Salkantay Inca Trail with Condor Overflight

After an early breakfast we start hiking. We get to Soyrapampa (3, 850m/12,600 ft) where we join the main Salkantay Trek. From there it takes about an hour to reach Salkantay Pampa, the place of our second campsite. Before that we have the chance to take in the stunning sight of the sacred mountains of Huamantay (5,917 m/19,412 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m/20,574 ft).

In the Andean culture these mountains are considered to be `Apus´ (mountain spirits) of great significance. When in Salkantay Pampa (4,100 m/13,451 ft) we set up camp and are later served dinner. We are in high altitude so the night will be cold, don’t forget to bring lots of warm clothes.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated Trekking Time: 6 hours
• Trekking Distance: 10 km
• Max. elevation: 4,100 m/13,451 ft
• Min. elevation: 3,600 m/10,200 ft
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

A hard day of trekking awaits us today. We hike for 3 hours to get to Paucarcancha (3,205 m/10, 515 ft). There you have a guided tour of the Inkaracay ruins. After that you will descend for a couple of minutes to the town of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,842 ft) where we say goodbye to our horses and horsemen and welcome our porters. We enjoy lunch before we continue climbing. During the hike we pass a cloud forest with native trees, orchids, mosses, ferns and birds. We finally get to the next campsite, Llullucha Pampa (3,855m/12,650 ft).

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated Trekking Time: 7 hours
• Trekking Distance: 13km
• Max. elevation: 3,855 m/12,650 ft
• Min. elevation: 3,000 m/9, 842 ft
• Difficulty: Difficult

Early after breakfast you start ascending to Abra Warmiwañusca (dead woman’s pass) at 4,200 metres passing through cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku which offers some wonderful views the surrounding snowcapped summits. From Warmiwañusqa you descend to the Pacamayo Valley (3,300 m) where you have a lunch break. You then continue the hike through the valley to the Inca ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Then you get over the second pass – Abra Runkuracay (3,860 m) and follow the Royal Inkas Highway down to the Inka ruins of Saycamarca passing Lake Yanacocha. Camp in Chaquicocha (3,670).

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
• Trekking distance: 12 km
• Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)
• Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
• Difficulty: Challenging

Our expedition ends with this last day, in which we will wake up early to climb with determination up the ancient stone stairs until we reach the mythical Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), the perfect viewpoint to contemplate the majestic sunrise over the long-awaited citadel of Machu Picchu. Then, we will enter the sanctuary early in the morning, ensuring the best light conditions and a peaceful environment to capture spectacular photographs of the "Lost City of the Incas".

Likewise, once inside the complex, we will start a two and a half hour guided tour. To guarantee a complete and detailed exploration of the archaeological site, our logistics prioritize access through Circuit 2. However, in case of not having availability at the time of making the reservation for Machu Picchu due to high demand, we will choose to book Circuit 1 or Circuit 3, which offer excellent perspectives and a fascinating tour of the site.

Climbs to the peaks of Machu Picchu (Optional)
After the guided tour, if you wish to conquer the peaks that guard the citadel, there is the possibility of climbing the surrounding mountains on your own to get panoramic views. These activities have an extra cost and require advance booking:

• Huayna Picchu: Requires the Circuit 3A ticket. It consists of a steep 45 minute climb up and the same time down.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: Requires Circuit 1A access. It is a longer hike of approximately one and a half hours up.

Finally, at the end of our exploration in the heights, we will descend toward the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to have lunch or relax your muscles in the hot springs before boarding the tourist train that will take us back to Cusco in the afternoon.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated walking time: 3 hours
• Walking distance: 4 km
• Maximum altitude: 2,700 m (8,850 feet)
• Minimum altitude: 2,400 m (7,875 feet)
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

We continue on the trail and pass through charming semi tropical vegetation and many archaeological sites. Before reaching the first site we get over the Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670) and just behind it we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600m), one of the best preserved and completed sites of the Inca Trail. It is located on top of a mountain and corresponds with its Quechua name that means `the town above the clouds´.

After a guided tour we have lunch there. We then begin a steep descent via cloud forest where we can see delightful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2700 m). A guided tour of the Winaywayna archaeological site follows. After that we have dinner and camp there.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated Trekking time: 5-6 hours time
• Trekking distance: 10 km
• Max.elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)
• Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
• Difficulty: Moderate

We drive from Cusco by bus to Chonta, we travel through the highlands of Anta. A dirt road will take us over the Puna highlands to the scenic mountain hamlet of Chonta near the Apurimaq Canyon. A 3km trek along the mountainside brought us to the Condor viewing platforms and the view of the canyon (double the depth of the Grand Canyon in places) and Apurimac river way down below is extraordinary. We will be 2 hours to see the condors and - some flying right overhead!.

