Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 7 Days / 6 Nights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humatay Lake - Sky Camp
6 stops
1
Cusco
We start very early, around 4:00 a.m., with pickup at your hotel and a two-hour drive to Mollepata
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Mollepata
In Mollepata, we will have an optional breakfast. Then we continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike and where you will meet the team that will accompany you along the route.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
We begin the hike following an ancient Inca water channel that is still in use, on a relatively flat 7 km stretch to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft)
3 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Our exclusive Sky Camp is located in Soraypampa, where you will have time to rest before lunch.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Humantay Lake
In the afternoon, we ascend to Humantay lake on a three-hour hike, covering 3 km. You can enjoy its turquoise waters and take pictures.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
6
We end the day with a comforting dinner and a beautiful sunset, then rest under the starry sky in our clear-roofed domes.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Soraypampa - Salkantaypampa - Ichupata - Pampajaponesa
3 stops
7
We start the day with hot coca tea and a spectacular view of Mount Salkantay. After breakfast, the guide will give a brief explanation about the hike and the importance of mountains (Apus) in the Andean worldview.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Salkantay Trail
We begin the ascent to Salkantaypampa on a steep trail due to the altitude; however, our guide and team will be there to accompany you and ensure a comfortable pace. You will enjoy unique panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and the natural environment surrounding the trail.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
9
After a short break, we descend to Ichupata, where we will have lunch surrounded by peaceful scenery. In the afternoon, we continue to Pampajaponesa, where we will set up camp for the night. Here you will enjoy a hearty dinner before resting while observing the impressive constellations of the Andean sky.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Pampajaponesa - Abra Incachiriaska - Yanacaca - Pampacahuana - Inca Canal - Paucarcancha
3 stops
10
We start early with an energy-packed breakfast and a cup of coca tea to prepare for the ascent to Abra Incachiriaska (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), the highest point of the trek. From the summit, you will enjoy majestic landscapes and, with a little luck, you may see condors flying overhead. To help you acclimatize to the altitude, we will share an additional cup of coca tea. Before continuing, you will have the option of taking a 30-minute walk to get closer to the glaciers or resting in the area. Then we descend to Yanacaca, where a well-deserved lunch awaits us.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
11
In the afternoon, we continue our descent to Pampacahuana, crossing beautiful Andean valleys with time to take photographs. Further on, we will enter a section of the Inca Trail, passing by different archaeological sites and the Inca canal, as well as interacting with local families and learning about their customs.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
We end the day at the Paucarcancha camp, where you will enjoy dinner before resting
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Paucarcancha - Wayllabamba - Ayapata
3 stops
13
After breakfast, we begin our hike through remote areas surrounded by nature until we reach Paucarcancha, where the guide will explain the history and impressive Inca architecture of the site. As we continue, you will notice how the flora changes as we approach the Sacred Valley, with a warmer climate and more vegetation.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
14
In the afternoon, we officially enter the Classic Inca Trail, where you will enjoy lunch and a well-deserved rest.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
15
Then we begin the ascent to the camp, experiencing the last change in climate as we enter the cloud forest. At the end of the day, you will enjoy a comforting dinner and a comfortable rest.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Ayapata - Dead Woman's Pass - Runkuraqay Pass - Yanacocha - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha
5 stops
16
After an energetic breakfast
1 hour • Admission ticket free
17
We begin a four-hour ascent to the Dead Woman's Pass, observing how the landscape changes from cloud forest to high mountains covered with ichu (Andean straw). From the summit, we continue our descent along a stone path to the lunch area.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
18
We then walk for 45 minutes, accompanied by exotic flowers and wild orchids, but we invite you to admire them without touching them as they are endangered species, until we reach the archaeological site of Runkuraqay and cross another 45 minutes to the Runkuraqay Pass (3,950 m / 12,959 ft) to continue on to Yanacocha, an ancient ceremonial center linked to water.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Sayacmarca
In the afternoon, we arrive at Sayacmarca, one of the most enigmatic archaeological complexes on the Inca Trail.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
20
We end the day with a short 25-minute walk to the camp in Chaquicocha, where you will enjoy dinner and rest.
11 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca - Intipata - Wiñay Wayna
4 stops
21
We start the day with a leisurely breakfast before continuing on our way, asking permission from the glacier and then following a gentle trail with views of the Pumasillo glacier.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
22
We arrive at the Inca complex of Phuyupatamarca, known as the “village above the clouds” due to its strategic location and its function linked to astronomy.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
23
The Ruins of Intipata
We then descend to Intipata (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), notable for its wide terraces and views of the Sacred Valley with the Urubamba River.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
24
Winay Wayna
We continue the hike to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), our campsite and lunch spot. In the afternoon, you can shower, rest, and explore the archaeological site, famous for its aqueducts and terraces, before sharing a warm farewell with the team of porters.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
5 stops
25
Winay Wayna
We will start very early with a light breakfast to embark on a 2-hour hike to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
26
After the first hour, we will arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you will have your first view of the citadel at sunrise. We will continue for another hour until we enter the site, with the landscape now clear.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
27
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
We will take a guided tour of the upper terraces, ideal for your classic photo of Machu Picchu.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
28
Aguas Calientes
Then we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch on your own and visit the craft shops.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
29
Ollantaytambo
Finally, we will board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
• It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.

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