The Salkantay trail to Inca Trail is one of the most complete hiking to Machu Picchu. Involves 7 days hike to Salkantay Mountain and Classic Inca Trail Trek. On the way, you will see how dramatically the microclimates change from plateaus to high snowy peaks to lush tropical areas. Have your camera at ready to capture the incredible views!
This trek is more challenging than the classic Inca trail and is designed for the experienced hiker who wants to try something new and less common. The first part of the trip uses horses and the second porters, due to strict Inca trail regulations. We provide you with top-quality camping equipment and a balanced diet to give you all the energy you need, we have thought of everything, so you can just enjoy the trek and have an unforgettable experience.
Sustainable Tourism: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.
Difficulty Hike: 4 Difficulty.
Age Requirements: 12+
Group Available: Min: 2 - Max: 8
Crew: A Salkantay Trek Machu Representative in Cusco and a professional Tour Guide, a Cook, a Horseman, and Porters for the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail.
Accommodation: Campsites (6 nights).
Meals: 6x breakfast, 6x lunch, 6x dinner, 6x afternoon tea.
Transportation: Transportation by private van, 1x train.
Camping equipment: You can view our camping equipment here!
Day 01: Cusco - Sayllapata
Day 02: Sayllapata - Salkantay Pampa
Day 03: Salkantay Pampa - Pampacahuarina
Day 04: Pampacahuarina - Llullucha Pampa
Day 05: Llucha Pampa - Chaquicocha
Day 06: Chaquicocha - Wiñayhuayna
Day 07: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu
The start of our seven-day expedition through the Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail begins with your pickup at 05:00 a.m., marking the first step of a journey designed specifically to achieve optimal acclimatization in the mountain range. On the way, we will pass through the picturesque towns of Anta (Izcuchaca, Zurite and Ancahuasi). Our trip will take us to the Limatambo Valley and then to Mollepata, where we will begin our adventure.
Once in Mollepata, we will finalize the preparations for our hike and then walk to our first campsite in Soraypampa. After arriving at our camp in Soraypampa, a well-deserved lunch will be waiting for us, and we will have the afternoon free to rest in our tents before the next day's stage.
Technical data of the route
The second day starts with the first light of dawn at our base camp, preparing us for one of the most rewarding climbs of the entire expedition. Likewise, after a fortifying breakfast, we will start a morning hike toward the slopes of the glacier to discover the impressive "Humantay Lake".
After contemplating this beautiful natural sanctuary, we will return to the trail to enter the imposing domain of the Salkantay mountain. Additionally, the upward journey will give us unmatched panoramic views of the glacial moraine, marking a fascinating visual transition in the rough high Andean topography.
We will finish this intense day upon reaching the "Salkantay Pampa" esplanade, our second campsite, where the imposing closeness to the peaks will provide us with an unbeatable setting to rest and prepare for the mountain pass of the following day.
Technical data of the route
The third day starts with a revitalizing cup of coca tea in our Salkantay Pampa camp, preparing us physically and mentally for the most demanding challenge of the route. In this sense, we will start a hard and steady climb toward the imposing "Incachiriaska Pass" ("Frozen Inca Pass"), the highest point of our expedition located at more than 5,000 meters of altitude. Consequently, we will move at a slow pace, allowing the body to adapt while we are accompanied by the Salkantay mountain.
As we conquer the heights of the pass, the mountain environment will give us the chance to observe the fascinating and wild Andean wildlife. Likewise, we will be able to spot elusive vizcachas and agile white-tailed deer; with a little luck, the landscape will reward us with the appearance of exceptional animals like the majestic condor, the guanaco and the elegant vicuña.
After crowning the summit and celebrating our achievement, we will start a long descent that will take us into the beautiful Cusichaca Valley, marking a notable change in the microclimate and the topography. This downhill route will enrich our expedition by passing through picturesque local towns like Quesqa and Paucarcancha, where the agricultural heritage is maintained. Finally, we will continue our march guided by the river until we reach the small village of Pampacahuana. It is here, in the historical sector known as Inca Canal, where our team will have set up the camp, waiting for us with a comforting dinner and a well-deserved rest under a spectacular starry sky.
Technical data of the route
The fourth day begins with a comforting breakfast in our camp, followed by a serene walk through the valley toward the archaeological complex of Paucarcancha. Likewise, it will take us approximately three hours to reach this important site, where we will spend time exploring its ancient Inca ruins while our guide details its historical importance.
