DAY 1: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA

Today's trek begins at the small village of Challacancha high above the Rio Blanco Valley. Following a wide, well established track we will gently make our way up the side of the valley covering a distance of about 16km /9.9 miles and climbing 1200m /3937ft. The views throughout the day are fantastic, all around us are verdant green mountains, along the path are a wide variety of native plants and flowers with birds flitting in and out and towards the end of the day we'll see the snow-capped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay (the Savage) looming high above us.

Our campsite for tonight is at Soraypampa (4000m / 12750ft.), the nights can get pretty chilly here so it's a good idea to put on your hat and gloves before you go to sleep.

DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA - COLPAPAMPA

Today is the longest and hardest day of the trek but also the most beautiful. The scenery throughout the day goes from one extreme to another; starting from the high Puna covered in Ichu grass we make our way up and over Salkantay pass where everything is rock and ice and then descend the far side down to the warm and lush cloud forest below. Along the way we'll see a variety of wildlife from the small finches that scrape by at the higher altitudes to hummingbirds and toucans in the cloud forest, there is also a chance to see Andean Fox, White Tailed Deer and Viscacha (rabbit-like Chinchillas).

Our campsite for tonight is at Colpapampa (2900m / 9514ft), it is recommended you put on insect repellant from this point on as the mosquitoes in the area have a nasty bite.

DAY 3: COLPAPAMPA - LA PLAYA

Our destination today is the village of La Playa about 12km down the valley from Colpapampa. Our route takes us along the Lluskamayo River through an area that is teeming with life and that has various coffee and fruit plantations. The scenery in this area is not as stunning as the previous day but the warmth and lush vegetation are a welcome respite from the high mountains we've left behind.

Tonight we will stay at the village of La Playa (2400m / 7874ft.) which is well connected and there are plenty of places where you can buy snacks and refreshments, you can also try some of the locally grown coffee. If you are interested there is the option to visit some hot springs that are close by, let your guide know in advance so that he can organise this for you.

DAY 4: LA PLAYA - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

Today is the final stretch of the trek before we reach Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The main focus of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata sat on the mountainside high above. Following an original Inca Trail we'll arrive to Llactapata by early to mid morning and can enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu that we get from here.

After a tour of Llactapata in which we'll learn about the Inca people and their culture we'll head back down the mountainside to the Hydroelectric Station from where we'll walk to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Waking up early we'll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We'll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

ONLINE BOOKING IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE ON FINDLOCALTRIPS.COM FOR TOURS OF MACHU PICCHU DUE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON TICKET SALES, ALL OTHER TOURS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOOK HERE ONLINE. PLEASE CONTACT THE OPERATOR DIRECTLY TO RESERVE YOUR MACHU PICCHU TOUR AND MENTION FINDLOCALTRIPS.COM SENDING THEM A LINK TO THIS PAGE TO ENSURE YOU GET THE BEST PRICE AS SHOWN HERE.

DAY 1:

CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA

DAY 2:

SORAYPAMPA - COLPAPAMPA

DAY 3:

COLPAPAMPA - LA PLAYA

DAY 4:

LA PLAYA - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

DAY 5:

AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to Mollepata
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek, when you need to bring your own)
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks and 4 dinners (if you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food, please let us know)
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4-man tent for every 2 trekkers
- 3 star hotel for final night
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us)
- Breakfast on Day 1, and lunch and dinner on Day 5
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Tips
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip

What you need to take:
- Original Passport
- ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries

No booking available at the time.

1. I cannot find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations when making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation.

2. What is the difference between Salkantay and the Inca Jungle Trek?

   Salkantay is full-on trekking, whereas the Inca Jungle mixes trekking, rafting, mountain biking and other activities.

3. How physically fit do I need to be?

   The Salkantay Trek can range in difficulty, however most are classified as a moderate level. The Machu Picchu complex itself is not difficult, and most people do not have any problems.

4. How do I avoid altitude sickness?

   Take Soroche (Diamox) pills, eat small meals, drink coca tea, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol (it’s a dehydrator). The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to acclimatize yourself. The recommended approach for acclimatization is to ascend gradually, spending at least 24 hours at every 2,000ft increase in altitude.

5. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

   Common symptoms of altitude sickness (sometimes called acute mountain sickness) can be similar to a bad hangover and may include headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. A severe headache that is not relieved by medications, nausea and vomiting and increasing fatigue or shortness of breath may indicate more serious problems – seek medical attention.

6. Are there any student discounts?

   Yes, there is a student discount. These discounts are only valid if you have an ISIC card and it matches with your passport. They are very strict with this. You must bring your original I.D. to enter Machu Picchu.

7. Where is Machu Picchu?

   Machu Picchu is near a town called Agua Calientes or Machu Picchu Town. From there, it is a 1.5 hour hike up steps or a 20 minutes bus ride to the complex itself.

8. Where is Huayna (Wayna) Picchu?

   Huayna Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the north of Machu Picchu citadel. It is the backdrop to the classic image of Machu Picchu. The peak offers inspiring views of the ruins and 360° views of the area. The climb to the summit takes 45 minutes, it is a challenging trek and is very steep in parts. Limited to 400 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately and is always in high demand. It costs approximately $10 extra.

9. What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

   Machu Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel. The trek offers unparalleled sights of the ruins and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The trek is wide and well-marked. It is a moderate/challenging trek and takes 90 minutes to ascend. Limited to 800 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately. It costs around $5 extra.

10. What are the hours of operation?

    The site is open daily from 6am until 5pm. It’s open every day of the year, including public holidays, Christmas and New Year.

11. Why is the train so expensive?

    Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the two operators which have a duopoly on the route, so they can maintain very high prices.

12. Where can I leave my bags?

    You can leave your bags at your Cusco hostel/hotel. Note, if you take the train there are bag restrictions.

13. Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu worth it?

    The walk up to Machu Picchu can be seen as part of the experience. However, the bus is an option for those who are tired after a long trek, or who just want to save their energy for all the walking at the top.

14. What kind of weather can we find in Machu Picchu?

    Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude level than Cusco. It contains part of the jungle, and the rains are present during all seasons. During the hottest days, the temperature can reach approximately 26° Celsius (79ºF), and during the cool, early mornings, the temperature can drop to -2° C (-36ºF). The best months to visit Machu Picchu are May and June, since they are the mildest ones.

15. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

    Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.