Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Package Type
Adventure
Activity Level
Moderate
Travel specialist
Trip Overview
Of all the various treks to Machu Picchu, few can compete with the Salkantay Trek in terms of scenery. It’s a spectacular route, passing through jungles and mountain passes, and dotted with azure lagoons. And at the heart of the trek is Salkantay Mountain, which at 6,271 m (20,574 ft) is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range and the twelfth-highest in Peru.
Our Salkantay & Inca trail hike to Machu Picchu traverses the flank of this sacred mountain, offering some of the most awe-inspiring views in Peru. It’s one of the more challenging alternative routes to Machu Picchu, simply because of the high altitude. Unlike the more standard five-day Salkantay trek, this route goes on to join the classic Inca Trail, giving you the best of both worlds: the stunning scenery of Salkantay, and the Inca ruins found along the classic Inca Trail.
Day by day schedule
Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5 a.m. We’ll then travel in our private bus to Mollepata, which takes about four hours. It’s a lengthy trip, but it’s needed to get out to this relatively remote region. On the way, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery, including views of the Izcuchaca and Limatambo mountain ranges.
Eventually we’ll arrive at the colorful Andean village ...
- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosWe’ll wake early on Day 2 and have a hearty breakfast, then we will set off along a gentle uphill trail to Salkantaypampa. As we go, we’ll have wonderful views of the beautiful but imposing Salkantay Mountain in front. As we ascend along the tail, we will stop along the way to enjoy the outstanding mountain scenery of the Vilcabamba range. After lunch, we will gradually continue ascending to our campsite in Pampa Japonesa.
Hiking Time: 7 hours
...- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosToday we will rise early for breakfast before setting off to conquer the last mountain pass on our Salkantay section of the trek. This pass, called Incachiriasca, sits at 5,338 m (17,513 ft). It’s a challenging trek to the top, but we’ll take it nice and slow and you can stop for a breather and to enjoy the views whenever you like. From here, the views of Salkantay are awe-inspiring.
After reaching the pass and stopping for a quick rest, we will make our way ...
- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosDay 4 begins with a steep three-hour trek downhill to the Inca ruins of Inkaracay, also known as Paucarcancha. We’ll explore this small but fascinating Inca site before continuing our trek down to the small village of Huayllabamba. It is here that our Salkantay trek joins with the classic Inca Trail. After making a lunch stop, we will head up to our campsite, through a steep but very scenic climb. Our campsite tonight is at Ayapata.
Hiking Time: 7 hours<...
- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosIt’s another early start as our cooks prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Today we join the classic Inca Trail on what is generally regarded as the toughest section, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us.
After a few hours trekking we will reach the highest pass on the trail, known as Abra de Warrmihuañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). It’s a challenging trek to ...
- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosAfter another energy-filled breakfast, we’ll set off on a relatively gentle uphill trek to our first stop of the day: the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, "The City Above the Clouds," located at around 3,680 m. This enchanting Inca ruin features terraced slopes and five small stone baths that contain constant fresh running water during the wet season. From here, we have incredible views of snow-capped peaks in the distance, including Salkantay and Veronica.
Heading...
- Meals Included: All Included
View all photosToday we want to get moving as soon as possible, so we’ll wake at 4:30 a.m., have breakfast and then set off along the last section of the trail. We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours until we reach Intipunku (the “Sun Gate”), arriving before the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, at around 7 a.m., we can watch as the sun spills across the landscape, slowly revealing Machu Picchu and our first sighting of our final destination.
...
- Meals Included: Breakfast
View all photosWhat's included
- Maximum group size is 16 people, the excursion leaves with at least 2 people
- Briefing to the tour one day before the trek at 19h00
- Accommodation: Soraypampa campsite (1 night), Pampa Japonesa campsite (1night), Inca Acueduct campsite (1 night), Ayapata campsite (1 night), Runkurakay campsite (1 night), Wiñaywayna campsite (1 night)
- Transport: Private or share
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Machupicchu archeological site, landscapes from Salkantay
- Meals: 6 breakfast, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- Inca trail, Salkantay and Machupicchu entrance fee
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu
- First aid kit, if you are taking any medications, please bring your prescription with you
- Professional Guided tour ENG
- Snacks to be eaten throughout the day
- An assistant guide for groups of more than 9 people
- A chef trained for cooking on trekking routes and an assistant cook.
