from $549.00

Tour style – Trekking/Hiking

5 days

Avoid the tourist crowds and take the road less travelled on the Andes mountain range – you’ll never look back! On this alternative route to Machu Picchu, you’ll fight your way up to the highest pass at 4,650 metres above sea level and you’ll get up close and person with the imposing Salkantay and Humantay mountain peaks, which are among the highest in Peru. See majestic Inca sights, lush river valleys and overgrown, leafy jungles, breathe in that fresh mountain air, and unwind in steamy hot springs. All this, and you still get to see Machu Picchu in all its glory as the sun rises above the towering mountains. You’ll come home fit, happy and with some incredible memories (and thousands of pictures to prove to friends and family that you did make it to the top)!

  • Day 1 Cuzco to Mollepata, Trek to Soraypampa Camp (3,920m)

    Today we pick you up between 5:00 – 6:00 am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can have breakfast. After making final preparations and double checking our equipment, a 4-hour walk will take us to Sayllapata where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains Humantay; (5,900m) and Salkantay; (6,267m) – this is just the beginning! We will begin our ascent towards Soraypampa, our first campsite (3,920m; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) taking in the beautiful landscape along the way arriving around 5:30pm. Enjoy a snack upon arrival to your campsite and enjoy being immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.

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  • Day 2 Trek to Challhuay or Colcapampa Camp

    We will have breakfast at around 6:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Humantay on the left. (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for approx. 100 – 120 soles). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.

  • Day 3 Trek to Santa Teresa Town (1,700m)

    After breakfast at 6:30 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and camp in Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) with a warmer climate. After a rest, we have the option to visit the hot springs in Santa Teresa town (20 soles extra) and enjoy the well-deserved soothing water, a real treat after 3 hard days of trekking!

  • Day 4 Trek to Hydroelectric Station & Aguas Calientes

    After having breakfast at 8:00 am, our last day on the trail will take us from Santa Teresa (1,700m) along a relaxing path for 3 hours to reach the hydroelectric station (1,880m) where a box lunch will be served. (*Optional bus transfer from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station is available for 10 soles). From here Aguas Calientes (2,010m) is another 3 hour slight uphill walk where we finally have time to relax and recharge our batteries and getting ready for our visit to Machu Picchu. Dinner at a local traditional restaurant.

  • Day 5 Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco

    We will catch the one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the mist dissipates at sunrise. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb the optional Huayna Picchu Peak inside the archaeological site (2,720m/8,890ft)!!! In the afternoon we will return by train to Ollantaytambo and take a tourist bus to Cuzco. You will be dropped off at the Plaza San Francisco. Upon arrival you will need to make your own way to your hostel.

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