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TREK TO MACHU PICCHU: SALKANTAY – CACHICATA

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SALKANTAY TREK 

Classic Salkantay trek 5 days is considered by most to be the best alternative route, This walk allows you to enjoy the options that there is in the salkantay route, you will go up to humantay lake, you will pass for the highets point of the salkantay route to be to see salkantay mountain up close, you hike through the santa teresa valley that is full of vegetation is the begining of the peruvian amazon, you have the chance to see, plantations of coffe, coca, avocados, bananas and much more, this valley is full of fresh wáter with many waterfalls and also if your choisce this hike, you will have enouth time do the relaxing hot springs of colcalmayo in santa teresa. and also you can do Llactapata hike on 4th day of the our advedventure, if you are an adventures person you got the chance to do the biggest and longest zipline of southamerica. choose this one and get a perfect adventures vacation to Machu Picchu. SALKANTAY TREK INFORMATION

Useful Information

– Starting Altitude – 3350 meters / 10990 feet .
– Highest Altitude – 4600 meters / 15091 ft
– Walking Distance – 12km / 7.45 miles
– Campsite Elevation – 3920 meters / 12861 ft
– Meals – 4 breakfast, 4 lunch, 4 dinner, 3 tea times, 3 wake up tea
– Overall Difficulty – Moderate – Changing
– STARTING POINT: – Cusco at your hotel

 

DIA 1 : Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa

We will leave Cusco approximately at 5:00 a.m. A bus will take us to the town of Mollepata (2900 meters above sea level) where we will arrive approximately at 7:30 in the morning, where you will have the chance to enjoy a delicious andean breakfast. After an hour aprox in Mollepata. we continue in the same car to the Trail head in Challacancha. There we will meet with our support staff. There we will organize all the equipment, horses and mules. Around 9:30 a.m. we will start our trek to Soraypampa (3850 m.a.s.l) the first section of the path are paved rock trail there are the old water channel still supply to new habitants, the begin is 8 km in 3 hours to Soraypampa the lunch place as well base camp, after lunch and nap to continued hiking up to the Humantay lake (4200 masl) 3 km in 2 hours round trip, bottom the glacier the most spectacular views to the back ground valley and sunset, Soraypampa is located on the middle of the glaciers valleys at night clear appreciate the constellation on the sky.

DAY 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass- Huayracmachay – Chaullay

The second day of the salkantay trek is considerat the hardest day. This is because the hiking distance is 22km/ 14 ft and also on this day you will get up to the highest point of the salkantay trail 4630 m / 15225 ft. in this day in order to make it on time to the second campsite. we’re going wake up with coca tea at 5:00 to enjoy a dilisious breakfast after we get ready for the trek. Around 6:30 in the morning we start hiking to the highest point of the whole salkantay trail. After 4 hours hike you reach to the top to celebrate and enjoy a beautifull views of the salkantay mountain once at the top you have the chance to make a offering for the APUS (andean gods). From 4630 m / 15225 ml. We start hiking downhill to get 2900 m / 9510 ml in todo 15 km downhill hiking. we are going to do in two sections. The first section will be from the top to the lunch point which takes 2 hours approximately and then after lunch 3 hours more to the second camp call chawllay. on the way you are going apreciate diferent type of landscapes such glaciar mountains, lagoons, roccky mountains, grassy hill, by the time that you will be close to the camp you are going be in the jungle area. Once at the camp time to relaxing if you like you can enjoy cold beers while the cooks make the te time and the delicious dinner. ANOTHER SALKANTAY TREK ITINERARY

DAY 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Santa Teresa (2nd option camp in Lucmabamba)

You will hike through the jungle are of Santa Teresa. The valley is formed by the salkantay river that discures from the white mountain. In this valley you have the opportunity to see waterfalls, rivers, plantations like coca, coffee, avocado, passion fruit, bananas and much more is a tropical valley and the climate is quite warm. After of our breakfast we will start the trek to the town of sahuayco, after 5 hours of crossing through the dense vegetation we arrived at the lunch point and then we drove to Santa Teresa camp to visit the thermal hot springs of Santa Teresa. After a three days hiking is quite relaxing to spend some time at the pools couple of hours in the thermal baths then we return to the camp to take tea and the last camp dinner and spend the last nights in the tent.

Option: camp in Lucmabamba – Llactapata

After lunch at Sahuyaco (Playa), we will hike for approximately one hour to our base camp called Lucmabamba. We will explore the tropical forest for a little while and have a lovely visit at an organic coffee farm. Here you can taste the coffee prepared by the local people. We will also explore an orange and an avocado plantation.

DAY 4: Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (Llactapata – Aguas Calientes)

According the itinerary you will hike 3 hours from Santa Teresa to Hidroelectrica but the hike is along the car road, some people do not like road hike. If you do not want to take this option you can choose the nexts ones.
By car to hidroelectrica: You may take a car fron santa teresa to hidroelectrica for 45 minutes
Zipline: you can do zipline with one of the companies that ofert this activity in one of the valeys of santa teresa. after zipline you go by car to hidroelectrica. Any option that you may take usually we start at 6:00 am with breakfast then around 8 am we start the activities.
After lunch at Hidroelectrica we will hike 3 hours more to aguas calientes town on the flat trail. Then we take you to the hotel for showering and relaxing, in the evening around 7:00 pm we organised a dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes after dinner we go to sleep to climb Machu Picchu early on the next day.

