Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail

We pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to take you by private transport for a 3-hour ride from Cusco (3,400 m) to Mollepata (2,803 m/9,196 ft). On the way, we stop in Limatambo (a small town) to visit Tarawasi – very important religious Incan remains! Then, we continue our ride to a one and half an hour far away town of Mollepata where we have breakfast. Then we continue by driving to Challacancha head trail. There we start hiking up to Soraypampa (3,500 m/11,482 ft) and we take then wide gradually ascend to passing various Andean forests and steppes on the route giving us many opportunities to take fantastic photos of birds, flowers, and various plants! In Soraypampa, we are given stunning views of the snow-capped peak of Rayuska (5,350 m/17,552 ft). At the end of the day, we get to the place of our first campsite at Soraypampa (3,600 m/10,200 ft).

Estimated trekking time: 6 hours
Trekking distance: 14 km
Max. elevation: 3,600 m (10,200 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,803 m (9,196 ft)
Difficulty: Easy

After an early breakfast, we start our today´s trek. First, we get to Salkantaypampa (4,100 m/13,451 ft) where we join the main route of the Salkantay Trek. From there, it takes approximately an 2 hour to reach Salkantay Pampa, a place of our campsite for lunch. Before we do so, we are given an opportunity to observe a breathtaking scenery of the sacred mountains of Humantay (5,917 m/19,412 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m/20,574 ft)!! Especially, the Salkantay Mountain is considered by Andean cultures to be “Apus” (a mountain god) of a great importance!!  So we continue first through a lovely valley with native flowers and impresive views of the Mountain in front of us at the left side passing through the indigenous villages. Then, we ascend to the Incachiriaska Pass (Frozen Inca Pass;  5,100 m/16,700 ft), the highest point on the entire trek. From this point, we can admire the closest view of Salkantay and the whole this area dotted with small mountain lagoons and old glaciers of diverse shades of blue! If we are lucky, we can see a variety of viscachas (chinchillas) and white-tailed deer and hopefully some rare animals such as a condor, guanaco, and vicunha! After the pass we will be hiking down for 20 minutes until Ichupata ( Andean grass place) where we have a stop for a break and pictures, afterward we will descend until Sisay pampa Camp (3790m), at this section we will be able to fully appreciate and take in the imposing Andean topography, quiet and cozy place where you can see Llamas, Alpacas and with luck, we might see a condor. Camp near the local kid’s school. ( 7-8 hours walking ). When in Sisaypampa, we set a campsite to be later served dinner. The night might be a bit colder due to its altitude so do not forget to pack a sufficient number of warm clothes please.

Estimated trekking time: 8 hours
Trekking distance: 15 km
Max. elevation: 4,100 m (13,451 ft)
Min. elevation: 3,600 m (10,200 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult

Today, we leave the main route of the Salkantay Trek to change to the route of the Inca Trail. From our campsite, after breakfast, We start descending to the Cusichaca Valley until the small village of Pampacawana (4,000 m/13,123 ft), a place where we can appreciate old Incan channels! We set up a next campsite nearby and after dinner, we go to sleep.

Estimated trekking time: 6 hours
Trekking distance: 14 km
Max. elevation: 5,100 m/16,700 ft
Min. elevation: 4,000 m/13,123 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

Hard trekking expects us today so we finish our breakfast to gain more energy and get ready for the trek. First, we hike for 3 hours to get to  Paucarcancha (3,205 m/10,515 ft). There, our Tour Guide shows you around antique Inca ruins called Inkaracay! Then we descend for a couple of minutes to the town of Wayllabamba (3,000 m/9,842 ft). There, we say goodbye to our horsemen and horses and welcome our Porters as we join the route of the Inca Trail where only Porters are permitted. Before we continue climbing, we enjoy lunch. During hiking, we can appreciate a cloud forest with its native trees, orchids, mosses, ferns as well as birds. Finally, we get to our next campsite at Llullucha Pampa (3,855 m/12,650 ft)

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

Early after breakfast, you start ascending towards the highest point of the trail – Abra Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman´s Pass) at 4,200 meters passing through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku offering excellent views of surrounding snowcapped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,300 m), where you have a lunch break. Then you continue hiking through the valley to the Inca ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Afterward, you climb up and get over the second pass – Abra Runkurakay (3,860m) walking on this “Royal Inca´s Highway” down to the next Incan site – Sayacmarca. On the way, you pass  Yanacocha Lake. In the end, we get to our second campsite – Chaquicocha (3,670 m).

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

Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Incan complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of the trek. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the “Town above the Clouds”. After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural center with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go to sleep to get ready for the “icing on the cake” of the trail – Machu Picchu!!

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

Early morning of the last day, we climb antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to see the sunrise above the long-expected citadel of Machu Picchu!! Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called “Lost City of the Incas”!! Afterwards, you have an opportunity to climb the peak of Wayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu!! In the afternoon, you descend to the town of Aguas Calientes to take a train back to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.

Estimated trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km
Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)
Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

• 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);
• Trekking chef;
• Super Horseman;
• Super Horses and Porters to carry food, camping and 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 (3 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;
• A pair hiking poles;
• 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 citadel to Aguas Calientes Town;
• A Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek involves a 5-day hike on the famous Salkantay route and 2 day along the original Inca Trail. This hike is the best alternative hike to the 7-day Salkantay to Inca Trail trek. Not along the typical tourist trail path, this is an innovative adventure for travelers who want a little more solitude and individuality on their journey. With impressive views, the Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek gives you the privacy for the peaceful reflection that such a sacred path deserves. Salkantay Inca Trail Trek

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The traditional, wildly popular Inca trail is hiked in completion on this trek, with three full days of hiking and two separate visits to the city of Machu Picchu, once through the Sun Gate from the Inca Trail and once from the city of Aguas Calientes. This extra time means that the last two days of the trip are completely dedicated to exploring the lost Incan city and rejuvenating from the trek, regardless of if that means napping in a hotel or relaxing in the hot springs. The Inca trail itself passes several other incredible ruins, and is a challenging experience but worth every step – due to its popularity and the government regulations, try to get one of the 500 daily slots as early as possible to take this trek.
Hiking the Inca trail

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This trek visits one of the most underappreciated Incan cities in Peru. So few people visit this site because it can only be reached by hiking, there is no train or bus for the hike back. The city of Choquequirao was the last fortress of the Incas against the Spanish conquerors and has been largely passed over in favor of the sister city of Machu Picchu. This trek is equally incredible, scenic, and rich with Incan history and culture. There are two days of hiking in each direction, and the third day is spent almost entirely at the site, where there is both a guided tour and time for individual exploration.

Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu

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This trek includes a visit to Machu Picchu on the final day as well as a visit to the Condor Canyon lookout, which is a good opportunity to see the massive birds, which have a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet and can live almost as long as humans. The Salkantay trail shows examples of the different Andean ecosystems, which range from vibrant cloud forests to the snowy peaks of the towering mountains. Aside from the condors, this trip is relatively secluded, as most tourists opt for the traditional Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

Salkantay trek and Condor Sight

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This incredible trek is full of breathtaking views and unique experiences. Salkantay is less popular than the Inca Trail, so the trip is more personalized and isolated, with many fewer tourists. For example, on the third day of the trip, there are options for visiting the Llactapata ruins or the hot springs of Santa Teresa. Instead of joining up with the famous Inca trail, this trip continues directly to Aguas Calientes via a different route and then goes up to Machu Picchu on the final day. There is a wide variety of plants and animals, as well as beautiful mountains and a waterfall, to see along this trek.
Salkantay trek

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