PL- 06 SALKANTAY & INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
(11 Days / 10 Nights)

Flight Lima-Cusco, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free day to get acclimatize (3,300m/10,900ft) and optional visits. Meet in the afternoon for the briefing. Overnight.

Day to visit the most important buildings in Cusco City like the Cathedral from the early 17th century, it is a fine example of colonial baroque art, the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun the most important temple built in the Incan time continue the excursion with the visit to the nearby Inca remains of Tambomachay with their water fountains; Kenko the religious center; Puca Pucara the red fortress and finally the impressive Sacsayhuaman  “House of the Sun”, with temples, palaces and important astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 200 tons and were placed with incredible precision. In the late afternoon we visit the Centre of Native Art to enjoy typical music and dances of the region. Overnight. (B)

A panoramic bus ride of about 3 hours brings us in the morning to the village of Mollepata where we meet up with our wranglers. From here we start up gently climbing rural paths, through the crops of the locals towards Marcoccasa (3,450m/11,400ft). After lunch we continue hiking for another hour uphill to our first camp at Marcoccasa (3,500m/11,550ft) from where we have some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. (L/D)

After breakfast the trail ascends to the Pakiswaraka Ridge (3,665m/12,100ft), we continue on an easy path towards the water canal built by the community. From this point we can enjoy beautiful views into the valley and towards the majestic Mt. Humantay. We continue on a nice flat path along the canal into the valley until lunchtime. In the afternoon we have another 1-2 hours of gentle climbing to our camp at Salkantay Pampa (3,900m/12,900ft) right below Apu Salkantay, offering some breathtaking views of this spectacular mountain (prepare for a cold night). (B/L/D)

In the morning we start refreshed for our climb, passing glaciers and lakes on the way up to the Salkantay Pass (5,000m/16,500ft and highest point of our hike). From the summit we descend for app. 3 hours into the valley where we camp at Accobamba, beside an Inca canal. This is a famous alpaca breeding region and with luck we may observe large flocks of these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Weather permitting we will have the most spectacular views of Mt. Salkantay above us. (B/L/D)

Today we leave the cold heights of Salkantay behind us and descend into warmer regions, following the Inca canal and later the Cusichaca creek, passing local farms. We stop at the restored archaeological group of Paucarcancha for lunch, with time to explore the site and rest. Here we say goodbye to our wranglers and meet up with the Quechuan porters who will accompany us for the rest of our adventure. A short hike brings us mid afternoon to the start of the Inca Trail at the village of Huayllabamba where we camp for the night (3,000m/9,900ft). (B/L/D)

After an early breakfast we start our walk the trail ascends steeply to a small pampa just below the fist pass Llulluchapampa (3,660m/12,000ft.). A 300m/1000 ft. climb brings us through three different vegetation zones to the summit of Warmiwañusca pass (4,200m/13,800ft) our first and highest pass. From the summit the trail descends steeply to the Pacaymayo Valley and we can view the trail going down into the valley and the second pass that we walk the next day after two hour descent we reach the camp site (3,600m/11,800ft). (B/L/D)

One of the nicest days after breakfast we climb slowly to Runkurakay pass (3,990m/13,100ft).  We continue over the Runkurakay pass then down Inca stone steps to the beautifully situated Inca ruins of Sayacmarca. This small ruin, perched on the top of a cliff at about 3,600m/11,800ft, has nicely restored Inca ritual baths and excellent views of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba Ranges. We walk to Chaquicocha to enjoy a delicious lunch and have some rest before we go on along the original Inca path to get to our third pass Phuyupatamarca at 3,690m/12,100ft which is the camp site. (B/L/D)

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and continue our hike, a flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (forever young) at 2,640m/8,650ft one of the most beautiful of the Inca ruins and the last one before reaching Machupicchu. The trail climbs to Intipuncu the famed Gate of the Sun. Suddenly the four days of trekking rewards us with our first view of Machupicchu a vivid and unforgettable for all those privileged to be there. We arrive at Machupicchu the way the Incas used to come, staring in awe at the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipuncu. We spend a few minutes in Machupicchu to enjoy it before we go in a bus down to Aguas Calientes Town here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B/L)

Transfer to the airport for national flight Cusco-Lima and international connections. (B)