Salkantay Inca Trail 7 Days
Day 01
SALKANTAY TREK
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: CUSCO – MARQUOQASA – SALKANTAYPAMPA
Highlight of the day: DISCOVER THE MAGICAL PLACE OF HUMANTAY LAKE .
Salkantay + Inca Trail Expedition 7 days begins picking you up at your hotel at 5:00 am. We will have a nutritious breakfast at “Marqocasa”, this place is where we also meet our trek leader, porters, and riders to begin our hike.
Our first part of our Salkantay Trek will take approx. 3 hours until we reach “Challacancha”. It’s also where we will stop for lunch. From this location, you’ll appreciate the wonderful views of the magnificent snow-capped Mountain, “Rayuska”, (5,350 m/17,552 fasl). We’ll spend the night at the “Salkantaypampa” camp. However, before arriving at camp you’ll also check the view of 2 additional snow-capped mountains (“Salkantay” and “Humantay”). When we arrive at the campsite, we will enjoy tea time and a delicious dinner.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Pick-up: 5:00 am
- Lunch Location: Challacancha
- Accommodations: Salkantay Pampa Camp
- Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
- Est. Hike Time: 3 ½ hrs.
- Highest Elevation: 4,150 m “Suyroccocha”
- Campsite elevation: 4,150 m. (Bottom of Salkantay Glacier Peak)
- Weather: Cold
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Easy
- Word of Caution: Trail Conditions; rocky, dirt/mud, slick, trekking shoes REQUIRED.
L , D
Meals
CAMPING
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
12 km / 7.4 miles
Walking Distance
4,250 Masl / 13653 feets
Highest Elevation
4150 masl / 13542 feets
Campsite Elevation
Day 2
Day 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA – PASO INCA CHIRIASCA – ICHUPATA
Highlight of the day: view of salkantay and humantay glacier .
Day 2 on Salkantay & Inca Trail 7 Days
We begin with breakfast and we walk around 4 ½ towards “Salkantaypampa”. Once we reach this point you’ll take in breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains like; “Humantay” (5,917 m/19,412 ft.), “Tucarway” (5,910 m/19,389 ft.), “Rayuska: (5,350 m/ 17,552 ft.) and “Salkantay” (6,271 m/20,573 ft). Lunch will be served at the “Pampa Japonesa”.
After you’ve had time to digest lunch, we’ll head eastbound for about an hour until we reach the “Paso Inca Chiriasca” and then to our campsite at Ichupata.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Highest Pass: “Inka Chiriaska”
- Accommodations: Inka Canal Camp
- Hiking Distance: 11 km / 9.92 miles
- Est. Hiking Time: 7 hrs.
- Highest Elevation: 5,200mt / 17.060ft – “Inka Chiriaska Pass”
- Campsite Elev.: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft.
- Weather: Cold
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Arduous
B , L ,D
Meals
CAMPING
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
11 km / 9.92 miles
Walking Distance
5,200mt / 17.060ft
Highest Elevation
3,750 m / 12,303 ft
Campsite Elevation
Day 3
Day 3: ICHUPATA – LLUSCAMAYU – PAUCAR CANCHA
Highlight of the day: DISCOVER THE INCA SITE OF PAUCARCANCHA .
Our 3rd day of the Inca Trail begins with hot coca tea and breakfast, then continue with our hike towards “Ichupata”. You’ll marvel and appreciate, at different angles, the beautiful views of the Salkantay Mountain (a.k.a.) the “Wild” Mountain (Alt. 6,271 m/20,573 ft.). From above you’ll also relish the colorful lagoons of the area. As we descend, we’ll reach a small village called “Lluscamayu” (Lunch). Afterward, we continue our downslope hike to the archeological site of “Paucarcancha”, where we will camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodations: Ayapata Camp 3300 meters.
- Hiking Distance: 16 km / 7.4 miles
- Est. Hiking Time: 6 hrs.