Option: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

After our breakfast, we will make our trek uphill to the Inca ruins of Lacctapata, after visiting this wonderful place, we will make the trek downhill to Hidroelectrica where we will have our lunch. From Hidroelectrica we will go to the town of Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we walk uphill to Machu Picchu at 5:00 am. or take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Optional bus $16 each way), upon arrival at the Citadel we can appreciate the enigmatic beauty and the incomparable example of architectural perfection and hydraulics of one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, we will have a guided tour of about 2 hours, where we can appreciate the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, Intihuatana, The Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemetery, you are then given free time to stroll around the citadel . You will have all morning in Machu Picchu to take pictures, maybe to climb the Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, enjoy this mystical place. Then we´ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then calmly return by train to Ollantaytambo where our tourist transport to the city of Cusco will be expecting us, and will later transfer you to your hotel.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Visit the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day. Not Included

– Meals: Breakfast
– Tour: 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu

 

WHAT TO BRING

  • A backpack
  • A beanie hat or ear warmer
  • Sun hat
  • Scarf
  • Gloves
  • A mid weight sweater
  • A longsleeve t-shirt
  • 1 – 2 t-shirts
  • A lightweight suater or vest
  • A pair of long pants
  • Hiking shoes
  • An extra pair of shoe
  • 2 – 3 pairs wool socks
  • A jacket
  • A small towel
  • Rain gear
  • 1 – 2 pair shorts
  • Sunglasses
  • A small headlamp
  • Waterbottle
  • A toothbrust and other personal toiletries
  • Toilet paiper
  • Sun cream
  • Insect repelent
  • Camera and film
  • Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
  • Extra money for drinks.
  • Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)

MORE INFORMATION OF SALKANTAY TREK

INCA QUARRY TREK 

The quarry of Cachicata was the place of extraction of the stones that were used for the construction of Ollantaytambo and many surrounding areas. This place is 9 kilometers from the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and has three groups of quarries: Molle Pucro, Sirkusirkuyoc (it was the largest), shows evidence of having been in full operation when the Spaniards entered this area. And finally Kantirayoq or Cacchicata, where another type of extraction of minerals and precious stones was practiced. CACHICATA TREK INFORMATION

Useful Information

– Starting Altitude – 3350 meters / 10990 feet .
– Highest Altitude – 4500m / 14,764ft
– Walking Distance – 25 km / 15.5 miles
– Meals – 4 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner, 3 tea times, 3 wake up tea
– Overall Difficulty – Moderate
– STARTING POINT: – Cusco at your hotel

 

DAY 1: CUSCO – SOQMA – RAYAN

We will come to pick you up at 5:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco City, and we will drive along a road to the Pachar Valley close to Ollantaytambo. You will arrive at the starting point of your trek, Soqma village, after about 2 hours, where we will stop to have breakfast and meet our horseman. where we will stop to have breakfast and meet our horseman. We will start our hike up a lush valley of scattered farmhouses and crop terraces. After 40 minutes of walking, we will see a tall waterfall where we can pause to refresh ourselves amidst the cool spray of the waterfall. After a refueling lunch, we will ascend 45 minutes until our camp at Rayan (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).

DAY 2: RAYAN – INTI PUNKU – CHOQUETACARPO

After breakfast, we ascend 3 hours to the first pass of the trek, known as Puccaqasa (4,370 m/ 14,333 ft). where we will have spectacular views of the valley. We will encounter a stunning view of Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley. We then head downhill for 25 minutes to our lunch location. After lunch, we hike 2 hours with alternating ascents and descents. The final 20 minutes of this segment will take us uphill to the highest pass of the trek, Kuychicassa (4,457 m/ 14,619 ft), From here we trek downhill for 2 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku, where there is a spectacular view of Mount Veronica (5,682 m/ 18,637 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our campsites is 30 minutes downhill from Inti Punku at Choquetacarpo (3,600m/ 11,808 ft).

DAY 3: CHOQUETACARPO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

After early breakfast and then we will walk one hour downhill to the Inca quarry of Cachicata (3420m/11286ft). Here, you can see the work of the Incas as this was used by the Incas for the construction of Ollantaytambo. You will see several large buildings, quarried stones left half finished and abandoned throughout the site.We will have lunch facing a breathtaking mountain and valley panorama. After We will continue our hike for 3 and a half hours downhill to Ollantaytambo, where you will have some time to rest and explore the historic town. In Ollantaytambo, we will catch the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Once there, you will have a dinner at a restaurant in the town and discuss with your guide what time you wish to wake up in the morning. Your hostel in Aguas Calientes can be upgraded to a hotel if you prefer.

DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we walk uphill to Machu Picchu at 5:00 am. or take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Optional bus $16 each way), upon arrival at the Citadel we can appreciate the enigmatic beauty and the incomparable example of architectural perfection and hydraulics of one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, we will have a guided tour of about 2 hours, where we can appreciate the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, Intihuatana, The Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemetery, you are then given free time to stroll around the citadel . You will have all morning in Machu Picchu to take pictures, maybe to climb the Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, enjoy this mystical place. Then we´ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then calmly return by train to Ollantaytambo where our tourist transport to the city of Cusco will be expecting us, and will later transfer you to your hotel. MORE INFORMATION OF CACHICATA TREK
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Visit the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day. Not Included

– Meals: Breakfast
– Tour: 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu

 

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INFORMATION OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX OF HUCHUY QOSQO

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Description

This complex is the most important archaeological center in the Urubamba valley, after Ollantaytambo and Pisac. The ruins are impressive, although the conservation of the site is inferior to that of Ollantaytambo or Pisac, because they are older.

But unlike the aforementioned places, Huchuy Qosqo has a peculiar architecture: the buildings have been built on polished stone bases with a fine finish, with clay plaster (they are the best preserved parts) and the highest floors are made of adobe. INFORMATION OF HUCHUY QOSQO TREK

A kallanka (rectangular enclosure that could measure up to 70 meters long and that were important state centers where Inca officials stayed) is observed, at least 40 to 50 meters long. Also a remarkable building with two stone floors and an upper one of adobe. There are also large terraces, a very large plaza and a large Inca gate through which a well-preserved path leads from Tambomachay.

The Hispanic chronicles refer that Huchuy Qosqo (probably a site known in Inca times as Caquia Jaquijahuana) was the work and preferred place of the Inca Wiracocha. To this, Maria Rostworoski adds, in her work “History of the Tahuantinsuyo”, that this sovereign established the conquest over the towns of the Urubamba valley and that he chose as his successor his Inca son Urco who, dizzy with power and vices, proved to be totally incapable of ruling. Inca royalty was very confused by this choice and they tried to conspire to impose on another Wiracocha son, Prince Cusi Yupanqui. Social unrest and tension increased every day and to make matters worse, the darkest night fell on Cuzco: the Chancas reached the gates of the capital and were ready to destroy it. It is the year of 1438. Wiracocha abandons the city to his fate and, accompanied by his son Inca Urco, takes refuge in his palaces in the Urubamba Valley, among which was Huchuy Qosqo.

After the Spanish conquest, Gonzalo Pizarro found the mummy that supposedly belonged to the Inca Wiracocha here and ordered to burn it. The descendants of the Inca kept the ashes in a jar that many years later the chronicler Polo de Ondegardo would discover.

Characteristics of the visit

It is possible to visit Huchuy Qosqo in two ways, the first walking from Cusco and Tambomachay along the Inca trail. The other way is going up from the Sacred Valley after crossing the Wilcamayo river (today Vilcanota).

Schedule

Hours (all year)Free access

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INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

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The Incas covered much of the South American continent. To maintain communication in such a vast territory, it was necessary to build a network of roads. Thus, the Inca ordered to build a network of roads called Qhapac Ñan (Inca Trail).

The Qhapac Ñan managed to cover up to 30 thousand kilometers from the current countries of Peru, Ecuador and part of Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The trekking route from the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is only a small part of the extensive network of roads of the Qhapac Ñan.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail was revealed to the world in 1915 when it was being excavated in the Inca City. Three decades later, the route was traced by the Viking expedition in 1942. Today, thousands of visitors decide to travel the 43 kilometers to the ‘Puerta del Sol’ in Machu Picchu.

However, Machu Picchu is not the only archaeological site that you will see on the Inca Trail. On the tour you will also appreciate the ruins of Llactapata, the archaeological site of Runkurakay, Saycamarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna.

There are trains and buses that can take you directly to Machu Picchu. However, the experience of arriving as the Incas did for centuries is unmatched.

Versions of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Not all people have the days necessary to travel the Inca Trail (4 days and 3 nights). That is why there are 3 versions depending on the time you have:

  1. Classic Inca Trail: 4 days and 3 nights (43 kilometers of walking).
  2. Imperial Inca Trail: 5 days and 4 nights (43 kilometers of walking).
  3. Short Inca Trail: 2 days and 1 night (12 kilometer walk).

About tickets to enter the Inca Trail

Due to the high demand for tickets, you must get the entrance tickets to the Inca Trail well in advance (6 months). The purchase is made only online through the website of an authorized tourism agency.

In total 500 people enter the trails of the Inca Trail every day. Of these, only 200 are tourists. The rest are support staff such as cooks, porters, guides. The ticket to enter the Inca Trail includes support staff.

Did not find availability to do the Inca Trail? 

The only way to enter the Wonder of the World is by train through the Sacred Valley of the Incas or by the alternative route from Santa María to Machu Picchu. Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must also be reserved in advance.

Do you want to enter the Huayna Picchu after the Inca Trail? Request entry into the agency paying an extra price. You can also request a more luxurious train service.

INFORMATION OF INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU