Day 1 / CUSCO
Upon arrival into Cusco airport you are personally met and transferred to your hotel in Cusco. There is welcome drinks and briefing.
Overnight Aranwa Cusco Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2 / PINCOPATA ECOCAMP
This first day will give participants time to adapt to the altitude and begin to prepare physically for the following day’s hiking. We will pick you up from your hotel at 8 am for the trip to the Condor Viewing Point at Chonta. Along the way, we stop and explore one of two archaeological sites: Kuillarumiyoc or Tarahuasi. These sites were important ritual sites during the height of the Inca Empire and still hold important significance in Quechua society today. While driving further, you will enjoy the landscape of the Limatambo valley, and spot the small farming communities nestled among the valley. On reaching Chonta, we will walk for approximately an hour along a narrow track with spectacular views of the Apurimac Canyon. We are almost certain to have the site completely to ourselves, as most tourists tend to visit in the area later in the afternoon. At the viewing point, there will be time to relax and observe the condors soaring over the canyon, while a specially prepared lunch box will be served. After lunch, we will return to our vehicle and continue to our final destination, Pincopata Ecocamp. Upon arrival at the Ecocamp, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink prepared with locally sourced fruits, after which you’ll be escorted to your comfortable domes. You will have plentyof time to take a hot shower and rest until dinner time, or perhaps enjoy the optional Ecocamp massage service. If resting is not your thing, you can explore the camp’s surroundings. Peru Ecocamp offers optional activities, including horseback riding and mountain biking. The day will end with a delicious three course dinner of typical Peruvian cuisine made from the finest natural ingredients.
Overnight Pincopata EcoCamp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 / SORAY ECOCAMP
After breakfast, we’ll drive 15 minutes to the start of our trail at Marcoccasa. From here, we will begin with a short uphill walk, before continuing our hike along an aqueduct overlooking the spectacular Rio Blanco Valley and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Humantay and Salkantay Mountains, arriving at Soray Ecocamp in time for a nourishing light lunch. During the afternoon, we offer an optional hike to Lake Humantay, nestled at the base of the southern face of the mountain. This 1.5 hrs hike shows you the breath-taking Glacial Lake of the Humantay Mountain. However, if you prefer a more laid-back afternoon, you can schedule a soothing massage or simply take in the breath-taking views surrounding the camp.
Overnight Soray Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 / PINCOPATA ECOCAMP
After breakfast, we will begin our trek from the bottom of the valley gradually starting to ascend while crossing several small pampas. The challenging final climb to the Abra Pass will be rewarded with spectacular views of Salkantay’s snowy and wild south face. At the pass we will have time to celebrate our accomplishment before descending to a warmer spot to enjoy our lunch. After we will return to Soray. We will then board our transport back to our comfortable Ecocamp Pincopata. Here, we will enjoy a marvelous dinner to bid farewell to our days of hiking and end the day stargazing around a cozy bonfire.
Overnight Pincopata EcoCamp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 / AGUAS CALIENTES
We begin with breakfast at the camp and then travel through small Quechua villages in the Sacred Valley to the archaeological site of Moray, passing through the typical Andean farming village of Chincheros on the way. At Moray, we can observe the extensive circular terraces where the Incas once experimented with adapting plants to new climates. We leaveMoray and hike on a path for 2 hours to the colonial Andean village of Maras where we enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch. From here, we begin our descent to the Saltpans, which have been harvested for hundreds of years. Surrounded by the incredible views of the fertile valley below and the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba, we continue hiking to the Urubamba River, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo. Here, we board a train that will take us to the village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Overnight Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 / MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast, your local guide will accompany you to the Machu Picchu archaeological site by bus. After checking in at the park entrance, we will be escorted by our guide on a full tour of these unique Inca ruins where we will uncover the mysteries of the sacred city of Machu Picchu during an in-depth walking tour. Other options during this visit include climbing Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. These climbs are physically challenging, but the magnificent views from the peak of both mountains make the effort worthwhile. We will then have lunch at Sanctuary Lodge. You then take the bus down to reconnect with your luggage and take the train toOllantaytambo and then transfer by road to Cusco. You enjoy a nice farewell dinner in town and toast to a fantastic adventure!
Overnight Aranwa Cusco Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7 / DEPART
You are transferred to Cusco airport for your departures. (Breakfast)
More info and downloadable itinerary: Peru EcoCamp – Salkantay, Condors and Machu Picchu
