Our 6-day hiking route through Salkantay and the Inca Trail is the perfect option for travelers who are unsure which route to choose.
You can enjoy the best of both destinations and follow in the ancient footsteps of the Inca Trail, as well as take in some of the most epic views you have ever seen on this route. Enjoy this unique experience on your own, in a group, or as a couple. You will begin your Salkantay trail tour adventure and visit the impressive Humantay Mountain, which stands out like a jewel among the white peaks of the mountains. Along this ancient trail, you will learn all about the fascinating and innovative Inca culture from your expert guide and stop at some of the most important Inca archaeological sites that played a fundamental role in their empire.
You will end your challenging hike with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. Explore this incredible site and discover all its secrets as you gaze in awe at this amazing feat of humanity. This route is the most complete if you have not yet decided which route to take. Are you ready for the challenge?
Meals Included: 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners.
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.
Activity Description: Hike to Humantay Lake and ascent to camp.
Key Data: Max Altitude: 4,200 MASL | Hiking time: 6 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 15 km.
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.
Activity Description: Crossing the Incachiriasca Pass (Frozen Inca Pass).
Key Data: Max Altitude: 5,100 MASL | Hiking time: 8 hours | Difficulty: Challenging | Distance: 14 km.
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.
Key Data: Max Altitude: 3,300 MASL | Hiking time: 7 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 15 km.
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 Runcuraqay 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.
Key Data: Max Altitude: 4,215 MASL (approx) | Hiking time: 10 hours | Difficulty: Challenging | Distance: 16 km.
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.
Activity Description: Hiking the Cloud Forest and visiting Wiñay Wayna ruins.
Key Data: Max Altitude: 3,600 MASL | Hiking time: 5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 10 km.
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.
Activity Description: Machu Picchu Tour and return.
Key Data: Max Altitude: 2,720 MASL (Sun Gate) | Hiking time: 4 hours | Difficulty: Easy/Moderate | Distance: 6 km.
Team & Support Staff
Accommodation & Meals
Entrances & Guided Tours
Return Logistics (Machu Picchu to Cusco)
Discover what makes this experience unique and why travelers love it.
At Guiding Cusco, we believe the best journeys are personal, meaningful, and thoughtfully designed.
Personalized Small Groups
We keep our groups small so you receive genuine, attentive service throughout your journey. Every experience is designed with your comfort, interests, and pace in mind.
Supporting Our Local Community
We work closely with local guides, cooks, drivers, families, and small businesses, helping create employment and keeping the benefits of tourism within our communities. We also support people and families with limited resources, because we believe tourism can make a positive difference beyond travel.
Licensed & Trustworthy
Guiding Cusco is a formally established and authorized Peruvian tour operator, operating in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Peruvian authorities. Your safety, comfort, and peace of mind are an essential part of every journey we organize.
A More Meaningful Way to Travel
When you travel with Guiding Cusco, you experience Peru with a local team that genuinely cares about its people, culture, and landscapes.
Personal attention. Local connection. Meaningful experiences.
To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend bringing the following items:
Please read these recommendations carefully to prepare for your trip.
Bring warm layers and high-quality rain gear (poncho/jacket). The weather is unpredictable and includes high-altitude freezing temperatures and cloud forest humidity.
Enhance your trip with these optional upgrades available upon request.
Expedition Train upgrades.
Yes, absolutely. Since days 4, 5, and 6 take place on the Classic Inca Trail network, an official permit issued by SERNANP is mandatory. These permits are limited and sell out months in advance. You must book this specific combo tour early to secure your spot.
This trek is rated Moderate to Challenging. It is more demanding than the standard Salkantay or standard Inca Trail because it involves more days and crosses the Incachiriasca Pass (5,100m). You do not need to be a professional athlete, but excellent physical condition and acclimatization are required.
The best season is from April to October (Dry Season). While it gets cold at night (especially at the high camps like Sisaypampa), the days are generally sunny. We do not recommend this specific route in February due to trail closures and heavy rains.
Experience the very best of Cusco and the Sacred Valley on this carefully crafted 5-day adventure that combines history, culture,...
Hike through the Peruvian Andes and cook traditional Peruvian food in the mountains! CUSTOMIZED TOURISM IN SMALL GROUPS Experience Salkantay...
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days | 3 Nights is one of our premier adventures. It allows you...
Salkantay Luxury Star Dome Experience 5 Days / 4 Nights From the high Andes to Machu Picchu — with comfort,...
