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Trek to Choquequirao and Machupicchu 6 Days
From
$1,960.00 pp
Our tour is designed for adventurers who want to experience the spectacular hike to the Salkantay Glacier, standing at over 6,264 meters above sea level. This glacier is also known as the “Wild Mountain.” The route offers endless experiences, from lush vegetation to stunning ecological levels, where we may encounter unique species such as the “Cock of the Rock” located in the cloud forest. Best of all, the trek concludes at Machu Picchu. You will have the dream tour, exploring fascinating landscapes and visiting Cusco’s two most important attractions. If you could not do the Inca Trail, don’t worry—this route is one of the best in Cusco and offers a unique visual appeal. We look forward to seeing you!
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between approximately 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM to travel by tourist bus to the town of Mollepata (2,900 m.a.sl), where we will arrive around 9:00 AM for breakfast. This day, we will enjoy a beautiful and scenic journey through Limatambo, with panoramic views of the majestic “Salkantay Snow Capped – Mountain,” where you can see an impressive chain of snow-covered mountains and the Apurímac River valley. We will begin our hike at Challacancha with our organizing staff and load the equipment onto the muleteers to start our trek to Soraypampa (3,850 masl), our campsite, where we will also settle for lunch. After a rest, we can optionally start another hike to Humantay Lake (4,220 masl), a beautiful natural attraction located at the base of the Humantay snow-capped peak. Dinner and the first night of camping in Domes. It is recommended to sleep well warmed as it is one of the coldest nights of the journey.
After an early and hearty breakfast, we will begin the most challenging hike of the journey, departing at 6:00 AM. We will pass through the area known as Pampa Salkantay and then head towards the left side of Humantay Mountain, located next to the Salkantay Mountain. By 12:00 PM, we will reach the highest point (Salkantay Pass at 4,600 masl). We will enjoy spectacular views of the mountain and the imposing Salkantay Snow-Capped Peak (6,264 masl), which is known as the second-highest peak in the Cusco region, as well as the mountains of Humantay and Huayanay. After a 1-hour rest, we will have lunch in the area called Huayracmachay (3,700 masl), and then continue our 3-hour hike towards the Chaullay campsite (2,920 masl), where we will spend our second night camping in the domes of Collpapampa (3,000 masl).
After breakfast, we will start the day’s hike at 6:00 AM, walking for 5 hours. We will observe the town of Collpapampa (3,100 masl), also known as the Cloud Forest or Jungle’s Edge, where we will see waterfalls, fruit trees, a variety of flora, coca plants, and birds. Here, we may witness the banana harvest and the waterfall, and if we are lucky, we might spot the famous “Cock-of-the-Rock” bird. We will arrive at the campsite in time for lunch and to rest. Then, you can enjoy a free afternoon to explore the surroundings, visit an organic coffee farm, or take local transport to the Cocalmayo thermal baths located in the district of Santa Teresa (1,990 masl) at no additional cost. After the hot springs, we will return to our dome camp located in Lucmabamba. Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast at 6:00 AM, we will begin our hike along the remnants of the Inca Trail towards the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,650 masl), a privileged spot for an extraordinary view of the Machu Picchu citadel and the Vilcanota Canyon. We will find evidence of the Inca culture before descending alongside the Vilcanota River, arriving at the Hydroelectric train station (1,950 masl).
After lunch at Hydroelectric, we will head towards the town of Aguas Calientes. This section can be done on foot in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, or optionally, you can take the train departing at 4:30 PM, which will take 45 minutes to reach the town of Aguas Calientes (2,050 masl). Optionally, you may visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes, located 2 kilometers from the town, followed by dinner and accommodation at a hotel.
Early in the morning, we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise in this magical place before the arrival of other tourists from the city of Cusco. We will savor the tranquility of the Lost City of the Incas during a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, following either Circuit 3 or Circuit 4, with brief stops to take photos along the way.
Optionally, there is the possibility to hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain (if you previously reserved your entrance ticket). From there, you will have spectacular views of the entire Machu Picchu citadel, as well as the surrounding valleys and mountains. After this tour, we will take the bus down to Machu Picchu Town (or Aguas Calientes) for lunch and then board the return train to Ollantaytambo, followed by tourist transport to Cusco.
NOTE: Guided tours in Machu Picchu last between 2 to 2.5 hours maximum for shared service, and between 2 to 3 hours maximum for private service, depending on the coordination between the guide and the passengers (the duration depends on train return schedules, lunch times, and descent to the town of Aguas Calientes).
IMPORTANT – Provide and send us your Travel Insurance before your arrival in Peru.
OPTIONAL:
Price per person in a shared service– English Speaking – Guide
Private Tour Pricing
For details on our private tour prices, contact us at sales@incaperutravel.com or reach us via WhatsApp: +51 963 213 482.
OPTIONAL
The Salkantay trek is considered to be of moderate to high difficulty. The hike includes steep ascents, such as crossing the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters above sea level, which requires good physical condition and previous experience in high-altitude trekking.
The weather in Soraypampa and at the Salkantay Pass can be very cold, especially at night. Temperatures can drop as low as -5°C (23°F), so it is important to be prepared with appropriate cold-weather clothing.
While previous trekking experience is not strictly necessary, it is highly recommended. The route is demanding due to the altitude and the daily duration of the hikes. Being in good physical condition and having completed similar hikes before will help you enjoy the trek more.
Essential items include a comfortable backpack, cold-weather clothing, a good pair of trekking boots, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a sleeping bag suitable for low temperatures. Trekking poles and insect repellent are also recommended.
The domes are glamping-style accommodations that offer comfortable beds with bedding, lighting, and protection from the cold and wind. While not luxurious, they provide a unique and comfortable experience in the wilderness.
Meals during the trek include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with varied menus that include local and international dishes. It is possible to adapt the menus for vegetarians, vegans, or people with other dietary needs, as long as this is communicated in advance.
It is recommended to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco before starting the trek to acclimatize to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. During this time, you can engage in lighter activities and avoid strenuous physical exertion.
Showers are limited during the trek and are not available at all campsites. Where available, they are usually cold showers. In some accommodations in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes, you may have access to hot showers.
Yes, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is included in the trek package. The guide will arrange the guided tour of the citadel upon arrival in Aguas Calientes.
Luggage during the trek is transported by horses or mules, which carry most of the gear and personal belongings. The maximum allowed weight is usually 7 kg per person, so it is important to pack only the essentials. The rest of your luggage can be stored in Cusco or sent directly to Aguas Calientes.
We are Inca Perú Travel certified tour operator, we offer tours to different destinations in Peru, as well as cultural experiences, adventure tours, gastronomic tourism and our most recent experiential and community tourism tours.
