Choquequirao, Salkantay and Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – MARAMPATA.

Our trip begins with the report of our guide one day before beginning this magnificent adventure, where the guide can exchange some information with you, welcoming you.
The next day, the pick-up will be between 03:30 to 04:00 in the morning of the hotel, then pick up our chef and travel for four hours to the Capuliyoc location, where our muleteers with horses await us.
In Capuliyoc 2800 m.a.s.l. , it will be our breakfast and place where our backpacks will be packed by our carrier, (each passenger has the option of sending the weight of 7 kilos of luggage on our horses).
From this point begins our walk, we will reach the viewpoint where we can observe the Vilcabamba mountain range with its glaciers, the Apurímac river with its canyon and its incredible biodiversity.
The first two hours and the means descend on a zigzag road to the village of Chiquisca, where lunch will be, then we will continue descending for 50 more minutes until we reach the bridge of Playa Rosalina 1500 m.a.s.l. , lowest point.
After crossing the bridge we will begin the ascent for 2 1/2 hours until we reach Santa Rosa and then another 3 hours until we reach Marampata 2900 m.a.s.l. , approximate time of arrival 07:30 at night, where we will spend the first day.

• Distance: 16 km.
• Climate: warm and sunny.
• Walking time: 6 hours.
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping
• Minimum altitude: 1,500 masl Playa Rosalinas.
• Maximum altitude: 2,900 m.a.s. Marampata.
• Difficulty: Demanding

Day 2: MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO – MARAMPATA

In the morning you will wake up with the songs of the birds and have enough time to organize your things. At approximately 07:30 am we will have a delicious typical breakfast. Then we will walk for approximately two hours following a beautiful path where we will have an incredible view of the archaeological site of Choquequirao 2900 masl, along our walk, we will have incredible views of the canyon where our guide will explain the history of this incredible place and we will also have All day to explore the ancient city of Choquequirao (cradle of gold), also known as the last city of the last Incas, where you can visit the main square, the terraces of llamas and other important places.
After around noon we will wait for our lunch that our chef will bring to Choquequirao, after lunch we will take a 20-minute break and our guide will show you, the astronomer’s house where if we are lucky we can observe the condor flying through the Andean sky, we can also visit the waterfalls of Pacchayoc, if time gives us to do it, place where you will be in contact with nature. Finally we will return to Marampata where our chef will be ready with dinner.

• Distance: 15 km
• Climate: Temperate and cold.
• Walking time: 6 hours.
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping
• Minimum altitude: 2,900 m.a.s. Marampata.
• Maximum altitude: 2,900 m.a.s. Choquequirao.
• Difficulty: Demanding

Day 3: MARAMPATA– CAPULIYOC – SORAYPAMPA.

On this day we get up very early 04:00 am to start our walk, descending 2 hours to reach the Rosalina beach bridge first, then we will go up to 45 minutes to Chiquisca where we will have an energetic breakfast.
After having breakfast in Chiquisca 07:00 a.m., we will return by the same road to reach Capuliyoc, from Chiquisca we practice horseback riding with professional muleteers for approximately 2 hours.
Our private transport will be waiting for us in Capuliyoc to make a connection to Salkantay (3 hours approx.) During the trip we will see different ecosystems and valleys until we reach our destination Soraypampa 3900 m.a.s.l., where we will have lunch.
After lunch, we will go to one of the most visited places in Cusco called Lake Humantay, which is located on the slopes of the Humantay snowy mountain, then we will make our descent to the Soraypampa camp, where we will have dinner and you will see the Andean sky and its constellations.

• Distance: 16 km (Marampata – Capuliyoc)
• Time: 6 hours (approximately walking)
• Climate: Warm and sunny.
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping
• Minimum altitude: 1, 500 meters above sea level Playa Rosalinas.
• Maximum altitude: 3,900 masl Soraypampa camp
• Travel time by car: 3 hours Capuliyoc- Soraypampa.
• Difficulty: Demanding

Day 4: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY – WAYRACPAMPA– CHAULLAY.

Early with the first light of day at 05:30 a.m. and a quick breakfast, we will start walking to the highest point of the trail: before starting the hike you will have the option of renting a horse if you have problems with altitude sickness (not included), Salkantay Pass 4630 m.a.s.l. The distance is 7 km ascent in 3 hours between the base of the rocky valley and the magnificent Salkantay mountain 6271 m.s.n.m.,. When we reach the top of the pass, we will appreciate the spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and the imposing snowy peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay and Pumasillo. The Salkantay mountain is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region. Continuing there is a 5 km downhill hike, it is a snake-shaped rocky path to the place of Wayracmachay where we will have lunch.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will enter the upper part of the Amazon rainforest, which is also known as “the cloud forest”. This is a 10 km (6.2 mile) hike is a wide path in a dense and magical tropical forest. During this part of the walk, you will notice a dramatic change in the landscape. This walk is truly beautiful; The hills are decorated with colorful landscapes, wildlife and native plants. The forests are warm and tropical most of the year with temperate climates. At the end of this exceptional hike, we arrive at Chaullay 2900 m.a.s.l., for a well-deserved rest from our long day of hiking.

• Distance: 22 km.
• Climate: Cold – temperate.
• Walking time: 8 hours.
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping
• Minimum altitude: Chaullay 2900 m.s.n.m ..
• Maximum altitude: 4630 m.a.s.l. salkantay
• Difficulty: Demanding

Day 5: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.

This day we will begin our walk to the small town of La Playa through the Santa Teresa Valley that follows the Salkantay River. You will see this new and lush landscape during the 6 hours of walking today! During the walk we will see waterfalls, wild orchids, birds and plantations of coffee, banana, avocado and native fruits. If we are lucky, we can even see the beautiful bird called “The Rooster of the Rocks”, the national bird of Peru! After lunch at La Playa, we will take the local transport to the Hydroelectric train station.
Here you will have two options:

1. 1. If it is sold out, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes ($ 31.00 “is not included”).
   2. If you still have energy, you can walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours following the railroad. This is the same path used by the American professor Hiram Bingham that rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of being lost in the outside world!.

Once in Aguas Calientes, you can rest a little before dinner or walk around the city. There are no buses in Aguas Calientes, so it is a quiet place. At 7:00 pm, we will have dinner at a local restaurant, where our guide will explain in more detail about the visit to Machupicchu. In your room, you will have a private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast in the morning and luggage storage while visiting Machu Picchu.

• Distance: 18km
• Climate: Warm – temperate.
• Walking time: 6 hours.
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Lodging.
• Minimum altitude: 1,890 masl Hydroelectric.
• Maximum altitude: 2050 m.a.s.l. Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty: Medium.

Day 6: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
This day will be the highlight of the trip due to the excitement of climbing Machu Picchu. Remember that there are several circuits for visiting the citadel and exploring this wonder.
In the morning, we will have breakfast and then walk to the bus station, board the bus, and arrive at the entrance after a 25-minute trip. Here, we will present our passports and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and begin our visit to the entire archaeological site.
In the first few minutes, you can reach the most scenic spots for photos. After visiting the different temples inside, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of Chakana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and other places, After a 3-hour tour, we will return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and in the afternoon we will board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for a final 2-hour journey to the city of Cusco.

• Time: 25 minutes by bus and 3 hours guided tour.
• Meals: breakfast.
• Minimum altitude: Aguas Calientes 2,200 meters above sea level.
• Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level.
• Total distance: 9 km.
• Climate: warm.