More treks
SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
(An alternatieve trek to Machu Picchu)
The cordillera Vilcabamba is located north-west of Cuzco. The Salkantay mountain is the highest mountain in this part and is about 6200 meters high. The Salkantay trek will give you beautiful views of the high plateau and of the jungle. The tour ends at Machu Picchu and is a great alternative for those people who were too late to book the inca trail or who want something else.
Dag 01: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
We leave Cusco at 06: 00 am by bus and it takes a few hours to get to the village of Mollepata, passing through the peaceful valley of Anta. In Mollepata we will pack our horses and begin the trek towards the majestic peak of Salkantay. After a breakfast in Mollepata , we start walking to Cruz Pata and finally we will arrive in Soraypampa (which is located at 3850 above sea level).
Day 02: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY-COLPAPAMPA
Breakfast is at about 06.00 am and soon after we continue our trek. We take the path on the left side of the Salkantay mountain and at about midday we should reach the Umaptay pass which is at about 4600 meters above sea level. This is the highest point on the trek. The view of the glacier is fantastic from here. We go now down hill to Colcapampa where we should arrive late afternoon. Here we camp.
Day 03 : COLCAPAMPA – LA PLAYA
We continue today through a forest which is most of the time covered in clouds. In this cloud forest is a huge variation of flora and fauna. This is also an area with many coca plantations.
Day 04: LA PLAYA – AGUAS CALIENTES
We continue our trek to the hydro electrical dam of Machu Picchu and from here it is only 11 km to the small town of Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a rustic hotel.
Day 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUZCO
After breakfast we walk up to the ruins of Machu Picchu but if you don’t feel like walking up you can also take the optional bus. The guide take us around the ruins for about two hours and afterwards there is plenty of time to explore the ruins on your own or climb Huayna Picchu. At the end of the afternoon the train takes you back to Cuzco where you arrive in the evening.
LARES TREK 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
(An alternative trek to Machu Picchu)
Day 01: Cuzco – Calca – Baños Termales de Lares
You will be collected from your hotel in Cuzco at about 06.00 in the morning. We take the bus to Lares where we arrive at about 11.00. In Lares we visit the hot springs. This hot water has got positive medicinal effects on the body. We have lunch nearby the springs and from there we walk for about 2 hours to the first campsite.
Day 02: Huacawasi – Ipsaycocha
Early start and after breakfast we walk to Huacawasi. This is a small community and here we can see how the people who live here produce blankets, ponchos and other items to wear. We walk now to a pass which is at about 4100 meters above sea level and from here we have got beautiful views over the surrounding area and mountains like the veronica which is about 5700 meters high. From here we walk to Ipsaycocha where we spend the night.
Day 03: Ipsaycocha – Patacancha – Huylloc – Pumamarka – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast we walk further down the valley and come to small villages like Willoc and Pumamarka. We’ll also see the most stunning inca terraces. In Ollantaytambo we take the train to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a simple hotel.
Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cuzco
After breakfast we go up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The guide take us around the ruins for about two hours and afterwards there is plenty of time to explore the ruins on your own or climb Huayna Picchu. At the end of the afternoon the train takes you back to Cuzco where you arrive in the evening.
HUCHUY QOSQO
(A great one day walk far away from everyone and everywhere)
Day 01: Cuzco – Huchuy Qosqo – Cuzco
This is a great walk for people who would like to get an idea of serious walking in the Andes but who don’t want to camp or who don’t feel fit enough or who simply have got no time to do a hike of several days. This hike is really nice.
We leave Cuzco at about 06.30 and start our walk near the ruins of Tambo Machay. There are three passes we have to climb. The highest one is at about 4100 meters above sea level. On route there are no villages, no shops and only a few pastors with their animals but the views will be literally breathtaking. Mid afternoon we reach the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo. We have a closer look at them and from here we walk down for almost two hours to Lamay which is a small town in the Sacred Valley. From here we drive back to Cuzco where we arrive in the evening.
THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (La Montaña Colorada)
(A unique spectaculair coloured mountain)
Day 01: Cuzco – Rainbow Mountain – Cuzco
The Rainbow Mountain is an unique colourful mountain located south east of Cuzco. The drive to the beginning of the trek is 145 km and it takes about 3.30 hours to get there. You will be driving through stunning mountain scenery with small Quechua speaking communities where you will see pastors in traditional cloths herding their lamas ands alpacas. This area is still untouched by tourism.
The trek starts at 4330 meters above see level and ends at 4975 meter above see level. It is 8 kilometres long and ends at a pass right next to the Rainbow Mountain. From there a very short path leads to a hill from where you take the best pictures of Rainbow Mountain. The top of this hill is 5005 meters above see level.
Depending on how fit you are it will take you 3 to 4 hours to get to the pass and about 2 hours to get down to the bus again. This is a truly beautiful trek. You will be surrounded by colourful mountains and snowy mountain peaks.
This trek is ideal for fit people with spare time in Cuzco who want to be away from the crowds and the markets. The trail can easily be done on trainers although some parts are a bit soppy. Warm clothes and raingear are essential. You will be leaving Cuzco at about 05.00 in the morning and you will be back by about 19.30 so it is a very long day but certainly worth it.
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