Salkantay & Inca Trail: 6-Day Machu Picchu Adventure
Highland Wonders: 6-Day Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
Experience the best of the Andean trails with our “Salkantay & Inca Trail Odyssey,” a 6-day private tour blending rugged high-altitude treks with the rich history of the Inca civilization. This adventure starts in Cusco, leading you through diverse landscapes – from the snowy peaks of Salkantay Mountain to lush tropical forests. Witness the lifestyle remnants in highland hamlets and ancient farmsteads, connecting deeply with Peru’s past and present. The journey intensifies as you approach the Inca Trail, where history unfolds with each step. Trek past abandoned forts and through mystical cloud forests, culminating in the breath-taking Machu Picchu. Nights under the stars in the Andes, and days filled with unparalleled scenic beauty and cultural insights, make this the ultimate trekking experience.
Highlight
- Ascend Salkantay Mountain: Experience the majesty of the Salkantay Mountain, one of Peru’s highest peaks, offering stunning high-altitude landscapes and panoramic views.
- Historical Hamlets on the Trail: Walk through ancient highland hamlets, where traditional Andean lifestyles and Inca cultural heritage vividly come to life.
- Inca Trail Adventure: Embrace the historical journey along the Inca Trail, discovering abandoned forts and lush cloud forests leading to the iconic Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu Sunrise: Witness a breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu, an unforgettable highlight of this 6-day trekking adventure.
- Andean Nights Under the Stars: Camp in the heart of the Andes, with nights under the starlit sky, enhancing the outdoor adventure and connection with nature.
Brief Itinerary for Salkantay
Day 1: Journey to Soraypampa & Ascend to SalkantaypampaEmbark on your adventure with a transfer to Soraypampa. Start the trek towards Salkantaypampa, surrounded by the majestic Andean peaks, offering a perfect introduction to the high-altitude landscapes and rich Andean culture.
Day 2: Salkantaypampa to Sisaypampa Hike
Continue your ascent from Salkantaypampa to Sisaypampa, an immersive hike through diverse terrains. Witness breathtaking views of the Salkantay Mountain, and experience the serene beauty of the Andean wilderness.
Day 3: Sisaypampa to Ayapata Trek
Your journey leads you from Sisaypampa to Ayapata. This stretch of the trail takes you through more remote and tranquil paths, offering a chance to connect deeply with nature and the Incan heritage.
Day 4: Ayapata to Chaquiqocha via the Inca Trail
The adventure intensifies as you join the famed Inca Trail from Ayapata to Chaquiqocha. Trek past ancient Inca sites, unveiling the marvels of this legendary route, with panoramic views and rich historical context.
Day 5: Chaquiqocha to Wiñayhuayna Trek
Continue along the Inca Trail from Chaquiqocha to Wiñayhuayna. This leg of the journey offers lush cloud forest scenery and closer glimpses of Machu Picchu’s ancient architecture and mystical aura.
Day 6: Wiñayhuayna to Sun Gate, Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Conclude your epic trek with a hike from Wiñayhuayna to the Sun Gate, where the first view of Machu Picchu awaits. Explore the sanctuary with a guided tour, uncovering the secrets of this iconic Inca citadel.
Prices for this trek
PRIVATE TOUR PRICE | |
---|---|
1 person | US$ 3022 per person |
2 people | US$ 1955 per person |
3 people | US$ 1722 per person |
4 people | US$ 1514 per person |
5 to 8 people | US$ 1477 per person |
9 to 14 people | US$ 1341 per person |
More than 15 people | US$ 1218 per person |
* Private tour; do not join other travelers; exclusive tour with a private guide and private mobility, whether traveling alone, with family, or with friends.
* Prices are based on the number of people traveling together.
Includes and excludes
Included
- The clients will receive a briefing the night before the Salkantay and Inca Trail trek.
- Pick up from the hotel and transfer to Soraypampa (starting point of the trail).
- Entrance fee to Salkantay trek.
- Entrance fees to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (but not Huayna Picchu Mountain).
- Personal tents accommodate two people for greater comfort and security. Our tents are 4-season and well-maintained for field performance.
- Each individual should bring an inflatable sleeping mat.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs. Kitchen tent.
- Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
- English-speaking tour leader plus an assistant guide for groups of over eight trekkers
- Chef and cooking equipment.
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) on the Salkantay trail – days 1 to 3.
- Pack animals to carry personal gear up to 7kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) on Salkantay trail – days 1 to 3.
- One emergency horse every six persons on Salkantay trail – days 1 to 3.
- Horsemen on Salkantay trail – days 1 to 3.
- Porters (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment) – days 3 to 6.
- Personal porter for personal equipment 7kg (15lbs) – days 3 to 6.
- Meals (5 breakfasts, 5-lunches, five dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except for last day). Vegetarian or special diets are available at no extra cost.
- Lunch on the last day after visiting Machu Picchu.
- A cloth bag for everyday snacks saves plastic bags and decreases waste.
- We will provide boiled water from lunchtime on the first day.
- Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
- Our kitchen staff uses bio-degradable dishwashing detergents.
- Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in the water bottle every morning, night, and lunchtime.
- We bring a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (Expedition train or similar) according to availability – we can upgrade to Vistadome service upon request.
