Cusco, Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

September 21 - October 1, 2025

Overview

Sun., Sept. 21 Depart Boston

Mon., Sept. 22 Arrive Cusco & City Tour

Tue., Sept. 23 Sacred Valley Day Tour

Wed., Sept. 24 Palcoyo Rainbow Mt. Tour

Thu., Sept. 25 Hiking Day 1 (3-4 hrs.)

Fri., Sept. 26 Hiking Day 2 (8-9 hrs.)

Sat., Sept. 27 Hiking Day 3 (5-6 hrs.)

Sun., Sept. 28 Hiking Day 4 (6-7 hrs.)

Mon., Sept. 29 Machu Picchu & return to Cusco

Tue., Sept. 30 Depart Cusco

Wed., Oct. 1 Arrive Boston

Once we begin our hiking days, we will have neither wifi nor cell service, so I won’t be able to blog those days. I will do my best to share fully about the trek after the fact!

The Trek!

Day 1 - Soraypampa (12,631 ft.) → Soyrococha (14,715 ft.)

  • Hiking mileage: 3.1 miles

  • Elevation Gain: 2,084 ft.

  • Highest Elevation: 14,715 ft.

  • Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

Day 2 - Soyrococha (14,715 ft.) → Collpapampa (9,842 ft.)

  • Hiking Mileage: 9.9 miles

  • Elevation Gain: 540 ft.

  • Elevation Loss: 5,413 ft.

  • Highest Elevation: 15,255 ft.

  • Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

Day 3 - Collpapampa (9,842 ft.) → La Playa (6,716 ft.)

  • Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

  • Elevation Loss: 3,126 ft.

  • Highest Elevation: 9,842 ft.

  • Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours


Day 4 - La Playa (6,716 ft.) → Hydroelectric (6,200 ft.)

  • Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

  • Elevation Gain: 1,978 ft.

  • Elevation Loss: 2,461 ft.

  • Highest Elevation: 8,694 ft.

  • Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours