Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: CUSCO – MARQUOQASA – SALKANTAYPAMPA
Highlight of the day: .
Salkantay with classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 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.
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 2
Day 2: SALKANTAYPAMPA – PASO INCA CHIRIASCA – ICHUPATA
Highlight of the day: .
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
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 3
Day 3: ICHUPATA – LLUSCAMAYU – PAUCAR CANCHA
Highlight of the day: .
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
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 4
Day 4: PAUCAR CANCHA – WAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Highlight of the day: .
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
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 5
Day 5: LLULLUCHAPAMPA – DEATH WOMEN PASS – CHAQUILCOCHA
Highlight of the day: .
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”
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 6
Day 6: CHAQUILCOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAY WAYNA
Highlight of the day: .
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
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Day 7
Day 7: WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHUPICCHU
Highlight of the day: .
(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.
Meals
Accommodation
Difficulty
Walking Distance
Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation
Inclusions
Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days
- 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
Pricing
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 2022 through January 2023. 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)
Trip Details
Trip Details Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days
Trip Details of Salkantay and classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu 7 days
- 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)
