Salkantay to Machu Picchu

Early in the morning we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you in a private bus to Mollepata passing picturesque and traditional towns like Iscuchaca, Ancahuasi, and Limatambo, as well highlands plateaus and landscapes with great views of snowcapped mountains that belong to the Cordillera Vilcabamba. The bus trip will last 3.00 hours and then the hike is for 6 hours. The trail climbs up from Mollepata sharply to Marqhok'asa pass through the pastures, farming lands, afterward descending until the campsite through the high brush down to Soraypampa (3750 m.s.n.m).

Early in the morning you leave Soraypampa and keep going up the beautiful valley walking just below the majestic snowcapped mountain named Salkantay (6271 m.s.n.m) after 1:1/2 hours the trek becomes steep zigzagging for a while after that we get the pass named Salkantay pass, 4600 m.s.n.m) from where you will be rewarded with superb views . The trail descends through an old moraine passing great pastures down to the camp of Huayroqmachay located at 4000masl. This campsite is subject to change according to the guide's criteria and the evolution of the group.

Wake up with lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. Continue to the north down to the lush jungle through different ecosystems watching birdlife like hummingbirds, trashes, finches, tanagers, sparrows, guans, parrots, etc. It will be a long descending day towards the cloud forest where people live taking advantages of nature, also you will pass great waterfalls. At the end of the day, we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "Lucmabamba "(2300 m.s.n.m).

After breakfast, we start walking for 2.5 hours along the riverbanks and start ascending into the high forest observing small coffee and cacao plantations and fruit trees amongst the abundance of flora and fauna. In this area it is possible to see many types of plants, orchids, birds and other wildlife. We witness the mysterious beauty of the high forest, a paradise of biodiversity in the Inca jungle. After arriving to the top of the mountain we will see the whole expansiveness of the Urubamba Valley. After basking in the force of these panoramic views, we descend, arriving at the village Qellomayo where we will have lunch. Afterwards, we will go by bus for about one hour to Lucmabamba and walk up to the Llaqtapata ruins in about 2.5 hours passing and descent for another half hour to the Llaqtapata lodge. Here we will have dinner and sleep at an amazing location with a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

Early in the morning, we take a bus up to Machu Picchu with our expert guide to explore the full day in this Inca enigmatic treasure. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco and you will be transferred to your hotel.