Inca Trail Salkantay & Machu Picchu 5 Days by Axel Tours

Tour Itinerary

DAY 01.- Cusco (3400 m.a.s.l.) - Mollepata - Soraypampa. ( 05.30 hours aprox. Time of hike) We pick you up from the hotel at around ( 7 am ) and travel by private Bus or by Car to Mollepata District (2800m). which is a small community located down along the main road from Cusco to Abancay, then we keep travelling to Cruzpata (3050m) arriving approximately at 10:00 am, and here we start our trip and meet our arrieros "horsemen" and trek crew to help us to make easy our hike.

During the morning we walk approximately 2.30 hours going up appreciating the diversity of the flora and fauna typical from this ecological site, and then we stop to enjoy our delicious lunch at Chuñuna which is a quiet spot.

And then in the afternoon we will hike for about 3 hours and after a funny and relaxing hiking we arrive to our first campsite which is at Soraypampa (3800m) , where we have our dinner and pass the first night.

DAY 02.- Soraypampa - 7 snakes Pass - Challhuay.

( 08.30 hours aprox. Time of hike)

We wake up very early then after a good breakfast, we leave from Soraypampa ( altitude 3800 m.s.n.m. ) this is the harder day because we have to climb to the 07 snakes PASS ( in this point we get 4600 m.s.n.m. of altitude), the highest part in our trip to MACHU PICCHU, where we can see the spectacular view of the second highest peak Named Salkantay a stunning snow covered mountain (6,271 m) and great views of Humantay and Huayanay mountains as well, small lakes and morraines too and of course the flora and fauna typical from this region( 05 hours aprox.).

Later going downhill we will find some streams and many kind of birds, in the afternoon finishing our hard walking we arrive to CHALLHUAY. Where we have dinner and pass the night in ours tents, from this point starts the cloud forest region where the mosquitos exist, besides the semitropical weather and native people.

DAY 03 .- Challhuay - La Playa. ( 06.00 hours aprox. Time of hike)

After and early breakfast approximately at 6:00 am. We begin our third day hiking until Wiñay Poqo. Where we have our lunch.

Hiking down hill is pretty easy and here you will be introduced to a high jungle niche very well know as Ceja de Selva where you will have the chance to find coca, coffee and several native fruits plantations.

In the afternoon walking more than two hours again down hill and we arrive to LA PLAYA village, we have dinner and the night in tents.

- Option for shower at the creek of Santa Teresa River, good One.

DAY 04 .- La Playa - Aguas CalientesTown.( 06.30 hours aprox. Time of hike)

From La Playa we take a local transportation for approximately 20 minutes to Lucma ( or just hike if not local transport is available), from here we start our climb of about 03 hours to Llactapata ( newly discovery Inca Site ) which is famous for a "great condor view of Machu Picchu", then we enjoy our picnic box lunch then we hike down hill for about 2.30 hours to the Hydroelectric Station by 3:00 pm. Aprox. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes which will lasted 45 minutes,

You may also wish to pay a visit to the town's famous thermal springs which feel great after finishing the trail. Entrance to the springs is a small fee of $US 3.00. Allow 3 hours to really enjoy them, which is open Until 9.00 p.m.

In the evening we have dinner at Gringo Feliz Restaurant, Accommodation in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Accommodation based in a DWB or TWB.

The Fabled City

For centuries the Lost City has been the most durable of myths about ancient Peru. Hundreds of gold-hungry Spaniards died looking, all in vain. The irony was that there were lost cities buried in the forested regions of the Andes. The 20th century has seen the discovery of more than one but none more famous and awe-inspiring as the fabled Machu Picchu.

DAY 05 .- Machu Picchu - Cusco.

Early wake Up (by 05: 30 a.m.), Breakfast and after to leave our Luggage at the Hotel, we will take the early Tourist bus Up to Machu Picchu, of Course with a guide English speaking, Usually we use to get Machu Picchu by 6: 50 a.m., so from this time we will be able to visit Machu Picchu of course at this time Machu Picchu is pretty empty and we will have the best chance to enjoy the beauty and the magic of Machu Picchu, because at this time is quiet.

A guided tour of about 2: 30 hours, and then you will have "happy hour time", to explore by yourself the whole site for about 3 hours and there is time as well to climb Huayna Picchu mountain and get the best view over Machu Picchu it takes 1: 40 minutes round trip time, or option to go to the temple of the moon which is located behind Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Then We suggest that after visiting Machu Picchu that you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes by 16:00 at the latest (assuming train departs at 17:00). Buses depart every 15 minutes. Check with the guide for actual times.

Getting Cusco city by 9:20 p.m aprox, there we will provide transfer to Your Hostel, End of the services.

There is a new shedule for trains, so the time of arriving into cusco migh change depending on availability.

- Lunch can be taken at Aguas Calientes town before to take the tourist train back to Cusco

- Optional stay 01 extra night in Aguas Calientes. Cost of Hotel : 15 - 20 u.s. per person.