Imperial Salkantay Trek

Enjoying the most important sites in the city of Cusco.

Imperial Salkantay Trek Arrive in the historical capital, Cusco. We’ll whisk you off to your hotel to freshen up and settle in before taking you on a half-day city tour. This excursion is very relaxed, and you won’t have to exert too much on the first day. It’s the perfect way to acclimatize to the altitude.

On tour, you’ll visit some of the city’s most important sites and landmarks and learn all about the history. You’ve likely heard that Cusco was home to the Incas, which you’ll hear a lot more about, but there were also many cultures before them since 1,000 BC.

The attractions you’ll visit on your city tour are:

• The Cusco Cathedral
• Qoricancha Temple and Santo Domingo
  Convent
• Sacsayhuaman
• Q’enqo
• Puka Pukara
• Tambomachay
• MINIMUM ELEVATION 3,390 m / 11,122 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

Tour the Amazing Sacred Valley of the Incas

Imperial Salkantay Trek This morning, we’ll take a day trip out to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The landscape here is stunning, with rolling hills and a winding river running through the middle.

You’ll have a visit to the craft market and follow an exploration of the ruins. After the most spectacular valley views from there, we’ll take you to the town of Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch of many Peruvian delicacies.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the only quaint Inca town, Ollantaytambo, with wonderfully preserved structures and layouts. We’ll tour around the archaeological site, overlooking the town and valley.

Imperial Salkantay Trek Next up is Chinchero for a visit to its Inca complex and church. However, the main attraction is local women who will amaze you by teaching their weaving techniques of natural dyes. Finally, you’ll return to Cusco before 7 pm to grab some dinner before bed.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Lunch
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• LOWEST ELEVATION: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3,762 m / 12,343 ft

Hike to the Jewel in the Mountains - The Stunning Humantay Lake

Today, you’ll set off on your 5-day adventure with an early pickup from your hotel (4:00 am).
We’ll head to the small town of Mollepata for breakfast before continuing to Challacancha
to start our hike.

Imperial Salkantay Trek The first walk is about 3 hours to our Sky Camp at Soraypampa, where you’ll settle in, get some rest, and enjoy your first delicious meal in the mountains.

In the afternoon, you’ll hike up to the naturally beautiful Humantay Lake. The hike is only 3 km up and down but takes around 3 hours to the high altitude.

Once you reach the top, you’ll have time to soak up the gorgeous scenery and appreciate the blue jewel lake against the Humantay Glacier. Take memorable photos before we head back to the camp for dinner and a wonderful sunset.

As you drift off to sleep, you can look at the stars and constellations in the Andean sky.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Sky Camp
• DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Challenging
• WALKING DISTANCE: 10 km / 6.21 mi
• WALKING TIME: 5 - 6 hours
• STARTING ELEVATION: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
• CAMPSITE ELEVATION: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft

Sky Camp

Soraypampa 3,900 m / 12,795 ft

Our dazzling SKY CAMP is located in front of the impressive mountains Humantay and Salkantay.

Imperial Salkantay Trek This campsite creates the perfect union of sky and earth. It allows you to sleep calmly under a clear sky starred with an exceptional view of the constellations. At the same time, you can enjoy all the comforts of a first-class vacation home.

• 31 Igloos
• 2 people per igloo
• Dining room, kitchen and bathrooms

Defeat the Trek to the Salkantay Pass and Descend Through the Cloud Forest

Today’s the most challenging day of the hike. You’ll be up at 5:30 am for a nourishing breakfast before taking the 4-hour uphill hike to the Salkantay Pass. The ascent is tough, but when you reach the top, you’ll get the most breathtaking views of the towering Salkantay Mountain and the surrounding landscape. Take some time to rest and enjoy the scenery beforeheading downhill to the lunch spot.

After that, you’ll enter the upper Amazon jungle and walk through the cloud forest, feeling
the warmer climate and the drastic change between the snowy mountains and the lush jungle. We’ll finally arrive at Collpapampa campsite in the early evening, where our Mountain Sky View await to enjoy a tasty dinner before sleeping surrounded by the sounds of nature.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Mountain Sky view
• DIFFICULTY: Challenging
• WALKING DISTANCE: 23.5 km / 14.6 mi
• WALKING TIME: 10-11 hours
• STARTING ELEVATION: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
• CAMPSITE ELEVATION: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft

Mountain Sky View

Collpapampa

Our campsite Mountain Sky View is a warm mountain accommodation and our
novelty this year, and it’ with great pleasure that we prepared this place for all
those looking for a glamping experience surrounded by nature.

