The Salkantay Trek

The group flights from London leave this evening, flying via Sao Paolo and
Lima and arriving in Cuzco the following morning.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 2

The trip starts in Cuzco (3400m) today. The group flights usually arrive late
morning. The Inca capital - though small enough to be easily manageable - is
among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre
comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations, and it is full of
interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We will have a short
walking tour of the city including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.
It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty
of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m).
There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.
*Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
*

Day 3

The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca
ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via
Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used
to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near
the spectacular ruins.

*Hotel Koyllur /  Warari (or similar)*

Day 4

Free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour.
A range of optional activities and sightseeing excursions can be arranged,
including visits to Inca and pre-Inca sites south of Cuzco, or walks in the
hills surrounding the city but we recommend taking it relatively easy in
preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow.

*Hotel Koyllur /  Warari (or similar)*

Day 5

A few hours drive via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional)
takes us high to the hill town of Mollepata (2980m) where we make a brief
stop, before continuing on to Marcocsa (3515m), where we will start our trek.
We trek from here to our campsite near of Soraypampa (3910m) where we spend
our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approx. 4 hours, and
the walk will take around 5-6 hours of uphill and steady climbing along
well-made tracks.

*Full-service Camping*

Day 6

Start your day with an optional 3 hour (return) walk to Humantay Lagoon to
see the magnificent water mirror in the middle of the Andes. Return for an
early lunch at the campsite of Soraypampa (3910m), and then continue our
ascent towards the massive bulk of Salkantay (6271m) which soon dominates our
view. We camp at around 4400m in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below
the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak.

*Full-service Camping*

Day 7

The high point of the trek and this morning's goal is the Inca Chiriasqa pass
at almost 5000m. Climbing more steeply now we walk close to the spectacular
glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salcantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa,
base camp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass
and gain some excellent 360° panoramic views. Inca Chirisaqa means ‘the
Inca fell ill from cold', and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why.
Descending from the pass, we drop down into the upper reaches of a broad
valley where Salcantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge
of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river
suddenly becomes dead straight, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp
alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (3870m).
*Full-service Camping*

Day 8

Setting off from camp this morning, we follow the canal, which soon drops
into a steep-sided valley. The path follows the side of this valley all the
way to Paucarcancha, an Inca watchtower which guarded the Pampa Cahuana
valley. We have time to explore this small site before continuing to the
village of Huayllabamba (3100m) where we camp for the night.
*Full-service Camping*

Day 9

Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. From the
village of Huayllabamba, a long and steady climb takes us first through an
area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the
Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) Pass at 4,215m. After quite a long, steep descent
we camp in the scenic Pacaymayo valley (3600m).
*Full-service Camping*

Day 10

We start today with an easier climb, past the small ruins of Runcuracay,
which takes us over the Runcuracay Pass (3800m), and from now on the Inca
Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins
of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter cloud forest. At one point the trail passes
through a short Inca tunnel before crossing onto the Amazon side of the
continental divide. We normally camp on the ridge above the Inca site of
Phuyupatamarca (3650m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise, and
to avoid the crowded Wiñay Wayna campsite.
*Full-service Camping*

Day 11

From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone
staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming
immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river
thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay
Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river
to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu
Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.

Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our
arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of
the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site
and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a
comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into
the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow.

There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas
Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the
water quality can suffer as a result. 

*Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)*
*
*

Day 12

In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as
early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;
only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding
road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be
hours long. 

Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the
ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain
backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas
left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city
lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the
American historian Hiram Bingham. 

New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the
three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from
06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of
four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will
also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the
most comprehensive route. 

We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) where we stay
for the night.

*Tunupa Lodge (or similar)*
*
*

Day 13

A day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the famous Inca
fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac which tower over the villages below
them of the same name. We will also have time to look around Pisac Market,
famous for its handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco.

*Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)*
*
*

Day 14

Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are a
number of optional excursions available which your tour leader can arrange
for you. If you still have the energy you could chose to mountain bike in the
Sacred Valley taking in a 30-35km ride through Moray, Maras and then down to
Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean
landscape. Alternatively, you could try your hand at paddle boarding on Lake
Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy
and watch the world go by in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.

*Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)*

Day 15

Those who are travelling on the group flights will be taken to Cuzco airport
in time to catch your overnight international flight to London.

Day 16

The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.
**