Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu
Lares Trek |
Salkantay Trek |
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This trek allows the visitor to see indigenous communities and observe their methods of production and traditional customs, as well as the beautiful scenery, flora and fauna of the area. With the help of local porters, muleteers and horses, this trek is made in three days, arriving on the third day at the village of Ollantaytambo, from where we will be able to take the train to Aguas Calientes. The fourth day is exclusively dedicated to visiting the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, with an afternoon return train journey to Cusco.
DAY 1: Cusco-Calca-Lares -Wacawasi
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning for the drive by private bus. The trip leaves Cusco at 6.00 am for Calca, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At this time of the morning it is a spectacular trip. Along the way we will visit the Inca qolqas (granaries) of Muyoq Orqo, and then continue, passing the mountain of Sawasiray before beginning at the Willka Punku pass the ascent to Lares. Here there will be time to rest and enjoy the thermal baths of Lares. After lunch the walk begins to our first campsite at the village of Wacawasi, where we will visit the weaving families and have our evening meal. Camp. Meals: Lunch, dinner Driving distance:.Calca – Lares 42km. 26 miles dirt road. Good conditions. Time: 3 hours. Trek length; Thermal baths – Wuacawasi 6.3 km. 3.9 miles. Time: 3 hours Main altitudes: Lares 3285m. 10775f. Wuacawasi 3806m. 12483f. DAY 2: Wacawasi-Ipsayqocha-Patacancha Valley
After breakfast, the trek continues towards Ipsayqocha, a constant climb through the natural habitat of llamas and alpacas. Here there are high Andean birds and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Once over the pass, a long descent will take us to the Patacancha valley, where we will camp. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Trek length: Wuacawasi – Ipsayqocha-Patacancha 15.5 km. 9.6 miles. Time: 8 hours Main altitudes: Wuacawasi 3806m. 12483f., Ipsayqocha 4347m. 14248f. DAY 3: Patacancha-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes
This morning we will hike to the indigenous village of Willoq, a traditional farming, llama herding and weaving community that has conserved its traditional way of life. The trail follows a narrow valley through Inca terraces still used by local people to grow potatoes, corn, quinoa and other native crops. Along the way, we will pass the Inca archaeological site of Pumamarca. In the village our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will have time to explore the imposing Inca ruins before taking the train to Machu Picchu and spending the night in the nearby small town of Aguas Calientes. (hotel not included). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Main altitudes: Patacancha 3802m. 12470f. Ollantaytambo 2846m. 9335f. Driving distances: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo 28 km. dirt road (1hour) Ollantaytambo tour (2-3 hours). Train Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu 55km by train (2hours) DAY 4: Full day at Machu Picchu
The tourists who come from Cusco on this day arrive at the ruins from 10 am onwards, and to avoid these people and to have a much better tour we should take the first bus up to the ruins at 6:30 am, thereby having plenty of time to enjoy the Lost City of the Incas. If weather conditions and the physical condition of the client allow, and if there are spaces available, we may take the optional walk to the summit of Wayna Picchu up the flank of the mountain of that name, with the abyss below. Our tour will include a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas. After it, we will have time to take pictures or walk around the Inca citadel. Afterward, we will go down by bus to Aguas Calientes and board the train to return to Cusco. Tour length: 3 hours in Machu Picchu. Optional hike to Huayna Picchu peak. (2-3 hours) subject to space available. Main altitudes:Machu Picchu 2460m. 8068f. Huayna Picchu peak. 2720m. 8922f. Aguas Calientes 2020m. 6625f. Return to Cusco by train Driving distance: 55 km. to Ollantaytambo by train. 85 km to Cusco by bus. 2022-2023 Prices: Group trek (minimum of 2 people) = US$1249 per person with Expedition train. Private Trek: with 2 people = US$1288 per person with Expedition train. with 3 people = US$1039 per person with Expedition train. with 4 people = US$924 per person with Expedition train. Single supplement = US$50 Included
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If you do not like crowded routes, but want to have a good trek with a great natural scenery, then, a great option you have is the Salkantay trek 5 days / 4 nights. Along the way, you will see the Apu Salkantay, the highest peak near Machu Picchu. This snow-capped giant is still central to beliefs of the Incas’ descendants, the Quechua people of the Andes. After a great trek, we will visit Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco / Mollepata / Campo Japonés
