Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – 5N / 6D

Experience the ultimate trek combining Inca Chiriasca Pass and the classic Inca Trail.

DURATION

5 Nights / 6 Days

LOCATION

Machu Picchu

MAX ALTITUDE

4,215 m.s.n.m.

DIFFICULTY

Moderate

Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

The Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu begins at 5:00 a.m. with a drive from Cusco to Soraypampa, hiking past Humantay Lake to camp at Pampa Japonesa.

Over the following days, you will cross the challenging Inca Chiriasca Pass (5,000 m) to Canal Inca, descend past Paucar Cancha to Wayllabamba, and trek via Llaqtapata to reach Aguas Calientes town.

The journey continues with a long, scenic mountain trek, visiting Runkuracay, Sayaqmarka, and Phuyupatamarka before spending the final night at Wiñaywayna camp.

On the last morning, you will hike through the Sun Gate for a 2.5-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco by train.

Itinerary

Pre-trek briefing (required)

We provide a full pre-trek briefing at our office or at your hotel in Cusco. This gives you the chance to ask questions about the trek itinerary. Briefings are scheduled for the day before your trek starts.

Please take this into consideration when booking your travel plans to Cusco to ensure you arrive in time for the briefing.

Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pampa – Pampa Japonesa

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 5:00 a.m. and drive for 4 hours to the start of the hike. We will stop to stretch our legs in Mollepata and then continue to the starting point of the trail, called Soraypampa, at 3,883 meters or 12,740 feet.

After a short rest, we will have the opportunity to hike to Humantay Lake, which takes approximately 2 hours. In total, we will walk around 10 km (6.2 miles) to our camp. Once we arrive at the turquoise lagoon, we will be able to enjoy its beautiful waters.

Then, we will continue hiking for about 1 hour to our lunch spot called Salkantay Pampa. After enjoying a hearty lunch, we will continue our uphill hike to the first campsite, which takes 2 hours.

Our campsite is called Pampa Japonesa and is located at 4,400 meters or 14,435 feet. The view at this campsite is one of the most spectacular on the trail, overlooking the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain.

Here, it is essential to have warm clothing, thermals, and a sleeping bag suitable for at least -20°C (-4°F), since the temperature can drop below freezing and it might snow during the winter.

Overnight in Pampa Japonesa

Camp site.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Day: Pampa Japonesa – Inca Chiriasca – Canal Inca

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will climb up to the pass called Inca Chiriasca for about 2 hours and reach the highest point of our hike, at 5,000 meters or 16,400 feet.

We will walk slowly up to this pass, as it is steep and challenging because of the high altitude. At the pass, we will take a break and celebrate reaching such a high point. We will also take in the beautiful view of Salkantay Mountain and Umantay Mountain from a different angle.

Afterwards, we will descend for 1 and a half hours, passing by thousands of giant boulders, and stop for lunch in the grassy highlands.

After lunch, we will continue downhill through the valley to our campsite, called Canal Inca, at 4,000 meters or 13,200 feet.

At this location, there are ruins of an Inca canal, which was the main channel that the Incas used from Salkantay Mountain to irrigate the valleys farther down. At this campsite, we will still see the Salkantay Mountain range, but from the back, providing another picturesque view.

We will also see some traditional stone houses where locals live, as well as their farms and herds of alpacas and llamas.

Overnight in Canal Inca

Camp site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Canal Inca – Paucar Cancha - Wayllabamba

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will descend for 4 hours to our lunch site. Here, we will enter a different ecological zone, starting in the treeless highlands and making our way into a green, wooded valley.

We will follow the stream from the Inca canal to Paucar Cancha, where we will rest and have lunch. This is the beginning of the Machu Picchu National Park, and at this location, we will see Inca farming terraces and ancient buildings that provided a resting point for travelers hundreds of years ago.

Paucar Cancha also has an impressive irrigation system in the terraces, which still works today.

After touring the ruins here, we will continue down through the valley for about 1 hour to our campsite, called Wayllabamba, located at 3,000 meters or 9,842 feet.

