Peru trek
8-Day Mt. Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu |
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Itinerary
Day 1 : Cusco to trailhead of Tomacaya by vehicle; hike to Tocobamba.
Visiting: Cusco, Tomacaya, Tocobamba
By vehicle and with a guide, the journey begins in Cusco; we drive over Tika-Tika pass with the first views of Mt. Salkantay and Humantay on the horizon, and then across the plateau of Anta (Antapampa), the "Breadbasket of Cusco", an area important for the production of grains and cattle. The road then crosses Limatambo pass with amazing views of both the mountains and a panorama of the lush agricultural valley below. A visit to the ruins of Tarawasi, with its long asymmetric Inca stone wall, is a must before leaving Limatambo. The drive continues up a side-valley to the farming village of Tomacaya and the trailhead. From Tomacaya there are great views of the Limatambo Valley and down the Apurimac Valley towards Curawasi. A short hike uphill ends at Tocobamba (3400m/11,152 ft) where camp is set up near a small stream. (Hiking time: 2 hours; Distance: 4km)
- Meals: LD
- Budget Lodging: Tocobamba Campsite
Day 2 : Hike from Tocobamba to Collpa
Visiting: Tocobamba, Tinkoc, Collpa
Upon leaving the campsite the trail ascends toward Muyuhorko Pass (3,950 m/12,956 ft). This four-hour hike to the pass ends with a lunch break and tour of a pre-Inca ceremonial site. From here there is an astounding circumspective view of Mt. Salkantay, Humantay, Yanantay and Palcay and beyond Ausangate, Ninaparayoc and Qoylluritiy as well as the Pampa de Anta and the Pass of Huilki. Over Muyuhorko pass the trail descends to the Tinkoc River and Collpa (3500m/11,480 ft), where the next camp located. (Hiking time: 6 hours; Distance: 11 km)
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Collpa Campsite
Day 3 : Hike from Collpa to Sisaypampa
Visiting: Collpa, Tocto, Sisaypampa
The hike continues up the Tinkoc Valley to the confluence of another river, (3,800m/12,464 ft) then up the left fork and up to Tocto Pass (4,900m/16,072 ft). This long slow ascent uphill finally reaches the Pass with breathtaking views of Mt. Salkantay, Yanahorco and Palcay directly opposite and views of the Pampaccahua valley and our Sisaypampa campsite below at 4,200m/13,690 ft. The decent, steep at first, drops to the valley floor for an easier hike down the valley. At the campsite there is a dominating view of the eastern face of the mountains. (Hiking time: 8 hours; Distance: 12 km)
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Sisaypampa Campsite
Day 4 : Hike from Sisaypampa to Paucarcancha
Visiting: Sisaypampa, Pampacahua, Paucarcancha
The trail continues to the end of the valley, turns north and enters the wider valley of Pampacahua. Along the Incan canal running through the middle of the valley are small farming settlements. At the end of the Pampa the trail begins to get steeper as it passes the tree line and continues to the campsite near Paucarcancha, and the confluence of the Pampacahua and Keska valleys (3,150m/10,260 ft). (Hiking time: 5-6 hours; Distance: 10 km)
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Paucarcancha Campsite
Day 5 : Hike from Paucarcancha to Llulluchapampa
Visiting: Paucarcancha, Huayllabamba, Llulluchapampa
The day begins at low altitude with a visit to the village of Huayllabamba. From here it is a progressively steep ascent to Huayruro stream (3,400m/11,084 ft) and Yunkachimpa. At Yunkachimpa, the trek is joined by a crew of porters. The muleteer and burros are left behind. From here the trail crosses over to Llullucha gorge and traverses a unique forest of Unca trees, a native species, which nowadays is hard to find except in isolated areas. As the trail enters the Machu Picchu Sanctuary there are fewer people living in the area, and once out of the forest at Llulluchapampa, there is a view of Mt. Huayanay that overlooks the campsite (3,750m/12,225 ft). (Hiking time: 5-6; Distance: hours, 8 km)
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Llulluchapampa Campsite
Day 6 : Hike from Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca
Visiting: Llulluchapampa, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca
A steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwanusqa pass at 4,200m (13,692 ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a reconstructed Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 4,050m (13,200 ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 3,850m (12,551 ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon. Walking through a rolling flag-stoned trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca ("the village on the edge of the clouds") in whose vicinity we camp. (Time: 7-8 hours; Distance 14km)
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Phuyupatamarca Campsite
Day 7 : Hike from Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu; shuttle to Aguas Calientes.
Visiting: Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, Wi?ay Wayna, Machu Picchu
An early departure today will have us trekking along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flag-stoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Winay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. (Time: 6-7 hours; Distance 10km)
- Meals: BL
- Standard Lodging: Hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
Day 8 : Full day tour and visit to Machu Picchu; afternoon train return to Cusco.
Visiting: Machu Picchu, Cusco
The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains. A climb up Huayna Picchu is optional and requires a ticket (not included). The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel.
- Meals: BL
