Salkantay Trek & IncaTrail -Machu Picchu 6 Days
23 reviews 
Salkantay Trek & IncaTrail -Machu Picchu 6 Days
23 reviews
Overview
The Salkantay (6264m/20551f) is a sacred mountain, and the tallest, most representative peak situated in the Vilcabamba range. The scenery in this region is particularly beautiful, and offers wonderful views of the diverse landscape and the tropical forest. During our journey, we’ll also visit local farmers to learn about their Andean life, customs and traditions. This trek perfectly combines cultural and natural beauty. Your trek ends at the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu, an engineering marvel and icon of the Inca empire.
Highlights
The Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek is the combination of the Salkantay trail and the classic Inca Trail is a mixture of the natural landscape, where you can see the Andes mountain range with its beautiful snow-capped mountains and the Inca architectural part. It is necessary to make the reservation in advance, since this program is very requested by travelers looking for new experiences.
Trip Details
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata) – Soraypampa – Salkantay pampa
Day 2: Salkantay pampa – Salkantay pass – Sisay pampa
Day 3: Sisay pampa – Canal of the Inca – Wayllabamba
Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu
Day 5: Pacaymayu – Runkurakay – Chaquicocha – Wiñayhuayna
Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata) – Soraypampa – Salkantay pampa
We’ll leave Cusco at 5:45am. After passing the town Mollepata (3000m/9843f), we’ll head for Cruz Pata (3400m/11155f), where we’ll meet the rest of our trekking team, and begin hiking into a magnificent valley surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains, such as the Humantay (5217m/17116f) and the Salkantay (6264m/20551f). Our campsite will be at Salkantay pampa (3900m/12795f).
Transport time: 4 hours
Hiking time: 6 hours
Climate: Moderate and cold during the night
Optional: On the way to Soray Pampa, we strongly recommend making a 2-hour detour to see Humantay Lake and the snow-covered peak of Humantay. You’ll have to ascend from Soray Pampa (3900m/12800F) to Humantay (4220m/12800f).
Day 2: Salkantay pampa – Salkantay pass – Sisay pampa
After breakfast, we’ll continue our journey around midmorning and head for the highest mountain pass in the park of Machu Picchu: the Salkantay pass (5200m/17060f).
From there, we’ll have an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m/20551). Afterwards, we’ll descend to the next campsite, Sisay pampa (3700m/12139f).
Hiking time: 7hours
Climate: Moderate and cold during the night
Day 3: Sisay pampa – Canal of the Inca – Wayllabamba
At dawn. our trek leads us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll pass little creeks and visit several small archeological sites. Our trek today ends at Wayllabamba (3000m/9843f), both our camping site and the starting point for the Classic Inca Trail the next morning.
Climate: Moderate and cold during the night
Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu
To maximize your enjoyment of the beautiful panorama and mystical atmosphere, our day starts early in the morning. Our trek takes us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa (3300m/10827f) and Lulluchapampa (3850/12631f) and finally to Warmiwañusca pass (4200m/13780f), which offers an impressive view of the snow-capped Verónica mountain.
After a short break at the summit, we’ll continue hiking down to our campsite Pacaymayu (3500m/11483f).
Hiking time: 7 hours
Climate: Cold
Day 5: Pacaymayu – Runkurakay – Chaquicocha – Wiñayhuayna
We begin hiking after a delicious breakfast, and the anticipation of enjoying the most beautiful day of the trek. First, we’ll arrive at the archeological site of Runkurakay (3050m/10000f). Perched on a rocky outcrop, this site was supposed to be a “tambo,” a place for storing food and for messengers to rest.
We ascend to a pass at an altitude of 3950m/12960f, before descending to the ruins of Sayacmarca (3600m/11810f), a small city composed of a maze of narrow streets, houses, terraces, and fountains.
The path continues as we go by an Inca tunnel and then walk through a forest, before reaching the last pass, at an altitude of 3700m/12140f.
