7 day Salkantay Inca Trail trek runs along a less traveled trail from the Cusco Andes to the jungle brow, passing the incredible Humantay Lake (4250 masl – 13542 feet) and the impressive Salkantay mountain (6,271 m/ 20,574 ft) and lesser-known Inca archaeological remains to reach the Traditional 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay and Inca Trail 7-day tour combines the best of both trails – impressive high mountain hiking near the magnificent Salkantay peak and also exploring the amazing archaeological remains along the classic Inca trail to reach Machu Picchu through the sun gate (Inti Punku). We invite you to have this Salkantay trek plus the Classic Inca Trail experience to Machu Picchu. They are for those trekkers who wish to get off the beaten path but still hike the classic Inca trail of the Andes.
Pick-up will be at 4:00 am if you wish to start your 7 Days Inca Trail with Go Treks Peru. Since today’s climb is somewhat easy, we can relax. Our first destination on our trek will be the Inca fortress of Tarawasi, which is located two hours from Cusco. After we have seen the surroundings, we will stop to stretch our legs in Mollepata. Our 7-day Salkantay and Inca Trail expedition will next stop at Soraypampa, where we will have a hearty breakfast before beginning our adventure. We will walk from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake for approximately two hours. When most of the hikers have left, around one o’clock in the afternoon, we will arrive at the lake, which will be empty. After enjoying the lake, we will return to Soray Pampa and continue walking to Salkantaypampa, our campsite. We will have the afternoon free to relax and prepare for tomorrow after lunch.
We’ll start our second day with breakfast and a cup of coca tea to get you going. First ten minutes of our ride will be on level ground, but then we’ll face a tough ascent. Given our end objective is just four hours away, we will approach this difficult part of the journey gently. Look ahead at Salkantay and the Humantay glacier to your left as you ascend the climb.
Lunch will be had after we reach Pampa Japonesa, our campground. Then, in the afternoon, we will spend two or three hours discovering Salkantay Lake. This will get us rather near to the Salkantay glacier. We will return to camp following our lake visit. Perfect for a picture op, Pampa Japonesa boasts breathtaking views of the Salkantay glacier and the Soraypampa Valley. From this vantage point, the sunset is quite amazing. After dinner and some sleep, we shall gather under the night sky and wonder at the stars.
A remarkable day has dawned upon us. The highest point of our walk, Incachiriaska Pass (often called the Frozen Inca Pass), is an amazing 5028 meters (16495 feet), and we’ll have to hike uphill for two hours to get there. Once we reach the peak, we can choose to descend to our lunch place or continue hiking for another half an hour to go closer to the glacier.
The landscape today is very stunning. As we climb over Salkantay’s shoulder, we are awed by the mountain’s majestic stature and begin to understand the Incas’ devotion to it. Viscachas, which look like rabbits crossed with Chinchillas, White-Tailed Deer, and maybe even Condors, those elusive beasts of the Andes. If we’re lucky, we might even see these animals.
We will have a three-hour downhill hike to YanaCcaca, our lunch destination after we reach the Pass. Our expert cook is waiting for a delicious feast. We will continue our trek for about three hours after our lunch before descending to our campground at Canal Inca, where we will spend the night.
We’ll relax as we head down the valley to Paucarcancha after a substantial breakfast. Our lunch spot is almost three hours’ travel away. As we tour the famous Inca ruins of Paucarcancha before we settle down to eat, our knowledgeable guide will fill us in on their significance. We shall now move our goods using porters rather than horses to prevent damaging the Inca Trail. After lunch, seeing our diligent porters—who have climbed from kilometer 82—the launching point for hikers commencing the 4-day Inca Trail adventure will be a wonderful experience. We shall also be saying goodbye to our horsemen during this time. Once we swiftly present our passports and Inca Trail permits at the checkpoint, it will take us one hour to climb to Wayllabamba. We will then press on till we arrive at the Ayapata Campsite, where we will spend the evening.
Due to the two passes we must traverse today, it is a challenging day. Our hike will last around four hours, beginning after breakfast, until we reach Dead Woman Pass. Having ascended the Inca Chiriasca Pass. This pass is easy to hike to, but the steps get progressively more difficult. Upon reaching the peak, we will see the shifting scenery and take pictures of the two valleys. Afterward, we will descend to Pacaymayo for a tasty lunch. Our next stop will be at the Inca Site of Runku Raqay, where our guide will provide us with a thorough explanation as we climb the Runku Racay Pass. As we go on, we’ll see the terrain change drastically from the mountains to the jungle. Our guide will conduct us on an expedition to the Sayacmarca Inca Site, around one hour downwards, once we reach the pass. We then will go to Chaquicocha, our campground at 3,600 meters (11,800 feet), well known for its peace and amazing sunset views of the far-off mountains.