- Highest Elevation: Ayapata
- Weather: Warm / Cold
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Arduous
B , L ,D
Meals
CAMP
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
16 km / 7.4 miles
Walking Distance
4800 MASL / 13652 FEETS
Highest Elevation
3000 MASL / 1053 FEETS
Campsite Elevation
Day 4
Day 4: PAUCAR CANCHA – WAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Highlight of the day: GET IN TO CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU .
We’ll start with breakfast around 8:00 a.m., you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Inca site of “Paucar Cancha”. Will have lunch at the same archaeological site and camp in Llulluchapampa”. (More detail) of trek time etc. . . . . . .
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Hiking Distance: 8 km / 9.9 miles
- Weather: Different micro-climates
- Camp location: Llulluchapampa
B , L , D
Meals
CAMP
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
8 km / 9.9 miles
Walking Distance
3800 MASL / 12754 FEETS
Highest Elevation
3800 MASL / 12754 FEETS
Campsite Elevation
Day 5
Day 5: LLULLUCHAPAMPA – DEATH WOMEN PASS – CHAQUILCOCHA
Highlight of the day: ENYOY THE DIFERENT INCA SITES .
After breakfast, we continue with a steep ascent towards the passage of “Huarmihuañusca” (often called the “Dead Woman Pass” – 4200 m/13750 ft.). We’ll have an impressive view of the Inca Trail below us. Now, we begin our descend towards “Pacamayu”, where we’ll break for lunch. Finishing lunch, we’ll hike up again to visit the archeological site of “Runcuracay” and continue on through the “Runkurakay Pass” (Alt. 4,000 m /13,080 ft.). The views of the mountains and their natural surroundings are spectacular. Next, we will begin a steep descent arriving at an Incan site “Sayacmarca”. Here, we’ll have a short break before continuing to our next campsite of “Chaquicocha” (3,660 m/12,007 ft.).
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.2 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 3600 m / 1,615 ft.
- Camp Location: “Chaquicocha”
B , L , D
Meals
CAMP
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
11 km / 6.2 miles
Walking Distance
4200 MASL / 13654 FEETS
Highest Elevation
3600 m / 1,2315 ft.
Campsite Elevation
Day 6
Day 6: CHAQUILCOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAY WAYNA
Highlight of the day: ENYOY THE DIFFERENT INCA SITE .
This sixth day will be distinct because you’ll enjoy several Incan sites and the hike will also be easy-going. Breakfast at 6:00 am, and we’re off hiking to reach our next archeological site of “Phuyupatamarca”. You’ll have an excellent view of the surrounding mountains and canyons. We will continue to hike downward (3,000 steps!) through the cloud forest jungle to the Incan agricultural site of “Intipata” very close to our third camp “Wiñay Wayna” (Alt 2,650 m / 8,649 ft.).
The hike is only about 4 to 5 hours and we’ll be in camp just in time for lunch. After lunch, you are free to explore all afternoon. You’ll be within walking distance to the final Incan site of the “Wiñay Wayna” (translated: “Forever Young”) before reaching Machu Picchu. Even if you are tired after the day’s hike, regenerate and visit Wiñay Wayna.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Est. Hiking Time: 4 – 5 Hrs.
- Lowest Elevation: 2,650 m / 8,648 ft.
- Incan sites: Phuyupatamarka, Intipata, and Wiñaywayna
B , L , D
Meals
CAMP
Accommodation
DIFFICULT
Difficulty
10 km / 6.2 miles
Walking Distance
3800 MASL / 10543 FEETS
Highest Elevation
2650 MASL / 9634 FEETS
Campsite Elevation
Day 7
Day 7: WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHUPICCHU
Highlight of the day: ENYOY THE MAGICAL PACE OF MACHU PICCHU .
(Breakfast between 3:30 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.) We leave camp at 5:30 a.m. We will fast approach “Inti Punku” (meaning: “Sun Door” – 2,730 m/ 8,792 ft.) before sunrise as the mist rises from the mountain. It’s here that all your aches and pains will disappear as you soak in the rays of the Sunrise, all the while, embracing the majestic beauty of the Lost City of the Incas (Alt. 2,400 m/ 7,873 ft.).