Below, we’ll see the ruin of Phuyupatamarca, “City Above the Clouds”, which includes an Inca relay station, impressive circular walls and an ingenious system of aqueducts that still supplies the baths with water.
We’ll enjoy a superb view of snow-capped peaks and the Urubamba Valley. Your descent to the other side is under a thick canopy of bamboo.
You’ll also see the extraordinary ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2650m/8694f) on a rocky spur in the heart of the forest and overlooking the Urubamba Valley. Dominated by a vast array of Inca terraces, the urban complex is separated in two by a grand staircase leading to a ceremonial area.
This is our campsite for the night.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Climate: Moderately cold, warm with mosquitoes
Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
After our breakfast around 5:00 am, we’ll head – equipped with our flashlights – to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu.
Around 8:00 am, we’ll visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) and enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour of about two hours. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore the archeological site on your own. We’ll leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
Climate: Warm with mosquitoes
Hiking time: 2 hours
Notes Itinerario
Note: From Day 1 – Day 2 (from Cruz Pata to Wayllabamba), we are accompanied by horsemen and mules to carry all camping equipment and one piece of personal luggage of up to 7 kg/15lb per person. From Day 4 – Day 6 (from Wayllabamba to Aguas Calientes), all equipment including the customer’s personal luggage will be carried by porters.
Important: The combination of the Salkantay trek and the classic Inca trail is important to book months in advance, especially for the high season from May to September. This is due to the legal limit of 500 people permitted per day to start the Inca Trail, including trekkers, guides, cooks and porters.
Included
- Debreafing before to start trek 1 or 2 days in advance.
- Private transport from the hotel to Mollepata (Cruz Pata).
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town.
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco/to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
- Entrance fees to the National Park of Salkantay, the Inca Trail and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
- Private Domes in our first encampement.
- Camping equipment (professional two-persons tents: Doite, model Cima 4, extra light/4kg, Doite, model Kailas 3, extra light/4.5kg and Doite, model Himalaya, extra light/4.5kg; sleeping mats, dining tent equipped with a table and chairs, a sanitary tent).
- Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/ vegetarian option available on request).
- Chef and assistant cook.
- Horseman, mules and porters for up to 7kg/15lb of personal equipment per person.
- Emergency horse during the hike from Salkantay to Wayllabamba.
- First-aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Hot water every morning for washing purposes and boiled water to fill your water bottle every day in morning, lunch and dinner time.
No Included
- Sleeping bag (If you don’t have a sleeping bag, you can rent a warm sleeping bag for $25.00 USD per whole tour).
- Last lunch in Aguas Calientes on 6 Day.
Recommendations:
On Day 1 – Day 3 (from Marcoccasa to La Playa), we are accompanied by horsemen and mules to carry all camping equipment and one personal item up to 7kg/15lb per person. On the fourth day, all luggage will be transferred to the Hydroelectric train station by car.
Visit to Wayna Picchu: Wayna Picchu requires booking months in advance and an additional charge $75.00USD to guarantee your entrance per a new Peruvian law as the 18th of February, 2018.
Tips for horseman, cooks and guides are always welcome. The horsemen are also grateful for a small donation of clothes or school supplies for their children.
What To Bring
- Backpack with rain cover (30- or 40-liter capacity is sufficient).
- Clothing for both warm and cold climates.
- Trekking shoes/boots.
- Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
- Woolen/synthetic socks and a sweater.
- Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts.
- Rain poncho/waterproof jacket and a hat.
- Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, toilet paper, hand cleaner/disinfecting alcohol gel and personal toiletries.
- Camera (with rain protection), a flash light/headlamp and extra batteries.
- Snacks (e.g. chocolate bars and dried fruit)
- Original passport, original ISIC student card (to receive the student discount) and extra money in soles.
- The climate can be very cold and wet, so your wet clothes won’t have enough time to dry. Take extra clothes.
Important:
During the high season (May to August), it is difficult to ensure the exact date of departure desired – there may be only availability the day before or after. We will of course do our best to ensure the best service, but we must adhere to the daily people limits policy established on this tour.
Inquire Now
Related Tours
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
