Along the way......
Cuzco, the “navel of the world” and its sacred valley… Follow the Inca trail through the fabulous region of Salkantay, nicknamed "the magic mountain”.
The highlight of the trip being the extraordinary panoramic view of the citadel of Machu Picchu it offers, before actually visiting it. Have a good trip!

Day 1 : LIMA / RECEPTION

Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.

Day 2 : LIMA – CUZCO (BY PLANE) – HALF-DAY CITY TOUR

Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight with destination Cuzco, heart of the Incan Empire.
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest to help acclimatize to the altitude. Afternoon dedicated to visit one of the most beautiful towns of the Peruvian Sierra: Korikancha (Temple of the Sun), the Cathedral, and the four ruins: Tambomachay, Pukapucara, Sacsayhuaman and Q’enko.
Back to the hotel at the end of the day. Meals open.
Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.

Day 3 : CUZCO – PATABAMBA – UCHUY QOSQO – LAMAY – SACRED VALLEY / TREK

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Patabamba, small village of 600 inhabitants known for its handicraft as well as its textiles and dolls.
Departure point of the trek in the direction of Sihua (el. 3880 m.a.s.l.). Crossing of a pass at 4050 meters of altitude and continuation towards Pucamarca, former Inca site. Wonderful view over the Sacred Valley and our main target: the ruins of Uchuy Qosqo also called “Little Cuzco”, an impressive site for its location. Steep descent to Lamay. Night in the valley. Cold lunch included. Dinner open.
Note: It is a 6-hour walk

Day 4 : SACRED VALLEY – PISAC – MARAS - OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUZCO

Departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the ruins of Pisac. Visit of the site and descent by foot to the handcraft market.
Typical lunch, and stop in a ceramic workshop in Urumbamba (Ayllu if open) and then in Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera! We walk down to the Urumbamba River meet our vehicle and continuation of the journey in the direction of the Incan village of Ollantaytambo. Visit of the fortress.
Drive back to Cuzco and transfer to the hotel. Lunch included, dinner open.

Day 5 : CUZCO - MOLLEPATA – CRUZPATA – SILCACANCHA - SORAYAMPA / TREK

In the early morning, departure in a private vehicle for Molleptata, at an altitude of 3000 meters a.s.l (el. 9,842 feet). We continue to Cruzpata, meeting place with the trekking team.
At mid-morning, departure of the trek while observing the surrounding glaciers of Tucarhuay (5450 meters a.s.l / el. 17,880 feet) and Salkantay (6264 meters a.s.l / el. 20,551 feet).
Lunch in the village of Silcacancha, and continuation by foot to Soraypampa. Night in a camp. Lunch and dinner included.
Transfer: around 4 hours; Hiking time: around 6 hours;
Elevation gain: from 3000 meters a.s.l (el. 9,842 feet) to 3700 meters a.s.l (el. 12,139 feet).

Day 6 : SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS - ARRAYAN PATA / TREK

In the early morning, departure for the most difficult day of the trek.
We go over the Salkantay Pass, at an altitude of 4600 meters a.s.l (el. 15,091 feet). Then, we relax and have lunch. Continuation of the walk to the Arrayan Pata camp, at an altitude of 3450 meters a.s.l (el. 11,318 feet). All included.
Hiking time: around 8 hours; Elevation gain: 3700 meters a.s.l (el. 12,139 feet) -4600 meters a.s.l (el. 15,091 feet) - 3450 meters a.s.l (el. 11,318 feet).

Day 7 : ARRAYAN PATA – COLLPAPAMPA - WIÑAYPOCO - LA PLAYA / TREK

An unforgettable hiking day thanks to the diversity of the vegetation we come across.
Descent into the yungas, intermediary forest between the Sierra and the Amazonia, and arrival at the village of Wiñaypoco. Continuation to the Santa Teresa River to observe the different types of orchids and enjoy the surrounding waterfalls.
Arrival at La Playa camp, at an altitude of 2110 meters a.s.l (el. 6,922 feet). All included.
Hiking time: around 7 hours;
Elevation gain: 3450 meters a.s.l (el. 11,318 feet) - 2110 meters a.s.l (el. 6,922 feet).

Day 8 : LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – HYDROELECTRICA - AGUASCALIENTES / TREK

Hiking day in the direction of the archaeological remnants of Llactapata, and then descent to the hydroelectric plant, located at an altitude of 1950 meters a.s.l (el. 6,397 feet).
Train journey to go to the village of Aguascalientes. Arrival at the hotel.
Lunch included. Dinner open.
Hiking time: around six hours.
Elevation gain: 2100 meters a.s.l (el. 6,889 feet) - 2050 meters a.s.l (el. 6,725 feet).

Day 9 : AGUASCALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU– CUZCO / TREK

In the early morning, departure with the shuttle service to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day dedicated to the visit of the site: one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham. In the afternoon, return by train to Cuzco. Reception and transfer to the hotel.
Meals open.
Suggestion: Ascent to the peak of Huayna Picchu (make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes and that you are not carrying to much luggage. People suffering from vertigo should not participate) or climb to the La Puerta del Sol.

Day 10 : CUZCO / DAY OPEN

Day open in Cuzco, at the heart of the Inca Empire. Night in hotel. Meals open.

Day 11 : CUZCO – LIMA (BY PLANE)

Transfer to the Cuzco airport for a flight to Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Option: for a city tour of Lima – contact us.

Day 12 : LIMA / INTERNATIONAL RETURN FLIGHT

Three hours before take-off, transfer to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima.
Connection with the international return flight. Meals open.

Included:

  All tours mentioned in this program

  Private English-speaking guide

  Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains

  Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur

  Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks

  Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast

  Aforementioned meals

  Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)

Not Included:

  International return flight

  Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)

  Obligatory travel insurance

  Entrance fees if mentioned

  Drinks

  Tips

  Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)

  Aforementioned free meals

General information Peru

Equipment to bring

Travel and health advice

Altitude stays

Climate