HIGH INCA TRAIL - SALCANTAY

8 Days/7Nights
CUSCO-MOLLEPATA-SALCANTAY-MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO

Trip profile
The SALCANTAY peak is located within the Vilcabamba mountain range, to the northwest of Cusco. It rises to form a ragged chain between the region’s by two great rivers, the Urubamba and the Apurimac, and divides the highland altiplano from the lowland tropical rainforest or selva.

This is a great 8 days trek Andean adventure trough the Vilcabamba range with a magnificent mountain scenery, extraordinary Inca ruins and exotic subtropical forest, one of the best Andean experiences available to anyone. The route leads us by a spectacular pass between the Salcantay and Humantay glaciers clad peaks, and then descend through lush greenery among flowering trees and colorful orchids. At the last part

of the trek we will join the main Inca Trail, which leads us to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is probably the best-known route in the Andes. By combining it with the higher and more remote traverse of Salcantay, we have produced a short but quite demanding trek from the highest nevados of the range, down to the rich cloud forest around Machu Picchu itself.

LOCATION: CUSCO
SEASON: MAY TO NOVEMBER
GRADE: B-C
CODE: CUS AP1

DAY 01 CUSCO – MOLLEPATA
Leave Cusco by Bus a few hours drive via the interesting Inca remains (visit included) of Tarawasi on to Mollepata. We continue to the road head at Marcocasa where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is 5 or 6 hours. Camp.

DAY 02 MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
Our trek begins on the southwest facing slopes of the Andes, through a dry landscape of cactus and prickly pears. We climb gradually northwards over Marcoccasa Pass, heading through the farming hamlet of Soray, towards the broad snow peak of Humantay (19723 ft. / 5917m); soon the whole of the massive bulk of Salcantay (20,903ft. / 6271m) dominates our view. We camp in Soraypampa at around 13,333 ft. / 4000m in the high grassy meadow of Salcantay Pampa, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak. Camp. Mules support. (B;L;D)

DAY 03 SORAYPAMPA – SYSAYPAMPA
The high point of the trek and today’s goal is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at 16,833 ft. / 5050m. Climbing more
steeply now we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salcantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa base camp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain some excellent 360? views Inca Chirisaqa means ‘chilly Inca’, and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why. We drop down into the upper reaches of the Pampa Cahuna valley in Sisaypampa where we make camp (B;L;D).

DAY 04 SISAYPAMPA – PAUCARCANCHA
Further along the valley bottom the bulk of Salcantay reappears in a new profile. We pass the huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier. A little further, and the river suddenly becomes dead straight, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp at Paucarcancha (an Inca Fortress) or near Huayllabamba village (B;L;D)

DAY 05 PAUCARCANCHA - HUAYLLABAMBA
Today we join the main Inca Trail, the classic trek to Machu Picchu, we suddenly notice the change of vegetation as we descend to Huayllabamba where we camp. (B,L,D)

DAY 06 HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO
A long climb takes us through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we get ready to go over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) pass at 13,833ft./ 4,150m. After quite a long, steep descent we finally arrive in the scenic Pacamayo valley (12,000 ft./ 3600m). where we camp. (B;L;D).

DAY 07 PACAYMAYO - PHUYUPATAMARCA
We start with another easier climb today, including the visit of Inca Ruins of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. After we past the ruins of Runquracay, takes us over the Runquracay Pass, and to Chaquicocha (dried lake), then we continue our trek to Phuyupatamarca. From now onwards the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter cloud forest; the Trail passes at one point through an Inca tunnel before crossing onto the Amazon side of the continental divide. We normally camp on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (13,333 ft. / 4000m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise. (B;L;D)

DAY 08 PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
From the ridge we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayña, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Inca Gate of the Sun. From here we get our sudden first full sight of Machu Picchu itself. Descending to the city, we have a guided tour to the site before descending to the river to take our late afternoon train. Back to Cusco, arrive and transfer to Hotel. (B;BL).

PRICE INCLUDES:
Transport, tents, camping equipment, cooking gear, English-speaking guide (others languages upon request), porters, food, entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu citadel and first class Train (PeruRail-Orient Express chain) tickets back to Cusco.

QOYLLUR TRAVEL TIP:
- Full board in that programme includes five meals per day.
- A part from the three main meals we serve a snack and teatime.
- Extension in top-end Hotels Sanctuary Lodge or Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel possible.

NOT INCLUDED:
Personal equipment backpacks, sleeping bags, all personal expenses, personal insurance, mattresses.

See the complet route map click here