TRIP DETAILS   6 days   Dates: September 25-30, 2010 Arrival: Cusco, Peru, before 12:00 pm, September 25, 2010   Airport Code: CUZ   Departure: Cusco, Peru, anytime of day, September 30, 2010   Price: $2375 excluding airfare (international & domestic)   Single: $565 for single accommodations while in hotels. This is usually an optional charge. In most cases, we match you with a roommate of the same gender.   Extras: $165 per night at the Crowne Plaza Lima including breakfast and airport transfers. For nights beyond the tour dates.   Fitness Level: High   Meals: All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners   Includes: Hotel and camping accommodations Ground transfers throughout the tour Excursions and sightseeing with English speaking guides Entrance fees to sites Train ticket return to Cusco OutWest trip leader Trek support crew with pack animals, wranglers, guides, and cooks All camping equipment Not included: International airfare, domestic airfare (currently $360), domestic departure tax ($16-$20), international departure tax ($31), personal gear, items of a personal nature like phone calls or laundry, optional activities, alcoholic and soft beverages, gratuities, travel insurance   Peru Trek: Salkantay - the alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu September 25-30, 2010 On the hike down the valley we trek through grasslands and small villages before approaching the famed Machu Picchu- “the lost city of the Incas.” With a support crew of pack animals, porters, cooks, and guides, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the experience, while the staff takes cares of the details. Along the route, we take some time to visit the sites of Cusco, soak in natural hot spring, and explore Machu Picchu. Experience the trek to Machu Picchu with OutWest Global Adventures!   Highlights: Explore one of the top 25 treks in the world! Gaze upon some of the tallest peaks in South America! Camp underneath the stars where ancient Incas used to roam! Arrive at the famed Machu Picchu and enjoy exploring the sanctuary! Visit the city of Cusco and relax in natural hot springs after your trek!   Rusty - Adventure Host OutWests' Director of Operations, Rusty loves everything adventure and everything outdoors. He and his partner Ron live in Red Lodge, Montana and find the serenity of nature to be their favorite place.

FULL ITINERARY:

If you are continuing from OutWest Global Adventures’ Choquequirao trek, you will have arrived in Cusco the evening before and be well-adjusted to the altitude.

In the afternoon, a tour of the city begins with Santo Domingo convent monastery, former Colonial monastery that was previously the Koricancha temple, an important temple devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold Leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Other stops include the Plaza de Armas and Cathedral. Outside the city are remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cultural center of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. That evening we’ll have a group dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY TWO.   TREK TO HUAYRACMACHAY.  Early in the morning, we depart Cusco on a scenic drive to the starting point of the trek at Soraypampa. Along the four-hour drive, we drive through the town of Limatambo, an important point of access to the city of Cusco during the time of the Inca Empire. The road continues up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River and crosses the town of Mollepata and the small community of Cruzpata to finally reach Soraypampa at 3500 meters (11,483ft), the starting point of the trek where we meet our horsemen and horses. After a short introduction and a breakfast, we start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salkantay. This dramatic peak reaches a soaring 6271meters (20,569ft). Continuing uphill, we reach the Abra Huayracmachay at 4525 meters (14,846ft), the highest mountain pass of the trek. Here we see stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and might observe chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. A long, although easy, descent brings us to Chaullay, a beautiful spot where we set our first camp.

DAY THREE.   LUCMABAMBA.  Today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Salkamayo River, with increasingly lush vegetation. We’ll pass waterfalls and passion fruit and coffee plantations. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp at the village of La Playa, where we can refresh in the river before dinner.

DAY FOUR.   MACHU PICCHU.  After breakfast, we cross the river and start climbing. We end up at El Mirador or Abra Q´elloqasa from where we have an exceptional view of "the lost city of the Incas"- the legendary Machu Picchu. From the lookout point of Llaqtapata we can view both Machu Picchu and Salkantay. A two-hour descent brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machu Picchu from where we get to the village of Aguas Calientes in the late afternoon by train. Here we can stroll through the village, relax in the natural hot springs, and take a deserved rest.

DAY FIVE.   MACHU PICCHU AND CUSCO.  We wake up early and board a bus, which will take us up to Machu Picchu, where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca Citadel. We will then have free time to explore, climb up the Huayna Picchu Mountain, or visit sites like the Temple of the Moon, the Sungate, or the Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where we will take the train back to Cusco, arriving after nightfall.

DAY SIX.   RETURN HOME.  We'll arrange an airport transfer for your flight to Lima. If you need an extra hotel night in Lima, we can book that for you. Adios!