After conquering the two passes yesterday, we will now have a day of relaxation as we hike through some of the most breathtaking scenery along the Inca Trail. Starting from Phuyupatamarca, we will embark on a brief hike over Inca Flat, which consists of mild inclines and falls. We will see the lush cloud forest as we go and wonder at the far-off Andes. Following a brief history lesson at Phuyutamarca, we will ascend three hours to the Inti Pata Inca Site, where we will be treated to amazing views of the Urubamba River. Following this site, we will climb to the Wiñaywayna Campsite, have lunch, unwind, wash off, and then see the Inca remains at Wiñaywayna. Dinner and early rest will let us relax the day and be ready for the next great one.
Today is the most important day of our life; we are going to Machu Picchu. Following breakfast on the Salkantay Inca Trail, we begin our last seven-day climb to Machu Picchu, the lost Incas metropolis. At Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”), the first gate of the Inca Trail, we will find an amazing and panoramic panorama of the Machu Picchu citadel waiting. We will next go 45 minutes to the guard house, where we could get the famous Machu Picchu picture. We will then stop at the exit for bathroom breaks before going back to the Citadel for a 2-hour guided tour of the sanctuary city. After our Machupicchu tour, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and some free time to visit the town. We will then ride a bus back to Cusco and a train back to Ollantaytambo. We will be back in Cusco about at 7:00 p.m.
Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2023 through January 2024. All prices quoted are $USD
Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).
A máximum of 500 people per day are allowed to access the Inca Trail; This number includes all support staff such as: authorized porters, cooks and tour guides and is most tightly controlled; when the inca trail reaches its limit of 500 visitors, the Trail is closed off for the day and no further reservations could be made; Booking are not held on the Trail and all permits must be purchased a year in advance, if possible.
This hike is difficult, it’s highly recomeded to be in a good physical condition; The classic Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike tough as there are three passes during your trek.
During the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek, solo travelers will be paired to share a tent with another traveler of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves.
There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco Office one day before your departure to Inca trail 7 days at 6pm. You will meet your guide and He will give you detailed information about your hike, a list of what to bring, rental equipment or questions in general. Our office is located at: Marquez Street 250, Second Floor. Office 03. Cuzco, Peru.
We train our cooks every year on the low season to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available on all of our Treks to Machu Picchu. Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your hike. *Vegetarian, vegan, gluten fee and more Options Available Upon Request (please let us know at the time of booking).
Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas, Thick oatmeal with large fresh chunks of sweet apples, and boiled water for hot teas, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.
First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado, or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chili pepper chicken), escabeche de Pollo (marinated chicken), or ajiaco de ulluco (spicy ulluco stew).
Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake, peach.
candies, cookies, juice, crackers and a variaty of peruvian fruits such as: Banana, Chirimoya, Granadilla, Apple, orange, Mandarine.
What is the approximate balance for this trip?
You have the option to pay the outstanding balance in USD or soles one day before your walk, or you can use PayPal at least one week before your trip (a 5% service fee will be applied). Additionally, we accept Visa as a payment method (with a 5% service fee). Kindly inform us of your preference. You are kindly asked to pay in cash one day before your journey.
How much discount for students?
To walk the Inca Trail for seven days in Peru, you have to be under eighteen (or have a current student ID). One of a valid student ID looks like this: All students between the ages of 11 and 17 qualify for a $30 USD discount. Children between the ages of two and eleven pay $40 USD. Students who reserve must submit a copy of their student ID and passport to be eligible for the student discount.
Once I get the permits, can I change the departure date?
Unfortunately, that isn’t realistic. The Peruvian government does not allow us to make any adjustments following the acquisition of the Inca Trail 7-day permits. Hikers of the Inca Trail cannot get their permits back-dated or transferred. The government only permits alteration in passport numbers.
Does the seven-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu call for my original passport?
Of course! You must bring the actual passport that you used to reserve your Inca Trail 7-day permit, just as you used it. Your passport will be checked at Machu Picchu three checkpoints along the Inca Trail, and the train terminal.
Could one stay seven days in the holy valley for the Inca Trail?
Both decent places to stay are Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. Since your pickup is set one hour after the Cusco pick-up, staying in the Sacred Valley will enable you to sleep in a somewhat more comfort.
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
