Incas trails: discovery trek in the Salkantay region

Day by day…
Cusco, the navel of the world and citadel Inca of Machu Picchu...
Go after Inca traces to discover the impressing citadel of Machu Picchu!
More than 23000 km of trails were built by Incas in South America. A great part constitutes the trekking trail the most spectacular in the Americas. One of these extraordinary routes, from the Salkantay, leads us to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu located at the mountainous forests of Cusco.

Day 1: LIMA RECEPTION
Reception at Jorge Chavez airport, flight ? to ? and transfer to Ducado ** located in the Miraflores district.
Free for lunch

Day 2: LIMA CITY TOUR 1 DAY
Francisco Pizarro, the famous Conquistador founded Lima in 1535, in 1542, this town became the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America. Because of the political, strategic and economical importance of this capital the Spanish undertook many constructions in Lima between the 17th and 18th centuries.
09: 00 am guided tour of Lima with an English-speaking guide. In the morning, we will go sight seeing in the colonial districts of the center: the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral as well as the San Francisco convent. After lunch, we will head off to the archeology museum, which has a collection of pre-Columbian fabrics, jewelry, and mummies... We will finish our day with a visit of the Barranco district (the artists’ district)
Transfer to Ducado ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.

Day 3: LIMA – CUSCO (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight to Cusco. Reception at the airport and transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel **.
In Quechua, Cusco means « navel of the world » because this town was the capital of the Inca Empire and was the departing point of the four regions of the World according to the cosmic vision that the Inkas had. Cusco is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities of the Peruvian Sierra.
Rest to get acclimatized to the altitude. Free time for lunch. After lunch, guided tour of Cusco and it’s surroundings: The temple of the Sun – the Cathedral - Tambomachay - Pukapucara - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enko. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking

Day 4: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CUSCO (PRIVATE)
09.00 a.m.: departure to the sacred valley in a private vehicle. After a 1-hour trip, we will be arriving at the Pisac ruins, which was once one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire mainly built to stock the Empire’s food supplies. Guided tour of the Inca site and walk around the Indian market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Lunch in a restaurant to taste a typical buffet. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will continue our tour to see Ollantaytambo, which is an Inca village, and we will visit the fortress, which was a military, religious and agricultural strategic center. At the end of the day, We will go back to Cusco. On the way, we will stop to visit a picturesque colonial village called Chinchero. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for dinner.

Day 5: FREE IN CUSCO
Free day to walk around Cusco’s typical streets of San Blas district. Tika Wasi Hotel **.
Free time for meals.

Day 6: CUSCO - SILCACANCHA - SORAYPAMPA
TREK SALAKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU
We will depart from Cusco at 05:00 by private bus, and we will pass by the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo. We will arrive at Mollepata (2900 m.a.s.l.) at 09:00 and then eat breakfast. We will meet our team and organize our equipment for our trekking adventure, and then set out at 10:30. We will arrive at the town of Silcacancha at 13:00 and have lunch. In the early afternoon, we will walk approximately 4 hours to our campsite along the foot of the majestic Salkantay Mountain (6264 m.a.s.l.).
Altitude Change: 2900 to 3750 m.a.s.l.
Duration: 4 hours (by bus)

Day 7: SORAYPAMPA - ARRAYANNIYUC
TREK SALAKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU
We will have a nice early breakfast at 06:00, and then begin our trek at 07:00. Day 2 is the longest day of our trek. We will pass along the left side of the Humantay glacier, which is located next to the Salkantay glacier. At 12:00, we will cross the highest pass of the hike at 4600 m.a.s.l. From there, we will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Salkantay glacier. We will take a short break for lunch and a one hour rest before making a 2-hour descent. We will make camp at Arayanniyuc (3400 m.a.s.l.).
Altitude Change: 3750 to 4600 m.a.s.l.
Duration: 7 hours

Day 8: ARRAYANNIYUC - WINAYPOCO – LA PLAYA
TREK SALAKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU
Day 3 is an unforgettable dayney through an amazing variety of vegetation. We will continue our descent towards the Yunga region; a subtropical forest at the edge of the Andes. We will hike to the town of Wiñaypoco (2750 m.a.s.l.), and then we will follow the Santa Teresa River. Along the way we will see a variety of orchids and waterfalls. We will make camp at La Playa for the night.
Altitude Change: 3400 to 2450 m.a.s.l.
Duration: 6 hours

Day 9: LA PLAYA - LLACTAPATA - HYDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
TREK SALAKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU
On Day 4, we will make a long hike to the archaeological complex of Llactapata where we will stop at the pass (2950 m.a.s.l.) and take in the full vista of the Machu Picchu and the entire wonder of the area. We will descend towards the power station (1850 m.a.s.l.) and take the local train at 16:00 to Aguas Calientes (2050 m.a.s.l.), where we will spend the night in the Continental Hotel**.
Altitude Change: 2450 to 2950 to 2050 m.a.s.l.
Duration: 6 hours
Note 1: Dinner not included

Day 10: AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO (TRAIN)
TREK SALAKANTAY – MACHU PICCHU
Hiram Bingham, an American anthropologist discovered Machu Picchu, in 1911. The archeologists estimate this citadel was built in the middle of the 15th century. Today several hypotheses have been ventured on the function this inaccessible citadel. Was it for military purposes? A kind of secret harem dedicated to the Inkas? A place to rest for the Inkas? It is still an enigma!
Departure early in the morning at 06.30 a.m., by bus to reach Machu Picchu citadel. The day will be dedicated to visiting the site. Free for lunch. Return to Aguascalientes by bus and connection to catch the train to Cusco at 03:55 p.m., arrival at 8:20 p.m. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** in Cusco.
Free time for meals
Suggestions: You can also reach Huayna Picchu peak. The hike up there is quite difficult. You will need good shoes, light backpacks and not to be afraid of heights. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Machu Picchu. You will need about 2 hours to go up and come back down.
Or you can walk to the Sun gate. Less dangerous and you will also have a beautiful view. It will take you about an hour and a half, both ways.
Note: the train timetable will be confirmed when you book the trip.

Day 11: CUSCO – LIMA (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to the Peruvian capital. Reception at the airport and transfer to Ducado Hotel **.
Free time for meals.

Day 12: LIMA – DEPARTURE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
3 hours before landing Transfer to the airport and connection for the international return flight. Free time for meals.

Included:
Mentioned transport, 2 domestic flights, mentioned meals, double room in 2-star hotel with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, English guide to accompany visits and excursions.
Trek Salkantay: English speaking guide (+ 1 assistant if the group is > 8 people), 1 cooker (+ 1 assistant if the group is > 8 people), food during the treks, hiking and mountain equipment (tents, camping equipment), transport of collective equipment (by mules and porters)

Not Included:
International flights; Airport tax (US$28 per person for international flights and US$5 for national flights); meals which are not mentioned, drinks, tips, etc.; Personal equipment; Obligatory personal insurance.