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9 DAYS
FROM $ 965
Expedition Type
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CASUAL
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If sprawling valleys, snow-capped mountains and cloud forest is more your speed, this is an excellent choice. This nature-lovers trek takes you through some of the most striking scenery in the Andes. Delve into the geological history of the Andes Mountain Range and learn about the Andinos lives. Search for the wild denizens, including vizcachas, foxes, and a variety of colorful birds. Cap off the expedition at Machu Picchu, then unlock the secrets of these mysterious citadel while exploring with your expert guide.
Arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, the gateway to Peru’s Inca heartland. Settle into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax or explore Cusco’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning with your Local Specialist, admiring the 16th century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the site of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. In the afternoon, explore this captivating city further at your leisure.
Follow the Sacred Valley’s most scenic roads, passing through a patchwork of verdant fields set beneath snowcapped peaks. At a weaving center supported by The Center of Traditional Textiles of Cusco, attend a private demonstration on the production of Andean textiles. Traditional weaving and wool-dying practices have been recently revived thanks to the efforts of local women. See the terraced remains of impressive Inca agriculture systems at Chinchero and Moray. Then visit the white salt mines stacked on the slopes of Maras.
Starting in magical Cusco, trace the legacy of the Inca all the way to their crowning achievement: the citadel of Machu Picchu. Hop aboard our private van early in the morning today and follow one of the most scenic roads within the Andes, passing through a patchwork of verdant fields of potatoes and avocados. Start your adventure with a moderate hike through the picturesque valley and catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Salkantay Mountain before lunch. Venture on a short and amazing hike to the turquoise-colored lake of Humantay, and enjoy a spectacular view of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
Rise and shine! After a healthy breakfast, start your second day hike to the highest pass of the entire trek, Salkantay at 4,630 m (15,700 ft). Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you make your way up the rugged terrain full of native vegetation, and aim to reach our camp by early afternoon. Savor the panorama over a picnic lunch, before you continue and be rewarded with outstanding views of the entire mountain chain. Enjoy an aromatic hot coffee overlooking the surronding mountains before your dinner.
Wake up amid the cloud forest and bird songs. Delve into the fascinating landscape of Santa Teresa´s Valley and keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, including birds, and colorful orchids. After lunch, visit a local coffee farm, where residents are proud for having the Peru´s best coffee and learn how they make their own aromatic coffee and export it abroad. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps reading your book or, visiting the thermo-medicinal hot springs.
Leave the valley behind and start climbing the Inca trail up through gorgeous forestland until you reach the beautiful Llactapata archeological site, which was recently uncovered. Catch your first glimpses of the stunning Machu Picchu from here and learn about the incredible history of this place. After lunch, hop aboard a train for the journey through the Urubamba Canyon to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Stacked up a hillside amid soaring mountain peaks, the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sites. The sacred citadel was discovered by Agustin Lizarraga in 1902 and excavated by Hiram Bingham in 1911 with support from the National Geographic Society. Enjoy your morning exploring the fascinating labyrinth of temples, plazas, and homes; and learn the secrets of this city lost to the wider world for some 500 years. Choose to hike to the Sun Gate or tackle the trail up to Huayna Picchu (with extra cost), which towers over the site. Return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cusco. This evening we join our travel companions for a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.
After breakfast, transfer to the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and connect with your flight home or consider extending your holiday.
We will be traveling at high elevations while in Salkantay, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Cusco is at an altitude of 3350m – 10,990 feet, the highest pass in Salkantay is at 4,600m – 15,091 feet and Machu Picchu, 2,400m – 7,974 feet. Participants should be physically fit. This expedition is not suitable for anyone who suffers from a respiratory disorder, a circulatory ailment, or a disability that limits mobility.
Expedition Team
A Natventure expert hiker will accompany this Expedition, and local guides join us along the way.
MY OWN ROOM
During your expedition, sometimes it´s just more convenient and comfortable to have your own room (only for hotel stay). That´s why we offer the «My own room» option – a single room all to yourself.
My own room option: from $ 1,430