After a short break, we will walk our last stretch (45 min) of the Inca trail until we reach Machu Picchu. Of course, here you’ll have the opportunity for photographs with the backdrop of Machu Picchu.
The whole morning is exclusively dedicated to exploring Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will provide a tour (approx. 2 hours), then you’ll be on your own to investigate the Citadel.
We will then have our last lunch before you take the train back to Cusco. In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo train station, where our driver will be waiting for you to take you back to the hotel in Cusco.
DETAILS
- Meals: Breakfast
- Est. Hiking Time: 2 – 3 Hrs.
B
Meals
CUSCO
Accommodation
MODERATE
Difficulty
6 KM / 2 MILES
Walking Distance
2800 MASL / 8542 FEETS
Highest Elevation
CUSCO
Campsite Elevation
Inclusions
Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days included
- Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL
- SLEEPING BAG
- HIKING POLES
- BLANKET
- HOTEL IN CUSCO
- TRANSFER FROM HOTEL TO AIRPORT
- Four-person tent for every 2 people.
- Chef
- Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
- Horse to transport 8 kg of your gear
- Duffle bag for your gear
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, and rice, foods which are rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking. (Vegetarian, vegan or special diet meals upon request)
- Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coca, biscuits, popcorn).
- Boiled water provided from 2nd day (for drinking)
- Wake up to coca tea in your tent
- Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day
- Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel
- Oxygen Tank & First aid kit
- train ticket from aguas calientes to ollanataytambo
- Tips: Guide, Cook, Horseman.
- Water on Day 1
- First breakfast
- last lunch
ADDITIONAL INFO FOR INCA TRAIL 7 DAYS
IMPORTANT:
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.
THINGS TO KNOW
- This 7 day trek to Machu Picchu is no recommended for travelers with back problems
- You will have a guide during your inca trail hike and on the Machu Picchu tour.
- Daily departures with a group of 2 or more.
- No departures in February due to the trail maintenance.
- There is not access for wheelchair.
- DON’T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, insurance card, personal medications.
- This trek will have a maximum of 8 travelers
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
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.
PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING
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.
TYPICAL MEALS ON THE TREK
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).
Breakfasts:
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.
Lunch & dinner:
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).
Desserts:
Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake, peach.
Snacks:
candies, cookies, juice, crackers and a variaty of peruvian fruits such as: Banana, Chirimoya, Granadilla, Apple, orange, Mandarine.
Pricing
Classic Salkantay trek and inca trail Price
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
- group service: $1000 per person
Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).
Discounts:
- Student Discount 20$ dollars
- Under 15 years will pay as student: US$20.00
- Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00
Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):
- Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO UPGRADE
- Sleeping Bag: $40 USD.
- A pair of Walking Poles: $25 USD.
- Personal tent: $40 USD.
- Vistadome Train Upgrade: $50 USD.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $70 USD.
- Machu Picchu Mountain : $70 USD.
WHAT TO BRING FOR SANKANTAY INCA TRAIL 7 DAYS
- Original Passport and student cards if you are a student.
- A Hiking/trekking Backpack (21 liters capacity).
- Hiking Poles with rubber tips. You can bring your own or rent it from AB Expeditions.
- Trekking Clothing: Hiking shoes, waterproof pants, waterproof shorts, two shirts, a light sweater, jacket for rain, and clothes to rest in at the hotel. On the other hand, it is quite comfortable and relaxing for the body to wear light clothes for the walk; for this, waterproof materials are very good, because they enable quick drying from sweat and rain.
- Night in Aguas Calientes: Please bring with you a clean set of clothes to wear after the trekking. Also, you can bring along swimwear and towels if you decide to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
- Personal Hygiene items: toothpaste. toothbrush, and wet wipes.
- Medicine: If you are taking any medications, please bring them with you. It is also recommended to bring some over the counter medicine for the altitude sickness (Coramina, Aspirina, Diamox, Sorojchi, Acetazolamide). It is also suggested to bring Anti Blister Gel to avoid getting blisters on your feet and being unable to continue on your trek.
