These 14 days begin in Lima and continue South to Arequipa for a trek through the Colca Canyon, then continue by bus to Puno to see the Islands of Lake Titicaca before arriving in Cusco. After a free day in Cusco you'll begin a 5 day trek through Salkantay finally concluding with a visit to Machu Picchu.
This trip includes a total of 8 days trekking through canyons from 2,160 m (7,086 ft) in the Colca Canyon to 4,600m (15,200 ft) at Salkantay Pass. Both treks are considered difficult.
Expedition train, bus tickets and entrances included. Treks are catered and include camping equipment (tents) or local house accommodation.
Steep rocky inclines at a moderate pace. Donkeys or horses provided carry your pack. Emergency (riding) donkey included. This trip requires 1 overnight bus trip from Arequipa to Puno.
These tours are pooled.
Salkantay and Puno is touristic while the Colca Canyon Trek is lesser known.
Day 1 Arrival in Lima
We will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. From there we will transfer to your hotel in Lima.
Includes Airport Transfer / Accommodation
Day 2 Flight Lima to Arequipa - Free Time in Arequipa
Pickup at your hotel in the morning and transfer back to airport in Lima - Flight to Arequipa (1.5 hrs) - Free Day in Arequipa - Hotel in Arequipa
Includes Meals B / Transfers / Flight / Accommodation
Day 3 Arequipa - Cruz Condor - San Juan de Chucco
We will pick you up at your hotel at 3:30 am with our tourist bus and begin the drive out of Arequipa towards Chivay. After breakfast we will see the condors at "Cruz Condor" then lunch at Cabanaconde before trekking down into the canyon for about 4 hours until we reach the village of San Juan de Chuccho.
Includes Meals B / Transfers / Bus Tour / Entrance / Accommodation
Day 4 San Galle Oasis
From San Juan de Chucco we will walk for about 2 - 3 hours to the San Galle oasis where we will have lunch and enjoy the afternoon relaxing by the swimming pool or exploring the area on foot.
Includes Meals BLD / Accommodation
Day 5 Cabanaconde - Chivay - Puno
Today is the most difficult portion of the trek from San Galle to Cabanaconde, an approximate 3 hour climb from 2000 m to 3200 m. At the top we will take a car to Chivay to visit the Calera hot springs before taking an overnight bus to Puno.
Includes Meals BL / Transfers / Bus
Day 6 Uros and Amantani Islands
Uros Islands and Amantani Islands Full Day - Night on Amantani
Includes Meals BLD / Transfer / Boat Tour / Guide / Accommodation
Day 7 Taquile Island - Bus to Cusco
Another speed boat trip to Taquile Island in the morning followed by lunch and transfer to Puno's bus station then an overnight bus to Cusco.
Includes Meals BL / Entrances / Transfer / Bus
Day 9 Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
We'll leave from your hotel in a private bus to Mollepata where we trek for a full day up to Soray where we'll camp.
Includes Meals BLD / Transfers / Camping Equipment
Day 10 Abra Salkantay - Colpapampa
We leave Soraypampa and continue walking up the beautiful valley just below the majestic snowcapped mountain named Salkantay (6271 m). After 1 1/2 hours we reach Salkantay pass (4600 m). Then the trail descends to Huayroqmachay located (4000 m).
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment
Day 11 Chaullay - Santa Teresa
We continue down to the lush jungle through different ecosystems decending towards the cloud forest. We'll hike for approximately 7 hours until we reach our campsite located in the community known as "La Playa" (2400 m).
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment
Day 12 Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes
From Santa Teresa we'll journey through coffee, banana, and tropical fruit plantations before arriving at the ruins of Patallacta. From here we reach Hidroelectrica (1800 m) and 2 hrs later we arrive at Aguas Calientes and our hostal.
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment
Day 13 Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning we'll take a bus up to Machu Picchu and have all day with our expert guide to explore this Inca enigmatic treasure. In the afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then have a private transfer to Cusco and your hotel.
Includes Meals B / Train Tickets / Transfers / Entrances / Guide / Accommodation
Day 14 Flight Cusco to Lima - Departure
Transfer to Airport in Cusco - Flight to Lima - INTL Return Flight
Includes Meals B / Transfer / Flight to Lima
Day 1 Arrival in Lima - Hotel in Lima
We will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. From there we will transfer to your hotel in Lima. Enjoy free time exploring the city. Night in Hotel.
