The Vilcanota Mountain Range has an impressive range of mountains in Peru which include the snowcapped Salkantay (6,264 meters) and three others over 6000 meters that you will appreciate in this trek.
This snowy is really exceptional, located less than fifty miles northwest of the city of Cusco in south central Peru. It is the highest mountain of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Because of its proximity to the city, it is easily accessible and is climbed frequently. Join us on this incredible Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu. Book early.
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Experience: |
Salkantay trek and short Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu |
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Duration (days): |
06 Days including Classic Short Royal Inca Trail Machu Picchu |
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Duration (nights): |
03 nights in our Lodge del Cielo “Sky Lodge” along the Salkantay trek route “Included in final price” + 02 night in Machu Picchu town “Last night hotel can vary according your request” |
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Language: |
English & Spanish “Other Languages on request” |
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Close Airport: |
Cusco /Perú |
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The attraction: |
The Classic royal Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be in the top 5 treks in the world, and the Salkantay trek (also sometimes called the Salkantay Trek), was named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. The total distance is 45 miles (74km). |
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Travel Style: |
Active Unique Experience, Hiking, trekking, adventures to Machu Picchu, made for outdoor types. |
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Trip Type: |
Small GroupSmall group experience; Max 16, Avg 12 “Be in mind small group size means more authentic experience” |
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Age requirement: |
12+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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Physical Rating/ Grading: |
1 2 3 4 5 |
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4 - Demanding |
For some high-altitude hikes or hardworking activities but accessible to the most healthy travelers The Distance: The Inca Trail difficulty starts with the distance that will be 74 km (45 miles) in total covered over 6 days and 5 nights. The 6th day in Machu Picchu is more relaxing and in general you’ll see the following itinerary:
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Price: |
Prices will oscillate according the service level and inclusions. |
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Classic Services |
Salkantay Sky Lodge “Lodge del Cielo” and Royal Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Expedition Train. |
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Activity: |
Trekking, Adventure |
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Country: |
Peru |
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City: |
Cusco |
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Acclimatization: |
Please to prevent any causality, you need acclimatize 2 days before in Cusco for enjoying much better your trek to Machu Picchu. |
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Highlights: |
Overnight in our Lodge del Cielo “Sky Lodge”, Humantay Lake, Salkantay sacred mountain, Short royal Inca Trail and Machu Picchu royal Inca city. |
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Limited Spaces: |
YES. To protect the historical trail of the Incas, the number of people allowed to 500 persons each day. That’s why; you need to reserve your space as soon as possible, if you don’t reserve the space with a lot time before, maybe three to six months in advance. Perhaps you can’t find a space for this trek and remember that the high tourist season in Cusco, the spaces will filled up more quickly than low season, for that reason, remember these dates. High season: from May to September. Low season: from October to April. |
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More about the experience: |
The ancient trail by the Incas from Salkantay Mountain to the royal Inca trail, then through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. You’ll have the experience that feels the winds around the mountains, trekking over two high Andean passes on the route and a lot of landscape that remembered the great route of the Peru ancestors. Also, the views of snowy-capped mountains and cloud forests with orchids and extensive wildlife over this amazing trek are completely unforgettable. |
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You Book, You Go… Don’t Worry… We Won’t Cancel: |
We guarantee that we will never cancel a trip with a low signing-up participation or a few people to the departure on your selected date neither get our travelers to other tour operators! With these rules, our travelers will assurance and peace safety to know their travel plans are insured and guaranteed. |
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Request a Quote: |
We can customize this private trek just for you. Any details can be personalized according your request on hotels and other destinations. |
Highlights: Humantay lake trek and Tarawasi Inca temple “Soft trekking day” – Acclimatization day.
Overnight at Soraypampa Lodge Del Cielo “Sky Lodge” at 3,869 m/12,690 ft
About our Lodge del Cielo in Soraypampa: Our camp is located at 10 minutes by foot from the village of Soraypampa, this gives us a huge advantage to have a 360 panoramic view of Humantay glacier, also it’s a perfect place to escape away from the crowd, where we can appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Andean Valley and enjoy the company of our Alpacas.
Note: On the evening before of the first day, there will be a briefing with your guide in Cusco. After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are picked you up starting at 6:00 am at your Cusco hotel by ITEP guide and vehicle “Pick up time can oscillate and will be confirmed only on the day of your briefing”.
