The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive SALKANTAY snowcapped mountain (6,264m) and three others over 6000m. SALKANTAY is an outstanding snow peak, located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cuzco in south central Peru. It is the highest mountain of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Because of its proximity to the city, it is easily accessible and is climbed frequently.
 
Attractive trek; made for trekkers wanting to have a changeable landscape; it is under sunrise code decentralization of trekking tours, since other tourist circuits have gotten famous in the last few years it's getting crowded, this trek is totally different than the others, it's not dirty, nor popular, so therefore it's not full of tourists going on this trek you may see distinct ecosystems spread across its different zones of altitude and climate. This trail runs from high valley up to the mountains and descends into a lush valley. The ecosystem is transformed rapidly.

We will leave Cusco at 5:00 a.m in our own private bus, and drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive, we can see the town of Limatambo (2100 masl), an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata (2800 masl) where we will have our breakfast. Hereafter we arrange the equipment on horses. After our breakfast we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100 masl) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various plants, native birds, the Apurimac river canyon (which is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation canal. In Cruzpata we will have our lunch, we will depart at around 1:30 p.m in the direction of Soraypampa along a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views of the Humantay snow peak (5902 masl). After approximately 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3900 masl). From here we can appreciate the majestic Apu Salcantay (6271 masl).

Walking distance aproximately 10 Km. (L+D).

Wake up with a lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea. We will start the trek 07:00 AM. 3 hours easy hiking to Uscamayuc, where we will be introduced to a high Jungle niche called "Ceja de Selva", we will see different kind of plants, fruits, flowers, birds ect. here coca and banana crops can be observed, time to shower in a waterfall, take amazing pictures, with luck we can observe the famous Peruvian National Bird "Gallito de las Rocas" stop at Wiñaypoq’o for lunch and free time to rest. At the end of the day we will see passion fruit fields. The hike will last approximately 9 hours; the campsite is at the community named "La Playa "(2400 masl). from here we will take a small car by aproximately 45 minutes to Santa Teresa village where is the hot spring (optiomal hot spring bath) and also we will spend a night here. (B+L+D).

Walking distance aproximately 15 Km

After of our delicious breakfast we are going to walk for approximately around 8:30 a.m we begin our trek to the village Colpani, we follow this rising trail, from which we will see plantations of coffee, banana, passion fruit and a lovely view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We follow along the riverside of Vilcanota River until arrive to the Oroya (where we will cross the river by cables because there isn't any bridge). From here we will catch a small car where will take us until Hidroelectrica (25 minutes), from this place we can observe the back of Machupicchu Santuary, where we have the last lunch with all staff. from here we will continuo walking until arrive to Aguas Calientes around 4:30 p.m then we will stay in a hostal the last night. (B+L+D).

Walking distance aproximately 10 Km

* min. 4 participants, max 10 participants - Private Service - Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative) - Students: US$ 15.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid). - Additional discounts (that may be added to the above-mentioned)
SAE: US$ 10.00 (valid South American Explorers Club membership card required).

Departures: Daily departures are available along the year.

• Professional guide (English - Spanish; 2 guides for groups over 8 people).
• Collection from your hotel and transfer in private transportation to Mollepata (starting point of the trail)
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, new, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 3.
• 1 emergency horse every 6 persons – days 1 to 3.
• Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 4.
• Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters / horsemen
• Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day)
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Bus ticket up and down Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker or Vistadome service, upon request).

• Sleeping bag
• Lunch on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips: please beware that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not according to your wish.

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 4.00 / day)
• Mattress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)