- Complete set of kitchen equipment and utensils.
- Dining room equipment which includes tables, chairs, and a dining tent.
- Water (you need to bring water for the first morning then we will provide you with drinking - previously boiled - water).
- 24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary.
What's not included
- Minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Evacuation: in the event of a serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation
- Any activity not described in What's Included
- Meals and drinks are not specifying on the itinerary
- Personal equipment (Sleeping bag, walking sticks)
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal equipment such as trekking equipment
OPTIONAL FOR RENTING
Details:
Now featuring our exclusive Atmos Foam to further reduce weight and boost compressibility, the ProLite is the lightest and most compact three-season mattress available. Self-inflation keeps set-up super-easy and its die-cut foam packs small, easily fitting inside the most ultralight packs. It's ideal for high-mileage, high-speed journeys where every gram counts. Stuff sack included.
Specifications:
- Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available.
- Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth withlimited bulk.
- Highly Packable: Our exclusive Atmos Foam and a tapered shape keep the ProLite mattressextremely pack friendly.
- Self-Inflating: Expanding foam core self-inflates; top off with just a few breaths forpersonalized firmness.
- Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available
- Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth with
Dimensions:
- 20 x 72 x 1.5 in
Packed Size:
- 11 x 4.8 in
Claimed Weight:
- 1 lb 4 oz
Are you planning to hike the Lares Trek but worried about carrying too much weight? Renting horses can be a convenient option to lighten your load and make your trekking experience stress-free.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Extra Horses for Belongings:
If you want to rent extra horses to carry your belongings, it’s important to plan ahead and book them in advance, especially during peak trekking season when demand is high. Each horse can carry up to 10 kg (22 lbs) of gear, so make sure to pack carefully and within the weight limit to avoid overloading the horse.
Specifications:
- Size: LZ to RZ
- Total Weight: 1,8kg/65oz
- Fill Weight: 280g/10oz
- Packed Size: 16cm x 25cm
Temperature Specifications:
- Extreme: -15°C/5°F
- Comfort Limit: 2°C/36°F
- Comfort: 6°C/43°F
- Good Nights Sleep: 0°C/-5&32;F
Important Note:
Note that our sleeping bags are feather for those that are allergic
These poles are designed to help you endure long treks into rugged, remote areas with a heavy pack. If you need a little extra support when walking, an adjustable folding walking stick is ideal. It has an aluminium body with plastic handles and base, it folds away neatly for easy storage when not in use.
Features:
- Material: Aluminium
- Length: 67–135cm
- Shaft diameter: 16/14/12mm
- SpeedLock Adjustment System
- Flextip with interchangeable basket
- Weight: 528g-650g (Pair)
Highlights:
Inca Trail Porters Protection Law No. 27607(Dec 6th 2001). Decreed Laws Numbers 19990 and 25897 Article 3 Conditions of work:
- Transport up to the point of departure to the end of the trip.
- Limit of load up of 20 kilograms.
- Warm equipment and accommodation
- Special belts to protect their backs from injuries
- Appropriate rest and sleep during the trip
- Provision of sufficient food, and appropriate clothing
- (warm jacket, rain ponchos, walking boots and backpacks)
- Fair and decent Payment on time on Day 4 at 10am
- Life / Accident Insurance the Social Security of Health
- Social Assistance to our Porter`s families not only in Christmas.
QUESTION IS, WHO ARE THE PORTERS?
Porters are indigenous Cusqueñian people who have lived in Cusco, at 4,000 meters high, all of their lives relying on the land of the Andes. Due to economic problems, it is important for these local indigenous people to continue working in the mountains they know so well, rather than give up their jobs in the country to move to the city. They prefer to stay in their local villages and support the education of their children by working as porters on tours.
Sadly, many tour operators don't give them the recognition they deserve. Often tour operators do NOT provide porters with adequate clothing or gear for carrying things while paying them very low salaries. Because of this, you will see thirsty, hungry porters with a low morale along the Inca Trail. Our government has created the Law of the Porter, which requires tour agencies to treat porters better and provide necessary resources for them, but sadly, many of these regulations are not met. Please make sure that the agency you book through respects the Porter Law and be sure to ask for proof of this. Otherwise you could be contributing to the ill treatment of these hard-working porters.
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