.:Marlon's Travel:. Cusco Trips

	Duration:	06 DAYS/ 05 NIGHTS

	TOUR DESCRIPTION
	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. Located northwest of Cusco, Nevado de SALKANTAY , the cordillera's tallest peak, is at the eastern end of the chain and rises to 6271 meters above sea level. Located northwest of Cusco, Nevado SALKANTAY , the cordillera's tallest peak, is at the eastern end of the chain and rises to 6271 meters in height. The name SALKANTAY means "Savage Mountain", which may refer to the clouds that rise up from the jungle lowlands and engulf the peak. The SALKANTAY to Machu Picchu trek normally takes 7 days and has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter less trodden route with a visit to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. For the first 4 days you will be surrounded with magnificent scenery and rarely see other groups of trekkers.



	ITINERARY
	DAY 01: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata) – Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa
	Transfer from your hotel in Cusco (3280m) direction the little village of Mollepata (3000m), place where we’ll start our hike on the Inca Trail. We’ll pass through the small village of Cruz Pata (3400m) where we’ll have the most spectacular sights over the Mollepata Valley. Our campsite for the night is at the feet of the most majestic and impressing mountains of this area such as Salkantay (6264m) and Humantay (5217m). The campsite is called Salkantaypampa and it’s situated at 3800meters. We’ll be hiking about 6 hours in a rather cold climate. Included are our breakfast, lunch and diner.

	DAY 02: Salkantaypampa – Paso Salkantay – Sisay Pampa
	The colder morning-temperatures will be excellent to ascend to the highest and toughest part of this trek, in the snow over the Salkantay-pass (5200m). This pass is a wonderful spot for sightseeing because it’s surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as Humantay (5217m), Tucarhuay (5450m) and Soray Hill (5428m). After the pass we’ll be hiking down until the Sisay pampa (3700m) where we’ll have our campsite. Our hiking-time will be about 7 hours in a cold climate. Included are our breakfast, lunch and diner.

	DAY 03: Sisay Pampa – Canal Inca – Huayllabamba
	We will have to hike down by Incan canals and original paths in order to enter Huayllabamba (3000m). There we’ll have our connection over the Inca trail to our campsite. Included are our breakfast, lunch and diner.

	DAY 04: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo
	We get up early in order to start the steep tour uphill to the first pass, Warmi Wañusca, in 4200 masl. We pass though the amazing forest covered with green and grey mosses. All through here we walk on high steps. After this, we come to the open area of the puna. Here we might see some llamas grassing just below the pass. Arriving to the pass, we all take a well deserved break and enjoy the view on both sides before we start the downhill climbing of the stairs on the other side. After some 1-2 hours walking we touch the valley floor at Paqaymayu, where there are washrooms available. Then we continue towards Runkurakay - another Inca ruin - and from here we walk on 100% genuine incatrails. We head out towards the second pass in 3900 masl. At this place, on sunny days, we have a breathtaking view of the Vilcabamba Mountains, to where the Incas retreated after fighting the Spaniards. From here we walk the beautiful way down to the big ruin of Sayaqmarka. After a good explanation of the site, we continue through a small cloud forest towards our camp. (B+L+D). - Walking distance aproximately 11 km.

	DAY 05: Pacaymayo to Wiñaywayna
	In good weather we wake up to a breathtaking view of the Vilcabamba Mountains. After breakfast we continue towards the third pass. This part of the way is very beautiful with cloud forest, orchids, ferns and a colorful birdlife. At this point the Inca Trail is quite extraordinary with semi-carved tunnels and perfectly placed stones. We lunch at the third pass near Phuyupatamarca before we start the long descent to Wiñay Wayna, the place of our last campnight. Those who have more energy can take a longer descent to see the site of Intipata and we all go in the late afternoon to visit the extraordinarily well made site just behind the camp. (B+L+D). - Walking distance aproximately 16 km.

	DAY 06: Wiñaywayna to Machupicchu
	Very early we leave camp to reach Inti Punku in time for sunrise. From here we get the first glance of Machu Picchu between the mountains on its saddle high over the Urubamba River. We all meet at Machu Picchu at a decided hour to make the tour of Machu Picchu. We will learn about the importance – religiously and historically – of the place, and we will be able to appreciate the fine architecture of the Incas. After the guided tour you can go to the top of Wayna Picchu, from where one has a good overview of the whole area and the full site of Machu Picchu. Another possibility is to visit the beautiful temple of the moon. In the afternoon we meet in Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco. (B). - Walking distance aproximately 4 km.

	End of Our Services

PRICE per person:

* Group Size: Typical group size 03-06, Maximum 16 persons. - Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative)
Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid).
Teenagers: US$ 30.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)- 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. Exception: one-month closing period of the classical Inca Trail route in February.

INCLUDED

Professional guide (English - Spanish).
Transportation to Mollepata.
Horses days 1-3 (for equipment and personal items and 1 emergency horse) + horsemen.
Porters days 4-6 (to carry tents, cooking equipment and food)
Entrance ticket to Inka Trail to Machu Picchu.
Tents, and High quality camping equipment (including bath tent, tables, chairs)
Meals (Vegetarian food available on request).
Water Supply
Bus Ticket down (Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes)
Train ticket back to Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED

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.

YOU SHOULD BRING:

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).

TRADITIONAL CUSCO 03 days/ 02 nights
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS 04 days/ 03 nights
HIKING THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 04 days/ 03 nights
HIKE HUCHUY Q'OSQO MACHUPICCHU 03 days/ 02 nights
TREKKING TO CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHU-PICCHU 08 days/ 07 nights
HIKING THE AUSANGATE MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT 06 days/ 05 nights
HIKING SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHUPICCHU 05 days/ 04 nights
HIKING TO SALKANTAY AND THE INKA TRAIL 06 days/ 05 nights
LARES VALLEY TO MACHUPICCHU TREK 04 days/ 03 nights
TREKKING VILCABAMBA