Free Time
Hotel
Includes Transfer / Accommodation
Day 2 Flight Lima to Arequipa - Free Time
Flight Lima to Arequipa - Free Time in Arequipa.
1.5 hrs
1/2 Day
Hostal
Includes Meals B / Transfer / Flight / Accommodation
Day 3 Arequipa - Cruz Condor - San Juan de Chucco
We will pick you up at your hotel at 3:30 am with our tourist bus and begin the drive out of Arequipa towards Chivay. After breakfast we will visit "Cruz Condor" which is a viewpoint on the edge of Colca Canyon to see condors in flight. We will have lunch at Cabanaconde near Chivay after which we will have a briefing on our trek into Colca Canyon. This first day we will hike for about 4 hours during which we will descend approximately 1200m/3937ft into the canyon. This night we will sleep in rustic cabins in the village of San Juan de Chuccho where we will have a beautiful view over the lower part of the Colca Canyon. We will have dinner (prepared by the guide) before heading to bed to get some rest before the next days walking.
6 hrs
1.5 hrs
4 hrs
Rustic Cabin
Meals LD
2 Day Trek
Make this a 2 instead of a 3 day trek.
Day 4 San Galle Oasis
After breakfast in San Juan Chucco we will walk for about 2 - 3 hours to the San Galle oasis, visiting the villages of Cosñirgua and Malata along the way. The San Galle oasis is the deepest part of the canyon that we will visit during the trek. In San Galle we will have lunch and enjoy the afternoon relaxing by the swimming pool or exploring the area on foot. Dinner is included and we will spend the night in rustic cabins.
3 hrs
Rustic Cabin
Meals BLD
Day 5 Cabanaconde - Chivay - 4M Bus Tour to Puno
After a very early morning breakfast we will begin the most difficult portion of the trek from San Galle to Cabanaconde, an approximate 4 hour climb from 2000-3200m/6562-9843ft. Our bus will be waiting for us in Cabanaconde and we will drive to Chivay, Returning to Chivay catch the 1 pm guided bus tour by "4M" and sit back and relax until Puno and your hotel.
4 hrs
6 hrs
Hostal
Meals BD
Day 6 Uros and Amantani Islands (Puno)
This morning you'll transfer from your hostal to the port where you will continue by motor boat 30 mins to the legendary Uros Islands. Here you can walk along the floating reeds. From Uros and after another 2.5 hr boat ride through Lake Titicaca you'll reach Amantani Island where you will stay with a local family for the night. Expect the authentic food, music and dance of the Puno people. Meals are included.
full day
2 hrs
2 hrs
house w/ accommodation
Includes Meals BLD / Entrances / Transfer / Guide / Accommodation
Day 7 Taquile Island - Bus to Cusco
After breakfast we take a short boat ride to the neighboring Taquile Island, where we will tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful people, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings, after lunch we take the return trip to Puno. Arrival in the afternoon at Puno's bus terminal in time for an overnight bus to Cusco.
full day
6 hrs
Includes Meals BL / Transfer / Bus Tickets
Guided Tour of Sillustani Burial Sites
See the burial towers of Sillustani overlooking an enchanting panoramic view of Lake Umayo.
Day 8 Free Day in Cusco
Spend the day relaxing at your hotel or visit Cusco on your own - Options for a City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour. Night in Cusco.
full day
Hostal
Includes Accommodation
Day 9 Cusco - Mollepata - Soraypampa
Early in the morning we'll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you in a private bus to Mollepata passing by picturesque and traditional towns like Iscuchaca, Ancahuasi and Limatambo. We'll pass through highland plateaus and landscapes with great views of snowcapped mountains that belong to the cordillera Vilcabamba. The bus trip will last 3 hours and then the we'll hike for 6 hours. The trail climbs up from Mollepata sharply to Marqhok'asa pass through the pastures and farming lands. Afterwards we'll descend until we reach the campsite passing through the high brush down to Soraypampa (3750m/12303ft).
6 hrs
Tent - Catered
Meals LD
Extra Mule
Rent an extra mule if considering riding more than walking. Note that mules cannot carry riders going down steep inclines.
Day 10 Abra Salkantay - Colpapampa
Early in the morning we leave Soraypampa and continue walking up the beautiful valley just below the majestic snowcapped mountain named Salkantay (6271 m). After 1 1/2 hours the trek becomes steep zigzagging for a while until we get to Salkantay pass (4600 m). There we will be rewarded with superb views and excellent photo opportunities. Then the trail descends through an old moraine (glacial area) and passes by great pastures down to the camp of Huayroqmachay located (4000 m). This campsite is subject to change according to the guide's criteria and the evolution of the group.
6 hrs
Tent - Catered
Meals BLD
Day 11 Chaullay - Santa Teresa
We wake up with lovely mountain scenery and a good morning tea then continue to the north down to the lush jungle through different ecosystems noticing birds such as Hummingbirds, Trashes, Finches, Tanagers, Sparrows, Guans, Parrots, etc. It will be a long descending day towards the cloud forest. We will also have the opportunity to see great waterfalls. Towards the end of the day we will see Passionfruit fields. We'll hike for approximately 7 hours until we reach our campsite located in the community known as "La Playa"(2400m/7874ft).
6 hrs
Tent - Catered
Meals BLD
Day 12 Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast and a short transfer we'll leave walking from Santa Teresa through plantations of Coffee, Banana, and tropical fruits. Afterwards the trail climbs up to Patallacta then descends until Hidroelectrica (1800m/5905ft). We'll continue to Aguas Calientes where we will set up camp just below Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary. This afternoon we can have a bath in the natural hot springs of Aguas Calientes, a great place to relax after this challenging trek.
6 hrs
Hostal
Meals BLD
Car to Hidroelectrica
The hike today can be considered optional if feeling the effects of the hike.
Train to Machu Picchu
From Hidroelectrica there is a 1/2 hr train ride to Aguas Calientes which leaves in the afternoon.
Day 13 Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning we'll walk 1.5 - 2 hrs up to Machu Picchu for a 1.5 hr tour followed by 1.5 hrs free time to explore more or take photos. In the afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then transfer to Cusco and your hotel. What a trek!
3 hrs
1.5 hrs
Meals B (Boxed Lunch)
Bus Tickets up to Machu Picchu
If feeling tired from the trek, choose the bus to Machu Picchu instead of the 1.5 - 2 hr hike up.
Train Upgrade
Ride the Vistadome or Hiram Bingham train
Huayna Picchu
Climb to a unique and picturesque viewpoint above Machu Picchu * Book 3 months in advance!
Montaña
Get a unique view of Machu Picchu from a neighboring mountain which offers the best possible photo opportunity of Machu Picchu.
Day 14 Flight Cusco to Lima - Departure
Transfer to Airport in Cusco - Flight to Lima - INTL Return Flight.
40 mins
Includes Meals B / Transfer / Flights
Group Size | Price/Person | Group Type | Extras |
---|---|---|---|
1 | $1585 | Pooled | -- |
2 - 3 | $1485 | Pooled | -- |
4 - 5 | $1420 | Pooled | -- |
6 - 7 | $1378 | Pooled | -- |
8 - 12 | $1346 | Pooled | -- |
Included | Not Included |
---|---|
* 02 Flights Lima - Arequipa / Cusco - Lima * All Transfers Airport - Lodge - Hotels - Tours - Train Station * Entrance Tickets to Cruz Condor * Vegetarian Food (Optional) * 02 Nights Rustic Cabins * Pickup from your Hotel and transfer to Mollepata * Entrance Tickets to Alternative Inka Trail Salkantay * Entrance Tickets to Machupicchu * Chef and Cooking Equipment * Vegetarian Food (Optional) * All Camping Equipment * First Aid Kit and Oxygen Bottle * Bilingual Professional Guide * Hostal in Aguas Calientes * Train Ticket Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo * Bilingual Professional Guides for All Tours * Touristic Train Ticket Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes RT |
* Meals not mentioned |
To Bring | Optional |
---|---|
* Original Passport * ISIC Card (for Students) * Comfortable Shoes * Bug Repellent (Machu Picchu) * Daypack for Machu Picchu * Rain Protection * Sunblock * Sunglasses * Hat or Cap |
* Binoculars |