Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Malaga pass – Chaullay – Vilcabamba (Huancacalle)
Our day will start early in the morning. We will go by bus to the northwest of Cusco and we will pass villages like Chinchero (3760m) and Ollantaytambo (2800m), located in a very fertile area where corn is grown. Then, the trail will take us to the highest point of the region: the Malaga Pass (4400m). During our descent through the Amaybamba Valley, we will enjoy the superb view of snow-capped mountains and cloud forests. We will then pass the Chaullay pass (1200m) and we will head to Huancacalle (3000m), where we will spend the night in a local hotel.
Time of walking: 8 hours
Climate : hot and cold
Elevation : Cusco (3400 m) - Ollantaytambo (2800 m) – Malaga pass (4400 m) - Chaullay (2950 m) - Vilcabamba (Huancacalle, 3000 m)
Day 2: Vilcabamba – Vitcos Rosaspata – Abra Pumachaca or Azutina - Raccachaca
During this day, we will visit the archaeological sites of Vitcos Rosasapata (3080m) and Ñustahispana (3050m). Our tour will take us through beautiful vegetation to the mountain passes Pumachaca (3900m) and Azutina (4000m). We will spend the night in our camp, mounted in the community of Raccachaca (3700m).
Time of walking: 8 hours
Climate : warm and cold with mosquitos
Elevation : Vilcabamba (3000 m) - Vitcos Rosaspata (3080 m) - Abra Pumachaca (3900 m) / Azutina (4000 m) - Racachaca (3700 m)
Day 3: Raccachaca – HatúnPampa – Mojon pass – Laccococha
During the day, some locals will tell us the traditions and customs of their region. Then we will pass the passes Yanacocha (4420m), Tullu Tacana (4500m) and Mojon (4500m). From here we will have a great view of the Salkantay mountain. After lunch, we will go down to Laccococha (3600m), our place of encampment.
Time of walking: 7 hours
Climate : cold
Elevation : Raccachaca (3700 m) - HatúnPampa (4000 m) – Mojon pass (4500 m) - Laccococha (3600 m)
Day 4: Laccococha - Mutuypata – Yanatile – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Our day will begin with a breakfast with a magnificent view of the mountains. While crossing Mutuypata forest (3250m), we will admire the vegetation of the region. We will also see coffee plantations and tropical fruits. In the small village of Yanatile (2200m), we will take a bus to Hydroelectrica, then we will take a train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.
Time of walking: 7 hours
Climate : hot and cold with mosquitos
Elevation : Laccococha (3600 m) - Mutuypata (3250 m) - Yanatile (2200 m) - Hidroeléctrica (1950 m) - Aguas Calientes (2005 m)
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu - Cusco
We will leave the hotel after breakfast at 5:30 and we will ride to Machu Picchu (2400m) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 06:00. After a guided tour of the archaeological site (including information about life and culture of the Incas), you will have time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, as well as the Huayna Picchu if you wish. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train at 14h55 or 18h20, until Ollantaytambo, then a bus will take you to your hotel in Cusco.
NB : If you wish to climb the Hayna Picchu, please book your entry at the same time as you book for Machu Picchu, (at least 3 months in advance) as the number of entries to Huayna Picchu is limited by Ministry of Culture.
Time of transport : 4h30
Time of visiting : 2 hours
Climate : hot
Elevation : Aguas Calientes (2005 m) - Machu Picchu (2400 m) - Cusco (3400 m)