GEC Trip Type: GROUP TOUR
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SOLO TRAVELERS: You're in luck! We provide free roommate matching - unless you'd prefer to purchase a single room.
Private Tour Eligible!: This tour is also eligible to be booked as a private tour providing that
2 or more people book together. You can even start your trip on any day that works best for you.
Contact Us for details.
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TRIP DESCRIPTION:
Group Departure Date in 2019:
- June 15 - 22, 2019
- September 7 - 14, 2019*
*With optional 3 day Amazon Rainforest trip extension immediately following both trips (see below for more details)!
This is a classic 'must do' for any adventure traveler. Join the GECtravel on a locally guided group trek through the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu. On this trek, we'll have a full support staff, including a cook, local guide, and porters (with horses) to carry all our gear and setup our camps.
We'll trek 4 days on ancient Inca trails (on the less crowded and less touristy Salkantay Trail - named as one of the 25 best treks in the world by
National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine), camp 3 nights and spend 1 night at a 4* hotel in the quaint town of Aguas Calientes at the valley below Machu Picchu. And we'll start and end in a 4* hotel in the beautiful and famous Inca capital city of Cusco.
Our trek will take us through the impressive Andes mountains with distant views of snow-capped mountains, we'll pass over the 14,845 foot (4,525m) Salkantay Mountain pass, have a chance to soak in some natural hot springs along the trek, and we'll end our 4 day trek with a guided exploration of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
After visiting Machu Picchu, we'll journey back to Cusco aboard a scenic train ride that follows the river through the dramatic mountain valley. It's an adventure that just can't be missed.
Want to continue your trip? Why not join others from the trek on an optional 3 day Amazon Rainforest trip extension!
CLICK HERE for details and to book.
*** NOTE: when booking your Amazon extension, please choose the appropriate departure date that corresponds with your trek:
Group Departure Dates in 2019:
- June 22 - 24, 2019
- September 14 - 16, 2019
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Testimonial Page.
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B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco. Group Orientation.
Day 2: Free Day. Optional Sacred Valley Tour. (B)
Day 3: Start Trek. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Trek over high pass. Hot Springs. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Trek. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Trek to Aguas Calientes. (B, L)
Day 7: Machu Picchu & Train to Cusco. (B, L)
Day 8: Trip ends. (B)
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive in Cusco (11,203 feet - 3,395 meters). Group Orientation.
Arrive at the designated hotel OR if you purchased airport transfers through us, then you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
In the late afternoon, meet your GEC Trip Leader and your fellow group members at the trip orientation meeting. Later, why not join your Trip Leader and group members for an optional dinner and a night out on the town.
Overnight in an excellent 4* hotel in Cusco
NOTE: to better acclimate to the high altitude, it is Highly Recommended to arrive 1 day early. Extra night hotel is available to purchase during checkout).
Day 2:
Free Day (11,203 feet - 3,395 meters). Optional Sacred Valley Tour.
Today is a free day to spend exploring Cusco, hiking up to the ruins above the city, OR why not join the optional day trip to the incredibly beautiful Sacred Valley.
Scared Valley Tour: After breakfast, a local guide will meet the group and we will drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas stopping along the way to feed Llamas and Alpaca and for fantastic views of the Urubamba valley, where the crops lay across the mountains like a colorful carpet. We will also visit the vibrant market of Pisac where you will have free time to interact with the local craftsmen and, if you wish, purchase their hand-made items and tourist souvenirs. Finally, after an included lunch, we will visit Ollantaytambo, an attractive town of Inca origin with remarkable channels and stone streets. Here we will visit some amazing Inca ruins at the end of the valley. We return to Cusco around 5 or 6pm.
Overnight in an excellent 4* hotel in Cusco
Day 3:
Start Trek (11,203 to 9,196 to 13,779 feet) (B, L, D)
Approximate Distance: 8.7 miles (14k)
Approximate Trail Time: 6-8 Hours +/-
NOTE: all distances and trail time, as well as stopping locations are approximate and are subject to a variety of conditions, including the Trekking Guide’s discretion, pace of the group, weather, trail conditions/closures, etc.
We leave Cusco (11,203f - 3,395m) early (6:00 am) and drive to the village of Mollepata, an Indian Village situated in a citrus growing area at a subtropical region (9,196f - 2,803m). A bit further down we will arrive in Challacancha, where we will meet the horse handlers and horses, who will be our support during the trek.
