12 days of climbing!

Welcome to Arequipa!

Pick up from the airport o bus station in Arequipa

We drive around 30 minutes to our accommodation in the heart of the city. You will enjoy it´s great location close to many restaurants and activities for the evening. I´ll be more than happy to introduce you to the city and share a drink together

• Accommodation at Mirador del Monasterio or similar category.
• Highest elevation: 2335 m (7,660 ft)

Pick up at 7:30am

Early coffee and packing snacks to approach to a unique scenario. Get ready to climb between cactuses, volcanoes on a valley inside a desert. Always dry conditions, crimps, soft overhangs and Chachani (6000masl) in the background will be your first climb. 

After this we´ll be ready to try the best of local food in the market “San Camilo”. Arequipa is very known for offering the most delicious and varied dishes of Perú and also fruits that you may never tried before.

Free evening to explore the city, do laundry and pack before Colca Canyon

• Accommodation: Mirador del Monasterio or similar category
• Highest elevation: 2450 m (8,040 ft)

Pick up at 4:30am.

We start our way to Colca Canyon driving around Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Get ready to frame wild llamas, vicuñas and alpacas in the Salinas y Aguada Blanca Reserve.

During this drive we will reach 4910masl/16100ft. the highest point of the hole trip. Time to stop in “Mirador de los Volcanes”.

9am heading Colca and visiting all it´s old towns in the path to “Cruz del Condor”, the highest view point to watch condors and depth of the canyon OPTIONAL: Skip Cruz del Cóndor and go straight to climb.

12:30pm Lunch and some time to chill in our accommodation (Local family house). Free time to rest and explore the cozy square and church of Coporaque

5pm Recovering our body with hot springs. (Flexible to your mood)

Dinner cooked by our local host family.

• Accommodation: Local family from Coporaque
• Accommodation Elevation: 3570 m (11,712 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,910 m (16,100 ft)

After slow morning and breakfast with our host family we pretty much have the hole day to climb. Drive is only 20 minutes long. Bring many snacks and water because we will stay long here.

Early dinner with our host family.

Time to rest. Optional: Hot springs, hiking around Uyo Uyo ruins or family activity according to the weather and availability.

• Accommodation: Local family from Coporaque
• Accommodation Elevation: 3570 m (11,712 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 3800 m (12,470 ft)

After breakfast we will start our drive to Pitumarca.

Prepare your body for a long trip through Andean landscapes. We recommend to eat light and take a pill if you considerate. Lunch will be during the road and we are going to make different stops which are optional.

Bosque de Piedras de Imata. This place presents incredible rock formations eroded by the wind and the pass of the years, leaving our creativity fly in a playfield that seems from another planet.

Catarata de Pillones. Going for a 30 min short walk to stretch our legs and get to know a majestic waterfall

PM: Lunch/snacks during the way

Arrive in Pitumarca right to have dinner and rest for tomorrow´s climb!

• Accommodation: Local family from Pitumarca
• Accommodation Elevation: 3570 m (11,712 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,910 m (16,100 ft)

After slow morning and breakfast in our accommodation we pretty much have the hole day to climb. Drive is only 20 minutes long. Bring many snacks and water because we will stay long here.

Pitumarca is probably the most scenic climbing spot in Peru. Routes require different skills and styles and this is where we want all our energy

Early dinner with our host family.

• Accommodation: Local family from Pitumarca
• Accommodation Elevation: 3570 m (11,712 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)

Climbing crag: Pitumarca

We will have all morning to climb. Drive from here to our accommodation in Cusco is 3 hours long so we should start driving at 2pm.

Check in in Cusco´s hostel and brief for Salkantay trek

Time for dinner, quick laundry and buying everything you need for the trek.

• Accommodation: Hostel in Cusco city
• Accommodation Elevation: 3400 m (11,154 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)

You can take extra days in Cusco city to rest before starting Salkantay trek or do the trek in 4 days instead of 5 days.
This will NOT AFFECT the price or anything else. You can add extra climbing days in any location visited or in Sacred Valley

Pick up at between 4:00-5:00am (to confirm)

2 hours drive for our first stop in Mollepata for Breakfast.

It´ll be 3 hours of moderate walk up to 3900 masl / 12800 ft (7km overall). After that we get comfy in our private camp where you´ll be sleeping this evening.

Get ready to our second hike this day. We´ll go up to 4200 masl / 13800 ft going to Humantay lake. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as the turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. Is like a fairytale!!

Back to the basecamp for dinner.

Then it'll be time to turn in to your Camp. From the glass roof, you'll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets, and wake up to see the Apu Salkantay watching over you.

