Salkantay Trekking Tour in Peru
Isolated Trekking | Explore Ruins of Cusco | Bike the Sacred Valley
Looking to explore Peru and the Andes apart from the crowds? Explore Peru with us on one of our newest itineraries that allow you to marvel at the Inca ruins that have withstood the test of time, explore the Sacred Valley on a mountain bike, trek the Andes without the crowds and enjoy one day on the Inca Trail that brings you to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
While you get acclimatized to the altitude, we tour around the ruins that are around Cusco with your knowledgeable guide. This is a vibrant city that mixes the cultures of the Incas, Spaniards and modern Peru to combine in an experience that is truly uniquely Cusco.
From Cusco we travel to the Sacred Valley where we will explore the bread basket of Peru on mountain bikes! Customized for all levels of biking, this is one of the best ways to enjoy the Sacred Valley on a high plateau with amazing vistas of the Andes and the Urubamba River rushing below.
In the Andean culture, the “Apus” (Gods) are the spirits that protect life, many are represented by mountains and one of the most important is the impressive Nevado of Salkantay (6,271m/20,569ft). Over five days we will cross landscapes with a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks, colorful lakes impressive mountains, queuñas forests (a native tree), remnants of ancient Inca trails, confluences of rivers, glaciers, among other stunning natural scenes.
This trek has been combined with one day on the Inca Trail that allows you to marvel at their masonry and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate in the afternoon. This is the time of day when most people have made their way down to Aguas Calientes, so you have time to enjoy the splendor of Machu Picchu almost to yourself! The following day we will take a bus to thoroughly explore the ruins with your local guide, who by now has most likely become a good friend after all the adventures shared!
Itinerary Snapshot
Day 1 Arrive and overnight in Cusco. We will gather in the evening for a trip briefing.
Day 2 Half-day tour of the Inca ruins around Cusco including: Sacsayhuaman, Qenco, Puca Pucara & Tambomachay ruins.
Day 3 Transfer to the Sacred Valley. Incredible cross-country mountain bike ride from Moray to Maras. Explore archaeological sites and visit traditional Peruvian villages along the way.
Day 4 Begin trekking on the Salkantay ! We first drive approximately 3.5 hours to Marcocasa and after 30 minutes of hiking, stop for lunch. The following 2 hours of hiking to Challacancha are fantastic with views of several peaks looming above us.
Day 5 After breakfast, we trek for 1.5 hours to Soraypampa with views of Humantay (5,917 m), Tucurway (5,910 m) and Salkantay (6,217 m). Soraypampa to Salkantay Pampa (our lunch stop) is another hour’s walk, followed by 1.5 hours trekking to Ichupata.
Day 6 Veering off the main trail for the Inca Trail, we continue towards Salkantay over the Incachiriaska Pass (5,028 m), the highest point on the trek. Descending the pass we will come to the small community of Pampacawana, our resting spot for the night.
Day 7 As we continue our descent, we trek for 4 hours to the site of Puacarcancha, where we stop for lunch. After lunch is a 2 hour walk to Hatunchaca for the evening.
Day 8 Waking to the beautiful view of Hatunchaca, we walk just over 1 hour to the archeological site of Llactapata. Our descent continues for 3.5 hours to Picaucucho. Tonight you will enjoy a shower and bed before hiking to Machu Picchu tomorrow!
Day 9 After being dropped off at Km 104, we pass the ruins of Chachabamba before ascending to the incredible ruins of Winay Wayna. We reach the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu in the golden afternoon light and enjoy a brief initial visit to the ruins. Overnight in the small town of Aguas Calientes.
Day 10 In the morning, we return to Machu Picchu where we spend most of the day with our knowledgeable guide. In the late afternoon, we climb aboard a first-class train for a ride back to Cusco.
Day 11 Transfer to airport for flight back home.
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