The “Wild Mountain”. Salkantay, considered the second highest mountain in the Cusco region. At an altitude of 6271m (20573 ft) it is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. It is located northeast of the city of Cusco.
Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail. During our walk, we climbed up to 5,228 meters above sea level, with beautiful views of the landscapes, here we will have the opportunity to observe the Vilcabamba mountain chain, this walk connects with the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for the last four days . The total duration of this Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail is 7 days and 6 nights.
Our program is ideal for groups of friends, families, newlyweds. We are small group operators, this service is personalized, our professional guides and support staff give you the attention of life. The 4 days of the Inca trail, you will have a personal porter to carry your 7 kg personal equipment, so you can enjoy the trail. Reserve in advance. Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail 07 Days
We offer daily departures on the Inca trail and alternative routes: check availability here. – Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail.
overview
Both the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail are popular trekking routes in Peru that lead to the iconic Machu Picchu. Each offers a unique experience in terms of landscapes, difficulty, and cultural immersion. Here’s an overview of both trails:
Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail:
Overview:
- Route: The Salkantay Trek is a less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail, offering stunning scenery and diverse landscapes.
- Duration: Typically 6-7 days, depending on the itinerary and pace.
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with high altitude passes and varied terrain.
- Highest Point: Salkantay Pass at approximately 5,200 meters (15,091 feet) above sea level.
- Starting Point: Usually begins from Mollepata, a few hours from Cusco.
Highlights:
- Scenery: Dramatic landscapes ranging from high mountain passes with views of snow-capped peaks to lush cloud forests.
- Culture: Passes through remote Andean villages where travelers can interact with local communities and learn about traditional Andean life.
- Salkantay Mountain: The trek offers breathtaking views of the imposing Salkantay Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the region.
Itinerary (Typical):
- Day 1: Start trekking from Mollepata to Soraypampa.
- Day 2: Hike to Salkantay Pass and descend to Sisaypampa.
- Day 3: Hike to Sisaypampa descend to paucarcancha
- Day 4: Start trekking from km 82 to Wayllabamba or Llulluchapampa.
- Day 5: Ascend to Dead Woman’s Pass and descend to Pacaymayo or Chaquicocha.
- Day 6: Trek through cloud forests to Wiñay Wayna and continue to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
- Day 7: Early morning hike to Intipunku for sunrise views of Machu Picchu, followed by a guided tour of the citadel
Highlights:
- Historical Sites: Passes through several Inca archaeological sites, including Wiñay Wayna, Intipata, and the iconic Sun Gate (Intipunku) overlooking Machu Picchu.
- Scenery: Diverse landscapes ranging from cloud forests to high-altitude mountain passes with panoramic views.
- Cultural Experience: Offers insights into Inca history, culture, and engineering prowess through well-preserved ruins and stone pathways.
Choosing Between Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail.
- Scenery: Salkantay offers more diverse landscapes, including high mountains and cloud forests, while the Inca Trail focuses on historical sites and Inca ruins.
- Difficulty: Salkantay Trek is generally considered more challenging due to higher altitudes and longer distances on some days.
- Availability: The Inca Trail requires permits that often sell out months in advance, whereas the Salkantay Trek has more flexibility in terms of booking.
- Crowds: The Inca Trail is more regulated with a limited number of trekkers per day, while the Salkantay Trek tends to be less crowded.
Both treks culminate in a visit to Machu Picchu, offering a rewarding conclusion to an unforgettable journey through Peru’s Andean landscapes and Inca heritage.
Itinerary
DAY 01: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA.
Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail. We pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 am to begin our journey to ‘Tarawasi’ (2600 m) an important Inca archaeological complex, 2 hours from Cusco. Here we will have our breakfast and then toward Mollepata – this is where we meet our horseman and mules to begin our trek. We walked about 3 hours to reach the place of our lunch and camping (Challacancha 3500m). From here, we have magnificent mountain views Huamantay, which is over 5750 meters Overnight here.
- Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2750 m
- Maximum altitude: 3850 m
- Distance: 08km / 9miles
- Time: 5h approximately
- Difficulty: moderate.
DAY 02: CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMAPA-SALKANTAYPAMPA.
We have breakfast and then start walking towards Soraypampa by 03.00 hours (3800m). This point has stunning views of the snow-capped Humantay (5917msnm) and Salkantay (6271m). Here we have lunch and a rest. Then we go up the mountain for about an hour to visit the lagoon Humantay and then continue until you reach Salkantaypampa located at a height of 4100.msnm Our camp.
- Meals: Breakfast-lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 3850 m
- Maximum altitude: 4120 m
- Distance: 10km / 6miles
- Time: 5h approximately
- Difficulty: moderate.
DAY 03: SALKANTAYPAMPA-INCACHIRIASKA-PAMPACAHUANA.
