The Salkantay Trek

DAY 2.
SORAYPAMPA
This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon your level of acclimatisation. The most popular activity at Soraypampa is a half-day hike (3-4 hours to a glacial lake where the more adventurous might take a very short swim! This activity is excellent for acclimatisation and a first immersion into high-mountain trekking! In the afternoon, you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi. In the evening, the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days.

DAY 3
SORAYPAMPA to WAYRA LODGE at HUAYRACCMACHAY (3,850m/12,600 ft).
This is the big day: the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start you will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass you stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay toyouring above us. You will keep your eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass you continue your descent toward the Wayra Lodge ‘the place where the wind lives’, which is your destination for the evening.

DAY 4
HUAYRACCMACHAY to COLPA LODGE at COLLPAPAMPA (2,800m/9,200 ft).
Following the long first day you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. You then begin your trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Your arrival at the next lodge encounters a “Pachamanca” style lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking). The Colpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor hot tub in this lodge is the highlight.

DAY 5
COLLPAPAMPA to LUCMA LODGE at LUCMABAMBA (2,100m/6,900 ft).
After an early breakfast you head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world!), bananas, ‘granadillas’, and orchards. You stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. After another hour of trekking a private vehicle arrives to take you to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”. From the head of the trail it is a short climb to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. You arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and a possible meeting with members of the local community.

DAY 6
LUCMABAMBA to AGUAS CALIENTES (1,900 m/6,200 ft).
After an early start and a hearty breakfast, you tackle the last day of your trek. You head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900ft), where you come upon a distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few travellers ever glimpse; an added value are the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. You then begin your final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short scenic train ride away. You then arrive in Aguas Calientes to check-in to your hotel for the night.

DAY 7
Machu Picchu (2,450m/8,000 ft) to Cusco
You wake up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then make your way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu. A complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided, after which you will have about 4 additional hours to explore the site on your own. Afterwards, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train takes you to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle awaits to take you to Cusco.