This point marks a crucial logistical transition: we will change our equipment transport, saying goodbye to the muleteers and their horses to welcome our dedicated porters, thus guaranteeing the strict protection and conservation of the original cobblestones of the Inca Trail.
After lunch and the reorganization of the group, the path goes down toward the Cusichaca area, entering fully into the Llulluchapampa valley, a sector also historically known as "Inkaracay". Additionally, in this area, we will pass through the mandatory checkpoint to present passports and corresponding permits, officially joining the classic route. In this way, we will continue our march in a steady and demanding climb, passing the sectors of Wayllabamba and Ayapata, until we reach our destination: the Llullucha Pampa camp, where we will spend the night surrounded by an impressive and breathtaking high Andean landscape.
Technical data of the route
The fifth day represents one of the most challenging and spectacular sections of the expedition. Starting our journey from the Llullucha Pampa camp, we will begin a demanding climb of approximately two hours toward the "Warmiwañusca Pass" (the Dead Woman's Pass), the highest point of this section at 4,200 meters of altitude. After conquering this summit and capturing panoramic views of the Andean vastness, we will begin a steep descent through stone stairs until we reach the Pacaymayo sector, where the team will be waiting for us to recharge our energy with a well-deserved lunch.
The journey continues in the afternoon with the climb toward the second mountain pass, making a strategic stop to explore the Runkuraqay archaeological site with our guide. From this point, the ecosystem experiences a dramatic transition toward the lush cloud forest, entering the dense vegetation of the Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku forests. During this section, the trail will give us a view of the enigmatic "Yanacocha Lake" (Black Lagoon), before arriving and exploring the Sayacmarca archaeological complex. Finally, we will arrive at our camp in Chaquicocha, a very peaceful place known for its impressive sunsets over the mountain range.
Technical data of the route
After overcoming the demanding mountain passes of the previous day, this sixth day gives us a more relaxed journey through the most breathtaking landscapes of the Inca Trail. In this sense, we will start the march traveling through sections of gentle slopes and moderate descents, popularly known as the "Inca Flat", which will allow us to fully see the lush biodiversity of the cloud forest. Consequently, we will move through the dense vegetation and flanked by spectacular views of the Andean mountain range until we reach the Phuyupatamarca complex, where our guide will reveal the deep historical importance of this site in the clouds.
From this point, we will begin a descent of approximately three hours that will lead us toward the Intipata archaeological site, an exceptional viewpoint to contemplate the Urubamba River that makes its way through the valley. Likewise, after exploring these impressive agricultural terraces, we will return to the trail to head toward our last camp of the expedition, located in the Wiñay Wayna sector. Finally, upon arrival, we will enjoy a restorative lunch, have time to rest, and close the afternoon exploring the magnificent Inca ruins of the same name before a dinner, preparing us for the final visit to the citadel at dawn.
Technical data of the route
The peak day of our expedition starts early after breakfast, marking the last stage toward the Historic Sanctuary. In this sense, we will start the walk toward the "Inti Punku" (the Sun Gate), the original access of the route that will give us the first and most inspiring panoramic view of the citadel. Consequently, we will descend for approximately 45 minutes to the Guardian's House sector, the ideal strategic place to capture the iconic postcard photograph of Machu Picchu.
After a short technical stop outside to use the services, we will re-enter the archaeological complex to start our two-hour guided exploration. Likewise, the logistics prioritize access through Circuit 2, the official route that allows a complete and thorough tour of the main urban, agricultural, and religious sectors of the citadel. In the same way, if there is no availability for this access due to limited capacity, the visit will be done through Circuit 1 or Circuit 3, alternative routes designed to offer excellent architectural and landscape perspectives of the site.
For explorers who wish to complement the visit with a physical challenge, the complex offers options to climb the surrounding peaks. Additionally, if you have the corresponding tickets and reservations, you can take the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or start the route to the top of Huchuy Picchu, optional activities that provide spectacular angles of the local geography.
Finally, when the mountain exploration is finished, we will go down by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where there will be free time for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo and taking the final ground transport, arriving in the city of Cusco around 7:00 p.m.
Technical data of the route
Solo traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.
Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!
+51 84 226 547
+51 912 891 560
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
www.salkantaytrekmachu.com
