Trekking Tour

Salcantay Machu Picchu

THE MOLLEPATA REGION

The Vilcanota mountain range is a spectacular chain, and is located between two great rivers of the region, the Urubamba and Apurimac Rivers.
Snow-capped Salkantay Mountain is located on the Eastern end of the Vilcanota chain and reaches an elevation of 6.270 meters over sea level.

RECOMMENDATIONS

This part of the Trail is different from the other days. Whereas MOLLEPATA is quite warm, hikers should be ready for an ascent and the higher altitude and colder climate when getting to the mountain pass. Hikers should have spent at least 2 to 3 days acclimatizing to the higher altitudes in the Cusco region prior to embarking on this Trail.

FIRST DAY: CUSCO / MOLLEPATA / SORAYPAMPA /  SOROY COCHA LAKE

Leaving the Cusco hotel at 5:30 AM we will travel by bus to MOLLEPATA (2,100m altittude), stopping on way in the archaeological complex of Tarawasi, an Inca Temple. MOLLEPATA is an attractive small town constructed on the slopes of the upper part of the Apurimac River. From Molllepata we will continue by bus to Soraypampa, where we will begin our trek. Here we need to check our luggage, pack the mules, and begin the long ascent to our campsite next to Huayracpampa Lake. The ascent is approximately 5 hours long, and on our way we will be able to appreciate typical Andean flora and fauna. The impressive Salkantay Mountain will be above us during this stretch, and we will be camping just below the Salkantay glacier. For this reason it is recommended passengers bring a down sleeping bag, good for sub-zero temperatures.

SECOND DAY: SOROY COCHA LAKE / QELQEMACHAY /  COLCAPAMPA

We will begin this day by climbing for one hour to the Huayracpampa pass (4.460m). After a brief break and picture-taking session we will begin a long descent towards Santa Teresa. We will lunch in Qelqemachay. During this long descent we will be able to literally see the changes in vegetation as we go from high mountain areas down to tropical jungle with its dense forest. We will camp in Colcapampa close to the thermal baths.

THIRD DAY: COLCAPAMPA / LLUCMA  BAMABA

The trail this day is very beautiful. The vegetation is very dense and we will see a variety of orchids and impressive water falls approximately 80 meters high. We will camp in Sahuayaco.

FOURTH DAY: LUCMA BAMABA / LLACTAPATA / AGUAS CALIENTES

We will begin walking very early to Lucmabamba, a small village from where we will be taken to Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa boasts telephone service.

From here we will walk again, to the Hydroelectric train station of MACHU PICCHU, and from there take a train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.

CAFETALES DE LLACTAPATA

FIFTY DAY: AGUAS CALIENTES /  MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO

We take the first bus (6:00am) from Aguas Calientes to the MACHU PICCHU ruins. Our guide will thoroughly guide you through the ruins, and in the afternoon we will take the train to Cusco.

A representative of our agency will meet you at the Cusco train station and take you to your hotel.