Salkantay Trail Peru Condor Viewing

Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.

Day 1: Cusco – Condor Viewing – Pincopata Ecocamp

This first day will give you time to adjust to the altitude and begin to prepare physically for the following days’ hiking. Two options are available, depending on route and weather conditions:

Option A: Condors in the Apurimac Canyon
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8:30 am and head north out of the city before arriving at the small village of Chonta where we begin our one-hour hike to the condor viewing point. The viewpoint offers the opportunity to observe flora and fauna native to the environment, as well as the Apurimac River Canyon.

Most visitors do not arrive until after noon which guarantees you a quiet environment to observe the giants that share the sky with hawks, eagles and even seagulls. Here we will enjoy a box-lunch before returning by the same path to Chonta our private transport to the first Ecocamp, Pincopata.

• Driving Distance: 132.5 km / 83 mi
• Driving Time: 3hrs 20 min
• Altitude Chonta: 3,400 m
• Altitude Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft

Option B: Archaeological sites
This second option also leaves Cusco at 8:30am and takes us along the same road from Cusco to Mollepata, where we will stop and explore the archaeological site of Killarumiyoq.

The lunar cycle was charted here and fertility rites honoring Mother Earth were performed during the height of the Inca civilization. Incredibly, the moon stone remains untouched and the peaceful site offers the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Inca culture.

Continue along the road for an hour-and-a-half to the community of Marcahuaylla, from where we start a short walk to access the archaeological remains of Choquechurco (Place where Gold is placed). This important place, unknown to many, is on our list of remote sites we like to visit.

Situated among a forest of native Polylepis trees, this abandoned site will make you feel like a true explorer. We will find remains of religious sites and settlements; carved boulders, small plazas and Inca walls covered by moss and vegetation. From this place, we can see the Humantay Mountain as well as the Valleys of Limatambo, Apurimac and the town of Mollepata.

We will stop for lunch at this sacred site, surrounded by remarkable scenery, before continuing the descent to Pincopata Ecocamp.

• Driving Distance: 98.5 km / 61.5 mi
• Driving Time: 2.5 hrs
• Hiking distance: 6 km / 3.75 mi
• Hiking time: 3.5 hrs
• Altitude Choquechurco: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft.

On arrival at Pincopata Ecocamp, we will be greeted with a lovely refreshment made from seasonal fruits and taken to our respective domes to enjoy a hot shower and a deserved rest.

If rest is not your thing, you may prefer to walk around the camp or participate in the various extra activities available at the Ecocamp, such as horseback riding and biking. We will end the day with a superb dinner consisting of fresh and locally sourced foods typical of Peruvian cuisine.

Day 2: Pincopata Ecocamp – Soray Ecocamp

After breakfast, we will drive 15 minutes to the start of our trail in Marcoccasa. From here we start with a short uphill hike, then continue walking through an aqueduct overlooking the spectacular Río Blanco Valley and the snowy peaks of Salkantay and Humantay before arriving at Soray Ecocamp in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, you can schedule a relaxing massage, a horseback ride, or simply choose to stroll around and enjoy the breathtaking views that surround our camp.

• Transfer distance: 8 km / 5 mi
• Transfer time: 15 min
• Hiking distance: 10 km / 6 mi
• Hiking time: 4.5 – 5.5 hrs.
• Altitude, Soray: 3,883 m / 12,737 ft.
• Hiking Level: easy/moderate
• Challenging option: Glacial Lake

Challenging option: Hike to Lake Humantay:
In the afternoon, you can choose to hike to the glacial Lake Humantay nestled at the base of the southern side of Mountain Humantay. This hike is the same as the one on day 3 with the difference that is done at a faster pace.

• Hiking distance: 6.4 km / 4 mi round trip
• Hiking time: 3 hrs. round trip
• Altitude Glacial Lake: 4,298 m / 14,100 ft.

Day 3: Soray Ecocamp – Humantay Glacial Lake – Pincopata Ecocamp

After a delicious breakfast to fuel our early start, we will set off for a two-hour hike to the Humantay Glacial Lake. The goal is to be the first to reach the beautiful spot.

We will enter the glacial lake through a special entrance away from the crowds. This unforgettable moment will be framed by the glistening glacier ahead of us and with the ethereal turquoise lake at its base.

We shall stop to enjoy the impressive sight and a morning snack. We will then descend to the lake to touch its gleaming waters and take some incredible photos before we return to our camp in Soray where we’ll enjoy a great lunch.

After exploring the camp and its surroundings, we will board our transport back to our comfortable Ecocamp Pincopata where we will have time for rest and relaxation or have the chance to take part in some optional activity. We shall once again take over the dining dome for another luxurious feast before ending the day stargazing around a cozy bonfire.

• Hiking distance: 6.4 km / 4 mi round trip
• Hiking time: 3 hrs. round trip
• Hiking level: moderate
• Challenging Option Soray Ecocamp – Salkantay Pass – Pincopata

Challenging option: Hike to Salkantay Pass:
This option transports us up into the clouds – to Abra Salkantay. After breakfast, we will begin our trek through the bottom of the valley, gradually starting to ascent while crossing several small pampas. The challenging final climb to the Abra Pass will be rewarded with spectacular views of the south face of the snowy and wild Salkantay.

At the Pass, we will have time to celebrate our accomplishment before descending to a warmer spot to enjoy our lunch before returning to Soray. We will finish the day at our beautiful Pincopata Ecocamp with a marvelous dinner to bid farewell to our days of hiking.

• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
• Hiking time: 7-8 hrs. round trip
• Altitude Abra Salkantay: 4,664 m / 15,300 ft.
• Hiking level: challenging

Day 4: Pincopata Ecocamp – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu

We will have breakfast at the camp and then travel through small Quechua villages of the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo to board a train that will take us to the village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). We will enjoy the scenic train ride while eating our freshly prepared packed lunch.

On arrival in Aguas Calientes we will travel by bus up to Machu Picchu with our guide to discover the impressive historical citadel for the afternoon. Having explored the site, we will descend to our wonderful hotel, where we can rest, or explore the village of Aguas Calientes until dinner. Overnight at an Aguas Calientes hotel.

• Transfer distance: 130 km / 81.25mi
• Transfer time: 2.5-3 hrs.
• Train travel distance: 36 km / 22.5 mi
• Train travel time: 1.5 hrs.
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,000m / 6,560ft

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo where we will have our own private transport waiting to take us back to Cusco.

• Train Ride: 1.5 hrs.
• Driving distance: 70 km/ 44 mi
• Driving time: 1.5 – 2 hrs.
• Altitude Cusco 3,360 m / 11,000 ft.