9-Day Classic Salkantay Trek & Amazon Tambopata National Reserve Tour Package

Your epic 9 day journey begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will be picking you up between 0430 and 0500 in the morning and embark you on a two hours drive to Mollepata. You can wink a nap in the vehicle so you arrive fresh to start hiking the emblematic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

Mollepata is a remote Andean town at 2803 meters above sea level (9196 ft). We will be stopping for breakfast at a local restaurant here. Our local expert will be sharing some essential tips that would help you for the trek.

After breakfast, we will be driving further to Challacancha to start the trek. Here we will be meeting our support crew, chef and muleteers who will be assisting us.

After ensuring that all the gears are intact, we will begin with a gradual uphill hike to Soraypampa. It nestles at 3900 m/ 12795ft. Soraypampa houses our Signature Skydomes. Quechuas Expeditions is a pioneer in introducing Skydomes on this route.

Our luxurious sky domes are designed to offer seamless comfort during your stay.

The trek from Challacancha starts with a hike through a flat surface with a sight of different Andean glaciers at a distance. We will be hiking through a restored Inca Canal which the locals use even today.

The trek gets a bit steeper as we will get closer to our signature campsite. Our crew will welcome you with a cup of freshly brewed Peruvian coffee or tea. Once you have settled in your respective Skydomes, we will meet for lunch.

We will be serving a freshly cooked meal using ingredients from the Cusco region. Our Andean chefs are renowned for their delectable meals.

Lake Humantay hike:

After lunch, we will be hiking up the hill to the enigmatic turquoise glacier lake, Lake Humantay. It nestles at 4200 meters above sea level (13780 feet). It is about three kilometers (1.86 miles) from our campsite. The round trip takes around three hours.

However, we do recommend that you trek at your own pace immersing yourself in the beauty of the Andes. Once we get to the shores of Humantay Lake you will have plenty of time to contemplate the view as our guide will be explaining its prominence in the Andean mythology.

Once you have enjoyed it thoroughly, we will be hiking down the hill, back to the campsite where our crew will be serving dinner after witnessing the sunset.

After dinner, you can settle in your Sky Dome and fall asleep under the constellation of stars shining in the dark Andean sky.

Day 1 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 15 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 3,800 m (approx.)
• Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (approx.)

Another epic day on the Salkantay Trekking experience. You will be waking up to the golden rays of the rising sun beaming through the walls of your SkyDome through the mighty Salkantay Peak.

We will be serving you a cup of coffee or tea followed by a traditional Andean breakfast. The protein-rich breakfast would energize you to embark on a hike to the highest point of Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Salkantay Pass at 4630 meters above sea level (15190 feet).

Salkantay Pass:

We will be hiking through the iconic “Trail of the seven snakes”. The route is named after the seven switchbacks that take you to the summit. This section of the trek is somewhat challenging because of the altitude. We will take it real slow so you can catch up with your breath and relish the views of the Andean peaks.

Salkantay Peak is the second-highest peak in the Cusco region and is one of the sacred entities in Andean mythology. Locals refer to it as “Apus” which means Father in Quechua. Even today they perform several sacred rituals including K’intu, seeking blessings using three Coca Leaves. Our guide will be sharing them with you.

We will have plenty of time at the summit to contemplate the view of Humantay, Taucarhuay, and Pumasillo peaks. Once you have had your fill of the view and feel ready to continue the hike, we will be hiking down the hill for another 7kms. (4.35 miles) to our lunch camp in Huacarmachay (3850 meters/ 12631 feet). Our lunch camp is located in a valley snuggled by snow-cappedkm views.

Our crew will be serving a freshly cooked Andean meal here.

After lunch, we will be leaving the Andes and entering the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. We will be covering the 8 kms (4.97 miles) stretch in three hours at a normal pace.

You will be witnessing a drastic change in the topography as we will be hiking down the hill. It would get slightly warmer. Our tour guide will explain about different plant, animal and bird species, most native to the region.

Once we reach our campsite in Chaullay (2900 meters / 9514 ft.) our crew will assist you to your respective Sky Dome where you will be spending the night. We will be meeting for dinner.

Day 2 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 19 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 8 – 9 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 4,650 m (approx.)
• Campsite altitude: 2,750 m (approx.)

Our crew will be waking you up with a knock at the door of your Skydome at 0600 AM. After a cup of morning coffee, we will be serving breakfast.

The third day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience is relatively easier. We will be hiking through Santa Teresa Valley, home to different farms. We will begin the trek after crossing the Lluscamayo river towards La Playa for about six hours.

The route is dotted with several waterfalls. The region is home to avocado, banana and coffee farms. Often trekkers have spotted the emblematic Andean Cock of the Rock here. It is the Peruvian National Bird.

We will be stopping for lunch at our campsite in La Playa. Our crew will be serving lunch.

After lunch, we will be visiting some farms here where we will give you a guided tour. Optionally you can spend the evening soaking in the natural hot springs of Ccocalmayo.

We will be serving dinner later in the evening before you get back to your respective Sky Domes for a sound sleep.

Day 3 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 16 km (approx.)
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours’
• Maximum altitude point: 2,750 m
• Campsite altitude: 1,600 m

At 0800 AM, we will be serving breakfast. After breakfast, we will begin the hike through the section of the Original Inca Trail with a sight of Machu Picchu in the distance. This is the most beautiful spot to see Machu Picchu from.

We will be hiking up the hill to allure one of the most beautiful Inca complexes, Llactapata. It nestles at 2700m / 8858 ft. You will have a much closer sight of Machu Picchu complex from here.

This is the first Inca archaeological site that you will be visiting on Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Our local expert will give you a guided tour of the complex, soaking you in the history an Andean culture.

