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From: Pick up at Hostel
To: Salkantay Trek, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes; Back to Cuzco
Departure time: 05:00 am
Returning time: 20:30 - 21:00 pm
*SALKANTAY TREK BRIEF:  Our guide will meet you at your hostel/hotel 1 or 2 days prior to your departure date at 6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. Please let us know where you are staying and at what time you would like to meet our guide for your brief.
Take a doable four day trek along the alternative (and less traveled) Salkantay route crossing over a 4,650 meter high pass where you can marvel at the Salkantay and Humantay peaks standing over 6,000 meters high. Pass through the villages of Soraypampa and Santa Teresa along this unspoiled trail to discover indigenous mountain communities and prepare your ascent on Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes with hot water springs that are waiting for you. |
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Day 1: Mollepata - Soraypampa  Today we pick you up at 05:00 am and travel by tourist-class bus to Soraypampa (3,900m). After making final preparations and double checking our equipment, where we will begin our trek with a steady 4-hour hike (730 meter ascent) to reach the high pass at 4,650 meters for amazing views of the majestic Salkantay and Humantay peaks. 2 more hours of hiking will be rewarded with a delicious lunch and we will end our day after another 3-hour hike down to our campsite at Challhuay (2,900m) taking in the beautiful landscape along the way.
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Day 2: Lluskamayo River We will have breakfast at around 5:30 am and begin our rolling descent of 1,200 meters along winding paths passing over the Lluskamayo River and a region full of tropical plants and waterfalls to reach Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) where we will spend the night.
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Day 3: Cloud Forest  After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the jungle landscape through valleys with wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants heading from Santa Teresa (1,700m) passing a variety of coca and banana crop plantations until we reach the hydroelectric station (1,880m) along a tranquil easy path for 3 hours where a box lunch will be served. (*Optional bus transfer from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station). Another 3 hour walk to Aguas Calientes (2,010m) will be the last leg of our trek and our final opportunity to rest and go for a swim in the hot springs before preparing our ascent on Machu Picchu the following day. Optional: In Aguas Calientes, you can soak your sore muscles in the thermal springs in town (entrance fee 10 soles). |
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Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco We will have breakfast at 5:00 am then catch the one of the first busses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the mist dissipates at sunrise.  A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45-60 minutes to reach the top (this is an extra walk, please talk to your guide for arrangements to climb this mountain prior to your arrival to the archaeological site.  Tickets can be purchased to access Huayna Picchu before entering the site).  You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes which can be reached by bus or on foot for lunch and to receive your train tickets for the return trip back to Cuzco. The train usually leaves at 15.55 and we will arrive back in Cuzco at about 20.20. *If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.) |
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MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven't already heard it all during the Inca Trail Trek). Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town. |
Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) "discovered" by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary "lost city of the Incas". Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915. |
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Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don't miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots: Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below. Hike up the steep (and sometimes muddy) peak named Wayna Picchu* (45 - 60 minutes) for unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective (you must purchase a ticket before entering the site in order to do the hike - note: there are only about 200 tickets available for the 7:00am and 10:00am entry times to Wayna Picchu.) For 2 other views of the site, walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes). |
Hike up the steep (and sometimes muddy) peak named Wayna Picchu* (45 - 60 minutes) for unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective (you must purchase a ticket before entering the site in order to do the hike - note: there are only about 200 tickets available for the 7:00am and 10:00am entry times to Wayna Picchu.) For 2 other views of the site, walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes).
*If you are coming from the Inca trail, speak with your guide regarding purchasing a ticket for Wayna Picchu since they may sell out early. |
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AGUAS CALIENTES: Have a delicious lunch at any restaurant you desire and then head over to the hot-springs to soak your sore body in the rejuvenating waters. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Visit the local marketplace right next to the train tracks where you can shop until the train whistle blows signaling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus for the last section of highway to Cuzco arriving back around 10:30 pm. |
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WHAT IS INCLUDED?
• Pre-departure briefing
• Cuzco Hotel Pick-Up
• Professional English/Spanish/Quechua Speaking Guide
• Tourist bus Cuzco - Soraypampa (starting point of trek)
• Tourist train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
• Cuzco Hotel Drop-Off
• Meals: 3B/3L/3D/2snacks with typical menus
• Machu Picchu Entrance Fee
• 1 night hostel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
• Sleeping Mattres
• 4-man tent for 2 people
• Horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment
• First Aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle |
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WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
• Sleeping bag, Day 1 Breakfast
• Day 4 Lunch
• Round Trip Touristic Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Bottled Water
• Tips for guides & porters
* Bottled water (NOTE: you need to bring your own bottled water on the first day. You will have access to boiled water during the trek. We recommend bringing water purification tablets and an aluminum water bottle so you can drink water at any time during the trek).
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: sleeping bag, hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card, charger (electricity available on night 3), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle, water purification tablets or filter. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail.  Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa and/or in Aguas Calientes town (these activities are available at an additional price).  Â
DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Â Original Passport (and student card if applicable), insurance card, personal medications
*Tips are recommended for porters (20 soles per person to be divided by the porters - not 20 soles per porter) and for your guide (20-30 soles per person for the guide). These amounts are only suggestions and would be a nice gesture for the hard working porters and guide. |
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