Salkantay 4 Day Train

Today, your Machu Picchu trekking adventure finally begins! Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am. We'll drive with the group to Mollepata (approx. 3 hours), where we'll have a nutritious breakfast. We'll then drive another hour to Challacancha (3,380 meters / 11,090 feet), the starting point of our hike, passing the Hornada Pata viewpoint where the valley splits in two (Mollepata and Challacancha valleys). The start of the trail takes us through beautiful valleys. After a three-hour hike, we arrive at our campsite in Soraypampa (3,900 meters/12,800 feet) at around 1.30pm. We'll have time to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our cook.

Later, we'll finally visit the famous Humantay lagoon! After an hour and a half's hike, we'll arrive at the lagoon (4,220 metres/ 13,850 ft.) with its incredibly blue-green water and the snow-capped summit of Humantay mountain behind, making it one of the most impressive spots in the Andes. We take a little time to admire the breathtaking views, then descend to our campsite in Soraypampa. Arriving around 6.00 pm, we'll have tea and dinner, and spend the night in our beautiful cabañas de vidrio.

Walking distance: 12 km/7.4 miles

At 5:00 a.m., we'll have a hearty breakfast to give us plenty of energy for today's hike. From Soraypampa, we'll climb for 4 hours to the highest point of the Salkantay pass (4,650 meters / 15,250 feet), where we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the high, snow-capped Andes mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. We'll visit two important historical points (Salkantay-Pampa and Soyroq'ocha). Here, we'll make a ceremonial offering of coca leaves, a beautiful Andean tradition designed to show gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Mountains). We'll also learn a lot about the history and beliefs of Inca culture.

Passing through the high Andes, we'll discover a magnificent small lake and then begin our 2.5-hour descent to Huayrac-Pampa (3,800 metres / 12,470 ft.). Here, we'll have lunch and continue our descent for another 3 hours until we reach our campsite (2,900 metres / 9,500 ft.). We'll have tea and a delicious dinner prepared by our cook. In the evening, we'll sleep in our comfortable domes at the campsite.

Walking distance: 22 km/13.47 miles

We'll have breakfast at 06:00, then walk for 5:00 along a path (Ceja de Selva) with small ascents, descents and flat terrain. On this walk we'll enjoy coffee plantations, orchids, begonias, bromeliads and many plants used for natural medicine. We'll arrive at our lunch point for a short rest, and shortly afterwards take our transport to Hidroeléctrica. We walk about 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. On arrival at Aguas Calientes, we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in the village at the foot of one of the 7 wonders of the world. We spend the night at the hotel.

Walking distance: 16 km/10 miles. After lunch: 11 km/7 miles.

We'll wake up early this morning for our visit to the famous Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. This complex is considered a jewel of Inca architecture. It's a complete city with different quarters, squares, alleyways, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by American researcher Hiram Bingham. We'll take a guided tour to see and learn more about the Machu Picchu site. After the guided tour, you'll have free time to take photos and discover this magical place for yourself.

For those who have already chosen to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, you'll do so at the time you've designated (1st group: 6:00 to 8:00 am, 2nd group: 9:00 to 11:00 am).

In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes. We'll have some time for lunch (not included), which is an ideal opportunity to explore the local restaurants. We then take the train to Ollantaytambo, departing at 2.55pm. On the way back, we can enjoy the incredible scenery of the Sacred Valley. On arrival at the station, we'll be picked up by our transfer staff and dropped off at the Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.