Hiking Mt. Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 6 Days
| Overview |
Highlight: Machu Picchu, Inca archaeological sites, amazing mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, less tourists, local villages.
Begin from: Cusco / Mollepata (Cruzpata) End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco Duration: 06 Days/ 05 Nights Physical Rating: Moderate/Challenging Accommodation: Camping 4 season tents & Thermal Rest Mattresses
Difficulty degree of this hike: Moderate/Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.
Mountains, forests and Inca ruins on the road to Machu PicchuThis trek is as beautiful with even more variety; from icy glaciers to steaming tropical forest in addition to the vestiges of Inca culture you'll see life as it is lived in the mountains on farmsteads and in tiny hamlets. The first 2 days of this exhilarating hike are the most challenging, as you hike around the skirts of ice-capped Mount Salkantay (6271m/20568ft), we go over a high pass to continue on a back-country trail, rocky in places until we join the famed Inca Trail. Our support crew is made up initially of pack animals and the last three days our gear is carried by porters. Winding its way from the powerful Urubamba River, across Mountain passes and through cloud forests, the ancient Inca road passes several ruined fortresses before reaching the fabulous lost city of Machu Picchu. Important
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| Trip Itinerary |
Day 01 - Cusco / Cruzpata / SalkantaypampaPick up from the Hotel at 05:00; private transport from to Cruzpata 4 hours. We cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), then drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), from where we continue on to Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we start the ascent on foot towards Soraypampa, following a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we encounter little groups of houses, flora and small wild birds. We arrive at our campsite in Salkantaypampa (3895m/12776ft). From here we can appreciate the majestic Salkantay (6271m/20569ft). Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles) Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours Maximum altitude point: (3850m/12628ft)
Day 02 – Salkantaypampa / PampacahuanaBreakfast; we continue our hike to start the four-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850m/15908ft), the highest of the entire route, offering impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. We then descend towards our lunch spot at Sisaypampa, a flat area from which one can observe the Salkantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we continue towards the Pampacahuana community, located next to an original Inca canal, where we set our second camp and spend the night. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: (4850m/15908ft)
Day 03 - Pampacahuana / LlulluchapampaBreakfast; start a downhill walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana River following its course towards the Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft). On the way down we visit the Incaracay archaeological complex. After approximately 4 hours, we arrive to Wayllabamba, where we stop for lunch. This is the point in which our trek joins the Inca Trail. Since pack animals are not allowed in the Inca Trail, we say goodbye to our horsemen and instead, are introduced to our group of porters. We leave Wayllabamba to until Llulluchapampa (3850m/12628ft), where we camp and spend the night. Along the climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna, having the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: (3850m/12628ft) Day 04 – Llulluchapampa / ChaquiqochaBreakfast; hike up the highest point in the Inca Trail, reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca (4200m/13776ft) after about 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), from which we then continue to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Only 20 minutes away is Chaquicocha, where we will set our camp. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Total distance: 12 km (7, 45 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft)
Day 05 – Chaquiqocha / Wiñay WaynaBreakfast; continue up an easy climb, to arrive at the third pass, Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. Phyupatamarca means “town over the clouds”. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft) where we spend the night. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Total distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (12,792 ft) Day 06 – Wiñay wayna / Machu PicchuBreakfast very early; we wake up at 04:00 an hour later and climb to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) from this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu 2,400 m (7,872 ft). From here we descend into Machu Picchu, 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians”. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Wayna Picchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where we take the train back to the city of Cusco and transfer to your hotel Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Total distance: 4 km (2, 49 miles) Estimated walking time: 2 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (8,829 ft) |
| Dates & Prices |
Optional Services:
Price per person:
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
Payment Details: We will require a deposit of 50% of the total amount per person payable Sun Gate Tours. The deposit is to be paid by our VISA & MC Payment On-Line without any commission.
What is included?
What is not included?
Additional information:
(2) Vegetarian Meals.We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know when you are booking the trek or at least 2 days prior to trek departure. (3) Sleeping bag hire.If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$ 5 per day. (4) Personal horse for riding while on the trek with and extra cost of US$ 240, you can have a personal horse to ride any time you may need.
Other information:
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco after returning from the trek. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 21:30
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| Essential Info |
What we recommend that you bring:
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