Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Marcoccasa - Soray Pampa
We will leave the city of Cusco at 5:30 by private transport to reach Marcoccasa (3400m), through the village of Mollepata (3000m) where we will take the ptit-dej (included). There, we will join the muleteers, then we will start hiking in a beautiful valley surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains, like the Nevado Humantay (5217m) and the peak of Salkantay (6264m).
We will cross different valleys, and your guide will tell you the local rural life. At Soray Pampa, at our campsite (3900m), the cook will wait for you with hot drinks and small snacks, before preparing dinner. This first night is quite fresh at 3900 m altitude - we recommend good sleeping bags that you can rent at the agency.
On the way to Soray Pampa, we strongly recommend you to make a detour to the lake of Humantay to discover the magnificent sight on the lake and the snowy peak of Humantay (ascent from Soraypampa at 3900m to Humantay at 4220m). Hiking time 2 hours.
Time of transport: 3h30
Time of walking: 6 to 7 hours
Climate: mild during the day and cold during the night
Elevation : Cusco (3400 m) - Mollepata (2800 m) - Marcoccasa (3400 m) - Soray Pampa (3900 m)
Option : On the way to Soray Pampa, we strongly recommend you to make a detour to the lake of Humantay to discover the magnificent sight on the lake and the snowy peak of Humantay (ascent from Soraypampa at 3900m to Humantay at 4220m). Hiking time 2 hours.
Day 2: Soray Pampa – Salkantay pass – Chaullay
After breakfast we head back to the Salkantay pass (4600m), which offers an exceptional view of the snowy peak of Salkantay (6264m). This morning will be the most challenging of the trek - and well worth it. A stop at the top will only be possible if the weather allows us. The hike will then continue downhill and we will leave the groundhogs to enter an ecosystem with lush vegetation. Arrived in Chaullay, we will settle in our camp and will take a snack before dinner. The night will be warmer than the previous one.
Time of walking: 9 hours
Climate : hot with mosquitos
Elevation : Soray Pampa (3900 m) - Salkantay pass (4600 m) - Chaullay (2950 m)
Day 3: Chaullay - Lucmabamba – Archeologic site of Llactapata- Hydroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
At dawn you will take the shuttle to Lumacbamba. We will start the day walking through the remains of the Inca Trail to reach the archaeological site of Llactapata (2650m), sanctuary of Inca culture and local flora, with an extraordinary view of the city of Machu Picchu and the canyon of Vilcanota if the weather allows us. You will be told everything about the Inca pilgrimage and the remains to be discovered in Llactapata. We will descend, along the river, then to arrive at the Hydroelectric Station (1950m), from where we will take the train until our stage of the day, the village of Aguas Calientes (2050m), located at the feet of the Machu Picchu.
Time of walking: 6 hours
Time of transport : 1h30
Climate : Hot with the presence of insects
Elevation : Chaullay (2950 m) - Lucmabamba (2000 m) - Llactapata (2600 m) - Hydroelectrica (1950 m) - Aguas Calientes (2005m)
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30, and we will go to Machu Picchu (2400m) by tourist bus. We will enter the Inca citadel around 6:00 am, so as to enjoy the sunrise on the site. After a guided tour of the archaeological area, including information about the life and customs of the Incas, we will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750m) (optional). We will leave Aguas Calientes by train. While waiting for the train, you will have the time to have lunch in one of the restaurants of the city. In addition, you can enjoy the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax before your departure.
Time of visiting : 2h
Time of transport : 4h (Aguas Calientes - Cusco ) and 30 minutes (Bus Machu Picchu)
Elevation : Aguas Calientes (2005 m) - Machu Picchu (2400 m) - Cusco (3400 m)