Day 1: Cusco – Chonta – Pincopata EcoCamp. We will pick you up at your hotel during the morning and will have two options to adapt ourselves to the altitude and the physical needs of the next days. The first option is to see the condors in the Apurímac Canyon, for what we will go towards the north of Cusco City. We will get to Chonta, from where we will make a 1 hour hike to the condors viewpoint. We will see the canyon where the Apurímac River passes and these amazing birds flying that we will be able to photograph and admire in the landscape of the Peruvian Andes. In this place, we will have our box lunch before going back to Chonta, so then we take our transportation to Pincopata EcoCamp.
The second option is the visit to the archaeological sites, for what we are going from Cusco to Mollepata, like the standard Salkantay Trek. Here we will visit the Killarumiyoq, carved stone in which the lunar cycle was schedule. In addition, we will pass by the Marcahuaylla community, from where we will walk to the archeological remains of Choquechurco, little-known site from where it is possible to see the Humantay Mountain. Here we will have our box lunch, so then we can make the descent trek to the Pincopata EcoCamp.
In our first destination of the day, we will be received with a fruits’ juice of the season and we will be installed in our corresponding domes, where we will be able to take a hot shower and rest. On the other hand, it is possible to go over the camp or participate in the available activities like horseback riding and bike tours (not included). At the end of the day, we will have our typical Peruvian dinner.
Day 2: Pincopata EcoCamp – Soray EcoCamp. We will have breakfast early to take our vehicle and go to Marcoccasa, from where we will start an ascent climb. We will continue the walking through an aqueduct with views of the Río Blanco Valley and the Salkantay and Humantay mountains. We will get to the Soray EcoCamp where we will be able to rest and enjoy our lunch. During the afternoon, we can schedule a massage, a horseback riding, or just go enjoying the landscape of where we will be located. Moreover, those who already tested their strength and fast rhythm after the activities of the first day, can make the trek towards the Humantay Lagoon, at 4,200 m a. s. l., and after that go back to the domes for dinner and rest.
Day 3: Soray EcoCamp – Humantay Lagoon (or Abra Salkantay). We will get up very early to have breakfast and begin the trek of the day. We will climb to the Humantay Lagoon, a 2 hours walk to reach the 4,200 m of altitude where is located this lake formed by the glacier of the Humantay Mountain. We will stop to admire the place, take some pictures and enjoy a snack. After that, we will go down to the lake and enjoy the last moments in this place, before going back to the camp for lunch. After the meal, we will take our things and go by vehicle to the Pincopata EcoCamp, where we will be able to rest or make an optional activity.
Those who already made the Humantay Lagoon excursion the previous day, have the possibility to go to the Abra Salkantay in a hard trek to climb 4,600 m a. s. l. We will begin the walk just after breakfast, going over small pampas between the mountains. Once on the highest part, and if the weather allows it, we will have a privileged view of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains, and we will be able to celebrate our achievement before going back to Soray EcoCamp for lunch. During the afternoon, we will take our vehicle to go to Pincopata EcoCamp, where we will rest and have dinner to say goodbye to our last trek day.
Day 4: Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu. After breakfast, we will take our vehicle and go to Ollantaytambo, going through several Qechua villages of the Sacred Valley. There, we will take the train to go to Aguas Calientes. During the trip, we will enjoy our lunch, having great views of the landscape. When arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will take the bus to go towards the Machu Picchu citadel that we will cross over with our guide. He will explain us about the origin and history of this city, lost for a long time and rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in one of his journeys. After the tour by the site, we will go down to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, where we will be able to rest and go over the town, before dinner.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco. After breakfast, we will prepare our things and go to the station to take the train that will take us back to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transportation will be waiting to go back to the city of Cusco, where our activity ends.