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Home > Peru > Peru Adventures >
The Salcantay Trail
16-day adventure
Detailed, day-by-day itinerary for this adventure!
Accommodations are noted, and meals are coded as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Above: Camp at the Pampa de Soray (Nicole Churchill).
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Day 1 |
Arrive in Lima, Peru |
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Fly from your home city to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in and overnight.
Swissôtel or Country Club Lima |
Day 2 |
Lima |
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Lima is a large city with a population of over 9 million in its metropolitan area. It also has flower gardens, great plazas, huge cathedrals, elegant colonial homes, fine museums, surfing, hopping nightlife, unique cuisine, and excellent hotels and restaurants. We tour historic Lima, including the Plaza de Armas, where you'll see elegant carved wooden balconies and colonial architecture.
We visit the National Museum of ArcheologyAnthropology and History which has one of the largest collections of Pre-Hispanic art and relics including exceptionally well preserved mummies. From here we proceed to Museo Larco to see an impressive collection of pottery, gold and silver.
Now with our work for the day almost completed, we have earned a sumptuous lunch at a fine seaside restaurant that will take care of both you and the rest of the afternoon! We return to the hotel for the night. Dinner is on your own this evening
Swissôtel or Country Club Lima, BL |
Day 3 |
Cuzco |
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A quick flight over the snow-covered Andes brings us to the legendary city of gold—Cuzco (alt. 11,200 feet)—the Center of the Inca Universe. Inca means "ruler," or "king" - an equivalent to the Roman Caesars.
After check-in, we have breakfast and sip coca-leaf tea while acclimating to the elevation. We begin our walking exploration of Cuzco after lunch (on your own),walking along streets where the Incas and later the Spaniards walked.
In the course of the day we will stop at Coricancha, the partially restored Temple of the Sun at the center of the Inca Universe, where the gold-covered walls were stripped by the Conquistadors. Along narrow cobblestone streets, we pass walls of stone so precisely fitted that they remain in superb condition centuries later, even after many earthquakes. We look into the University, churches and shops that face onto the Plaza de Armas.
Dinner tonight will be in the courtyard of the Art Museum at the delightful MAP Café accompanied by traditional music of the High Andes.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BD |
Day 4 |
Cuzco, Sacsayhuaman |
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We visit the bustling Cuzco "Mercado Central", a traditional market were we will get a sense of the daily rhythm of Cuzqueño life. From open air stalls, everything from coca leaves, carrots, rubber boots, jeans, padlocks, beef, live chickens and ducks, to cuys, Band-Aids, and a range of familiar and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables are sold —sometimes for cash, sometimes in the traditional manner—barter.
Later we will be admitted to view an archbishop's private collection of colonial and Indian art. After lunch we will visit the Inca Historical Museum for a fine overview of the history of the Inca Empire from its beginning to its demise.
In the late afternoon we will venture to Sacsayhuaman to explore the spectacular ceremonial and "parade" grounds used by the Incas for major celebrations, pageants and sporting events. Inti Raymi, the Incan "Festival of the Sun," is still celebrated here beginning every June 24. Cuzco fills with colorfully dressed, chicha-drinking Indians from villages all over the Andes, who come for this week-long festival of folk-dance competitions, pageantry and renowned debauchery.
We will be treated to a special ceremony with plants and herbs conducted by a shaman before we descend into Cuzco.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BLD |
Day 5 |
Huacarpay, San Salvador, Urubamba Valley, Pisac |
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Our first stop in the Southern Valley of Cusco is at the scenic Lake Huacarpay to view some beautiful wetland birds. Our next stop will be in the town of Andahuaylillas, where we visit the “Sistine Chapel” of Peru, the Church San Pedro de Andahuaylillas. Built in 1631 on top of ancient Inca foundations, the interior of the church bombards visitors with an explosion of Baroque art. The walls are lavishly decorated with exquisite colonial paintings from the Academy of Cusco and frescoes and murals by Luis de Riaño. The altars and wood carvings are all accented by gold leaf.
After Andahuaylillas, we stop in San Salvador, where a group of women will demonstrate the art of weaving with the traditional back strap looms.
After a delicious picnic lunch, we have a scenic ride through rich fields of quinoa and amaranth, and then descend into the breathtaking Urubamba Valley. Here we explore the typical, indigenous village of Pisac where we can hike above the valley in the ruins of the Temples of Pisac.