From Challacancha we start our trek on the Salkantay Trail with a climb toward Salkantay Pampa, where we will have lunch. After a short rest we will continue to climb toward Soroycocha (13,779f - 4,200m), our first campsite. From here we will have a magnificent view of Apu Salkantay (a snow capped mountain 20,474f - 6,271m high) also called the Guardian Lord of Cusco.
Overnight Camping
Day 4:
Trek over high pass. Hot Springs (13,779 to 14,845 to 9,481 feet) (B, L, D)
Approximate Distance: 11 miles (18k)
Approximate Trail Time: 10-12 hours +/-
Following a hardy breakfast, we will head out around 6:30 am. Heading toward Collpapampa, we will start with a 2.5-3 hour ascent until we arrive at the highest point on our trek: Salkantay Mountain pass (14,845f - 4,525m). Here we will enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped mountain of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We may even be able to spot some chinchillas and Andean Condors in their natural habitat.
We'll then head to Huayracmachay, where we will enjoy our well-earned lunch. After lunch, we'll descend down towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of the original ancient Inca trail. After following the Salkantay River, we'll arrive at our second camp at Qollpapampa (9,481f - 2,890m). Should you arrive into camp early enough, you can arrange with your guide to visit the nearby natural hot springs... a well needed break after a day of trekking (subject to being open... the winter river flooding sometimes wash them out and need to be rebuilt).
NOTE:
This day we will be a long but beautiful day of hiking - about 10-12 hours including hiking, lunch, views, etc. Be sure to bring your headlamp/flashlight as we may hike into dusk.
Overnight Camping
Day 5:
Trek (9,481 to 8,858 feet) (B, L, D)
Approximate Distance: 7 miles (11k)
Approximate Trail Time: 7-9 Hours +/-
After breakfast we will descend through a narrow path toward the banks of the Cachora River (6 hours walking). Today we will enjoy a nice warm climate. As we descend, there is a marked change in the flora and fauna as it becomes more lush and subtropical. On the route we will pass through wild fruits plantations such as passion fruit, coffee, etc.
After passing the waterfalls of Coripacchi and the settlement at Winaypoko, we will stop for a delicious Lunch. In the afternoon we will continue close to the banks of the river and we will pass Sahuayaco, a small village of less than 20 families. Later we'll arrive at our campsite in Lucmabamba... about 8,858f (2,700m).
Overnight Camping
Day 6:
Trek to Aguas Calientes (8,858 to 6,561 feet) (B, L)
Approximate Distance: 7 miles (11k)
Approximate Trail Time: 8-9 Hours +/-
After breakfast, we'll start with a 2 1/2 hour climb to the village of El Mirador (9,383f - 2,860m), where we will enjoy an exceptional and uniquely angled view of Machu Picchu that only trekkers on this trail can get.
We'll then enjoy a last lunch in nature at the lookout point of Llaqtapata (8,694f - 2,650m) where we can view both Machu Picchu and the iconic Salkantay Mountain. We'll also have the opportunity to view the ancient Incan ruins of Llactapata, which have recently been restored.
A 2-hour descent brings us to the Aobamba River. Along the way, we'll pass through lush bamboo forests and see wild orchards and coffee trees. We'll then arrive at the hydroelectric plant of Machu Picchu, where we board a train that takes us on a short, scenic 30-minutes train ride to the quaint town of Aguas Calientes. Here we transfer to our hotel. Tonight, after long and well-earned hot showers, why not join your fellow group members on a fun night out at a local restaurant?
Overnight in excellent guest lodge hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 7:
Machu Picchu & Train to Cusco. (B, L)
Early in the morning we'll be one of the first to arrive at the gates of Machu Picchu, where the guide will offer a fully guided tour of these spectacular and mysterious ruins. We will then have free time to explore the ruins on our own after the tour.
After a delicious buffet lunch, we take the afternoon train back to Cusco where we are transferred to our hotel. Tonight, join the group on a last night celebration in the beautiful city of Cusco.
Overnight in an excellent 4* hotel in Cusco
Day 8:
Trip ends. (B)
Trip ends after breakfast. If you purchased airport transfers through us, then you are picked up at the hotel and transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.
Want to continue your trip? Why not join others from the trek on an optional 3 day Amazon Rainforest trip extension!
CLICK HERE for details and to book.
*** NOTE: when booking your Amazon extension, please choose the appropriate departure date that corresponds with your trek:
Group Departure Dates in 2019:
- June 22 - 24, 2019
- September 14 - 16, 2019