From Cusco we will head west, crossing the Anta Valley and descending towards the Apurimac Valley. We will visit the Inca temple of Tarawasi (30 minutes). Continuing this journey, our route will take us up to the village of Mollepata, where we will have time to visit this picturesque community. A dusty narrow road will take us to 3869 meters (12,690 feet), where our wranglers will be waiting to load our gear on to horses or mules. We will then begin our walk to Soraypampa, crossing beautiful scenery as far as Ichupata (4176 meters / 13,700 feet). We will then continue our steady ascent as far as Campo Japonés, where we will make our first camp at 4753 meters (15,593 feet). Traveling time: Cusco – Mollepata: 99.5 km (61.8 miles) (paved road: 88 km (54.7 miles); highway: 11.5 km / 7.1 miles); 3 hours 3 minutes. Mollepata – Soraypampa (narrow road): 22 km (13.6 miles): 1 hour. Walking distance: Soraypampa – Ichupata – Camp 7.4 km (4.59 miles): Time: 4 hours (gentle gradient). Altitude: Cusco 3400 meters (11,152 feet), Mollepata 2835 meters (9298 feet), Soraypampa 3869 meters (12,690 feet), Ichupata 4176 meters (13,700 feet), Campo Japonés 4753 meters (15,593 feet). Meals: Lunch and dinner Day 2: Campo Japonés / Qelloqocha We will begin this day by ascending to the pass. It is common to see condors along this section of the trail. This is a steady ascent beneath enormous glaciers as far as the pass at Inka Chiriaska, below the southern face of Mount Salkantay (6247 meters / 20,600 feet), the highest peak in the Vilcabamba range. Our route will keep us between 4200 and 4800 meters above sea level, as we cross three successive passes of 4825 meters (15,826 feet), 4810 meters (15,780 feet) and 4609 meters (15,121 feet). Hiking at this altitude will enable us to enjoy views of the enormous glaciers of the Vilcabamba mountain range. In the afternoon, we will arrive at our campsite at Qelloqocha (4283 meters / 14,051 feet). Hiking distance: Campo Japonés - Qelloqocha 13.29 km (8.25 miles): Time: 7 hours Altitude: Campo Japonés 4753 meters (15,593 feet); Inka Chiriaska Pass, 4825 meters (15,826 feet); Tocto 4600 meters (15,091 feet), Cruz Qasa Pass 4810 meters (15,780 feet), Millpo 4200 meters (13,779 feet); Chusquiñay Pass 4609 meters (15,121 feet); Qelloqocha camp 4283 meters (14,051 feet). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 3: Qelloqocha / Ancasqocha A short walk will take us to the Qera Qasa pass at 4330 meters (15,465 feet), with its exceptional views of the surrounding mountains. We will then continue by descending as far as Lechería, at 4086 meters (13,405 feet), where we will rest before beginning the ascent to the high pass at Aqoqasa (4682 meters / 15,360 feet). Another easy descent will take us as far as Inca Raqay (4430 meters / 14,534 feet). After a good rest, we will head towards the final pass at Huayanay (4624 meters / 15,170 feet), from where we will descend to our next campsite at Anqasqocha, or “Lake of Eagles”, at 4196 meters (13,766 feet). Hiking distance: Qelloqocha - Ancasqocha Qasa 9.12 km (5.66 miles) 6 hours Altitude: Campamento Qelloqocha 4283 meters (14,051 feet); Qera Qasa Pass (4330 meters / 15,465 feet); Lechería (4086 meters (13,405 feet); Aqoqasa (4682 meters / 15,360 feet); Inca Raqay (4430 meters / 14,534 feet); Huayanay (4624 meters / 15,170 feet); Anqasqocha campsite (4196 meters / 13,766 feet). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4: Ancasqocha / Chillca / Aguas Calientes Today we will descend through a narrow gorge to the Chillca Valley. In this area of contrasting landscapes, we will pass through high Andean forests, ravines with waterfalls fed by glaciers, and into a fertile ecosystem where local people continue to intensively farm Inca terraces to produce abundant harvests of the finest quality corn. At the end of our trek, near the village of Chillca, our private vehicle will be waiting to take us to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the small town where we will spend the night in a local hostel. Walking distance: Ancasqocha - Chillca – 15.3 km (9.5 miles): Time: 7 hours Altitudu: Anqasqocha 4196 meters (13,766 feet); Chillca 2794 meters (9166 feet); Ollantaytambo train station 2807 meters (9209 feet); Aguas Calientes 2020 meters (6625 feet). Traveling time: Chillca - Ollantaytambo 13 km (8 miles) by road (25 minutes) Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu 55 km (34.2 miles) by train (2 hours) Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Day 5: Machu Picchu After breakfast, we will walk to the bus station, from where we will start the 20 to 25 minute bus ride by road up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Known as the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu has survived intact because it was never discovered by the Spanish. Built high above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu remained hidden by dense vegetation until its discovery in 1911. During the 3 hour tour of the ruins, your guide will explain in detail the history of this unique place, and escort you around its agricultural terraces, temples, palaces and water channels. You will then have time to explore the site independently before returning to Aguas Calientes for the return train journey to Cusco. Tour of Machu Picchu: 3 hours. Optional walk to Huayna Picchu: (2-3 hours) subject to availability. Altitudes: Machu Picchu 2460 meters (8068 feet); Huayna Picchu 2720 meters (8922 feet) ; Aguas Calientes 2020 meters (6625 feet). Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Travel time: Ollantaytambo 55 km (34.2 miles) by train (2 hours); to Cusco by bus 85 km (53 miles). 2022-2023 Prices: Group trek (minimum of 2 people) = US$1349 per person with Expedition train. Private Trek: with 2 people = US$1408per person with Expedition train. with 3 people = US$1123 per person with Expedition train. with 4 people = US$958 per person with Expedition train. Single supplement = US$100 Can also price with more expensive Vistadome train Included
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