- Digital Camera with external memory (2-4 Gb) (Optional).
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Sun Block SPF 60 (UVA-UVB) waterproof and sport.
- Waterproof Insect Repellent lotion, not spray.
- Swiss Army Knife.
- Water bottle made of flexible plastic. This type of bottle is very easy to carry and does not take up a lot of space. At the same time, they help in our effort to protect the environment.
Trip Details
Trip Details Salkantay and Inca Trail 7 Days to Machu Picchu
Trip Details of 7 day Salkantay Inca Trail
- Tour Name: Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days
- Tour/Trek Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
- Location/Terrain: Salkantay glacier, Snow-capped, Lagoons, Machu Picchu
- Accommodation: beautiful campsites
- Acclimatization: Due to the high altitude, we recommend 2 days in Cusco before embarking on our Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days hike
- Adventure Rating Very Strenuous trek
- Activities: Trekking/ Camping
- Altitude: 4800m/15,139ft
- Departures: every day with 2 or more people
- Customizable: Yes!
What to Pack
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
- Couple Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celcius.
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
- A small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
What To Bring
day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (Appropriate pack to carry your personal belongings.)
- Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required
- Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
- 3
- pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray before the trip.
- Layers for variable temperatures especially at night.
- 1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as low as – 5 degrees Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit. A rain jacket can be helpful because there are rainy days even in the dry season!
- 1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf and woolen hat for cold nights).
- 4 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried.) It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both heavy hiking socks and lighter socks as well as the weather is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or too hot.
- 4 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
- 1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack. This does its job!
- Travel-size tissues and wet wipes.
- Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
- Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
- Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoor is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so bringing some anti-itch ointment could be helpful.
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camelback
- Water (Only for the first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
- Camera
- A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
- Bandages or moleskin
- Flip flops to change into at night. Your toes will thank you!
- Toiletries
- Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. Also, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can be helpful to help with aches and pains after 8-10 hours of hiking each day.
- Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
- Something to read in the evenings
- Extra money for drinks, tips in Soles for cooks, horsemen, guides. (USD$60-70).
- Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)
FAQ´s
Highlights of the Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail:
- Discovery of a more natural complete Incan path
- Opportunity for experienced trekkers to enjoy a challenging hike
- Trekking to the sacred mountain of Salkantay
- Hiking the original Inca Trail
- 7 day hike accompanied by explanations of a professional bilingual Tour Guide
- Lovely mountain landscapes observation
- Amazing and hidden Incan sites discovery
- Guided tour of the amazing Inca citadel – Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail Vs Alternative Treks
Many people include Peru in their “Things to do” list before they depart the planet, the main reason being to Trek the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.
If you want to say that you’ve hiked the famous hike to Machu Picchu, then the Classic Inca Trail is for you. But usually you will need to book in advance, in case it is fully booked, we recommend other alternative treks:
- Hiking The Inca Trail (5 days / 4 nights)
- Luxury Trekking Salkantay (7 days / 6 nights)
- Salkantay Trek & Sacred Valley (8 days / 7 nights)
- Classic Salkantay Trek Peru (9 days / 8 nights)
- Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu (9 days/8 nights)
FREQUENT ASK QUESTION
Salkantay and Inca Trail 7 Days Faq
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Yes! During the Inca Trail 7 day trek to Machu Picchu, you can store your luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please bring what you will only need during your Machu Picchu 7 day hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE INCA TRAIL 7 DAY TREK WITH AB EXPEDITONS?
Important: before booking your Inca trail 7 days, make sure that there is availability for your desired date.
In order to book your Inca Trail 7 days with us, you just click BOOK NOW buttom then select your departure date, fill out all the information required, then pay us the deposit with your credit card.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL 7 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU?
Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it should be same passport you sent us to reserve your Inca Trail 7 days permit. Your passport will be checked at 3 Inca trail checkpoints, Machu Picchu and when you board the train.
