Sacred Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu 5 days / 4 nights "Confort Service"

You’ll wake up to the first rays of the day and glimpse the Apu Salkantay while sipping an energetic coca tea. Following that, you will eat a substantial breakfast before beginning the three-hour hike of seven kilometers to the route’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 feet). The “path of the 7 snakes” is a challenging ascent due to its meandering course. When you reach the summit, you will be treated to a breathtaking vista of the surrounding valleys and the Salkantay peak directly in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft).
It is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region and is revered as an Apu (Inca God). You will also be able to see the mountains Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After taking in the views and resting, you will begin descending (7 km / 4.35 mi) to our lunch spot at Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This stretch is rough and steep, but it offers stunning views of the surrounding valley.
Following a rejuvenating lunch, you will enter the rainforest’s edge, popularly known as the “cloud forest.” This section covers 9.5 kilometers / 5.9 miles and takes about three hours. Along the route, you’ll see the lush rainforest and how the landscape changes quickly and dramatically from the Andes to the Amazon. You will see vivid landscapes, diverse animals, and native plants, as well as feel the warmer climate. After a long day of hiking, you will be relieved to arrive to Collpapampa for the night. Finally, we will give you a full lunch before settling into our private Mountain Sky View Campsite.

Today, you will be woken at 6:00 a.m. for tea and breakfast before leaving the campsite. Our first destination will be La Playa, which will be reached by trekking through the Santa Teresa Valley. You’ll take a more leisurely walk today, with more downs than ups, as you soak in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and numerous plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado. We’ll pass through Collpapampa, a little settlement, and then drop into a valley to see waterfalls, birds, hot springs, fruit trees, and a variety of flora and fauna. You could be lucky enough to witness Peru’s national bird, the ‘Cock of the Rock.’
We’ll eat a delicious lunch in La Playa before continuing on to Lucmabamba (2,000 meters / 6,562 feet), which is only another hour away. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee plantation, which is ideal for coffee enthusiasts. Even if you don’t enjoy coffee, the aroma in the air is delightful. This is the principal agricultural industry in the rainforest, with crops exported to the United States, Asia, and Europe. You will also visit avocado and orange plantations.
Of course, after supper, you’ll retire for the night to one of our luxury camps, Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the many sounds of nature and feel at peace with Mother Earth.

You’ll be anxious to put on your hiking boots for your final day of walking after filling up on fuel at breakfast. This morning, you’ll be able to trek a portion of the original, world-famous Inca Trail. After a 2-hour uphill walk and stunning views of the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site just in front of Machu Picchu. Llactapata is the first Inca site you’ll encounter on the walk, and you’ll learn about the old culture’s mysteries as well as the spectacular location. You can also get your first exhilarating look of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from here. Your guide will fill you in on all of the Inca history while you capture as many images as you like to share your incredible experiences with friends and family at home.
After that, you’ll trek downward for 1:30 hours, gaining another glimpse of the Inca fortress, Machu Picchu, along the way, heightening your anticipation for tomorrow. We pause for lunch in Aobamba before driving for half an hour to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft). One of the most striking sights in this part is the 250-meter-tall artificial waterfall, which provides electricity to the entire city of Cusco.
Once in Hidroelectrica, you have two options: 1) If you’re tired from all the trekking, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes (not included). If you want to enjoy the final leg of the hike, take the level walk along the rails to Aguas Calientes, which takes around 3 hours. It’ll be another chance to enjoy the warm tropical surrounds as you hike. Along the walk, you’ll witness Intihuatana, an old rock utilized as a sundial by the Incas, which worked in tandem with Machu Picchu’s sundial stone. These were used to measure and read the winter solstice, which marked the beginning of the Inca farming season. You will then arrive at the train tracks leading to Aguas Calientes. Once in the little town, you’ll eat dinner at a restaurant and spend the night in a cozy motel.

Visit the “Lost City of the Incas”
You’ve been waiting for this day since you first stepped foot on the trail. You will explore Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site! We’ll wake up when it’s still dark following a good night’s sleep at our hostel. We like to start this final day early to avoid the throng at Machu Picchu and enjoy the lovely morning light on the gigantic cliffs. The entry opens at 6:00 a.m., and we want to be among the first inside. From Aguas Calientes, we’ll take a bus to the Inca citadel before entering and marveling at the amazing architecture. Once inside the complex, your guide will take you on a two-hour tour of the most important areas, including residences, temples, terraces, and farming fields. You’ll be absolutely astounded by the Incas’ brilliance, which remains a mystery even today.
The ancient culture lacked sophisticated tools, like iron and steel. Those who built the city were geniuses in constructing this town sustainably and elegantly on the side of a mountain, even carrying water through its streets via canals and aqueducts for the residents to utilize. When a Peruvian guide showed Hiram Bingham this location, it was practically unrecognizable, covered in dense vegetation and in ruin. It has subsequently been cleaned and restored, and it is now safeguarded and treasured around the world. Following your wonderful guided tour of the citadel, you’ll have the opportunity to take one of the additional climbs up Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft); these tickets must be reserved in advance. You’ll be able to take in a breathtaking perspective of Machu Picchu’s citadel, one of the best in the world.
Make sure you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. Your train time will be determined by availability. Our private transportation will meet you in Ollantaytambo and transfer you back to your Cusco lodging. You can now take a well-deserved break, but your heart will continue to fly high in the Andes like a condor for many years.

Meals: 01 breakfast at hotel
Highlights: Visit to Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes