GastroTrekking

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Salkantay Trek is listed among the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

• The Salkantay Trek is one of the best hiking adventures that you will find in Peru.

• After the Inca Trail the Salkantay Trek is the second most popular trek to Machu Picchu, and a lot less crowded.

• The hike alongside the magnificent Apu Salkantay and the arrival at the ruins of Machu Picchu is one of the best experiences known to mankind.

• See natural bridges, snowcapped mountains, cascades, wildlife and cloud forests.

• Camping with less people to make your own trip and have the best look on these incredible mountains.

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Itinerary

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Day 0: Travel from UK

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Day 1: Arrive Cusco

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Day in Cusco. Night in hotel.

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Day 2: Trip to Sacred Valley.

We will leave the city going south, crossing Cusco and having the opportunity to get to see more populated neighbourhoods with their own customs and traditions. Some of these neighbourhoods include San Sebastián, San Jerónimo, Saylla, Huasao, and Oropesa. We will stop 50 minutes away in a city called Huacarpay, where there are the most important swamps of southern Peru. Huacarpay is an ideal place to observe the infinite amount of birds that the valley offers. Afterwards, we will continue to the Ciudad Inca de Pisac, hidden in a mountain like the guard of the Sacred Valley, where you will be able to appreciate the irrigation system, astronomical observatory, religious temples and residences. Here, you will find the largest cemetery of the Incan empire. Then, we will go to the Comunidad campesina de Uchuy Qosqo for an unforgettable experience with local people. You will participate in everyday activities, sharing their customs and traditions dealing with agriculture, handicrafts, music, dances and more. We will stop here for a traditional lunch with local families before continuing to Ollantaytambo, a living city of the Incas that boasts Incan streets, houses, and an intact irrigation system. This is also the site of the famous Incan novel, “Drama Ollantay,” that was written when the empire was at its most powerful. From Ollantaytambo, we will go to Chinchero, the highest point of our trip, 3800 meters (12,500 feet). You will find Incan terraces that local people still use as well as a handicraft market. In Chinchero, you will find that people have continued traditions from the Incan period to today. From Chinchero, we will return to Cusco. Night in hotel.

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Day 3: Start of Trek

CUSCO–SORAYPAMPA- SALKANTAYPAMPA
We will pick you up very early from your hotel in one of our private vehicles to transport you 4 hours from Cusco. We will cross MOLLEPATA at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters) and ascend to SAYLLAPATA at 11,500 feet (3,500 meters). On the way, we will see quiet Andean villages and also visit KILLARUMIYOC, a site where the Incas constructed their calendar. After our visit, we will have breakfast and then continue to the Limatambo valley. We will briefly stop in the MOLLEPATA village to see the streets and relax for a few minutes before continuing to the trailhead. We will have lunch and from this site, we will hike until we arrive at our campsite called SALKANTAYPAMPA at 13,100 feet (4,000 meters).

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Day 4:

SALKANTAYPAMPA-COLLPAPAMPA
We will cross the left bank of a stream in the morning before hiking steeply uphill. We will come to a series of zigzags with breath-taking views of SALKANTAY and UMANTAY and then continue to the top of the seventh switchback where the terrain levels out under SALKANTAY and then drops gently down to a small lake called SOYROCOCHA. Stopping at this site, we can enjoy the nature before walking uphill for approximately one hour and a half. We will then reach the highest pass at 15,100 feet (4,600 meters). Here, we will have a stunning view of the sacred mountains of UMANTAY and SALKANTAY. We will also be able to see a pile of stones that grows daily as each traveller adds one as he or she passes. When a tourist adds to this pile, he or she thanks the APUS (mountain spirits) for a safe trip. We will then descend to a site called HUAYRACMACH’AY at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) before continuing to HUMANTAY, a pyramid-shaped peak. We will then arrive to HUAYRACPAMPA where we will have lunch. After re-energizing, we will enter the tropical cloud forest and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromelias and other flowers, as well as hummingbirds. We will then continue our descent through the bamboo groves and after 4 hours heading downhill, we will arrive to the village of COLLPAPAMPA at 9,500 feet (2,900 meters) where we will have dinner and camp for the night.

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Day 5:

COLLPAPAMPA-LAPLAYA
After a healthy breakfast, we will continue down the valley into the forest that contains groves of bamboo and great bird watching opportunities. Flocks of colourful tropical birds roam the forest and waterfalls cascade down cliffs with water warm enough for you to bathe in. The stretch also has begonias, purple orchids and strawberries lying on the path. We will then walk to our camp site, LA PLAYA. From there, we will set up camp, have lunch and have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. There is a school where many tourists like to play soccer with local children.

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Day 6:

LAPLAYA-LLACTAPATA-HIDROELECTRICA–AGUASCALIENTES
In the early morning, we will begin our difficult climb to the LLACTAPATA pass at 8,900 feet (2,700 meters). From there, you will be able to see the magnificent Incan city, MACHUPICCHU. From LLACTAPATA, we will descend through thick vegetation, tall trees, and incredible bird diversity. After we reach the hydroelectric site, we will take a local train to AguasCalientes where we will spend the night.

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Day 7:

AGUASCALIENTES-MACHUPICCHU-CUSCO
After an early-morning breakfast, we will take the bus to MACHUPICCHU where you will have a thorough tour with your guide. You will then have the opportunity to climb HUAYNAPICCHU before heading down to AGUAS CALIENTES to board the train back to Cusco. Night in hotel.

 

Day 8:

Free day in Cusco. Celebration meal in the evening.

 

Day 9:

Depart for UK.

 

  

INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL PRICE:

 

• Sacred Valley Tour

• Hotel stay 23rd/24th and 29th/30th October

• Transport from your Hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the trek.

• Entrances to MACHUPICCHU and Huaynapicchu ticket.

• Professional English speaking guide.

• Chef, assistant chef, horsemen, horses to carry our food

• Tents and all the camping equipment. (Sleeping mat is included) Not sleeping bag.

• Food for the entire trek.

• Local train from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes

• Hostel accommodation at Aguas Calientes.

• Round-trip Bus to MACHUPICCHU.

• Train ticket with Expedition service.

• Transport from the train station to your Hotel in Cusco.

• 8 Kilos will be carrying on for our horses as part of the included service

 

 

 NOT INCLUDED

• Flights from UK

• Last lunch at Aguas Calientes.

• Tips for the horseman and guide.

• First day and final day meals.

• Transfers from airport to hotel.

 

 

Total to pay per person is:

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Double room occupancy: £750

Triple room occupancy: £675

Single room occupancy: £730

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Deposit: £300