Continuing our tour, we drive to head trail, Challacancha, where our hike begins. We start trekking up to Tillka from where we take the road to Marcocasa (3,500 m/11, 482 ft) passing forests and steppes on the route. We can enjoy beautiful vistas of the snow capped peak of Rayuska (5,350 m/17,552 ft). Finally we get to our first campsite at Soraypampa (3,600m/10,200 ft), lunch.

After lunch we will climb the Humantay Mountain for 2 hours to visit the Humantay Lake, a superb lake in the mountains and we then descend back to camp at Soraypampa. There you will find the dining tent set up for afternoon tea  with tea, mate de coca, coffee, chocolate etc. You can rest and later are served dinner.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DAY

• Estimated Trekking Time: 7 hours
• Condor Sight: 2 Hrs
• Trekking Distance: 14 Km
• Max. Elevation: 3,600 m (10,200ft)
• Min. Elevation: 2,803 m (9, 196 ft)
• Difficulty: Easy

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• A shuttle bus between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes Town ($12- one way, $24 - a round trip);
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($65) or Machu Picchu Mountain ($55);
• Extra porter and horses to carry your personal belonging (USD 130)
• International and domestic flights nor airport departure taxes;
• Travel insurance;
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Other extras not mentioned.

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.

Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!

• Pre-trek briefing with your Tour Guide (our guide will visit your hotel a day before);
• Transfer by private vehicle to Soraypampa - the initial point of the trek;
• Accommodation: Campsites (6 nights);
• Entrance fees to the red of Salkantay, an Inca Trail Permit and Machu Picchu fee;
• Meals: 6x breakfast, 6x lunch, 6x dinner and 6x afternoon hot beverages (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 10 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 10 persons receives 2 Guides);
• Professional Cook;
• Horseman;
• Horses and Porters to carry food, camping equp,cooking equipment and personal belonging (7 kg), Porters to do so in the second part (due to very strict Inca Trail regulations;
• Camping equipment: Eureka Mountain Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);
• Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress); 
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Rain Ponchos;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• A T-shirt of the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail Map;
• Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
• Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
• Food;
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town;
• A Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo (Expedition Service);
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. The horses carry your luggage from Soraypampa (1st day) to Huayllabamba (3th day). 4 day Inca Trail hike our porter carry your luggage from Huayllabamba to Wiñayhuayna. Our porter takes your luggage to the Aguas Calientes town. They will leave in a restaurant your luggage and that finishing the trek, you can meet. We recommend keeping the weight under 7 kg/15lb. If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Classic Salkantay to Inca Trail is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended to put your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.

• One extra night in Aguas Calientes single or double room USD 75 in 2 star hotels. (If you want a higher category hotel check with the agency).
• Huaynapicchu Mountain ticket: USD 80 per person.
• Machu Picchu Mountain ticket: USD 80
• Bus tickets up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machupiccchu: USD 26 round trip.

What to Take on the Hike to Salkantay Inca Trail

1. Trekking shoes/hiking boots to walk on trails, Inca trails, mountains, glaciers, it is very important to wear hiking shoes that offer support, anti-slide, grid and shock absorption so that you can focus on a beautiful scenery of your trek and not on your feet. The shoes also should be waterproof and have got a cartage tongue and ankle cuffs that provide comfort and protection. Rubber sole as an impact protection is also recommended.

2. Small rucksack to carry your personal items during daily travels when all your baggage is not necessary.

3. Travel insurance (+ copies in a case of lost).

4. Jacket needs to be light, waterproof, windproog, especially designed for adventure and preferably made of bright colours to make you visible from far.

5. Trekking trousers should be convertible (trousers - shorts), should have pockets of a big capacity as well as satisfy your comfort during weather changes. It is suitable to be made of resistant and waterproof fabrics.

6. Walking sticks/poles enable you to walk with ease providing you with support on each step. They should be light, compact, preferably made of aluminum alloy and have an antishock system that absorb impacts before they reach your hand wrists.

7. Sandals for a better comfort whilst at a campsite.

8. Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping).

9. Hat or a cap as a protection against the Sun, rain as well as cold).

10. Sun cream or sun block

11. After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.

12. Insect repellent when in area with insect occurrence.

13. Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions).

14. Flashlight/headlamp + batteries

15. Handkerchiefs and toilet paper

16. Small towel and toiletries

18. Sufficient reserve of underwear and extra socks

19. Swimsuits when you pass through warm areas with lagoons, rivers, hot springs in Agua Calientes and Lares or other water sources.

20. Snacks such as biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.

21. Bottled water and a water bottle to be refilled. Metallic (alternatively Nalgene) bottles are ideal.

22. Water-purifying tablets if you like to use water from streams along a trail.

23. Cash in a local currency

24. Passport