Salkantay, Condors & Machu Picchu 5D/4N

This first day will give participants time to adapt to the altitude and begin to prepare physically for the following days hiking. We will pick you up from your hotel at 8am for the trip to the Condor Viewing Point at Chonta. Along the way, we will stop and explore one of two archaeological sites: Kuillarumiyoc or Tarahuasi.These sites were important ritual sites during the height of the Inca Empire and still hold great significance today in Quechua society.

While driving further, you will enjoy the landscape of the Limatambo valley and spot small farming communities nestled among the valley. Upon reaching Chonta, we will walk for approximately an hour along a narrow track with spectacular views of the Apurimac Canyon. We are almost certain to have the site completely to ourselves as most tourists tend to visit the area later in the afternoon. At the viewing point, there will be time to relax and observe the condors soaring over the canyon, while a specially prepared boxed lunch will be served.

After lunch, we will return to our vehicle and continue to our final destination, Pincopata Ecocamp.

Upon arrival at Pincopata Ecocamp, we will be greeted with a lovely refreshment made from seasonal fruits and taken to our domes to enjoy a hot shower and a deserved rest. If rest is not your thing, you may prefer to walk around the camp or participate in the various extra activities available at the Ecocamp, such as horse-riding and biking.

We will end the day with a superb dinner consisting of fresh and locally sourced foods typical of Peruvian-cuisine.

• Driving Distance: 132.5 km / 82,8 mi
• Driving Time: 3,5 hrs
• Altitude Chonta: 3,400 m
• Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft

After breakfast, we continue along the road for 25 minutes  to the community of Tilca, from here we start our hike to the top of one of the sacred mountains, a gradual up-hill on meddle of typical vegetation and spectacular views of the valley and mountains before arrive to the top where we can see some stairs and platforms with religious proposes and retaining walls.

After this experience we start descending to  Marcahuaylla, from where we continue another short  walk to access the archaeological remains of Choquechurco (Place where Gold is placed). This sacred place, unknown to many, is on our list of remote sites we like to visit. Situated among a forest of native Polylepis trees, this abandoned site will make you feel like a true explorer. We will discover remains of religious sites and settlements;  carved boulders, small squares, and Inca walls covered with moss and vegetation.

From this place, we will have views of Humantay Mountain, the Valley of Limatambo, Apurimac, and the town of Mollepata. Surrounded by remarkable scenery, we will stop to have lunch at this site before continuing the descent to our Pincopata Ecocamp.

• Driving Distance: 20.4 km / 12.7 mi (round trip)
• Driving Time: 30 minutes (rt)
• Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.25 mi
• Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
• Altitude Tilca: 3,790 m / 12,431 f
• Altitude Choquechurco: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft.
• Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft.

After breakfast, we’ll drive 15 minutes to the start of our trail at Marcoccasa. From here, we begin with a short uphill walk before continuing our hike along an aqueduct overlooking the spectacular Rio Blanco Valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Humantay and Salkantay Mountains. Surrounded by a spectacular view, you will enjoy a delicious box lunch.

During the afternoon, we offer an optional hike to Lake Humantay, a lake nestled at the base of the southern face of the mountain. This 1.5-hour hike will present breath-taking views of the glacial lake of the Humantay Mountain. If you prefer a more laid-back afternoon, you can schedule a soothing massage or simply take in the breath-taking views surrounding our camp. We´ll spend the night at Pincopata Camp.

• Driving time to trail head: 15 min
• Distance to trailhead: 8 km /5 mi
• Trekking distance: 14 km/8.75 mi
• Trekking time: 4- 5 hrs
• Altitude Soraypampa: 3,883m / 12,737ft
• Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft.
• Hiking Level: Moderate

After breakfast, we´ll drive to Soraypampa where is the beginning of our trek. From the bottom of the valley gradually starting to ascend while crossing several small pampas. The challenging final climb to the Abra Pass will be rewarded with spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain. At the pass you will have time to celebrate our accomplishment before descending to a warmer spot to enjoy a box lunch. Later, we will return to Soraypampa to meet our transport. After boarding our transport, you´ll back to our comfortable Pincopata Ecocamp, and enjoy a marvelous dinner.

• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
• Hiking time: 7-8 hrs. round trip
• Hiking level: challenging
• Altitude Abra Salkantay: 4,664 m / 15,300 ft.
• Altitude Soraypampa: 3,883m / 12,737ft
• Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft

We begin with breakfast at the ecocamp, and then travel through small Quechua villages in the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Here, we board a train that will take us to the village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

We will enjoy the train ride while eating a freshly prepared packed lunch. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, we will travel by bus up to Machu Picchu with our guide to discover the impressive historical citadel for the afternoon.

Having explored the site, we will descend to our wonderful hotel where we can rest or explore the village of Aguas Calientes until dinner.

• Transfer distance: 130 km / 81.25mi
• Transfer time: 2.5-3 hrs.
• Train travel distance: 36 km / 22.5 mi
• Train travel time: 1.5 hrs.
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,000m / 6,560ft

After breakfast in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where we will have our own private transport awaiting to take us to visit the salt mines of Maras, an old salt mine that dates from the pre-Inca era, unique because of the form of evaporation wells on the hillside that is currently still in use by families from the surrounding communities who have made this activity part of their economy. After this visit we will go to Moray, an important archaeological center with a conic and circular shape, where agricultural activities were carried out, then we will visit to the Misminay community, an experience of music and culture with members of the community where you will enjoy their typical food and knowledge before returning to the city of Cusco.

For those planning to spend more time in Cusco, we will be happy to arrange a hotel and drop off.

• Train Ride: 1.5 hrs.
• Transfer distance: 110 km/68.4 mi.
• Transfer time: 2 hrs.