This sensational 4 day trek takes you into the heart of Peru – you’ll experience first-hand the fantastic landscape that this beautiful country has to offer. Most nights you’ll get the chance to camp out – enjoying a wonderful adventure around the camp fire with great food, great wine and great company!

The trek culminates in a visit to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu!

LEVEL: Moderate trekking. No experience needed.
LOCATION: Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Cusco
DURATION: 5 days / 4 nights
DESCRIPTION: Excellent alterative to classic Inca trail, includes visits to Santa Tersesa, Molleptata and Machu Picchu.
PRICE: £310 / US$465 Book here

ITINERARY

Day 2: Soraypampa – Huayracmachay
First thing in the morning the mules will be prepared to transport the heavy equipment along the entire route. From Soraypampa you start the 4 hour trek towards Soyrococha at 4400m/14432, where you will have our first lunch while enjoying great views of the impressive west face of Mount Salcantay (6264m/20546ft).

After lunch, a three-hour hike will take us down to our camp at Huayracmachay. On the way, you will first reach the Salcantay pass at 4750m/15580ft and then you will trek down to our camp at Huayracmachay settlement. During our hike you will have the permanent view of the amazing Mount Salcantay. With luck, you may also observe the flight of the amazing condor known as the “King of the Andes”.

During our descend from Salcantay pass you will also have the opportunity to observe the remains of an ancient Inca Trail, a road of approximately 6 meters wide. Our campsite is at 3800m/12464ft.

Day 3: Huayracmachay camp – Winaypoko Camp
After a hearty breakfast, at 08:00 a.m., you will be ready to continue our seven-hour trek heading northeast down to the Colpapampa´s Valley (3200m/10496ft). As soon as you leave the Huaracmachay plain, you will start an impressive descend into the deep canyon of the Salcantay river. The highland landscape suddenly turns into an amazing cloud forest with the typical grass, bushes and trees covered with beautiful bromelias.

After 3 hours you will reach the small settlement of Challway and from here one more hike (40 minutes to 1 hour) will take you to Colpapampa village, where you will enjoy lunch. In Colpapampa, the Salcantay River turns into the Santa Teresa River.

After a good rest, you will continue our descend to the shores of the Totora River where you will enjoy the nearby hot water springs. After this, you will follow the north side of the Santa Teresa River, walking for three hours until you reach the next camp at Winaypoko settlement (2800m/5904ft).

Just 30 minutes before Winaypoko you will have the opportunity to observe the beautiful Coripacchi waterfalls. In the evening, you will enjoy a good meal and wine around a camp fire. (B, B L and D).

Day 4: Winaypoko - La Playa (Cochapampa) Village - Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
During this last day of trekking and you will hike for 3 hours down to the place known as La Playa. This trek takes you along the north side of Santa Teresa River. On our way down, you will observe plantations of banana, coffee, granadillas (a typical fruit from the area), avocado trees, etc. The sound of flocks of parrots will accompany you during the hike; you may also be able to observe the fast fly of king fishers.

After your arrival at La Playa, you will cross the river to finally reach Cochapampa village, where a truck will be waiting to transport you to the town of Santa Teresa. The truck ride will be an unforgettable experience. You will finally reach the low plains of Santa Teresa village (1500m/4920ft), where some porters will help you carry your bags to the place known as La Oroya, where you will cross the turbulent Urubamba river using a cable basket.

Once passed "La Oroya", you will board another local truck (thirty-minute drive) which will take us towards the place known La Hydroelectric (operation area of the hydroelectric power plant). Here you will board the local train to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will arrive after one hour. Hotel in Aguas Calientes is not include.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will have an early breakfast in the hotel to then catch the public bus to the main entrance of Machu Picchu (2400m/7872ft). A guided tour will show you this beautiful Inca City, one of the most famous in the world. You will visit the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Moon, the terraces, the ceremonial fountains, the Sun Gate and the sectors of the impressive citadel. In the afternoon you will take the public bus down to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will take you back to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel.

Included:

 
Got any questions? Please email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com

Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities: