Salkantay & Inca Trail: 6-Day Adventure

Overview

SUMMARY OF SALKANTAY TREK WITH INCA TRAIL

This 6 day Salkantay trek and Inca Trail tour is the perfect combination; not only will you experience the nature of the Salkantay Trail, but you will also walk the traditional Inca Trail. The Incas knew the Andes perfectly well. As well as these trails and used them for hundreds of years for trade and communication, by means of the messengers (the chasquis). They remained hidden and are now recognised as some of the best treks in the world.

You will start this adventure in the city of Cusco with the trip to Salkantay on the traditional Inca trail. You will explore the most important points of the trail such as: Humantay Lake, Salkantay Lake. Unlike most treks, we will camp in a unique place near the majestic Salkantay mountain (the second highest mountain in Cusco), perfect for observing the Milky Way and Andean constellation. After overcoming the most challenging part, (PASSO INCACHIRIASCA) you will enter the famous Urubamba valley (Sacred Valley, Inca Trail), with different but equally impressive landscapes. It will be several days on the road crossing many ecological levels until you reach the wonder of the world. Machupicchu.

This is the only hike to Machupicchu with two types of attractions: natural attraction and historical attraction. Don’t wait, let’s go on an adventure!

HIGHLIGHTS

Famous humantay lake
Salkantay mountain with its lake.
Original Inca canal from the time of the Incas.
Archaeological centres.
Sayacmarca, phuyupatamarca, wiñaywayna.
Inca trail.
Gate of the sun (intipunku).
Machupicchu.
Book with confidence and flexibility.

DAY BY DAY SUMMARY OF SALKANTAY TREK WITH INCA TRAIL 6 DAYS.

DAY 1: Cusco – mollepata – salkantay pampa.

This adventure begins with pick up from your hotel in Cusco and then transfer to the village of Mollepata where you will have breakfast, then continue your journey to the famous Humantay Lake and continue your hike to Salkantay Pampa camp.

DAY 2: Salkantay pampa – pampa japonesa – incachiriasca pass – sisaypampa.

This is the day where you will reach the highest pass of the 6 days. The incachiriasca pass as well as you will have an incredible view of the mountains like: salkantay, humantay and tucarhuay. Lake Salkantay is unique for your group and you will arrive at the highest camp in Sisaypampa.

DAY 3: SISAYPAMPA – INCA CANAL – HUYLLABAMBA.

This day you will wake up in the middle of mountains and absolute silence. Then you will follow your itinerary with a descent, passing by the Inca canal, Paucarcancha and many crops. Arriving at Huayllabamba where you will have lunch and the porters will join your group. And change from horses to porters.

DAY 4: Ayapata – warmihuañusca pass – pacaymayo – chaquicocha.

Today we will be on the traditional Inca Trail where there will already be a lot of people who will be doing the same Inca Trail tour. It will be another difficult day passing the highest pass of the traditional Inca Trail and for you the second highest pass. You will also find more archaeological sites and a different vegetation compared to days before.

DAY 5: choquicocha – phuyupatamarca – intipata – wiñaywayna.

Today you will get closer to the famous wonder of the world Machu Picchu. This day the tour will be on the original Inca trail and you will also be able to see the Urubamba river and some snow-capped mountains. And several archaeological sites. On this day you will be able to see Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu mountains.

DAY 6: wiñaywayna – intipunku – machupicchu – ollantaytambo – cusco

This is the last day of this long 6 days tour in the mountains, but really recharged with energy. Today the highlight is Machupicchu, after exploring Machupicchu you will arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes where you will have lunch and wifi connection to be able to communicate with your family and then by train to Ollantaytambo and finally by car to Cusco and this is the end of this adventure

Itinerary

DAY 1 CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAGOON – SALKANTAYPAMPA

We start this experience with the pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at 4.30 am. in a minivan that will transport us for 2 hours to Mollepata where we will enjoy the first breakfast at a local’s house, prepared with local products. Then we continue with our transportation to Challacancha place where the trekking begins with direction to Soraypampa with a time of 3 hours of walking, Soraypampa (3,900 masl / 12,795 feet), and this will be the place of lunch prepared by our Mountain chef. Then we head to Humantay lagoon with a one-hour ascent, after enjoying the Humantay lake(4220 masl / 13,845 ft.), you will start with a 2-hour descent to Salkantaypampa camp (4,150 masl / 13,615 ft.). Camp site and this is where we will spend the first night of this incredible tour.

Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Camp altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,220 m / 13,845 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate.

DAY 2 SALKANTAPAMPA – PAMPA JAPONESA – INCACHIRIASCA PASS – ACCOPATA

Today you will wake up with a cup of coca tea (to combat the altitude) and the trekking team. We will start with the ascent to the Incachiriasca pass (5,100 meters / 16,732 feet). with a time of 4 hours of pure ascent. About 45 minutes before arriving you can visit the turquoise lake of Salkantay, lake that no one visits, will be unique and will be the only ones next to the majestic mountain of Salkantay. After the photos continue the journey to the highest pass in the path of this 6-day hike. Incachiriasca Pass. After this pass you will start with a one-hour descent to the lunch place Yanaqaqa (Black Rock).

After lunch the trek continues to Accopata camp (3,850 masl / 12,630 ft) an impressive and unique camp in the world. where you will wake up in the middle of nowhere with high Andean vegetation, rocks and straws, with a view of the back of Salkantay. And in the middle of several mountains.

Hiking distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Duration: 7- 8 hours approx
Camp altitude: 3,850 m / 12,630 ft.
Maximum altitude: 5,100m / 16,732 ft.
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping

DAY 3 ACCOPATA – INCA CANAL – WAYLLABAMBA

After a good breakfast, we will embark on a 4-hour descent through the valley of the Inca canal, along the way we will find many potato crops and also livestock, until we reach the archaeological center of Paucarcancha (3,143 meters / 10,410 ft.), where we will explore and receive information from your professional guide. Here we will explore and receive information from your professional guide, a beautiful and little visited place. The environment and the warmer temperature of the valley will also indicate our approach to the Inca Trail. Lunch will be served in the same camp, and it is here where we change equipment instead of muleteer we will have porters, people who will carry all our travel equipment, and we will be on traditional Inca Trail again with many trekkers who will be doing the Classic Inca Trail tour.

Depending on the annex our camp can be in Wayllabamba or Ayapata, if it is in Ayapata about 45 minutes more of walking and there will be our camp in the middle of a unique vegetation.

Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Duration: 6 -7 hours
Camp altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping

DAY 4 WAYLLABAMBA OR AYAPATA – WARMIHUAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYU – CHAQUICOCHA

Today you will wake up to different sounds than the previous days, the porters usually start with an early breakfast and then wake you up with a hot drink in your tent. We will continue with the challenging part of the Inca Trail, the HUARMIHUAÑUSCA Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft.), it will take us about 4 hours of climbing in steps made by the Incas so nothing easy, for many this day is the most difficult because of the steps. Then we will have a 4-hour descent to Pacaymayo where we will have lunch, prepared by our mountain team. The porters after this energized lunch will continue with the trek and we also continue with the Inca trail with a 2-hour ascent to the Runcuraqayn pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft.). Here we will also find more Inca constructions of the Inca Trail. We continue descending to another archaeological site of Sayacmarca. Not an easy trail before reaching our campsite. Our camp at Chaquicocha.(3620m/11876pies).

Here, an extraordinary sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range awaits you before dinner.

Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Duration: 10 hours
Camp altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft.
Difficulty: challenging
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping

DAY 5 CHAQUICCOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYWAYNA

After 4 days of trekking this fifth day will be one of the most beautiful of the traditional Inca Trail with a trail in cloud forest. vegetation with unique plants, we make a stop in the area where you will find many Inca constructions such as: Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, Wiñaywayna. As well as the view of the Vilcanota River that connects with the Amazon River, also a 360º view of specific places. Phuyupatamarca(3.700/12139pies) from where you will start with a 2-hour descent, pure steps finding a great variety of orchids. Once you arrive at the camp wiñaywayna (2600m/8530pies). you can make another visit to the archaeological center of Wiñaywayna for many people better than Machupicchu.

This day the hike will be only half a day.

Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Duration: 5 hours
Camp altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2750m/9022 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping

DAY 6 WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

On the last day, we will get up early and prepare for the final stretch of the Inca Trail. After passing the last checkpoint, we will start with a one-hour hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku), from where you will have the first and most amazing view of Machupicchu. After this viewpoint we will approach closer to the citadel of Machupicchu, Feel Proud. Thousands of people visit Machupicchu, but only you and others who walk the Inca Trail have the privilege of entering Machupicchu directly as in Inca times. You will explore the incredible lost city of the Incas with your tour guide. In the afternoon, take the train back to Cusco.

Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Altitude of Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft.
Meals: Breakfast

Includes

Included:

Pre-departure briefing
Professional tour guide
Entrance tickets to Salkantay, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
All transportation included from start to finish
Return in the Expedition train
Camping equipment (tents, dining room, tables, chairs, hot showers and portable toilets)
5 nights of camping in comfortable tents
Tents for every 2 people
Mules and muleteers for the Salkantay Trek
Personal porter for the Inca Trail
Experienced mountain chef
All meals, except the last lunch
Drinking water and snacks every day
Duffel bag to carry up to 5 kg (11 lb) of your personal belongings
sleeping pad, hand towels.

Not Included

Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, trekking poles (you can rent them with us)
Lunch on the last day
Entrance to Huayna Picchu (Optional)
Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, recommended only if you stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes)
Travel insurance
Tips for staff
emergency horses

What to bring

What to Bring

Original passport
Good backpack (small and comfortable)
Water storage: (Camelbacks or 2-liter water bottle).
Comfortable hiking boots (light, good soles)
Trekking poles

What will you have in your backpack during the Inca Trail trek?

You need to bring a small and comfortable backpack for hiking. We recommend not to exceed 25 liters; this is for Machu Picchu where large backpacks will not be allowed.

Water: We provide drinking water every day after the first lunch. For the first morning, you should bring 2 liters of water.
Rain gear (rain jackets, rain pants, waterproof hiking gloves, ponchos).
Sun protection (sunscreen, sun hat)
Hat, warm gloves
Camera, extra batteries, soles
Alcohol gel
Toilet paper
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips.

What will you carry in the duffel bag?

During the Salkantay Inca Trail Tour, porters will carry up to 5 kg of your personal belongings. With your sleeping bag and air mattress 7 kg; this equipment you can bring your own or rent from Guiding Cusco

6 t-shirts (long sleeve, preferably absorbent t-shirts)
3-4 comfortable walking pants
6 sets of underwear
6 sets of hiking socks
1 warm jacket – very cold at night
Comfortable camping shoes (sandals or sneakers)
Camping towels (quick drying). Small hand towels are provided.
Soap (in a sealed container)
Battery charger (enough for the 6 days)
Plastic bags: to organize clean and dirty things.
Sleeping bag (-10C °), you can bring your own or rent it in GUIDING CUSCO
Ear plugs for the night
Toiletries, Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Personal medication
First aid kit: Band-Aid’s, moleskin, etc.

Price

“Salkantay trek with inca trail to machupicchu” can leave any day of the week, from march though january. We stop operating in february, becouse of rainy season, maintenance of the route and campsite.

PRICE 2024

Group Price: US$ 1050.00 per person
REQUIRED pre payment: US$ 500.00 per person.
BALANCE. (CUSCO): US$ 550.00 (Usually paid in cusco 2 or 3 days before the star of your adventure)

This small group adventure is guaranteed to opérate whit just 2 people.

The payment can be made through the Openpay link that has an additional charge of 5% for online deposit, and half of the payment will be made without any additional charge as it will be in our offices or directly to the staff in charge of Guiding Cusco that will visit your hotel.

EXTRA HIKES AROUND MACHUPICCHU.

Complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip:

HUAYNA PICCHU mountain(highly recommended): US$ 70.00
HUCHUY PICCHU mountain: US$ 50.00
Extra night at aguas calientes town. US$ 60.00
Vistadome train (from aguas calientes town – ollantaytambo). US$ 70.00
Porter Extra: $60 (up to 10 kilos).

EXTRA EQUIPMENT FOR THE TREK OF SALKANTAY WITH INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU.

Additional ítems you can rent for this trip:

Sleeping bag : US$ 30.00
Trekking poles(1 pair): US$ 30.00
Inflatable mattress. US$ 30.00

PRICE GUARANTEED

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you have read all our important tour information.

STUDENT DISCOUNT.

Student discount apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we requirea copy or clear photo of the Passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates.

US$ 20. 00 off