Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Treks

Price

1,340$ per person

Duration

6 Days

Destination

More than 1

Travellers

Information
Tour Plan
Location
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Forests, Mountains, and Inca remains on the way to Machu Picchu

This is a splendid trek and has more variety than other treks. It includes icy glaciers, lush tropical forests and the remnants of the Inca culture, which will give you an insight of the lifestyle people used to lead in the mountains, tiny hamlets and the farmstead. The initial two days of this exciting trek are the most challenging. In these two days, you will hike around the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain (6271m/20568ft), after which you will trek above the high pass and progress on a back-country path that is rocky in places, until you reach the infamous Inca Trail. The support crew consists of pack animals and on the final three days of our trip, porters will carry our gear. Passing alongside the mighty Urubamba River, across the mountains passes and through the cloud forests, the old Inca trail passes many ruined fortresses on its way to Machu Picchu, the spectacular lost city.

Highlight

Exhilarating day hikes and wonderful camping
The Ultimate Hiking Adventure to a Legendary Lost City
Trekking to Salkantay Mountain and visit the Machu Picchu citadel
Camp high in the Andes above the cloud forest
Trek the Inca trail, which once linked this ancient empire
The Ultimate Hiking Adventure to a Legendary Lost City

What's included

Destination

Inca Trail , Machu Picchu , Salkantay Trek Discover Destinations

Departure Location

Cusco

Return Location

Cusco

Price includes

24 hour support by our local staff
Accommodation in personal tents (camping)
All entrance fees and excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All ground transportation
All transfers airport, train station or bus station transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off
All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff
Guided tours by local quality English speaking guides
Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available)
Train tickets

Price does not include

Anything not specified in the itinerary description
Domestic flight tickets
Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Guidance in other languages
International flight tickets
Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
Sleeping bag
Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
Train tickets
VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation
Walking sticks

Trip code: STTI6D01

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

Day 1

Transfer to Marcoccasa, Hike to Salkantaypampa

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning at 05:00am and transported by our private vehicle to Mollepata (2,803m/9,196ft). In the spectacular 3-hour journey to Mollepata where we will stop for an hour to have breakfast and enjoy the panoramic views of the “Salkantay Mountains” in the Cordillera of Vilcanota. You will be able to see chains of the ice-capped Vilcabamba, the vibrant Mollepata village and Apurimac River Valley.
From here, we will transfer into a private transport due to the rocky and dirty road conditions ahead. We will reach the Salkantay Trek trailhead in Marcoccasa (3,600m/11,811ft) at around 10:00am. Here we will meet out horsemen or Arrieros and the rest of the Salkantay trekking staff (Assistants and Cook). The trek will begin with a gradual climb of about 250 meters and will take about 3 hours during which we will pass through an immaculate Andean Valley landscape on the way to Soraypampa (3,800m/12,467ft).
We will stop to see a splendid glacial lake and then eat our lunch. After lunch, we again trek on a gentle climb for another estimated 2 hours and pass through more of the untouched Andean Valley on the way to Salkantaypampa. Our first campsite is situated at (3,950m/12,959ft).
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2

Hike from Salkantaypampa to Sisay pampa

After having breakfast, we will resume our hike and begin the 4-hour vertical climb to the highest pass on the route, the Inca Chiriaska pass that stands at a height of 4,960m/16,273ft.
Once you have reached the top, you will be treated to hot coca tea, and phenomenal views of the valleys, lakes and even some spectacular birds, such as condors and falcons.
This pass is a wonderful spot for sightseeing because it is surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as Humantay (5217m), Tucarhuay (5450m) and Soray Mt (5428m), the Cusichaca valleys, lakes and moraines.
Later, we will trek downhill to eat lunch at Uchu pata, from where you can observe neighboring valleys of Salkantay (you may be able to watch the condors from this point).
We will then resume our trek to the community of Sisay pampa 3,600 m (11,811ft) that is situated adjacent to an early Inca canal.
This will be our second campsite where we will stay the night.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3