We will be walking down the hill for an hour and a half with the sight of Machu Picchu peak in the distance. We will be stopping for lunch in Hidro Electrica (1800 meters / 5096 ft). The place is named after the artificial waterfall here which is used to generate electricity.

After lunch, you will have two options:

1. Hike along the railway tracks retracing the footsteps of Hiram Bingham III who rediscovered Machu Picchu. It is a three-hour hike. The route takes you through the topical jungle with stunning views at every turn.
2. Embark on a 45 minutes train ride to Aguas Calientes. It would cost 35 USD more.

If you prefer hiking, which we highly recommend, you will also have the opportunity to see Intihuatana. It is a sundial rock that the Incas used to read the winter solstice. This rock worked together with the stone in Machu Picchu citadel which you will be visiting on the following day.

Once in Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night. We will be meeting later in the evening for dinner.

Aguas Calientes, as the name suggests, is home to hot springs. You can spend the evening taking a refreshing dip in the thermal waters here.

Day 4 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 12 km
• Estimated walking time: 5 – 6 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 1,600 m
• Hotel (Aguas Calientes) altitude: 1,900 m

Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will be taking a 25-minute bus ride up the hill to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel. Your original passport will be verified here against your Machu Picchu ticket so make sure to carry the passport.

As you enter the citadel, you will witness the golden rays of the morning sun beaming on the walls of Machu Picchu as the blanket of clouds would unveil the citadel to you. We will be giving you a brief introduction of the Inca empire.

We will be visiting different prominent sites of the citadel. This includes the ceremonial site, farming sector, remains of the royal quarters, and more.

After the guided tour, you will have some time to soak in the views of the Inca citadel. If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu peak, our guide will be guiding you to the respective trailhead.

Alternatively, you can hike to the Sungate. You won’t need to pay an entrance fee. Sungate or Inti Punku is the point of entry to the citadel for those hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It offers a panoramic view of Machu Picchu citadel.

Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the sight, we will be exiting the citadel and taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have some free time here for lunch or to walk around the town.

Later in the evening, we will be boarding an Ollantaytambo-bound train. Our representative will meet you at the train station and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco and taking our Overnight Bus at 8:30pm from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.

Day 5 Trek Summary:

• Total distance: 4 km
• Estimated walking time: 1- 2 hours
• Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m

Upon the arrival of your flight or bus to Puerto Maldonado, our guides or staff will meet you at the airport or bus station and transfer you to our office to make registration.
Your excess luggage will be stored safely in our office in Puerto Maldonado and then we will continue to the Capitania port. We take our motor boat along the Madre de Dios River for approximately – 40 minutes to Amazon Garden Lodge. A cool welcome drink awaits you.

The start of the adventure circuit has reached a tower and stairway that ascends to the treetops where a  platform marks the start of the zip-line almost 200mts long, the breathtaking views are only matched by the excitement of overcoming our fears and the adrenaline that courses through us as we leap off the platform supported by the high-security harnesses that connect us to the zip- line cable to a platform 27mts high. The 75mts  long of log walkway, hanging 27m above the floor, leads off this platform, a risky balancing act, and takes us to the platform at the start of the second zip line, a 160m fly back to the tower and stairwell that descends to the forest floor. And then Return to the Amazon Garden Lodge

After a well-deserved lunch, we take the kayaks to the river, well protected with high-quality life jackets,  and accompanied by a motor boat that guarantees extra security; this level-one activity is relaxing and accessible for all. Getting Monkey Island you will be

able to appreciate a great diversity of monkeys such as the: capuchin, Camarines y squirrel monkeys we will put on a show of swinging through the treetops charging down the trunks of the large trees that form their home in order to accept food from your hand.

Return to Amazon Garden Lodge. Nocturnal activities are available this night we have the caiman spotting.

After a great breakfast, and distributed to each traveler  lunch and snacks we’ll take the boat  to get to the control   of Tambopata National Reserve Zone, after  1 and half hour walking trhough the rainforest we are approaching  to the famous Sandoval Lake.

Its way by immense ancient trees and entangled vines; we will be able to see multihued flower and fauna including: Giant Otters, birds, coloured butterflies, turtles, and variety of fish. We will spend few hours in canoe on this one of the most beautiful lakes in region. Return to Amazon Garden Lodge, dinner and rest.

We take to the majestic Madre de Dios River and set course downstream for an hour for the Native Community of Ese´Ejas, the largest Ese Eja community numbering about 200 families, of which we will be visiting two. The Project “Rescuing Cultural Values“, situated on Gamitana Island, is working with two families who will show us the culture of their ancestors, their language and customs, clothing and dances.

In our modern, civilized world we have all but forgotten the existence of ancestral cultures and traditions. An ancient indigenous tradition like  the  Ese´Eja  reveals  to  us  the  customs  and  way  of  life  of indigenous peoples. They gift us with the opportunity to have a direct contact with a people of ancient warriors and hunters and to share their ancestral ways.and at 1.pm  lunch.

By the afternoon we have time to do  roustic fishing in Madre de Dios river,  where  with  some  luck  we’ll  have    chance  to  catch  some species  like pictus cat fish, small mouth,armored cat fish and red eye piranha. Back to the lodge, dinner an rest.

Parrots and parakeets need to eat rich clay that provides them with the salts and minerals necessary to metabolize and neutralize the toxins and acids of the flowers, fruits, and seeds upon which they feed. Early each day, therefore, they congregate at the salt licks, and clay walls along the rivers and streams in the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon rainforest.

At about  8:00 am we back to the lodge, have breakfast, and return to Puerto Maldonado at 11:30 am and then free time to explore Puerto Maldonado City and after Overnight Bus back to Cusco arriving about 7:30am.