Day 1: CUSCO – CHALLACANCHA – SOROYCOCHA.
You will leave Cusco early in the morning (06.00) and drive to the village of Mollepata a nice Indian Village situated in a citrus growing area at a subtropical region at 2803 masl. On the route you will visit the archaeological site of Tarawasi, one of the nicest buildings in the region before getting to Mollepata. After you will continue driving up over a dirty road until arrive to Challacancha, at the place we will meet the horse handlers and horses, who will be our support on the trek, from Challacancha we will start to climb toward Salcantaypampa, where you will take lunch, after a short rest you will continue to climb toward Soroycocha (4,200 masl), which will be the first campsite, from this place we will have a magnificent view of Apu Salcantay (snow capped mountain 6271.00 masl) Guardian Lord of Cusco. Meals included: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: SOROYCOCHA – QOLLPAPAMPA
After a healthy breakfast, early in the morning, forecasting a long journey you will depart around 6:30 am, toward Collpapampa, you will start to ascent by 1 hour and until arrive to Salcantay Mountain pass (4525masl) at the side, you will enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped mountain of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, show us the south face of Salkantay towering above us, at the place we have the possibility to watch chinchillas and Andean Condors in their natural habitat, arriving to Huayracmachay where you will have lunch, then you will start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an original ancient Inca path by 6 meters approximately; you will walk along the Salkantay River, arriving to the second camp at Qollpapampa (2890m).
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Cusco QOLLPAPAMPA - LUCMABAMBA
After breakfast we will descend through a narrow path toward the banks of the Cachora or Santa Teresa River. This day you will enjoy a warmer and humid climate, at this altitude there is a marked change in the flora and fauna, becoming more verdant and preparing us for the subtropical foliage, on the route we will pass through wild fruits plantations like passion fruit, coffee plantations. You will pass the waterfalls of Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, where you will enjoy a delicious Lunch. In the afternoon you will continue close to the banks of the river and we will pass Sahuayaco a small village less of 20 families. Later we arrive to our campsite at Lucmabamba.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch .
Day 4: LUCMABAMBA – HYDRO – MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO (AGUAS CALIENTES)
After breakfast, you will start to walk toward La Playa village and you will cross the river and start climbing until arrive to El Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa (2860 masl) from here you have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. You will enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (2650masl) from where we can view both Machupicchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata remains, which have recently been restored. A descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu from where we board a train that takes us to Puente Ruinas (short, scenic 30-minutes train ride), arriving to Aguas Calientes, transfer to the hotel for resting.
Accommodation at selected hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5: MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
Early in the morning you will take the first bus up to the Sanctuary; the guide will offer a full guided tour of this spectacular place. Then, you will have free time to explore after the tour. Return to Aguas Calientes to take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where the bus waits for us to transfer to hotel in the Sacred Valley or Cusco city. Finally, you will be transferred from the Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