Very early to have breakfast and then begin our trek to the pass which is Incachiriaska height. 5228 m. This is the highest point in our hike and from here; We have a magnificent view of Salkantay mountain dela or ‘wild’ mountain (6271 m) and small lakes that are located at the base of the imposing Nevado. There is also the chance to see wild rabbits and other typical animals native to the Peruvian Andes – llamas, guanacos and vicunas. After reaching the pass, we descend to Sisaypampa lunch spot and then continue along a quiet country road to reach the community Pampacawana (4000m) where we camp. I spent the night.
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 4000 m
- Maximum altitude: 5,220 meters
- Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
- Time: 9h about
- Difficulty: challenging
DAY 04: PAMPACAHUANA-WAYLLABAMBA-LLULLUCHAPAMPA.
After breakfast we start walking through a beautiful valley where we can observe Andean flora and fauna up to the archaeological site ‘Paucarcancha’ where we have a guided tour and lunch, here we say goodbye to our horseman, and this part of the way we use porters ( law of the carrier and Inca Trail) follow the road until you reach Llulluchapampa (3850 12631 meters) campsite. Overnight
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 3800 m
- Maximum altitude: 4000 m
- Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: moderate.
DAY 05: LLUCHAPAMPA-PACAYMAYO-CHAQUICOCHA.
After breakfast, we begin a climb to the pass of wuarmihuañusca (called ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ because of its image from a distance) which is 4200 m. From here, we will have a breathtaking view of the stunning Inca Trail. Then we descend to Pacamayu for lunch. After a break, we climbed over the mountain to visit the archaeological site of ‘Runcuracay’ and get to Runkurakay pass (4000m). Where we will have beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and from here we start a descent with a beautiful landscape to the Inca site ‘Sayacmarca’. Where we will have a short break here before continuing to Chaquicocha (3660 m) where we will camp. I spent the night
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 3600 m
- Maximum altitude: 3800 m
- Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: challenge.
DAY 06: CHAQUICOCHA-PHUYUPATAMARCA-WIÑAYWAYNA.
Here we have a beautiful sunrise, after breakfast start to walk towards Wiñaywayna. On the way we pass the archaeological sites of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (‘Cloud City’) and ‘Intipata’. To reach wiñaywayna (2680m. Place the camp here after lunch and a short rest visit the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñaywayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Overnight.
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2620M
- Maximum altitude: 3600 m
- Distance: 13km / 12.5 miles
- Time: about 7h
- Difficult: moderate.
DAY 07: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUZCO.
This last day we will have breakfast very early (4.00 am). And then to go to the control which opens at 5.30am, from this point, start walking by 01.30 .Hrs towards the ‘Inti Punku’ (Gate of the Sun ‘) (2730 m) .from this place you will have the first view of Machu Picchu (2400m) and the sunrise over it! After a while there, we walked the last part of the journey to the place where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard) Finally, we visited Machu Picchu.
The guide will offer a visit (about 2 hours) and after that, you have free time to explore the city and if you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2720m). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
To return to Aguas Calientes have 2 options, walking or bus (optional) where you will meet your guide back for lunch and receive his train ticket to return to the city of Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast and drinking water.
- Distance: 6km
- Difficulty: Easy
Note: The level of difficulty depends a lot on your fitness and acclimatization
CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHUPICCHU AND WAYNAPICCHU.
Inclusions
OUR TOURS INCLUDE:
- Professional guide, bilingual
- Pick up from hotel in the morning.
- Service train back to Ollanta.
- Entrance to Salkantay National Park, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 afternoon snack, 6 dinners and various snacks to eat.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Chef.
- Tent 2 person
- Sleeping pad
- Horsemen and mules and
- Porters for the Inca trail (they carry cooking and camping equipment)
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid
IT’S NOT INCLUDED.
- First breakfast
- Last lunch Aguas Calientes
- Extra expenses (tips)
Should Bring
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:
- Original passport (International Student Card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Sleeping bag (not included but can be rented from us)
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Shirts
- Comfortable pants
- Sun hat
- Reusable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
- Water (only for first 4 hours of walking, we offer-cold boiled water).
- Sunscreen (factor 70 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Personal articles
- Personal medications
- Camera and battery.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
OPTIONAL TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Stick (with rubber tip)
- Plastic headbands
- Flips flops
- Extra money
- Swimwear hot springs in Aguas Calientes town -not included-
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Sleeping bag – 5 seasons ($.20)
- Personal tent ($.35)
- Walking stick ($.18)
Price
IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day
Prices: Season 2024
Group Service
- U$. 1100 per Person (Minimum 2 people)
Discounts
- Student Discount (only with active card): U$.20
- Under 18 years Discount: U$.20
**visit our secure payment methods
Acomodation
