9-Day Salkantay Trek Rainbow Mountain Tour Package Sky Lodge Dome (From Cusco)

Upon arrival at the Cusco Airport, you will be warmly received and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be welcomed with a traditional aromatic coca tea to help you acclimate to the altitude. The morning will be free for rest and adjustment; we recommend enjoying a light lunch either at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

In the afternoon, we will begin our guided City Tour, which includes entrance fees to all archaeological sites and museums visited. The tour features key highlights such as the Main Square, Cusco Cathedral, and the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun). We will also explore the surrounding archaeological sites, including the impressive Sacsayhuamán Fortress, Q’enko, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.

The tour concludes at approximately 6:30 PM at the Main Square, giving you the opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of the many fine local restaurants. Overnight in Cusco.
(Meals not included.)

Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full-day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting: the colorful Indian market in Pisac where a mixture of color and tradition will be able appreciated besides will have a good opportunity to try our bargain skills in their free time to interact with the local craftsmen to purchase their hand-made souvenirs. The Valley has a distance of 31 km (19 miles) from Cusco, and an altitude of 2,970 ms (9,700 p), Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley and is followed by Ollantaytambo, the older town continuously occupied by the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the time Inca, evoke their ancestral inheritance, lunch in a typical restaurant and after we explore Ollantaytambo we continue to Chincheros and after exploring this site we return to Cusco

Your unforgettable 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu kicks off with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll collect you between 4:30 and 5:00 AM for a scenic 2-hour drive to Mollepata. Feel free to take a nap on the way so you arrive refreshed and ready for your adventure on the iconic Salkantay Trek.

Mollepata is a charming, remote Andean town located at 2,803 meters (9,196 feet) above sea level. We’ll stop here for a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant, where your expert guide will offer helpful tips and advice to prepare you for the trek ahead.

After breakfast, we’ll continue our drive to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek. This is where we’ll meet our support crew, including our chef and muleteers, who will be assisting us throughout the journey.

Once everything is in order, we’ll begin the trek with a gradual uphill climb to Soraypampa, which sits at 3,900 meters (12,795 feet). Soraypampa is home to our Signature Skydomes, a unique accommodation introduced by Quechuas Expeditions on this route.

These luxurious Skydomes are designed to provide the ultimate comfort during your stay, ensuring a restful experience in the heart of the Andes.

The trek from Challacancha starts off with a relatively flat section, offering views of distant Andean glaciers. We’ll also pass through a restored Inca Canal, still in use by the locals today.

As we get closer to Soraypampa, the terrain becomes steeper, but our friendly crew will be waiting to welcome you with a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea. After you settle into your SkyDome, we’ll gather for a delicious lunch.

Our chefs will prepare a freshly cooked meal using local ingredients sourced from the Cusco region. Their culinary expertise is well-known, and you’re in for a treat!

Lake Humantay Hike:

In the afternoon, we’ll head out for a hike to the stunning turquoise Lake Humantay, located at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level. The lake is about 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) from the campsite, and the round trip takes around three hours.

We recommend taking your time on the hike, allowing yourself to fully absorb the incredible beauty of the Andes. Once you reach the shores of the lake, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and take in the view. Your guide will share the significance of Lake Humantay in Andean mythology.

After enjoying the serenity of the lake, we’ll make our way back down to the campsite, where our crew will serve a delicious dinner just in time to watch the sunset.

Once dinner is finished, you can retire to your SkyDome for a peaceful night’s sleep beneath the star-filled Andean sky.

Day 1 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: Approx. 15 km

• Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours

• Highest point: 4,200 m

• Campsite altitude: 3,800 m

Salkantay Trek promises another unforgettable adventure. As the sun rises, its golden rays will shine through the walls of your SkyDome, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Salkantay Peak.

Start your day with a warm cup of coffee or tea, followed by a traditional Andean breakfast packed with protein to fuel you for the day ahead. This will prepare you for the challenging hike to the highest point of the Salkantay Trek, the Salkantay Pass, which sits at an impressive 4,630 meters (15,190 feet) above sea level.

Salkantay Pass:

We’ll trek along the famous “Trail of the Seven Snakes,” named after the seven switchbacks that wind up to the summit. This part of the trek can be tough due to the altitude, but we’ll take it slow, allowing you to catch your breath while soaking in the spectacular views of the Andean mountains.

Salkantay Peak is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region and holds sacred significance in Andean mythology. Locals call it “Apus,” meaning “Father” in Quechua. Even today, they perform traditional rituals, such as the K’intu, to seek blessings using three Coca Leaves. Your guide will explain and share this sacred practice with you.

You’ll have plenty of time at the summit to admire the stunning views of nearby peaks, including Humantay, Taucarhuay, and Pumasillo. Once you’re ready to continue, we’ll descend 7 km (4.35 miles) to our lunch stop at Huacarmachay (3,850 meters / 12,631 feet), nestled in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here, our crew will serve a freshly prepared Andean meal.

