Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail 6 Days - 5 Nights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humatay Lake - Sky Camp
5 stops
1
Cusco
We start very early with pick-up at your hotel around 5:00 a.m. for a two-hour drive to Mollepata
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Mollepata
In Mollepata, we will enjoy an energizing breakfast. Then we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek, where you will meet our local team who will accompany you throughout the route.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
3
The hike begins with a 3-hour trek to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where our exclusive Sky Camp is located. During the trek, you will follow an ancient Inca canal that is still in use today. Upon arrival at the camp, you will enjoy lunch with a view of the mountains and a short time to rest.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Humantay Lake
In the afternoon, we will hike to the impressive Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), where you will have free time to enjoy the natural surroundings, breathe fresh air, and contemplate its turquoise waters.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
5
We will return to camp for dinner and spend the night in our comfortable domes, ideal for observing the Andean night sky.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa
4 stops
6
We start the day with the first rays of sun and a cup of coca tea, followed by a hearty breakfast.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
We begin the hike towards the most demanding challenge of the Salkantay Trek: the Abra Salkantay. This ascent takes approximately 3 hours, including the challenging 7 Serpents Trail. Upon reaching the summit, you will enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of the trip, surrounded by snow-capped mountains (Apus) such as Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo, as well as extensive Andean valleys.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
8
After a short rest, we begin the descent to Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), where you will enjoy lunch surrounded by the last views of the glaciers. We continue towards the cloud forest, a stretch full of endemic flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled: you may spot the Cock of the Rock, Peru's national bird. This part of the trek takes about 3.5 hours, until we reach Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), where our exclusive Mountain Sky View Lodge is located
4 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Here you will enjoy dinner and rest comfortably.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes
4 stops
10
We start the day with a hearty breakfast and the sounds of nature.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
11
Santa Teresa
Then we begin our hike through the Santa Teresa Valley, a stretch full of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, fruit trees, and extensive banana, coffee, and avocado plantations. This route offers tropical landscapes that are ideal for enjoying and taking photographs.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Lucmabamba Coffee Experience
We arrive at Zona Propiedad to board our private vehicle to La Playa, where we will visit a coffee farm to learn about the local coffee production process and observe avocado and orange plantations. After this enriching activity, we will continue our journey to Lucmabamba (2,000 m/6,562 ft). After a short break, we will enjoy a delicious lunch and settle into our exclusive Super Jungle Domes. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the surroundings.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
13
Finally, we will return to Lucmabamba (2,000 m/6,562 ft), where you will enjoy dinner and rest in your jungle accommodation, allowing you to relax and connect with nature.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hydroelectric Plant - Aguas Calientes
4 stops
14
Mirador de Llactapata
We start the day with an energy-packed breakfast to begin the 2-hour climb to Llactapata (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft), an archaeological site that offers unique views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. After the guide's explanation, you will have free time to rest and take pictures.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
15
Then we descend for 1 hour and 30 minutes to Aobamba, where we enjoy lunch. We continue for another 30 minutes to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m/ 5,905 ft), where you can see a 250-meter artificial waterfall that generates electricity.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
16
From Hidroeléctrica, we will continue walking for 3 hours along a trail surrounded by vegetation, following the train tracks and passing by the Intihuatana, an ancient Inca sundial.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
17
Aguas Calientes
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, dinner at an exclusive restaurant and a night in a comfortable hotel await you.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Aguas Calientes - KM 104 - Inti Punku - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
6 stops
18
After a hearty breakfast, we head to Km 104, the starting point of the short Inca Trail.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
19
We begin the hike surrounded by lush Andean vegetation until we reach Chachabamba, the first archaeological site, where the guide will provide a detailed explanation.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
20
Winay Wayna
We continue for 3 hours to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m), “Forever Young,” famous for its ritual fountain, temples dedicated to the forces of nature, and beautiful agricultural terraces. After exploring the complex, you will enjoy a short break to connect with the surroundings. Further on, we will pass by the camps of the Classic Inca Trail and have our box lunch.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
21
We resume the hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), from where you will have your first spectacular views of Machu Picchu. This will be an ideal time for photographs and to feel the energy of the place.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
22
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Finally, we descend to the upper terraces of Machu Picchu to take the classic postcard photo before boarding the bus to Aguas Calientes.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
23
Aguas Calientes
In the evening, you will dine at a renowned restaurant and rest in a comfortable hotel.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
4 stops
24
Aguas Calientes
We wake up early to enjoy a light breakfast at the hotel before boarding the bus that will take us to the entrance of Machu Picchu in a 25-minute ride.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
25
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Upon entering, you will take a 2-hour guided tour of the lower part of the citadel, visiting temples, terraces, and key points of Inca architecture. Then you will have free time to take photos and explore on your own. If you have an additional ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the guide will accompany you to the checkpoint and begin the corresponding explanation to continue the hike.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
26
Ollantaytambo
Afterwards, we will return to the entrance to take the bus to Aguas Calientes. There you will have time to have lunch at the restaurant of your choice before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Cusco (Pass by)
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, where your experience will end at your respective hotel.

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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