After an early morning pick-up from your hotel, we’ll travel by private bus to the village of Mollepata. From the tropical valley of Mollepata, with its citrus groves, we’ll continue on to Choquekiclla for our first views of the southern faces of Salkantay Mountain (6,271 meters – 20,574 feet) and Humantay Mountain (5,470 meters – 17946 feet), both sacred to the people of the Andes. Our first campsite for spend the night is at Salkantay Pampa.

(10 km – 6.2 mi / 8-hour trek).

Overnight at campsite.
Meals: lunch and dinner.

After an early breakfast, we are ready to start a 3-hour trek and begin our ascent to Salkantay Mountain Pass (4,525 meters / 14,842 feet). We’ll have a magnificent view of the snow-capped surrounding glaciers, as well as other interesting geological formations. With some luck, we may spot condors here. After a brief rest, we’ll continue our trek downwards into the cloud forest along the Salkantay River. The climate changes as we descend into a tropical environment, and in the late afternoon, we will arrive at our campsite in Collpapampa to spend the night.

(22 km – 13.67 mi / 8-hour trek).
Overnight at campsite.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Another early start, and we are off on an easy hike into the cloud forest or Ceja de Selva along the Santa Teresa River. Tropical vegetation, waterfalls, and coffee and passion fruit plantations are part of the incredible scenery today. Once downhill, during the relaxed hike along the river, we will be able to observe a wide variety of tropical flora and fauna and even take time for a sprinkle under the Coripacchi waterfall. Passing through the small town of La Playa, we arrive at our campsite in Lucmabamba.

(14 km – 8.7 mi / 7-hour trek).

Overnight at campsite.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In approximately one and a half hours, we arrive at the pass of Lucmabamba, traversing dense cloud forest, where we have our first opportunity to sight Machu Picchu lying in front of us. After a relaxing break, we now descend to the Urubamba Valley, passing a footbridge and arriving at the hydroelectric plant with its small railway station early in the afternoon. In the afternoon, we take the short train ride to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hostel.

(8 km – 5 mi / 7-hour trek).

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.

We take one of the first buses in the morning to the Machu Picchu entrance. Our guide will lead a beautiful tour of the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. After the tour, you will have a moment to take photos, and then we will exit Machupicchu for lunch. You can have lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge or go down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have plenty of restaurant options. In the afternoon, it will be time to board the return train to the train station at Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco.

Meals: breakfast.