Andean Adventure
8 days / 7 nights
DAY 1: CUSCO | INC: -
Arrival in Cusco, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Free morning to get used to the altitude. In the afternoon, a van will pick us up to take us to the starting point to embark on this horseback riding tour around picturesque Andean villages and stopping at some of the main areas of Sacsayhuaman’s complex. The tour lasts around two hours and we be will be assisted at all times by trained guides. Once the tour is over we will be transferred to our hotel. Overnight stay at Cusco.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY | INC: B/L
Located in Pachar, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Via Ferrata is a new choice for adventure, designed for an adrenaline charged experience in the middle of amazing views and with all the safety measures needed for those who have no climbing experience. Climb up 300 meters using iron ladders and knowing you are 100% safe. Enjoy the breathtaking view, and then descend a 100-meter cliff fixed to a rope. It is an unforgettable experience for those who love adventure. Picnic style lunch. In the afternoon we will experience the Sacred Valley Zip-line which gives people of all ages the opportunity to fly over this magical and magnificent valley, in a safe and fun way. The zip line has 6 lines or cables, from 100m to 500m, for a total of 2000m. The guide will hook you to the cables using a pulley connected to the harness. The cables are so tight there is no need for a brake system since the speed decreases when approaching the end. To get to the first line, a 35-minute hike is required. This whole hike is equipped with Via Ferrata (iron ladders) to ensure maximum security and confidence to all adventurous people. No experience is required. Return to the hotel. Stay in Cusco.
DAY 3 : CUSCO / MOLLEPATA / SORAYPAMPA I INC : B/L/D
We will be picked up between 4 and 4:40 in the morning from our hotels in private bus towards Mollepata, a small town located at 2,950 mt / 9,676 ft. Mild weather and beautiful landscapes at the edge led by the snowcapped mountains that are part of the Salkantay range (4000 to 5000 mt / 13126 to 16404 ft.). The expected arrival time in Mollepata is 7 am and from then we will start our 7-8 hour hike (estimate). Lunch on the way. We will arrive in Soraypamapa (3,700 mt. / 12,139 ft.), ideal place to set up our first campsite.
Estimated time: 7-8 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 3,700 mt. / 12,139 ft.
Campsite: Soraypampa (3,7000 mt. / 12,139 ft.)
Highlights: View of the snowcapped mountains of the Salkantay range.
DAY 4 : SORAYPAMPA / CHAULLAY I INC : B/L/D
Wake up to the view of the imposing Salkantay. It is 7 in the morning and time for breakfast. Then we will start our walk for around 8 hours through different altitude levels that will allow us to see a variety of ecosystems and landscapes, and we will go through a sort of canyon that will take us to the Salkantay foothills. Lunch break after a 3-hour walk. After our break, we will reach the Salkantay mountain pass (4,750 mt. / 15,580ft.), the highest point in our hike. It is now time to descend through the mountain pass to Chaullay ( 3,000 mt. / 9,843 ft.) where we will set up the campsite.
Estimated time: 7-8 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 4,750mt. / 15,580ft.
Campsite: Chaullay (3,000 mt. / 9,843 ft.)
Highlights: View of the Salkantay Mountain.
DAY 5: CHAULLAY / SANTA TERESA I INC : B/L/D
A new day of colorful landscapes and mild weather awaits us. After breakfast, it is time to keep walking, this time going deeper into the Collpapampa valley (3,200 mt.s / 10,496 ft.) in a chance to see birds, mammals and insects. Great opportunity to enjoy the thermal baths of Collpapampa and the Waynapoco waterfalls (2,800 mt /9,186 ft.). Time to continue in our 4- 6 hour hike before lunch time at Sahuayacu or the beach, where we will take the bus that will take us to Santa Teresa (1,650 mt. / 5,413ft.) to spend the night.
Estimated time: 4-6 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: Collpapampa (3,200 mt. / 10,496 ft.)
Campsite: Santa Teresa (1,650 mt. / 5,413 ft.)
Highlights: Waynapoco waterfalls.
DAY 6: SANTA TERESA / MACHU PICCHU I INC : B/L
After breakfast we will hike for about 40 minutes to get to the Vilcanota river bank to a place called La Oroya where we will cross the river with the assistance of steel cables and a basket. Once on the other side of the river we will continue for about 3 hours towards the hydroelectric power station from where we could appreciate the beautiful valley formed by the Urubamba River and the waterfall coming from the Machu Picchu Mountain. It is lunch time at Machu Picchu northeast side and then a visit to the Intihuatana (sun clock) located at km 121. After the visit we will board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes town. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Estimated time: 3 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 2,000 mt. / 6,540 ft.
Campsite: Overnight stay at Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu hotel (2,000 mt. / 6,540 ft.)
Highlights: Intihuatana
DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU | INC: B
Early in the morning, our guide will take us to the Lost City of the Incas to visit the Inca complex and its terraces, steps, ceremonial shrines and urban areas. Magic is all around the place. We will have time to peacefully explore the city on our own and have lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. At the arranged time we will return to Cusco by train and be transferred to our hotel. Overnight stay at Cusco.
DAY 8: CUSCO/LIMA | INC: B
Departure transfer.