Day 1: Drive to Trailhead and trek to Andenes, camp overnight

We leave Cusco very early in the morning, in private transport and start a two and a half hour picturesque morning bus ride, through the Anta plains to Mollepata, we pass Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), an essential location of admission to the city of Cusco in the Inca Empire times, where the archaeological site of Tarawasi is situated. The road continues up a trail along the left bank of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2900m above sea level), where we stop for breakfast and the small community of Cruzpata (2750m/9020ft) to eventually arrive our trailhead at Soraypampa (3850m above sea level), where we encounter our wranglers and horses and pack all our equipment onto the horses. We then commence a gradual ascent of 570 meters, hiking through pure Andean valley terrain for 4 hours. In the first hours of the trek you will see that plant life is sparse, mostly just grass that has adapted to the altitude. We finally get to the Apacheta Pass (4590m). Here we can appreciate the wonderful vistas of glacial-topped mountains, like Salkantay (6271m above sea level), Huamantay, Huayanay, white rivers and small lakes. At the Apacheta Pass you can leave a chunk of rock carried from the bottom as a gift to the Apu Salkantay (mountain god). In the Inca times hikers would leave their shoes, clothes, jewels or simply a piece of rock as an offering. We continue hiking for 2 hours downhill, the vegetation and temperature increases, to 2890 meters above sea level where the campsite is.

Salkantay is a Quechua word that means “wild mountain”.

Day 2 & 3: Los Andenes – Luscamayo – La Playa – Santa Theresa or Llactapata

We leave our campsite early in the morning and begin our trek with Salkantay snow peak behind us. Fauna and flora change as we enter a tropical cloud forest and see wild bromelias, orchids and beautiful birds. We descend through the forest, passing bamboo groves. We pass the fast flowing Luscamayo River and traverse across some beautiful pristine paths, where strawberries grow at our feet and passionfruits hang from above, the landscape adorned with begonias and purple orchids.
After a five hour trek we reach the settlement of Lluscamayo and have lunch. We then continue our hike for 3 more hours, reaching a warmer area of banana and avocado trees, corn fields and coffee plantations. Eventually we arrive at the village of La Playa (2,050m).

From this point you can choose from 2 options for your hike to Machu Picchu, depending on your preference and fitness. Discuss the options with your guide.

Important!

The options are decided by group majority. If you have a personal or private group you can decide beforehand.

1. The easy option. You will take transport to the campsite outside the village of Santa Theresa so that you can visit the hot springs at Colcamayu. On day four you will hike for about 2 hours past the Urubamba River to the Machu Picchu Hidroelectric System, where we have lunch, after this we walk for 2.5 hours along the train track to arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes.
2. Explorer option. A two hour walk to Aobamba, where we camp then depart early the next day and ascend for about 3 hours through the jungle before descending to these compelling but mostly covered ruins of Llactapata. This is definitely the more difficult option, though it is absolutely worth it and we completely recommend it! It’s a fascinating preface to Macchu Picchu. Initially discovered by Hiram Bingham at the same time he found Machu Picchu. Modern day explorers Vincent Lee and Gary Ziegler have conclusively proved that the relics here are much larger and more valuable than considered previously. We can now glimpse our first sight of Machu Picchu, from the mountain opposite. The descent we follow at this point is very steep and on a muddy trail for two hours to the Hidroelectric System where we have lunch and then hike a further two hours along the train tracks to get to the village of Aguas Calientes.

Accommodation is at a hostel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu Sanctuary – Aguas Calientes - Cusco

Early in the morning (before dawn) we hike up 1 hour to Machu Picchu. We aim to be the first ones into Macchu Picchu to enjoy the view of the sunrise over the ruins. If you have obtained a permit for Huayna Picchu ahead of time you will ascend the mountain (at 7am or 10am – time will be ascertained in advance depending on availability) . We will have a two hour guided visit of Machu Picchu, then you have free time to explore on your own. You need to descend to Aguas Calientes at least 30 minutes before your train departs. Transport will be awaiting you at Ollantaytambo to bring you back to Cusco. You will arrive at about 10pm.

Included

• Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);
• Early morning transfer by private bus to Challacancha - the initial point of the trek;
• Accommodation: Campsites (3 nights) and a Hotel in Machu Picchu (1 night);
• Entrance fee to the red of Salkantay and Machu Picchu;
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner and 2x afternoon hot beverages (please advise us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
• Snack every morning;
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 8 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 8 persons receives 2 Guides);
• Professional Cook;
• Horseman;
• Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff; 
• An emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower;
• Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
• Camping equipment: Eureka Timberline Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);
• Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress); 
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Day Pack Rain Covers;
• Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
• Rain Ponchos;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• A T-shirt of the Salkantay Trek Map;
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town;
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

Not Included

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• International and domestic flights nor airport departure taxes;
• Travel insurance;
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($10) nor Machu Picchu Mountain ($7);
• A shuttle bus between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes Town ($9.50 - one way, $18.50 - a round trip);
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Other extras not mentioned.