The balance of the afternoon will be spent exploring the agriculturally rich Urubamba Valley en route to a two-night stay at Sol y Luna, a country inn in the center of the valley.
Sol y Luna, BLD |
Day 6 |
Chinchero Market, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo |
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We start our day with a visit to the Sunday Indian market at Chinchero. There we observe how the local population shops for the week. You may find a few things that you simply must have!
After Chinchero, we visit the town of Moray and walk around the extensive circular terraces where the Incas once experimented with adapting plants to new climates and temperatures. We then continue onto Maras and the amazing salt pans which have been harvested since Inca times.
We will have some time to take in the beautiful sites of the salt flats and the surrounding fertile valley below and the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba before continuing onto the spectacular temple-fortress and village of Ollantaytambo, a site that is little changed from the days of the Incas. The comuñeros, people from the small villages, descend to the town wearing their distinctive costumes—locally woven and dyed red—and easily recognized wherever you see them.
We return to the country inn in the afternoon. Perhaps there will be time for you to take a walk or go for a jog, but we will certainly be back in time for the Sundowners!
Sol y Luna, BLD |
Day 7 |
To the trail head, start our trek |
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We leave the Urubamba Valley, climb to the plain of Anta, then head westerly to visit the ruins of the Inca fortress at Limatambo. Shortly thereafter, we travel off the main road to Lima and inch our way along the narrow road up to the village of Mollepata and the trail head at Challancha. There we begin our trek to the great peaks of Salcantay and Humantay with a 4 km. hike to the 1st night's camp on the Pampa de Soray, spectacularly ringed by snowcapped peaks.
Tented Camp, BLD |
Days 8-11 |
On the Trail! |
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Mules carry our gear and camp crews set the camps and tend to the camp chores. Over the next 5 days we pass through spectacular scenery ranging from high alpine to lush jungle. We cross the fabled Pasaje de Inkachiriascca next to the great peak of Salcantay (The Wild One). At the top of the pass, we pause to watch the glacier calve off chunks into the abyss. Our camp in Pamapaccahua is especially welcome after the freshness (chill!) of the high mountains.
Tents will be set up for you at each camp; you will dine while gazing at the snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and lush vegetation.
Tented Camp, BLD |
Day 12 |
Hiking into Machu Picchu |
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At the end of our 6-day hike, our trail meets the rail line just above Machu Picchu. After a short train ride to Km 104, we disembark to hike the last leg of the Inca Trail through the cloud forest to the magical Sun Gate high above Machu Picchu. We then decend into the ruins where we spend two-nights in great comfort.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary or Hotel Pueblo de Machu Picchu, BLD |
Day 13 |
Machu Picchu |
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The park opens at sunrise, a magical time of the day. Mist often shrouds the major peaks and floats onto the valley. The rising sun casts a golden glow into this fantasyland; it is not to be missed at this hour. Enjoy, and then return to the hotel for a quick breakfast.
Depending on the weather, we have another optional hike this time climbing the steep, challenging trail, hidden in crevasses and bushes, that leads to the top of Huayna Picchu, the slender granite peak that appears in every photo of Machu Picchu. On top we have an overwhelming view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valleys and snow-capped peaks. The climb is impressive and requires no more than 1.5 - 2 hours, even if you are a very slow hiker. It is a challenging hike, but the reward of reaching the summit is one of the greatest views in the world! The descent is relatively quick and easy, but steep, and leads straight to lunch!
After lunch you have the afternoon to yourself to explore the ruins, snooze in the sun, read and take photos. This is the special time that is all yours to savor Machu Picchu as you see fit.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary or Hotel Pueblo de Machu Picchu, BLD |
Day 14 |
Machu Picchu, train to Cuzco |
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This morning is all yours to enjoy Machu Picchu. You may hike up to the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu or explore the Inca Bridge, take photos or muse about Machu Picchu until you meet the rest of the group for lunch.
After lunch we bus down to the train for Cuzco. Once there we tumble into the Monasterio del Cuzco for the night.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BL |
Day 15 |
Cuzco to Lima |
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We have time to do last minute shopping and lunch before our flight to Lima. In Lima, you may rest, shop, and explore on your own. You may select from Lima's many fine restaurants for dinner.
Swissôtel or Country Club Lima, B |
Day 16 |
Lima to home or other adventures |
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Transfer to the airport with check-in to your homeward bound flight unless you are remaining for more adventures. |
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