- Transfer from Poroy or Cusco train station to Cusco Hotel.
- 24-hour support by our local staff.
Not Included
- The price does not cover domestic or international flights. Consult a travel agency if necessary.
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.
- Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).
- The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.
- Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.
- Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Entrance fee to the Aguas Calientes thermal springs.
- Sleeping bag.
Trip code: STTI6D01-PVT
Day 1 – Transfer to Marcoccasa, Hike to Salkantaypampa
- Pick up from the hotel at 05:00 and transfer to Mollepata (2,803m/9,196ft). In the spectacular 3-hour journey to Mollepata, we stop for an hour to have breakfast and enjoy the “Salkantay Mountains” panoramic views in the Cordillera of Vilcanota. See chains of the ice-capped Vilcabamba, the vibrant Mollepata village, and Apurimac River Valley.
- We reach the Salkantay Trek trailhead in Marcoccasa (3,600m/11,811ft); here, we meet our horsemen, Arrieros, and the rest of the Salkantay trekking staff (Assistants and Cook). The trek begins with a gradual climb of about 250 meters. It takes about 3 hours, during which we pass through an immaculate Andean Valley landscape on the way to Soraypampa (3,800m/12,467ft). From here, we transfer into private transport due to the rocky and dirty road conditions ahead.
- We stop to see a splendid glacial lake and then eat 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 altitude is (3,950m/12,959ft).
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2 – Hike from Salkantaypampa to Sisay pampa
- After breakfast, we resume our hike and begin the 4-hour vertical climb to the highest pass on the trail, the Inca Chiriaska pass, which stands at 4,960m/16,273ft.
- Once we reached the top, we treat to hot coca tea and phenomenal views of the valleys, lakes, and even spectacular birds, such as condors and falcons.
- This pass is an excellent place to observe Humantay (5217m), Tucarhuay (5450m), and Soray Mountain (5428m), as well as Cusichaca lowlands, lakes, and moraines.
- Later, we hike downhill to eat lunch at Uchupata, where we can observe the nearby valleys of Salkantay (you may be able to watch the condors from this point).
- We then resume our trek to the community of Sisay pampa 3,600 m (11,811ft), which is situated adjacent to an early Inca canal, where we stay the night.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3 – Hike from Sisaypampa to Ayapata
- A two-hour detour through a beautiful valley loaded with local flowers and breathtaking views bring us to the Pampacahuana village among the Incan canals.
- A relaxing day to prepare for the next step of our journey, twee reach Paucarcancha. In this old Inca ruin, we stop for explanations and pictures. We continue downhill alongside the Cusichaca Riverbanks towards the community of Huayllabamba (3000m/9840ft).
- We reach Huayllabamba, where we stop to have lunch. This point of our trek connects to the Classic Inca Trail. Since pack animals are not allowed on the Inca trail, we say goodbye to our horse riders and meet our porters.
- After lunch, we continue to the next campsite; we stop at Ayapata (3,350m/10,990ft) to camp and stay the night. The landscape on our climb varies from Sierra to Puna (a high dry area with some vegetation). We see domesticated alpacas and llamas grazing on the ichu grass, a rare plant that can grow at high altitudes.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4 – Hike from Ayapata to Chaquiqocha
- After breakfast, we continued to hike up to Inca Trail’s highest point. We arrived at the Abra Warmihuañusca mountain pass (4200m/13776ft) 3 hours later.
- We then go downhill into the valley of Paqaymayu (3,500m/11,480ft) and start climbing from there to the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (3,955m/12,975ft). From this pass, we go downhill to Yanacocha and then into the cloud forest to reach Sayacmarca, which is at 3624m/11887ft. We stop halfway up our climb to look at the Abra Runkurakay archaeological site. This complex is at an altitude of 3800m/12464ft and has a small oval building used as a watchtower.
- Sayacmarca is a spectacular development semi-circularly constructed, with enclosures at different levels, narrow lanes, liturgical fountains, irrigation canals, and patios. Twenty minutes from here is Chaquicocha (3,570m/11,713ft), offering splendid sceneries of the nearby mountains at sunrise and sunset. We set up camp here to spend the night.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5 – Hike from Chaquiqocha to Wiñayhuayna
- After breakfasting early, we resume our climb and reach Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft), the third pass. Next, we enter an Inca tunnel, access the above, and descend towards the complex.
- We can witness the Incas’ ancient artistry by walking on roadways disconnected from the mountain and seeing rocks filling ravines to protect the path from the Andean landscape.
- This archaeological complex is the most comprehensive and well-preserved along the entire Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is on the mountain’s highest point. Interestingly, the meaning of the name, Phuyupatamarca, is “town over the clouds.”
- We descend a long stone stairway to Wiñayhuayna (2,700m/8,858ft), an impressive Inca town with a vibrant agricultural complex, urban sector, and religious center near our camp.
- It is the final official camp before Machu Picchu. Get enough sleep to see the magnificent sunrise at Machu Picchu.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6 – Hike Sun Gate, Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary
- At around 04:00, we have breakfast and continue on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, the last part of the journey, so we arrive at the Sun Gate by 06:00 am.
- After 40 minutes of walking, we arrive at Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft) via the “House of the Guardians.” Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft) was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
- Around 08:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.
- From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.