Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 7 days

We’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, imposing Salkantay Mountain in front of us. We will stop for lunch at Ichupata carefully prepared by our amazing cooking staff on the mountain top.  As we ascend along the trail, 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 where we can see spectacular views of the lagoons below us which offer a stunning backdrop for our remote campsite to reconnect with mother nature.

Hiking Time: 7 hours.
Hiking Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Highest Point: 4,580 m / 14,041 ft
Lowest Point: 3900 m / 12, 795 ft.

Today 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 5,100 m (16,732 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 Mountain are awe-inspiring. 

After reaching the pass and stopping for a quick rest, we will make our way down to our lunch camp in Sisaypampa, where the highest-living Andean rodent, the "Vizcacha" related to the chinchilla family, can be seen. After lunch, we’ll continue heading downhill towards our campsite. As we approach the campsite, the valley narrows and we follow the pretty river to our final destination for the day: our campsite, which is located near an Inca aqueduct.

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 9 miles.
Highest Point: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft.
Lowest Point: 3900 m / 12,795 ft.

Day 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. Here we will need our passports as we enter the official Inca Trail. We will get to know our Inca Trail porters who will be carrying all of our equipment for the rest of our Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. After a lunch stop to recharge our batteries, we will head up to our campsite, through a steep but very scenic climb. Our campsite tonight is at Ayapata.

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours.
Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles.
Highest Point: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft.
Lowest Point: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft.

After breakfast, another early morning awaits us as we tackle the Dead Woman´s Pass, the highest point on the Inca Trail section. After a few hours of trekking, we will reach the famous Abra de Warrmihuañusca at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). It’s a challenging trek to reach this point, but we’ll be with you all the way, taking it one step at a time. The high altitude makes it even tougher, so don’t worry if you find yourself stopping every few steps – that’s perfectly normal (unless you’re one of our incredible porters, who make it look easy!). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, and you can be justifiably proud to have made it up Dead Woman's Pass. After our rest, we will begin our descent to our lunch stop, located at Pacaymayu at 3,650 m (12,000 ft). Along our way, you’ll be able to see lots of hummingbirds as they flit about, as well as other species of birds. The variety of native plants is all impressive here, and your guide will point out some species, such as the Polylepis, a native tree that only grows in the cloud forest at this particular altitude.  

After lunch, we’ll set off on another steep ascent for about two hours. Our destination is the Chaquicocha Camp Site via the Runkurakay pass (4,000m), where we will camp for the night. We should get there around 5 p.m., with plenty of time to set up our campsite before having dinner. Then it will be time for bed, your body tired but your mind exhilarated by the day’s achievements.

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours.
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 8 miles.
Highest Point: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft.
Lowest Point: 3,650 m / 12,000 ft.

Total trekking distance: 10 km / 5 hours approx.
Highest altitude: 2,700 m (8,858 ft).
Lowest point: 2680 m (8792 ft).

The Inca was the son of 'Inti' (The Sun) and only he was allowed to do this path since it was his way to glory among the Apus and to enjoy his royal house, Machu Picchu. Now you too have become part of Royalty or you will feel like it since you have mixed with the Apus on this spiritual path. After completing the Inca Trail, things will no longer be the same. The total distance to hike is 5 km (about 2 hours). It's time to wake up, have an early breakfast, and get back on track. On this early start, we have to reach 'Intipunku' ('Puerta del Sol') (2,730 m / 8,792 ft) before sunrise.
You will get your first great view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft) with the sun rising over it. (The circuit to the citadel of Machupicchu will depend on the Ministry of Culture).

We will spend some valuable time in Machu Picchu taking an impressive tour of the ancient city. We will walk the last section of the trail to a place where you can take the classic postcard photo of this Inca citadel. We will re-enter Circuit 3 where you will enjoy a guided tour to learn everything about the archaeological site. Our guide will allow you to enjoy 2 more hours of travel on your own to see the citadel or if you have already reserved the hike to any of the mountains: Machu Picchu Mountain or Wayna Picchu Mountain.

Once we have finished our Machu Picchu tour, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is included in the tour. We will have lunch in Aguas Calientes (not included) and our guide will give you the return tickets to Cusco.

Total trekking distance: 5 km / 2 hours approx.
Highest altitude: 2,730 m (8,792, ft).
Lowest Altitude: 2400 m (7,873 ft).