Experience the ancient capital of the Inca people, Cuzco, and join a five-day trek to Salkantay and Machu Picchu. Then you can travel around Peru on your own.
After arriving in Lima, you will fly on to Cuzco, where you will be picked up at the airport and spend your first three nights in a centrally located hostel.
Cuzco is a major highlight of your trip through Peru listed on ebizdir. The city takes the must out of most people, not only because of its location at an altitude of 3,400 meters, but also because of its historic buildings and exciting history. The city is buzzing with life, and you will find countless restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.
From Cuzco, the journey to the Andes continues and the less touristy, five-day hike to Salkantay and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. And then you can continue to travel around Peru and South America.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
Departure from Scandinavia to Peru, where you (depending on the selected airline) arrive the next morning.
Day 2: Arrival in Cuzco
From Lima you fly directly on to Cuzco, beautifully situated in the Andes at about 3,400 meters altitude. On a clear day, the approach to Cuzco is absolutely fantastic. In Cuzco you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hostel, where you will spend the next three days. Your hostel is centrally located in Cuzco, where you can meet other tourists from around the world.
Day 3-4: On adventures in and around Cuzco
The days in Cuzco are spent on their own. For example, you can visit the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco’s beautiful historic center, or San Blas, which is teeming with life and activity. You will find nice markets where you can buy fresh fruit, as well as countless shops selling tours and souvenirs. There are many good restaurants serving both local and international dishes. In the afternoon, an information meeting will take place regarding the hike to Salkantay and Machu Picchu, where you can get answers to any further questions you may have before leaving the next morning.
Day 5: Cuzco (3,350m) – Mollepata (start of the Salkantay hike) – Soraypampa – (3,850m)
You will be picked up early in the morning at your hostel in Cizco and take the group to Mollepata, which is the starting point of the hike. In Mollepata you have lunch before you start the day’s hiking trip to Soraypampa. Today you will hike about 19 km. The first stretch is relatively easy and a good warm-up for the next few days of hiking. You will experience fantastic views of the mountains Salkantay (6,267 m) and Humantay (5,900 m), which belong to the highest in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range. Lunch is enjoyed in the beautiful surroundings, and there is time for some relaxation before you and the group hike the last bit up to Sorayapampa, which is the camp site for the night. ( L , M ) Hiking time: approx. six to seven hours Difficulty: Mild to moderate
Day 6: Soraypampa – (3,850m) – Salkantay Pass (4,650m) – Chalhuay (2,900m)
Enjoy breakfast with views of the beautiful countryside and the snow-capped mountains. From here, the trip goes to the Salkantay Pass at an altitude of 4,630 meters, a tough four-hour climb. The air is thin at these heights, but the views of the mountains are amazing. From the pass, the trip goes down again to Huayracpampa, where it’s time to have lunch. After lunch, a three-hour hike to the Chalhuay or Colcapampa camp awaits. ( F , L , M ) Hiking time: 9-10 hours Difficulty: Moderate – hard
Day 7: Chalhuay Camp (2,900 m) – La Playa (2,200 m) – Santa Teresa (1,700 m)
You can look forward to another beautiful day in the Andes. Today you will hike 15 km. Today’s tour goes along the Santa Terese River via jungle and waterfalls. Breakfast is enjoyed at La Playa and then continues to the Santa Teresa camp. In the city you can enjoy a well-deserved bav in the hot springs (admission is not included in the price). ( F , L , M ) Hiking time: Five to six hours. Difficulty: Mild to moderate
Day 8: Santa Teresa (1,700 m) – Agua Calientes (2,010 m)
After breakfast, cross the river and embark on an exciting journey through coffee and orchards to reach Hydro-Electrica. After lunch, a three-hour easy hike to the market town of Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in a hostel not far from Machu Picchu. Here is the opportunity to take a dip in the city’s thermal baths, which make you go after four days of hiking in the Andes. ( F , L , M ) Hiking time: Six to seven hours. Difficulty: Mild to moderate
Day 9: Agua Calientes (2,010 m) – Machu Picchu (2,430 m) – Cuzco (3,350 m)
Today awaits the real highlight of the hike: Machu Picchu. The ruin is so well hidden deep in the mountains that the Spaniards never found it when they came here. Machu Picchu therefore remained a well-kept secret until the beginning of the 20th century. For four hours, you will be guided around by an English-speaking guide in the fantastic ruin, designated one of the world’s seven new wonders. You can visit the beautiful moon temple or climb Wayna Picchu (admission not included). Wayna Picchu is 2,720 meters high and is 360 meters higher than the Machu Picchu ruins. From here you get a magnificent panoramic view of the entire ruin and Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour to get up, but it is a tough hike with small steep steps, and you have to be in good shape to reach the top. Only a limited number of visitors may be on top per day, so if this is something you want to experience, you should book and pay for it from home, while booking the tour. The tour may be canceled during the rainy season if the trail is too slippery. From Machu Picchu, take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the mountain. Here you can have lunch or shop at the market at the train station. In the afternoon, the tour continues by train to Ollantaytambo and from there by bus on to your hostel in Cuzco. We recommend that you book an overnight stay by the time you return from the hike, this when you arrive late to Cuzco (approx. 22:30). ( Here you can have lunch or shop at the market at the train station. In the afternoon, the tour continues by train to Ollantaytambo and from there by bus on to your hostel in Cuzco. We recommend that you book an overnight stay by the time you return from the hike, this when you arrive late to Cuzco (approx. 22:30). ( Here you can have lunch or shop at the market at the train station. In the afternoon, the tour continues by train to Ollantaytambo and from there by bus on to your hostel in Cuzco. We recommend that you book an overnight stay by the time you return from the hike, this when you arrive late to Cuzco (approx. 22:30). (F )
Day 10: Explore Peru on your own
From here you travel on your own in Peru. The country offers an incredible number of exciting experiences. For example, you can travel on to the Amazon rainforest and experience its impressive wildlife. You can also travel south to Lake Titicaca with its floating islands, where the Uros people still live according to ancient traditions. If you do not have adventure, there are rich opportunities for mountain biking, rafting and much more. On the golden coast of Peru you will find the mysterious Nazca lines, the Ballestas Islands (also called “poor man’s Galapagos”) which have a rich bird life, good surfing beaches at San Gallan Beach, mountaineering at Huaraz and of course the Peruvian capital Lima. You can also choose to stay in Cuzco and take a Spanish course or volunteer. The possibilities are many.
Overnight stays
Three nights in Cuzco in a corridor in a hostel
Three nights in a tent in Salkantay and Machu Picchu
A night in Aguas Calientes in a corridor in a hostel
