Experience the “Deep Peru”, hiking one of Peru’s most picturesque landscapes around Cusco. This 4-days trekking expedition will take you at the base of the sacred Salkantay snow peak (6,271 meters; 20,700 feet), considered by the local natives to be the “Guardian Spirit of the Jungle”. You will have the opportunity to experience remote native communities and the region’s ecological biodiversity, before reaching the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. You will need a good dose of adrenaline as you hike up a pass above 4,600mt (15,000 feet). Enjoy the impressive view over Machupicchu from Llactapata, an inca remain laid on top of a mountain facing the back of the Machupicchu mountain.
The trip is supported with pack animal for your convenience and we provide you with top quality camping equipment and a very balanced and energetic food with vegetarian option.
Want a remote experience in the Andes; the Deep Peru Expedition is waiting for you!!!
Early morning pick up from your hotel, and then 2:30 hour private bus ride to breakfast (at Mollepata). We rejoin the bus journey for 2 more hours to trailhead at Soraypampa
After a short briefing, and enjoying the first close views of the snow covered Mountain of Umantay (5,700mt) and the surrounding high mountainous landscape. We set off on the hike with a gentle pace at the head of the alpine scene valley to Salkantaypampa, and then the trail goes steep uphill and comes to a serie of zigzags. All around as you gradually ascend you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the majestic Mountain Salkantay, and soon arrive at lunch by a small lake named Soirococha (4,400mt). After 4 hours hike, we finally reach the high pass (4,600m) from where we can get a stunning view and take a close up of the sacred mountain in the Peruvian Andes SALKANTAY. That will compensate the great effort in reaching the top which is marked by a pile of stones that grows daily as each traveler adds his pebble to thank the Apus (mountain spirits) for a safe trip and good luck, from here we start a gradual descend leading us to a wide open scenic moraine and valley where we can spot chinchillas, Mountain cara cara(bird of prey), Andean gulls, and the world biggest bird “The Andean condor” on the way down to our campsite at Wayracmachay (3,700mt) with good views of the mountain ranges.
Today, we leave the beautiful pyramid shaped peak of Salkantay behind us. From now, the fauna and flora radically change as we enter the tropical rainforest, and discover its lush vegetation of wild orchids, bromeliads, native plants, and beautiful birds. Continuing our descent through the groves of bamboos; don't forget to keep looking back at the snow-peaks behind you, framed by bamboo fronds, we follow the river bank which flows through the valley, observing increasingly tall trees, some amazing untouched path where strawberries grow at your feet and passion fruit are above your head in a decor of begonias and purple orchids!. Lunch at Colpapampa.
The trail continues down the valley into the woods, observing the different crops specially farmed on high steep slopes, and as we drop the weather gradually gets warmer, and we suddenly arrive to a banana and avocado, and coffee plantations.
We finally reach La Playa (1,900mt) for camping, take some time to relax and recover from the prior hike, and afterwards with visit some organic coffee plantations, or just relax and get ready for the next day uphill and downhill walking to see the back of Mountain Machupicchu from Llactapata Inca remains.
We early start an uphill climb on a proper Inca trail, which will give us some impressive views on the valley and the surrounding mountains. After 3 hours we arrive to Llactapata Inca remains, where we enjoy a break overlooking one of the main highlights in South America Machu Picchu. It is a magical view given to us that the main part of tourists will never see! Afterwards the trail easily leads the hikers into a forest of thick vegetation, and some bird watching opportunities! And enjoy the view of an imposing man-made waterfall before arriving at lunch (hydroelectric town). The last stretch of the trail, we follow the railway, which goes along the Urubamba River to Machupicchu.
Overnight in a hostel
Early morning set off for a bus ride up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the best photos opportunities and guided tour. Afterwards, spend as much of your time, exploring on your own. Finally bus down to Machupicchu town for the train back to Ollantaytambo, and a bus back to Cusco.
