Day 1
This evening you will take your overnight flight to Lima, Peru.
Day 2
Upon arrival, you will be met by our staff to assist you with your connecting flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at your leisure to acclimate. Cuzco’s elevation is approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet), so we highly recommend resting as soon as you arrive for a few hours and taking in some coca tea.
Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed). Also, if you take a day flight to Lima, we can accommodate a night at the airport hotel (at extra cost). Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant.
Day 3
This morning enjoy a private walking tour of Cuzco where you will visit the Korikancha Temple, or Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. During your private tour today you have the option to visit the Casa Concha museum or the San Pedro Market.
The Casa Concha museum was recently renovated and houses over 360 archaeological pieces from Machu Picchu, recently returned by Yale University.
San Pedro Market is a lively, local market where you will receive a briefing about the local Andean ingredients and have an opportunity to purchase them. This market visit is a great opportunity to interact with the locals either selling or purchasing items from the market.
This afternoon there will be time for lunch before continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. This afternoon, return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Note: For more adventurous travelers, we suggest an optional sunset horse back riding tour through the Sacsahuaman Ruins. Please ask your Yampu Travel Consultant for more information.
Day 4
Cuzco – Challacancha – Soroycocha
Early this morning (at 6:00AM) you will be greeted at your hotel in Cuzco and transferred to the village of Mollepata to visit the archaeological site of Tarawasi. Afterward you will continue along the road to Challacancha where you will meet the horses and their handlers who will be your support during the trek. From here you will embark on the first leg of your journey climbing toward Salcantaypamp. Reaching this site you will enjoy lunch before continuing the climb to Soroycocha, and your first campsite, at 4,200 meters.
Day 5
Soroycocha – Qollpapampa
This morning you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing at 6:30AM toward Qollpapampa. Your trek today will start with a one-hour ascent to Salkantay Mountain Pass at 4,525 meters. From here you will have amazing views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped Vilcabamba Mountain Range. As you continue your trek there will be opportunities to witness the Andean Condors in their natural habitat; this afternoon you will reach Huayracmachay and enjoy lunch upon arrival.
After lunch your trek will descend into a more tropical climate, a cloud forest. As you travel along the Salkantay River you will see the remains of the original path formed centuries ago by the Incas. Reaching Qollpapampa at 2,890 meters you will spend the night at camp and enjoy the opportunity to relax in the natural hot springs nearby.
Day 6
Qollpapampa – Lucmabamba
After breakfast you will descend along a narrow path toward the banks of the Cachora, or Santa Teresa River. The ecosystem surrounding today’s trek will provide a warmer and humid climate that creates a marked change in the flora and fauna as you pass through the verdant landscape and the waterfalls at Coripacchi. Continuing onward you will reach the settlement at Wiñaypoko where you will take a break to enjoy a delicious lunch.
After a short rest you will continue along the river banks passing Sahuayaco, a small village populated by less than 20 families. This afternoon you will arrive at your campsite at Lucmabamba.
Day 7
Lucmabamba – Hydro – Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)
This morning after breakfast you will begin your trek toward La Playa village crossing the river and climbing to El Mirador at 2,860 meters (2 hour ascent). From here you will have a privileged view of Machu Picchu as you enjoy lunch from the Llaqtapata lookout point at 2,650 meters.
After a good rest and ample opportunity to take in the landscape, begin your two hour descent toward the Aobamba River as you traverse the lush bamboo forests reaching the hydroelectric plant of Machu Picchu. From here, you will board a train for a brief, and scenic transfer to the Puente Ruins and then to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy this evening at your leisure in your selected hotel.
Day 8
Early in the morning you will take the first bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cuzco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests.
This afternoon, enjoy lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge located at the entrance of the ruins, before returning to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Day 9
Today is at your leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.
Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).
Day 10
This morning you will be met at your hotel in Cuzco and transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon enjoy a private city tour of Lima—one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. As you journey through the historic center of the city, admire the beauty of San Martín and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, a religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. This tour also includes a drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Please note the Cathedral is open daily except on Sundays.
During your tour you will also visit the Museo Larco. Founded in 1926 the Museo Larco chronologically showcases the past 3,000 years of Peruvian history and culture including its pre-Colombian history. The museum is located in a beautiful 18th century vice-royal mansion built atop a 7th century pre-Colombian tomb. After exploring the Museo Larco enjoy a complimentary cocktail and appetizer at the onsite Larco Café overlooking the beautiful, surrounding gardens.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home, or overlap with the add-on of your choice.
Note: If your departing flight is in the evening, we recommend adding a tour to Pachacamac with an introduction to the Peruvian Paso horse.
Peru
Salkantay
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