Tarawasi: In our Way, we visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi (approx. 1.5 hrs. from Cusco). The archeological complex of Tarawasi is located in the Limatambo district, Anta providence, Cusco Region at the left of the Limatambo river at 2675 meters above the sea level. Its name comes from the union of two runasimi words “Inca Language”, which would be: "Tara" that means bush and the second one is "Wasi" that means home. The construction of this complex would have been by Inka Pachacuteq mandate during the epoch of his reign. Due to the archaeological complex structure, it was indicated that this place is a ceremonial center in the beginnings of Chinchaysuyo, also it’s observed into this construction that already exist an Ushnu that means a ceremonial altar with a pyramidal shape that was used for important ceremonies and due to this location, it’s indicated that this served as a resting place in route to the Chinchaysuyo.
After leaving Tarawasi, we pass through the Mollepata village where we stop for a short break before ascending to Soraypampa.
Here in Soraypampa our campsite is called Lodge del Cielo. After Lunch time, we’re going to Humantay Lake surrounded by glaciers on the slopes of the impressive Humantay Mountain. Our 4-hours walking are necessary to reach the lake, but the view is worthy it and the braves can go for a swim at that altitude! Remember that the whole tour will guided by a professional and experienced Tour guide.
6 hours (including a picnic lunch in the route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, high routes, open routes, dirty roads and more.
Overnight at Collpapampa Sky Lodge at 2,870 m/9,414 ft
This day we will wake you up at 4:00 am and we'll give you a hot tea, then at 4:30 am we’re going to have a nice breakfast for start our trek at 5:00 am, climbing the most difficult day ad going directly to Salkantay Pass. Our journey continues to Machu Picchu going through the Rio Blanco valley, Humantay Peak and in front of Salkantay Peak. This part will be the highest point on the trek, called Salkantay Pass (4,638 meters or 15,213 ft). Into this high pass we’ll stop more than 30 minutes to take photos and appreciate the snow-capped mountains of the Vilcabamba Range and the south face of Salkantay Mountain. We will keep our eyes out for condors on this area. From this high pass we’ll descend towards to Wayracmachay that means “the cave where the wind lives” and where we’re going to enjoy a delicious lunch. After finished, we continue by 03 hours descending by foot until we reach our next campsite; dinner and overnight at the Sky Lodge.
Trekking Time: Approximately 12 hours (including picnic time). Our style is just walk slow, enjoy the landscapes and talk with our tour guide.
Walk and Terrain: Walk, on mostly steep trails, and some open slopes.
A LITTLE OF HISTORY:
The name Salkantay or Salcantay is coming from the Inca´s word Sallqa, a Quechua word meaning wild, uncivilized, savage, or invincible, and was recorded as early as 1583.The name is thus often translated as "Savage Mountain".
Directly to the north of Salkantay trek lies Machu Picchu, which is at the end of a ridge that extends down from this mountain. Viewed from Machu Picchu's main sundial, the Southern Cross is above Salcantay’s summit when at its highest point in the sky during the rainy season. The Incas associated this alignment with concepts of rain and fertility, and considered Salkantay trek to be one of the principal deities controlling weather and fertility in the region west of Cuzco.
About Our Lodge del Cielo base in Collpampampa: Our camp is located at 10 minutes walking from the village of Chaullay, Chaullay is a very crowded campsite lodge. Our Campsite in Colpapampa this gives us a huge advantage to have a 360 panoramic view of the Salkantay Valley, also it is a perfect place, away from the crowd and where we can know a little of the local family.
Overnight at Lucmabamba Sky Lodge “Lodge del Cielo” at 2,062 m/6,765 ft
On this day we’ll walk along the Santa Teresa valley going through rural areas, banana, passion fruit, avocado, orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee grows here to be one of the best organic coffees in the world. Our ride takes us to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”, where we’ll say goodbye to our horses and muleteers staff and then we’ll continue through one of the most variety landscapes of this trek. A short 30 minutes walking through avocado plantations to reach to our Sky Lodge in Lucmabamba. Dinner and overnight at our Sky lodge
Trekking Time: Approximately 5 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails
About our Lodge del Cielo base in Lucmabamba: Our camp is located in Lucmabamba and it’s a perfect place away from the crowed groups and where you can see the customs of the country men and farmers.
At this time their main economy is cultivate the coffee farms and is our responsible to give them the opportunity to show themselves.
Optional: If you request a Private Service:
We can have a local coffee experience
RESPONSIBLE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FOR INCA COMMUNITY, “MACHU PICCHU’S HERITAGE”
THE INCA´S COFFE
Peru has a global reputation for producing traditionally shade grown and high quality coffee beans.
