Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek

Upon arrival in Cusco, a local representative will be waiting at the airport to warmly welcome you escort you in a private transport vehicle to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay. The remainder of the day is free to unwind, explore, and soak up the charm and breathtaking scenery of Cusco and its stunning surroundings.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: None

Today you are free to relax after your flight and explore Cusco independently, the historic capital of the Inca Empire located high in the Peruvian Andes at an elevation of 3,400 metres. 

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Your Inca Trail Salkantay Trekking Tour starts with your trekking guide, chef, and porters picking

you up from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. after which we will drive two and a half hours to the trailhead, Marccoccasa (3,300 meters). After this you will have some time to prepare for the day and enjoy your breakfast.

Today you will experience views of the Andes, lush green valleys, and beautiful waterfalls. The hiking will be moderate in difficulty, but one of the longer days of hiking with a gradual uphill climb lasting about three and a half hours until lunch.

After lunch, the hike will be become less strenuous and the views will change drastically. The trailhead is all situated in green, lush valleys, but in the afternoon, you will be right at the foot of the Humantay snow-capped mountain. You will also experience a temperature drop so be sure to have your warm jacket, and gloves in your daypack for the cold afternoon.

After arriving at the Soyapamapa campsite (3,800 meters), your team will welcome you and provided warm drinks and dinner.

Elevation: From 2,900 to 3,800 m

Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles

Considered: Moderate

Overnight: Ayapata Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will be woken up with hot drinks and breakfast. After you prepare for the day, we will show you the alpines micro-climate and amazing views of the high glacier peaks, considered to be the highest peaks around Cusco and the father of the other mountains by many Andean people (Apus means God).

You will begin a two-hour climb to a beautiful lake, located at the bottom of the Humantay glacier mountain. It’s believed that the Incas used to hold celebration ceremonies for the God of water and the Apus, that surround this peaceful place.

You will then begin your return to the main trail and continue towards your lunch spot at Salkantay Pampa where you will enjoy the views of a higher mountain, Salkantay Mountain (6,215 m).

After lunch, we will have a two hour, steep climb to our second campsite, at Ichupata or Pampa Japonesa (4,200 m). Today will be a cold day of hiking, so be sure to have your jacket, warm hat, sunglasses and gloves in your day pack.

At the campsite, you will be welcomed by your porters to enjoy hot drinks and dinner. Tonight is the perfect night to spot the constellations and the views of Salkantay peak. This campsite is the highest, so it should be a cold night, close to zero degrees Celsius.

Elevation: 3,500 - 4,300 meters

Distance: 13 km / 8 miles

Considered: Moderate to difficult

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After tea and breakfast, it will be time to embark on the most challenging, yet rewarding hike of your adventure. Your guide will lead you up the Inca Chiriasca pass (5,000 meters high), at a steady pace to

see the marvelous views of the glacier mountains. Once you have reached the top, there will be hot coca tea, view of the valley and lakes, and even birds like condors and falcons.

Following, you will start descending, or you may take an optional hike to a glacier, which only takes 30 minutes. Afterward, we will continue trekking to your lunch spot, where your porters will be waiting with the traditional hot tea and delicious lunch.

For the rest of the day, you will walk downhill, through lush green valleys and winding streams, before reaching your campsite, in a little village of 10 families.

Elevation: 4,300 - 5,000 meters, then to 37,500 meters

Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

Considered: Difficult

Weather: Cold

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today will give you a rare glimpse into the past as you wander through hillside paths, used by traditional Peruvian farmers, living the same way since the time of the Incas. Then, you will arrive at the famous Inca ruins, where your tour guide will provide you with some background on the Incas. After the ruins, your tour guide will point out new and different vegetation, as you move into the high, jungle micro-climate.

Finally, you will reach the classic Inca Trail, where your porters will serve you lunch. The afternoon’s hike will be all uphill until we reach our campsite. 

Elevation: 3,750 - 3,000 meters, then to 3,300 meters

Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

Considered: Moderate to difficult

Weather: Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today will be the longest but most breathtaking day, including the Inca ruins and the cloud forest. After an early breakfast, we will start with a two-hour climb uphill in the Puna area. The Andean Ichu is a dry place with little vegetation, but you can see llamas here. When we reach the peak of Dead Women´s Pass (4,200 meters high), you will have some time to rest and enjoy the glacier peaks and spectacular mountains, nearby.

Afterward, we will start descending on the rock-paved trail towards our lunch spot. Along the way, you will be able to observe Orchids and other flowers. This section is also a perfect spot to watch hummingbirds.

After lunch, we will begin climbing uphill for two hours to reach the second peak. Halfway through your journey, you will visit the Inca ruins, called Runcu Raccay. This place has been said to function as a watchtower from its oval shape and position overlooking the valley. After crossing over the second peak (4,000 meters high), we will start descending for one hour to the lake called Yanaccoha, where the Incas organized ceremonies for the Goodness of the water. Then, you will arrive at the famous cloud forest and also one of the most beautiful Incan ruins called Sayacmarca where you can observe the original Inca houses, water fountains, water channels, and the most spectacular views of the valley.

After the ruins, it will take you about 30 more minutes to reach our campsite, called Chaquicocha. Once again, you will have an opportunity to see different types of flora and fauna since you will be in the high jungle.

Elevation: 3,300 - 4,200 meters (the pass), 3,600 meters (the lunch) and again, 4,000 meters (the

pass), 3,600 meters (the camp)

Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Considered: Difficult

Weather: You will experience the four seasons, all in just one day

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today is the most relaxed day of the tour. In the morning, you will have views of the surrounding

Andes Mountains, and the Pumassillo mountain glacier peaks. There will only be about five hours

hiking, including the three Inca ruins on the way to our campsite.

The first ruins are called Phuyupatamarca (cloud level-town) and are two hours from the campsite. Here you will have views of the sacred valley, and the river of Urubamba.

Finally, you will reach the last campsite, called Wiñay Wayna (2,600 meters), where you will leave your day packs and walk for five minutes to reach the most beautiful Incan ruins, along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This place is close to a village where you can enjoy the beauty of the water channels, terraces, and temples, and learn about the religious ceremonies that used to occur here.

After lunch, you will have an opportunity to take a hot shower, followed by a free afternoon to explore the most beautiful Inca site, Wiñay Wayna. Later in the afternoon will be your last happy hour and dinner, topped with a small presentation from your porters to say a final goodbye. They will head back to Cusco the next day, while you continue your journey to Machu Picchu.

Elevation: 3,600- 2,600 meters

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles

Considered: Warm and humid

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today is the most important day and you will wake up earlier than usual.

After breakfast, you will walk two more hours to Machu Picchu, where you will pass through the Sun Gate to experience some spectacular views of the stunning mountains, valleys, rivers, and the Incan ruins. Once you arrive, your tour guide will share information with you about Machu Picchu after which you will have time to explore by yourself. Be sure that you visit all the sacred places like the temples, palaces, and the famous Inca bridge.

When you are ready to make your way back to Aguas Calientes, there will be buses that depart regularly. This bus is about 30 minutes. After spending time in the town of Aguas Calientes, you will need to be at the train station 30 minutes before our train departs back to Cusco.

Walking Distance: 5 km /3 miles

Meals: Breakfast

Today, depending on your flight time home, you will have the chance to explore Cusco independently or simply relax after your challenge before bidding your team farewell after your epic adventure.

Meals: Breakfast