will continue the walk through beautiful landscapes full of coffee, banana, pineapple, avocado, as well as some coca leaf crops.
We will walk for a few kilometers to the Hydroelectric station (1550 m / 5,085 ft). There we will rest and have lunch and then continue with the final route to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,087 ft).
In the famous town of Aguas Calientes we will stay in a tourist accommodation and then have dinner. A good option to relax is to visit the town's thermal baths (not included in the tour). The cost of entry to this place is 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
DAY 9: HOT WATERS | MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
The last day will be dedicated entirely to getting to know Machu Picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft). Very early we will have breakfast at the tourist accommodation to board the buses that will take us to Machu Picchu (30 minutes of travel).
Once in the Inca citadel we will tour the archaeological site in the company of a tour guide for approximately 2 hours. We will also have free time for photos.
After visiting Machu Picchu we will return to Aguas Calientes where we can have lunch (not included in the tour). After that we will go to the train station (at least 30 minutes before the train departure time). The train will take us to Ollantaytambo where we will board a tourist bus that will return us to the city of Cusco. The tour ends there.
DAY 10: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.
- Guide.
- Group service.
- Professional bilingual guide and assistance (for groups of 10 or more).
- Bus to Mollepata.
- Train back to Ollantaytambo (6:35 p.m.).
- Entrance to Machupicchu.
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks (hot drink and popcorn) and 4 dinners.
- Tents for 2 people.
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (optional).
- Oxygen ball for some emergencies
- Complete food (not specified in the program).
- Tips.
- Phone calls.
- Snacks.
- Tourist ticket.
- The first breakfast in Mollepata and the last lunch in Aguas Calientes.
- Entrance to the thermal baths.
- Other unspecified transfers.
- Horse rental for Vinicunca or Humantay.
- It is advisable to rest upon arrival to acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness that affects some.
- Bring your identification document with you.
- Don't forget the tourist ticket for each attraction.
- Mineral water.
- Wear sneakers or light shoes or tennis shoes.
- Drink plenty of fluids on your excursions.
- Long sleeve shirts.
- Long pants.
- Insect repellent.
- Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat for sunny days.
- Bring rain ponchos or umbrellas in the rainy season (December to March).
- One backpack or light briefcase per person.
CONTACT US