Each one of its individual Mountain Sky View counts with a private bath besides spectacular tropical mountain views.

Imperial Salkantay Trek You’ll find peace under the shining stars listening to the voices of wildlife and the whispers of the river in the valley.

• 29 Sky Huts
• 2 people per Sky Hut
• Dinning room, kitchen and Bathroom

Jungle Adventure and Coffee Experience

Imperial Salkantay Trek We’ll set off at 6 am today and hike towards La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley. Enjoy spotting rivers, waterfalls, flora, and fauna as we head deeper into the luscious jungle.

We’ll pass through Collpampa before crossing to the other side of the valley until La Playa. You’ll have time to rest before walking thirty more minutes to Lucmabamba, our camp and lunch spot.

We’ll enjoy exploring the surrounding jungle in the afternoon before visiting a coffee plantation. You’ll learn all about the process and savor some freshly made coffee from local
farmers.

On our way back to camp, we’ll also spot some orange and avocado plantations. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal before settling in for the night in our Jungle Domes and drift off to the sounds of Mother Nature.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Super Jungle Domes
• DIFFICULTY: Moderate
• WALKING DISTANCE: 17 km / 10.56 mi
• WALKING TIME: 5 - 6 hours
• STARTING ELEVATION: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• CAMPSITE ELEVATION: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft

Super Jungle Domes

Lucmabamba

Imperial Salkantay Trek From the comfort of our domes, you get to be in intimate contact with the surrounding
nature. As you hear the voices of the wind, rain, and flora and fauna in the area,
immerse yourself in this green environment.

• 20 domes
• 2 people per dome
• Dining room, kitchen and bathrooms

Explore Inca Sites and Catch a Glimpse of Machu Picchu

Imperial Salkantay Trek Wake up early again to set off on the hike to Llactapata. You’ll walk for around 3 hours and then explore this fascinating archaeological site with your guide.

You will also get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu citadel and the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains.
You’ll then head downhill for an hour and a half to our lunch spot in Aobamba.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Hidroeléctrica train station, where you can take a train or hike for 3 more hours to Aguas Calientes. If you opt to walk, you’ll enjoy more of the warm forest and landmarks alongside the railroad.

Imperial Salkantay Trek At Aguas Calientes, you’ll check into your hotel, explore the town a little, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Make sure you go to bed early, as you’ll be up before sunrise.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
• DIFFICULTY: Challenging
• WALKING DISTANCE: 25 km / 15.53 mi
• WALKING TIME: 8-9 hours
• STARTING ELEVATION: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1,800 m / 5,906 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
• ACCOMMODATION ELEVATION: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft

Visit the Magical, Mystical Machu Picchu

Today, you’ll wake up before dawn to be one of the first groups at Machu Picchu. We’ll board the early bus in Aguas Calientes to reach the entrance at 6:00 am.

Imperial Salkantay Trek The incredible citadel will take your breath away when you first look at its stunning enclosures. The tour will cover about 2 hours with your guide at all the most important sites. If you have pre-booked tickets, you can hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain to get amazing views over Machu Picchu.

Back down to Aguas Calientes, you’ll have a little time to eat lunch in a restaurant of your choice before we board the train to Ollantaytambo.

Once in Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco. You can now rest in your hotel in Cusco and reflect on your exciting adventure.

DAY FACTS

• MEALS: Breakfast
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACTIVITY DURATION: 2-3 hours exploring Machu Picchu
• MACHU PICCHU CITADEL ELEVATION: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Moderate to Challenging
• MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN ELEVATION: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft (3-4 hours)
• HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN ELEVATION: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft (2 hours)
• HUCHUY PICCHU MOUNTAIN ELEVATION: 2,497 m / 8,192 ft (1.5 hours)

Say Goodbye to Imperial Cusco

Imperial Salkantay Trek Your amazing trip to Cusco is over for now, but we’ll be waiting for you to visit again one day!

Our team will transfer you to the airport or bus station for you to continue your vacation or head home. We hope to see you again soon!