Salkantay – Machupicchu 5 days

We leave Cusco early in the morning to the town of Mollepata by private transport for the approximately 4-hour trip. We will travel northwest, crossing the Pampa de Anta or Yawar Pampa (Pampa blood), named for the fierce battle that took place here between the Incas and Chancas, for control of the city of Cuzco. We continue to the town of Limatambo, where we can visit the archaeological site of Tarawasi.

Arriving at Mollepata, we will have a brief rest and then continue our journey of approximately 2 hours more to Soraypampa (3268 masl / 10722 ft), where we will have lunch.

Our trek begins with a moderate climb to SALKANTAYPAMPA (4153 masl / 13625 ft), where we will have a spectacular view of the Apu Salkantay. We begin our steep ascent with a wonderful view of the snow-capped peak, and reach our campsite at Soyroqocha (4485 masl / 14715 ft). At this site we can expect a very cold night (0ºC / 32ºF or less). The slope of the climb is moderate. Lodging.

Approximate hiking time: 3 hours

We will climb uphill for about 45 minutes to the Salkantay pass, where we can build apachetas (stone towers), to then begin the descent to Wayrajmachay (3932 masl / 12900 ft). Then we continue towards the Humantay valley and arrive at our campsite in Colpapampa about 5 hours later. The gradient is moderate.

Approximate walking time: 7 hours

An easy hike today of about 4 hours. We walk along the banks of the Santa Teresa River crossing a forest of native trees. We will pass a beautiful waterfall and plantations of coffee and fruit trees. Our camp at La Playa has some facilities and we will be able to refresh ourselves in the river. The gradient is moderate.

Approximate walking time: 7 hours.

Leaving early, we walk along the road for about 45 minutes and then turn off on the trail that leads to the Aobamba Valley. The climb will take about 2 hours, through a forest of native trees to the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, where we will have views of Machu Picchu and the Apu Salkantay. We continue downhill until we cross the Aobamba River and arrive at the train station at the Hidroeléctrica (hydroelectric plant).

Here we will take our train, with the possibility of traveling to Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

For those wishing to visit Machu Picchu you can spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes or use the municipal campsite on the outskirts of the city.

Approximate walking time: 7 hours.

Early in the morning we take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. We have the opportunity to climb the difficult path to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain, which offers spectacular and different views, it is even possible to see the Apu Salkantay.

The Machu Picchu tour allows us to appreciate the high level of development reached by the Andean civilization through the Incas.

A highly religious site, Machu Picchu demonstrates the superior knowledge achieved by astronomy and astrology. This knowledge of measuring the rainy and dry seasons through the solstices is indispensable for the development of agriculture, the source of life in the Andes. We will try to spend as much time as possible in the archaeological complex, depending on what time we take the train back to Cusco.

Approximate walking time: 3 hours