Accommodation: Panoramic Sky Domes

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Hiking distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
• Trekking Time: 5 to 6 hours
• Campsite Elevation: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
• Starting Elevation: 3,800 m (12,467 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)

You'll be walking 7 km over 3 hours. It's a difficult ascent up the "Trail of the 7 Snakes" rightly named due to its winding path.  Once you reach the top, you'll appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys as well as Salkantay Mountain sitting right next to you (6271 masl / 20570ft). After you've taken in the views and enjoyed a rest, you'll start the 2 hours walk downhill to the lunch spot in Huayracmachay (3850 masl / 12630 ft)

After your longest day of hiking, you'll be pleased to reach our campsite at Collpapampa (2950 masl / 9680 ft). You'll be served a hearty meal before hitting the hay in your DOMES camp for a peaceful night's sleep in the small village.

You’re sure to sleep well tonight!

• Accommodation: Sky Huts
• Difficulty Level: Challenging
• Hiking distance: 22 km (14 miles)
• Trekking Time: 9 to 10 hours
• Campsite Elevation: 2,800 m (9,186 ft)
• Starting Elevation: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,630 m (15,191 ft)

We start 6 am with coca tea and breakfast before setting off from the campsite. Our first destination will be La Playa, and we'll be walking through the Santa Teresa Valley.

You'll enjoy a more leisurely walk today with more downs than ups as you soak in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado.

In La Playa (2,060 m / 6759 ft ) We'll have the Coffee Class, where the local family will guide you through the entire coffee cultivation process, from planting to harvesting and roasting. This area is famous for its coffee, and you’ll even have the chance to brew and taste your own freshly prepared cup.

At camp we'll share a delicious lunch before heading out to the hot springs of COCALMAYO (optional).The additional cost for the hot springs visit is about S/.40 soles, covering transportation to and from the springs and the entry fee of S/.10 soles. This activity is optional, so if you'd rather lay back and relax at camp—you are certainly welcome to!

• Accommodation: Panoramic Sky Jungle Domes
• Difficulty Level: Easy Day Hike
• Hiking distance: 16 km (10 miles)
• Trekking Time: 4 to 5 hours
• Campsite Elevation: 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
• Starting Elevation: 2,800 m (9,186 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 2,800 m (9,186 ft)

After a 2 hour uphill climb and fascinating views over the Santa Teresa Valley, you'll reach Llactapata (2,700 masl), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca site you'll see on the trek and you'll learn all about the mysteries of the ancient culture and the extraordinary site. You even get to have your first exciting glance of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from here.

Afterward, you'll walk downhill for 2 hours, where you get another couple of peeks at the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, along the way – only making your anticipation for tomorrow stronger. We stop for lunch in Hidroeléctrica (1800 masl).

Then, we'll follow the train rails surrounded by the great vegetation of the place, in the Urubamba river company. If you feel exhausted, you have the option (not included) to take a train to Aguas Calientes (US$ 34.00).

In this tropical paradise, we'll see avocado plantations, banana and coffee plants, and various types of birds, especially the cock of the rocks, the national bird of Peru.

After 2 hours of walking, we'll arrive at Aguas Calientes town. Here, we'll head first to our hostel. In your room, you Will have a private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.

At 7:00 pm, we'll have dinner at a local restaurant and organize to be ready for the icing on our last adventure day: MACCHU PICCHU!

• Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Stay in Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty Level: Difficult
• Hiking distance: 24 km (15 miles)
• Trekking Time: 8 to 9 hours
• Campsite Elevation: 2,040 m (6,693 ft)
• Starting Elevation: 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 2,800 m (9,186 ft)

Today's the day you've been waiting for since your first day in Peru. You're finally going to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu!

You'll be blown away by the Inca's engineering ingenuity, which was way ahead of its time and still a mystery in many ways today.

They didn't have the tools we use today, but yet they were still able to construct and organize their community on the side of a mountain and even create a water system with aqueducts and canals.

Bonus fact: When a Peruvian guide showed this site to Hiram Bingham, it was almost unrecognizable, covered in thick vegetation, and in a state of disrepair. It's since been cleaned and restored and is now protected and treasured by people from every corner of the globe.

Alternatively, you can explore other areas further or enjoy a very well-deserved rest looking out over one of the best views in the world.

After visiting Machu Picchu, your return to Cusco will depend on the return option you have booked.

Return by bus

• You need to be at Hidroeléctrica by 2:00 p.m. (a 2-hour hike from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes) and take the bus to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco is around 9:30 p.m.

Return by train

• Take the train back to Ollantaytambo for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. From there, take the bus to Cusco, arriving in approximately 2 hours.
• If your reservation includes the MP ticket, you can choose between the 2 available schedules.
• If your reservation doesn't include a ticket to MP, the option to take is the $90 train. This can be purchased once you purchase your ticket to MP in MP Pueblo. Train time depends on price and availability.

Message me to set up a video call to meet and start planning: alejo.c.rojas.acr@gmail.com or send me a WhatsApp message