Hike from Sisaypampa to Ayapata

After breakfast we start our walk descending in a beautiful valley with native flowers and impressive views for 2 hour to Pampacahuana community near the Incan canals repaired few years ago by Ann Kendall Project to help local farmers and shepherds. Tranquil day to relax and rest for the next leg of our trek, stop for our lunch then final 2 hour to Paucarcancha an old Inca ruins where we will stop for some explanations and pictures.
After lunch we continue downhill alongside the Cusichaca Riverbanks towards the community of Huayllabamba (3000m/9840ft).
We will reach Huayllabamba in an estimated time of four hours where we will stop to have our lunch. This point of our trek connects to the Classic Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu. As it is forbidden to take pack animals on the Inca trek with you, we will bid our horsemen goodbye and meet our porters who will escort us till the final point of the trek.
In the afternoon to begin climbing the mountain pass of Warmi wañusca, also known as the Dead Woman’s pass, on a steep and abrupt ascent. We will stop at Ayapata (3,350m/10,990ft) to camp and stay the night. The landscape on our climb will vary from Sierra towards Puna (a high area that is dry with some vegetation). We will be able to see domesticated alpacas and llamas grazing on the ichu grass, a rare plant that is able to grow at high altitudes.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4

Hike from Ayapata to Chaquiqocha

After breakfast, we will continue to hike up to Inca Trail’s highest point and arrive at the Abra Warmihuañusca mountain pass (4200m/13776ft) 3 hours later.
On our way, we will also traverse through a cloud forest, a habitat for various species of birds such as the sparrows and hummingbirds as well as the Andean Bear, better known as the Spectacled Bear.
Immediately after that, we will go downhill into the valley of Paqaymayu (3,500m/11,480ft) and then begin climbing from this point to Abra Runkurakay (3,955m/12,975ft) the second pass. Halfway during our climb, we will stop to see the Abra Runkurakay archaeological complex. This complex is located at a height of 3800m/12464ft and comprises of a little oval structure known to have been used as a watchtower. From this pass, we will go downhill to Yanacocha, entering the cloud forest in order to reach Sayacmarca which is at a height of 3624m/11887ft.
Sayacmarca is a spectacular development semi-circularly constructed, with enclosures at separate levels, narrow lanes, liturgical fountains, irrigation canals and patios. 20 minutes from here is Chaquicocha (3,570m/11,713ft), offering splendid sceneries of the nearby mountains at sunrise and at sunset. We will set up camp here to spend the night.
Overnight in camp.

Day 5

Hike from Chaquiqocha to Wiñayhuayna

We will resume our climb after eating breakfast our breakfast early and reach Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft), the third pass. On our way, we can admire the extent of the ancient craft of the Incas by walking on paths that are partly disconnected from the mountain as well as by looking at rocks filling up ravines to save the trek from the multileveled Andean landscape. Next, we will enter an Inca tunnel and reach the pass mentioned above and descend towards the complex.
This archaeological complex is the most comprehensive and well-preserved along the entire Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu and is situated on the mountain’s highest point. Interestingly, the meaning of the name, Phuyupatamarca is “town over the clouds”.
Next, we will make our way down a long stone stair case that will lead us to Wiñayhuayna (2,700m/8,858ft), an inspiring Inca center consisting of a thriving agricultural complex, an urban sector and a religious hub in close proximity of our camp. Wiñayhuayna becomes the last official camp before Machu Picchu. Ensure that you are well rested so that you wake up in time to catch the marvelous sunrise at Machu Picchu.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6

Hike to Sun Gate, Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary & Back to Cusco

At around 04:00am you will get up, have breakfast and continue on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. This is the last part of the journey so we will arrive to the Sun Gate by 06:00am.
Out of the blue every part of Machu Picchu will materialize before your eyes stuttering with its immense beauty - an incredible sight for all to see. The sight is overwhelming and you can imagine what the ancient Inca must have perceived after their taxing expedition to this expansive temple. At this point we move downhill towards Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft), after a period of 40 minutes we will enter the citadel through the “House of the Guardians”.
We then proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings.
At 08:00am the guided tour begins, your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
From 10:30am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate.
From 12:00 to 13:00pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
From 13:00pm to 14:30pm take lunch at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.