Salkantay and the Inca trail 7 days 6 nights
Salkantay and the Inca trail 7 days 6 nights
From subtropical forests to glacial steppes and remote Inca ruins.
Duration: 7 days 6 nights
Reservation Code: CRA-AV-030
The mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba rise up between the Cusco region's two great rivers, the Urubamba and the Apuri?mac, their desolate slopes contrasting brilliantly with the lush vegetation of the lowland forests. The white peak of the sacred mountain of Salkantay (6,271 metres), wreathed in the white clouds which rise from the jungle, dominates Machu Picchu and its approach via the world famous Inca Trail, and treks around its base offer an extraordinary variety of ecological floors, from tropical valleys to glacial steppes.
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Marcocasa
Early morning pick-up from the hotel and private bus to the village of Mollepata where we will begin our trek, passing the small communities of Pampa de Anta, Izcuchaca, Zurite and Ancahuasi before descending into the fertile Limatambo valley with its orchards and the fine stonework of the Inca ruins at Tarawasi. From the subtropical valley of Mollepata with its citrus groves we walk to our first campsite at Marcocasa. |  |
Day 2: Marcocasa - Choquekiclla - Soraypampa
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| Today we walk to Choquekiclla and receive our first views of the southern faces of the Salkantay (6,271 metres) and Humantay (6, 217 metres) massifs, both sacred to the people of the Andes, camping at around 4000 metres above sea level amid imposing scenery. |
Day 3: Soraypampa - Japanese Pampa - Inca Canal
| A day of truly spectacular scenery as we negotiate a high pass just below the snow line, with Salkantay to the east and Humantay to the southeast. The Andean mountain rabbit or vizcacha, condors and eagles are common along this section of the trail, before we descend to the valley with its Inca canals. |  |
Day 4: Inca Canal - Three Stones - Llulluchapampa
We trek today through rolling pastures following the course of the ancient remains of Inca water channels, before climbing towards Llulluchupampa with its fascinating flora of orchids, epiphytes and polylepis cloud forest. |  |
Day 5: Llulluchapampa - Pakaymayu - Chakiqocha
Today we ascend to the high pass at Warmiwanuska (4,200 metres), the highest part of the Inca trail with its fine views of the Huayanay peaks to the east and the Vilcabamba range to the west, before descending into the Pakaymayu valley (3,650 metres) to the Inca remains at Sayacmarca. camp-site at Chakiqocha |  |
Day 6: Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarca - Winaywayna
| This is one of the most scenic stretches of the trek as we move into a warmer cloud forest habitat, rich in endemic fauna and flora, passing the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca and descending to the montane forests around the charming remains of the Inca shrine of Winaywayna. |
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Day 7: Winaywayna - MachuPicchu - Cusco
| Today's trail, high above the Urubamba river, leads us through forests replete with hummingbirds and orchids to the Sun Gate and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu below us, cradled in a saddle between two peaks and surrounded by dense vegetation. The royal road of the Inca takes us into the city, which we will study in the company of our guide. That afternoon we take the bus to the station at Aguas Calientes for the train journey to Cusco and transfer to our hotel.
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* Campsites may be changed according to the criteria of the guide.
Private Service
Train to Cusco, no fixed departure date, private transport to the trailhead, guide, porters and the very best equipment.
Included:
- Pick-up by private transport for transfer to trailhead.
- English speaking professional guide.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners and snacks.
- Cook and cooking equipment.
- Wranglers and pack horses (Days 1 to 4).
- Emergency horse.
- Porters (Days 4 to 7).
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
- Transfer train station to hotel.
- Equipment: Mountain Hardware 3 person and 4 person tents with ample space for backpacks, thermarest mattresses, dining tent, biodegradable toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and seats, cutlery, First aid and emergency oxygen supply.
Not included:
- sleeping bag
- tips for porters, guides, cooks
Prices 2008: starting at $ 490.00, depending on group-size. Please consult us