After lunch, we’ll begin our descent into the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. Over the next 8 km (4.97 miles), we’ll hike for about three hours, and you’ll notice a dramatic shift in the landscape. The air will warm, and your guide will point out various plant, animal, and bird species, many of which are native to the region.

Our journey will bring us to Chaullay (2,900 meters / 9,514 feet), where our campsite awaits. Once you arrive, our crew will show you to your SkyDome for the night, where you can rest before we meet again for dinner.

Day 2 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: Approx. 19 km

• Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours

• Highest point: 4,650 m

• Campsite altitude: 2,750 m

Your Skydome will be gently opened at 6:00 AM by a knock from our crew. After enjoying a morning cup of coffee, we’ll serve a hearty breakfast to start your day.

Day 3 of the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a relatively easier day. We’ll be hiking through the lush Santa Teresa Valley, an area known for its farms. Our trek will begin by crossing the Lluscamayo River, heading toward La Playa, with a hike that will take about six hours.

Along the route, you’ll encounter several beautiful waterfalls. This region is famous for its avocado, banana, and coffee farms. Keep an eye out for the Andean Cock of the Rock, the national bird of Peru, which is often spotted here.

We’ll take a break for lunch at our campsite in La Playa, where our crew will serve a freshly prepared meal.

After lunch, we’ll visit some local farms for a guided tour. Alternatively, you can choose to relax in the natural hot springs of Ccocalmayo, an excellent way to unwind.

In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner before returning to your Skydome for a restful night’s sleep.

• Day 3 Trek Summary:
• Total distance: Approx. 16 km
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
• Highest point: 2,750 m
• Campsite altitude: 1,600 m

At 8:00 AM, we’ll start the day with breakfast. Once we’re fueled up, we’ll set off on a hike along the original Inca Trail, where you’ll get your first stunning view of Machu Picchu from a distance. This spot offers one of the best views of the iconic site.

Our trek will take us uphill to Llactapata, an impressive Inca site nestled at 2,700 meters (8,858 feet). From here, you’ll get a closer and clearer view of the Machu Picchu complex.

Llactapata is the first Inca archaeological site you’ll visit during the 5-day Salkantay Trek. Your local guide will provide an insightful tour, immersing you in the rich history and culture of the Andean people.

After exploring the site, we’ll make our way down the hill for about 90 minutes, with Machu Picchu still visible in the distance. We’ll stop for lunch in Hidroeléctrica (1,800 meters / 5,906 feet), a small area named after the artificial waterfall that powers a hydroelectric plant here.

Following lunch, you have two options:

1. Hike along the railway tracks – This 3-hour trek will take you on the same route used by Hiram Bingham III, who rediscovered Machu Picchu. As you pass through the jungle, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

2. Take a 45-minute train ride to Aguas Calientes – For an additional $35 USD, you can opt for the train ride instead.

If you choose to hike, we recommend taking the chance to visit Intihuatana, a sundial rock used by the Incas to track the winter solstice. This stone worked in tandem with the one at Machu Picchu, which you’ll visit the next day.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we’ll check you into a comfortable hotel with ensuite rooms for the night. We’ll gather later for dinner.

As the name suggests, Aguas Calientes is home to hot springs, so you may want to unwind in the natural thermal waters before bed.

Day 4 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 12 km

• Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

• Highest point: 1,600 m

• Hotel (Aguas Calientes) altitude: 1,900 m

Salkantay trek important day! We wake up early morning about 4 am then until 4:30 to have breakfast and Start to walk up to Machupicchu which takes 1 and a half hours up to Machupicchu. But there is another option to catch the first bus which leaves at 5:30 am to Machupicchu. (it takes 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 the energy you can also climb Huaynapicchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. and after enjoying Machupicchu you have to go down to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus back Cusco.
4TH DAY: Total distance: 6 km approx.)
Estimated walking time: 1- 2 to
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (hours.)

We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead at Quesiuno (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 3 hours long. Once we reach the Inkintuyoc bridge, we will have a fueling continental breakfast.
We then start off on our hike, following a lovely stream. You will be immediately surprised by literally herds of alpacas and llamas. We will have consistent views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and interact with the local residents. We will stop for a deluxe box lunch along the trail.
Back on the trail, we encounter more of the traditional elements of this trek. This includes potato fields and unique fauna. We have the prospect of seeing chinchillas and vicunas. Vicunas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru. Many red mountains are also a highlight of this portion of the hike.
After a total hike of approximately 5 hours, we finally reach our destination, what we came to see….the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After getting over the shock of their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.
At this point, it is time to go back down. We hike downhill the way we came. The hike will take 4 to 5 hours. Our private van will be waiting for us when we return.
We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. The approximate arrival time is between 5 and 6 PM.

Meals: Continental Breakfast / Box lunch
Lowest Elevation: 4,326 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance to walk: 15 km / 9 ¼ miles
Approximate walking time: 5 to 6 hours up; 4 to 5 hours down
Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Breakfast and according to time, transportation will be provided to go to the airport

Add on the Nazca Lines, the Amazon Rainforest, Colca Canyon, and other extension tours or treks. Let us know.