49 *All ground transportation during the trek included. Luggage transfer daily. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. **There is the option for a single traveler to share a room with another single traveler for an additional $1300 versus your own room for an additional $2000. ITINERARY DAY 1: CUSCO  Arrive in Cusco, the once capital of the Inca Empire. Meet the group for welcome drinks and dinner at 7:00pm. DAY 2: CUSCO WALKING TOUR  Today’s walking tour of the city includes the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the Cathedral Basilica and the historic Plaza de Armas. In the afternoon relax at the hotel or wander around the city exploring its many nooks and crannies. DAY 3: CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPA  Our first stop will be a visit to the Inca ruins at Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo before ascending a winding mountain road to a site called Marcoccasa. Here we will begin our hike to Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). Our lodge for tonight sits under the glacier peak of Mt. Salkantay, among the most sacred in Inca mythology and the highest in the region (20,600 ft). Distance 5 miles. Elevation gain 800 ft. "The Salkantay adventure goes beyond deluxe lodges and a great trek… it is a unique opportunity to experience ancient history in the Land of the Incas, as well as the most interesting and exotic variety of flora and fauna, all in the company of new friends and like-minded souls." – Mountain Lodges of Peru TRIP RATINGS Moderately challenging, hiking up to 9 miles with ascents up to 2,500 feet. Hikers should be in good condition – this trek reaches altitudes up to 15,213 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 3/ 4 COMFORT 4/ 4 3/ 4 TERRAIN MODERATE TO CHALLENGING HIKING DAY 4:  HUMANTAY LAKE   Today we will continue our slow and steady acclimation with a half-day hike up to Lake Humantay and its amazingly turquoise blue waters. Relax at the lake, at an elevation of 13,845 ft, and wonder at the Humantay glacier looming above. You will have the afternoon to yourselves. Distance 5 miles. Elevation gain 1150 ft. / loss 1150 ft. DAY 5: CROSSING THE SALKANTAY PASS  We embark on our longest and most strenuous but arguably the most magical day of the trek. Our hike begins up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak where we will encounter expansive plateaus dotted with boulders of varying sizes. The final and most challenging part of today’s ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that take us to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trek (15,213 ft). What follows is a dramatic descent through fields of giant boulders, often shrouded in fog. We will stay at the remote Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain 2500 ft. / loss 2400 ft. DAY 6: WAYDRA LODGE TO COLPA LODGE  We will descend along the banks of the Salkantay River into the lower elevations of the cloud forest and the warmer air of the jungle below en route to the Colpa Lodge located on a promontory above the confluence of 3 rivers. We will access the lodge by an amazing zipline across the canyon. Distance 6 miles. Elevation loss 3400 ft. DAY 7: COLPA LODGE TO LUCMA LODGE  Today’s hike winds us down through the Santa Teresa River valley. We will cross waterfall fed streams and fruit orchards. A van will take us to the start of the Llactapata Inca Trail that will lead us shortly to the Lucma Lodge (elevation 7000 ft). Distance 9 miles. Elevation loss 2400 ft. DAY 8: LLACTAPATA PASS TO AGUAS CALIENTES  Today we leave the last of our lodges and hike for several hours under the jungle canopy, treading on original Inca steps to the ruins at the Llactapata Pass (elevation 8975 ft.). From the Llactapata Pass you will get your first glimpse of the “back” side of Machu Picchu. After we explore the ruins at the pass our hike ends with a steep descent through bamboo forest. Enjoy a one-hour train ride to the village of Aguas Calientes. Distance 7 miles. Elevation gain 1900 ft. / loss 3100 ft. DAY 9: MACHU PICCHU  At dawn we will begin our journey to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, where we will be given a 2-3 hour guided tour of the grounds plus a Huayna Picchu hike. Prepare to be awed by the supremely skilled architecture of the Temple of the Sun, the Watchtower and the many beautiful royal Inca residences. This afternoon we will transfer by train to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. DAY 10: OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS  We will enjoy a morning tour of the Ollantaytambo Ruins, gateway to the Antisuyo (the Amazon corner of the Inca Empire) and located at the northern end of the Sacred Valley. From there we will stop at the Chinchero Archeological site before transferring to Cusco and our final night. DAY 11: DEPART Cusco Machu Piccuu Challacancha Tarawasi Salkantay Pass Salkantay Lodge Salkantay Peak Wayra Lodge Colpa Lodge Humantay Lake Humantay Peak Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes Lodge Hydroelectric Train Station Llactapata Pass Lucma Lodge