Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 6 Days

After an early wake up and hearty breakfast, we start on a gentle uphill to Incachiriasca pass (4850 m/15908 ft) the highest point of the trek, we enjoy the views of this imposing mountain in front of our eyes , the mountain of Salkantay is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Inca gods called “Apu”. As we ascend, we will make stops along the way to enjoy the outstanding mountain scenery of the Vilcabamba range, then we will descend towards our lunch spot at Sisay Pampa, a flat area from which one can observe the neighboring Salkantay Valleys. After lunch, we will gradually continue descending to our campsite in Pampacahuana community (3,700 m / 12,136 ft), located next to an original Inca canal. This is our camp for the night.

Walking Distance – 13km / 8 miles Highest Elevation – 4000 meters / 13123 feet Difficulty: Challenging Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Accommodation: Camping

Difficulty level:: Challenging
Altitude:: 4000 m
Distance traveled:: 13 km

Today we will start with a steep 3 hour hike to the Inca ruins in Inkaraqay (also known as Paucarcancha). It is an archaeological site that is worth exploring. Then, we will continue walking to the small town of Huayllabamba where we will join the traditional Inca Trail. Where is our place for lunch, there will bid farewell to our horsemen and horses. After making a stop for lunch, we will go to our camp, through a steep slope, but very picturesque, which takes about 2 hours. Our camp tonight is in Ayapata. Distance: – 14 km / 8.7 miles Camping elevation: 3,000 meters / 9,842 feet Difficulty: moderate Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner Accommodation: Camping

Difficulty level:: Moderate
Altitude:: 3000 m
Distance traveled:: 14 km
Approximate walking time:: 2 h

Today, we will reach the highest point on the Inca Trail (pass of the dead woman) (Warmiwañusca) (4,200 Meters – 13,776 feet). Upon reaching the pass we will stop for a short break to enjoy the views before leaving again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It is another hour and a half by the side of the valley to our lunch spot and the opportunity to fill our water bottles. After lunch, we begin to ascend again to the second step of the walk. After a descent of two hours, we will arrive at the Valley of Pacaymayo (3,600 meters / 11,808 feet) where we will have lunch. Then we will continue to the second pass (Runkurakay) (3,970 meters / 13,022 feet), stopping halfway to visit the impressive archaeological site of Runkurakay. Passing the pass, we descend to Lake Yanacocha and enter the Cloud Forest to reach the ruins of Inca Sayacmarca (3,624 Meters / 11,887 Feet). Our campsite is located in Chaquicocha (3,400 meters / 11,154 feet). Maximum altitude: 4,200 meters / 13,776 feet High in campsite – 3,400 meters / 11,154 feet Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles Difficulty: challenging Climate: You will experience the 4 seasons all in a single day Meals: Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Camping

Difficulty level:: Challenging
Altitude:: 3624 m
Distance traveled:: 16 km

Today, we will take an easy climb in the morning to the last pass with its Incan ruins of the same name (Phuyupatamarca, 3700 Meters / 12136 Feets). Here, we will also have remarkable views of the Urubamba River Valley. Afterward, we go into the rain forest. We will walk downhill for 3 hours. During this stretch of the trail we will visit Inti Pata. Along this path you will take the most beautiful pictures of the entire Inca trail. After Inti Pata it is a further 30 minutes to our campsite we descend to the Wiñaywayna campsite (2650 Meter / 8692 Feets) and visit the archeological site there after lunch.

Campsite Elevation – 2600 meters / 8530 feet Difficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Camping Area: Cloud Forest

Difficulty level:: Easy
Altitude:: 2600 m

Today we arrive at the long-awaited finale of our trek, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu. After an early start to our day, we arrive at the campsite exit gate where we must wait in line until 5 AM. The Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint is open from 06:00 AM until 17:00 PM. Subsequently, we will hike one hour until we arrive at the Sun Gate (Intipunku) which looks down onto Machu Picchu. We will arrive early to enjoy its serenity in the soft morning light. From there, we will walk downhill on a stone path to enter the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas with impressive panoramic views all the way down. We will have a 2-hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city to visit temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, the industrial sector, and the farming fields. Be amazed at the engineering ingenuity of the Incas which was so far ahead of their time and still partially a mystery today

When you are finished exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu you will travel to Aguas Calientes by bus. You will then take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where our van will be waiting to transport you back to Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco will according the train back Schedule we have at 14:30 pm and 19:00 pm. So the total time combining trail plus van is like 4 hours. Maximum altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft Distance to walk: 5 km/ 3.73 miles Approximate walking time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast Area: Cloud Forest

Difficulty level:: Easy
Altitude:: 2700 m
Distance traveled:: 5 km