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This lovely and varied hike (about 50km) is the “soft option” from Soray since the pass is lower (though still a tough 4,750m (15,580ft) and then
is mostly downhill through forested valleys, above deep ravines, ending at 1,500m.

The trek on the second day from Soray goes steeply uphill for half an hour, then comes to a series of zigzags (Siete Culebras is the local name of this strech). At the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under Salkantay´s lateral moraine, and drops gently down to
the small laguna Soirococha. The pass you see above is, alas, a false one; the main pass is a little further on, but the view of Salkantay looming above you m
ore than compensates for the effort. The real pass at 4,750m is reached after 3-4 hours from the moraine, and is marked by a pile of stones , “well know as Apacheta by th locals”, which grows daily as each traveller adds his pebble to thank the APUS for a safe trip.

.Then the trail descends to the left –hand side of the valley, becoming indistinct in swampy areas. And then comes a place named Huayrajmachay “eye of the wind”, from here we will have a great chance to see the beautiful Pyramid-shape of Humantay behind as you drop below the tree line, know as LA CEJA DE SELVA (“Eyebrown of the Jungle”), and walk through groves of bamboo with many orchids and other flowers and lots of hummingbirds, spectacular waterfalls, a small hot spring at Collpapampa the right place to lock out for the parakeets that abound in this area as well.and the we go to take a local bus in order to get santa teresa where we will enjoy the hot springs which is 45 minutes from this town .and then will see machupichu and waynapichu mountains and then the last day will see finally the inkan city of machupicchu.

Day 1: Mollepata - Soraypampa
We pick you up from your hotel and then we go the bus station and travel by bus for about 3 hours to Mollepata. A 3 hour walk will take us to Cruzpata where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our trek towards Soraypamapa, our first campsite (3800 m/11750ft; the highest and coldest campsite of the trip) taking in the beautiful landscape along the way.

Day 2: soraypampa –chaullay or collpapampa (Mighty Salkantay)!!
We will have breakfast at around 5.30am and begin our walk to the highest pass on this trek (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. There is a possibility of snow here.
After a rest, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, where we will have lunch. We hike again after lunch in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach our second campsite, chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft).

Day 3:chaullay –la playa –santa teresa ( Cloud Forest)
After breakfast, at 6.30am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of little brooks to reach La Playa walking about 6 hours . Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits ,plants and as soon as we are at la playa place horses will go back to Mollepata so we take a local bus to drive one hour to get santa teresa where will camp (1500m/4905ft) with a warm climate. After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy the well-deserved soothing water!

Day 4: santa teresa –hidroelectrica -Aguas Calientes
We will have breakfast at 8am and leave our campsite and Santa Teresa. We will cross the Santa Teresa Bridge and follow the upward route of the river. We continue walking, passing a variety of crop plantations, coca, banana etc. until we reach the hydroelectric station. And after the lunch we keep going walking about two and half hours along the train road till reaching aguas calientes town where we will spend the night in a hostal.
In Aguas Calientes, you can take advantage of the thermal springs in the town (entrance 10 soles) a real treat after finishing the trek

Day 5: Machu Picchu!!!!!!
We wake up early morning about 4 am to then to 4:30 to have the breakfast and leave to walk up to machupichu which takes one and half hours up to machupicchu but there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves 5:30 to Machu Picchu (25-minutes long ) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun is rising.

A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your Guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) to be given your train tickets back to Cusco or ollantaytambo . The first train usually leaves at 15.55 and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 20.20.or the second train which leaves 4:20 and goes to ollantaytambo where someone will be waiting for you with your guides name who will take you to take a bus to cusco .
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)

Includes:

• Profesional bilingual tour guide and Assistant Guide (for groups of 10 or more people)
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up from where you are staying)
• Bus to Mollepata ( trailhead)
• Tourist train back to ollantaytambo or Cusco) something important about the train ,you must know that this is not Peruvian Company. So we can not choose the times of leaving from aguas calientes .they sell the train back tickets if there are spaces in the trains that´s why it is much better to go to the train station to buy the latest train with you.
• Entrance fee Machu Picchu
• Food: *4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 4 dinners
• Cook
• 2-people tents
• Camping equipment (tent, cooking and eating tent. Chairs and tables)
• Sleeping mattresses note ( if you want to hire some comfortable air mattress it also can be hired from us)
• Horseman , mules or porters (they just carry cooking stuff and camping equipment)
• 1 night accommodation in a hostal Aguas Calientes
• Oxygen balloon for any emergency
• First Aid kit
• *Vegetarian/special diet options available

Doesn´t include :

• Entrance fee to Salkantay National Park (30 soles or 10 dollars) in case you are going to be required tickets .
• Breakfast on first day and lunch on the last day in agues calientes
• Entrances to the hot spring waters ( Santa teresa (5 soles ) Aguas calientes(10 soles )
• Sleeping bag ( it can be hired from us) if you want to hire sleeping bag we don’t ask for any deposit.
• Bus ticket from Aguas calientes to Machu Picchu (optional) $12 dolars round trip ( one way 6 dolars and you can buy it at the Aguas Calientes bus station).
• Extra horse to ride or for any extra backpack.

Note: on the fourth day you have to carry your bags otherwise if don’t want to carry you can just pay 4 soles to be taken by Local bus to hidroelectrica and also if you feel tired you can take a local train from hidroelectrica to aguas calientes which Is 45 minutes only .and if you want your bags be taken by train it is 4 soles as well.

Note: if you need something to hire from us, we will for you, without any deposit (because most of the rent camping shops use to ask like 50 or 60 dollars for anything you want to take.

What you need to take:

Original passport and Student card (ISIC) green card

Insurance card is essential

• Sleeping bag (not included)
• Hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jack
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Rain pants
• Sun hat, Bathing suit (for hot springs in santa teresa and Aguas Calientes)
• Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong
• Insect Repellent ( for mosquitos )
• Water bottle
• Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries (flashlight)
• Extra contribution suggested money for tipping porters, cook and guide. and for any emergency (300 soles)

Optional items to take

• Short pants
• Walking poles (with rubber tips) they can also be hired from us.
• Plaster and bandages

We are professional speaking English licensed guides in cusco BIOANDEAN EXPEDITIONS