This is the first campsite of the traditional Inca Trail, so here we will say goodbye to our horseman and welcome our Quechuas, who will carry the camping equipment for the rest of the hike.

Overnight in Canal Inca

Camp site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Huayllamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

Breakfast at the Hotel

After breakfast, we will hike for 8 km (5 miles) and will need to get up early. From Lucmabamba to our lunch site, we will hike for about 5–6 hours.

We will start ascending through the lush rainforest for about 2 and a half to 3 hours to the Llaqtapata Pass, which is at 2,700 masl or 8,910 feet. Then, we will descend for 15 minutes and arrive at the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, where we will stop and have some snacks.

This site provides our first view of Machu Picchu from the other side of the valley, and we will learn about how Llaqtapata was an important astronomical center.

After resting, we will begin our descent for 2 and a half to 3 hours down the mountain and will stop to eat our box lunches along the way. We will hike down until we reach Hydroelectric Town. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will say goodbye to our chef, and you will have time to relax before continuing toward the town of Aguas Calientes.

The final hike to Aguas Calientes involves a 3-hour walk along the railway from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes, the base town for Machu Picchu. Throughout this walk, you can also see parts of Machu Picchu from the valley.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, the guide will take you to the hotel for the night, where you can rest, shower, and prepare for the last dinner in town.

Dinner in Aguas Calientes is planned around 7:00 p.m. at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. After dinner, make the final preparations for the next day’s adventure in Machu Picchu.

Overnight in Pacaymayo

Camp site.

Meals: Box Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5: Pacaymayu – Phuyupatamarka - Wiñayhuayna

Breakfast at the Hotel

After breakfast, we will walk 16 km (9.9 miles). It is the longest day of the Inca Trail, but also one of the most beautiful and interesting because we will see more archaeological centers and different ecosystems.

After getting up and having breakfast, we will begin to ascend to the next pass, which will take us 2 hours. On the way up, we will visit an archaeological center called Runkuracay, which is very interesting due to its circular shape and location. It is said that this place was a refuge for walkers and a control point along the way.

After touring this archaeological center, we will continue climbing to the second pass, called Runkuracay, which is at 3,941 meters or 12,800 feet.

Then, we will descend for 2 hours to the lunch spot. On the way down, we will visit an archaeological site called Sayaqmarka, which means “Site in a Steep Place.” Here, we can see an important temple dedicated to Salkantay Mountain, which is the highest in this area.

Then, we will arrive at Chaquiccocha for lunch, and afterwards, we will continue walking for 4 more hours until we reach our next camp. The first part of this road will be relatively flat, with ups and downs, until we reach our next archaeological site called Phuyupatamarka, which means “City above the Clouds.”

Here, we will see water sources where the Incas took special baths to purify themselves before visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Here, we also have the Phuyupatamarka camp, which is the second option for camping on the third day.

After the tour, we will go down until we reach the agricultural terraces of Intipata. Then, we will continue descending to our Wiñaywayna camp, which means “Forever Young” and is at 2,650 meters or 8,694 feet.

This is our last night at the camp, and after dinner, we will thank our support staff (porters) for their work.

Overnight in Wiñaywayna

Camp site

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Breakfast at the Hotel

On the last day, we will wake up very early (around 3:30 a.m.), and after breakfast, we will walk to the Control, where we will wait until 5:30 a.m.

Once we pass the Control, we will walk 6 km (3.7 miles) to Machu Picchu for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The first part will be relatively flat until we reach Intipunku, which is the famous Sun Gate and the first place where you will see Machu Picchu.

After Intipunku, we will begin to descend to Machu Picchu, which is located at 2,400 meters or 7,874 feet. There, we will pass the Control and will be able to store our large backpacks in the warehouse.

Then, we will begin our tour, which takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, where we will visit important sites such as temples, squares, terraces, and canals. Please note that there are specific hours for some temples.

After the tour, we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes. Here, we will board our return train to Cusco.

The suggested time to descend from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes is 1:00 p.m., depending on the departure time of the train. It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the train’s departure.

Train Expedition from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (Cusco).