Coffee production came to Peru in the 1700s. After two centuries, the farmers still comprises with this kind of production and the 60 percent going to outside exportation. There are more than 110,000 coffee farms in Peru where most of it is indigenous and they speak spanish as a second language. ‘Cause the first one is runasimi language.
The 'Flor de Cafe' (Coffee Flower) Rural Community Tourism Association from Lucmabamba - Bayona, is located in the Inca Trail (Lucmabamba – Llactapata - Ahobamba) with a final destination in Machu Picchu at a height of 2026 a.s.l where we can find 15 families that lives with this association.
These families found an opportunity to improve their life quality through touristic activities, sharing their ancient knowledge with tourists and the visitors lives the experience of flavors of this Coffee Tour (Ruta del Cafe).
Overnight in Aguas Calientes at 1,900 m/6,232 ft
After a hearty breakfast, we continue with the last day of our trek. We'll trekking for 2-3 hours to Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974ft), where we'll see a spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view that few travelers ever get a chance to admire. Here we take a short break to explore the Llactapata complex and then we’ll receive the lunch at this scenic viewpoint looking out Machu Picchu. After the see the amazing landscapes we'll begin with our final part of the trek to Aobamba river and through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. We’ll arrive to Hydroelectric train station, for continue walking into the trails of the rail way until Machu Picchu town or also known as Aguas Calientes (approx. 3 hours). After this soft trek, we’re going to our hotel and then we’ll have a celebration dinner with our guide and one last briefing for our next day experience!
Note - Those who prefer not to hike from Hydroelectric train station to Machu Picchu town, you can take the train by 40 minutes of travel, but remember that price isn’t included in your package or tickets. They will meet with the rest of the group at the train station in Machu Picchu town. (The guide confirms your preferences the night before.)
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Hiking Level: Moderate to challenging.
About our overnight in Machu Picchu town: Hotel in Machu Picchu will depend according your request and expectations before the start the whole trek.
A LITTLE OF HISTORY:
Bingham discovered Llaqtapata in 1912. ""We found evidence that some Inca chieftain had built his home here with ten or a dozen buildings. Bingham locates the site between the valleys of Aobamba and Salcantay with 5,000 meters of Huaquina farm." "Here we discovered inca contructions and two or three modern huts. The people around said that the place was called Llactapata, that’s why Bingham did not investigate the ruins thoroughly, however and they were not studied for 70 years.
A mid-2003 studied the site coordinated by Hugh Thomson and Gary Ziegler and they concluded that the location of Llaqtapata along the Inca trail suggested that it was an important roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu. This and subsequent investigations have revealed an extensive complex of structures and features related to and connected with Machu Picchu by a continuation of the Inca Trail leading onward into the Vilcabamba. Llaqtapata may have been a member of the network of interrelated administrative and ceremonial sites which supported the regional center at Machu Picchu. It probably took on an important astronomical function during the solstices and equinoxes.
Today trek takes us along the most impressive part of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of wildlife, exotic vegetation and get to take into fantastic landscapes of andean mountains. Our journey begins in the Sacred Valley through the original Inca Trail of Winay Wayna before continuing to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the cloud forest that covers the mountain and see a great variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. Also we’ll see mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we have lucky). After a full day of trekking, we'll arrive to Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and here we’ll have our first views of Machu Picchu citadel. The light of sunset provides you that you’ll have great photos, ‘cause at this time there will be fewer tourists in the site and its perfect time to take some pictures of the site without people.
Free time to Enjoy the Sunset in Machu Picchu after we've passed the Sun Gate then we'll carry on along the trail to get Machu Picchu town by bus where we'll check in to our hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance: 6kms/3.7mls Difficulty: Easy
Very early in the morning, after breakfast we take the the first bus at about 6:15 am arriving in Machu Picchu at around 7:00am to see the lovely sun rise over the mountains. Here we will re-live the history and the mysterious world of the Incas. At this time there isn't much of a crowd, so we can take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site.
We will explore this enigmatic city for approximately 2 hours, while listening to the guide recount the mysteries and archaeological history of this sanctuary. Then you will have 4 hours of leisure to possibly climb Huayna Picchu or continue your exploration of this massive site. Please consult with your guide for the time to be at the train station for your departure so you will have ample time to have lunch or soak in the thermal waters in Aguas Calientes.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional: If you would like to spend an extra day in Machu picchu, please let us know so we can change the date on your return train ticket to Cusco. Imperios Travel can provide a guide and hotel for the extra day at an additional cost. Please be aware that you will have to pay for a second day entrance ticket to the Machupicchu Inca City.
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