Upon arrival at the train station, a member of the company staff will be waiting to transfer you to your respective hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco

Meals: Breakfast

Trip Details

Duration 5N / 6D

Activities Hiking – Adventure

Difficulty Moderate to challenging

Hiking distance 66KM / 41 miles

Minimum height 2000 m.s.n.m. or 6,560 ft (Aguas Calientes Town)

Maximum height 4215 m.s.n.m. or 13,821 ft (Dead woman Pass)

Destinations Machu Picchu

Tour language English, Spanish

Accommodation 05 Nights Camping

Meals 05 Breakfast, 05 Lunch, 05 Tea time and 05 Dinners

Starts / Ends Cusco – Cusco

IMPORTANT: Please Allow 2 - 3 Days for Acclimatization

Services Included

The services Included

Spanish and English speaking professional guide and assistant guides.
Private transport from your hotel in Cusco to Mollepata Town hike starting point and back to your hotel at the end.
Entrance ticket to Salkantay.
Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Train ticket in the Expedition service from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco.
Doite tents which are 2-person, 4 season tents designed for maximum comfort.
Therm-a-Rest mattress and pillow provided for free.
Other camping equipment, such as a kitchen tent manned by a professional cooking staff, a dining tent with table and chairs, and a bathroom tent.
Tour guide fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua. Our guides are equipped and trained to practice First-Aid, administer oxygen if needed, and conduct radio communication.
Complete meals during the trip starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the sixth day (the last lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included). Our experienced chefs make amazing meals in the middle of the mountains and are also used to preparing dishes for people with different food restrictions or lifestyles, so please let us know your preferences and we will make sure to meet your dietary needs.
Horseman with horses/mules on the Salkantay portion of the journey including an emergency horse.
(porters) who will carry the equipment during the Inca Trail portion since the fourth day.
Professional chef who grew up in the countryside.
First aid kit.
Oxygen.
Please let us know of any dietary requirements when booking.

Not Included

Group Service

USD $1250.00 per person

Private Service

1 - 2 people

USD $1685.00 per person

3 - 5 people

USD $1485.00 per person

6 - 8 people

USD $1285.00 per person

9 + people

USD $1250.00 per person

Discount

Children 17 years old and under – $40USD off

* To receive the child discount you must send us a copy of the child’s passport.

Additional Options

Huaynapicchu Mountain: USD$70.00

Machu Picchu Mountain: USD$70.00

Vistadome Train: USD$45.00

Sleeping Bags: USD$25.00

Trekking Poles: USD$15.00 (1 pair)

Prívate Tent: USD$40.00

Extra Porter (To carry your personal bag) for 7 kg or 15 pounds: USD$120.00

Document

Small backpack

Large backpack

Warm clothes - Including jacket, fleece, thermal clothes for sleeping, gloves, scarf

Rain clothes - Jacket and trousers, poncho, hat

Swimsuit

Small towel

Strong, waterproof trekking boots

Walking poles

Sandals

Flashlight

Camera - Extra batteries as they run out faster under cold conditions

Suncream, moisturiser

Insect repellant - Min 20% DEET

Toilet paper

Personal first aid kit

Snacks - Biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc

Water bottle

Cash in Soles/$USD

YOU MUST BRING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT

How to book

To book the tour, please send us an email with the information of each person in your group:

Full name, nationality, date of birth and gender

Copy of your passport

The tour you want to do, the start date

How many people are in your group

info@peruvianpathsandadventures.com

Tour Map: Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – 5N / 6D

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Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – 5N / 6D

Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pampa – Pampa Japonesa

Day 2: Day: Pampa Japonesa – Inca Chiriasca – Canal Inca

Day 3: Canal Inca – Paucar Cancha - Wayllabamba

Day 4: Huayllamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo

Day 5: Pacaymayu – Phuyupatamarka - Wiñayhuayna

Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Trip Details

IMPORTANT: Please Allow 2 - 3 Days for Acclimatization

Services Included

The services Included

Not Included

Group Service

Discount

Additional Options

How to book

Tour Map: Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – 5N / 6D

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