Day 1: Salkantay - Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay - Soraypampa.
- Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5:00 a.m. We’ll then travel in our bus to Mollepata, which takes about four hours. It’s a lengthy trip, but it’s needed to get out to this relatively remote region. On the way, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery, including views of the Izcuchaca and Limatambo mountain ranges.
- Eventually we’ll arrive at the colorful Andean village of Mollepata, where the trailhead for our Salkantay trek begins. Here we’ll met our horsemen, porters and cooks. Setting off, we’ll trek for about three hours until we reach Cruzpata, where we will have lunch with panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay, and can visit Humantay Lake. Heading on, we’ll trek until we reach our first campsite at Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way We’ll set up camp and later have dinner, surrounded by mesmerizing scenery.
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
Lowest Point: 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
Highest Point: 4,600 m / 15,097 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 2: Soraypampa - Ichupata - Pampa Japonesa
- We’ll wake early on Day 2 and have a hearty breakfast, then we will set off along a gentle uphill trail to Salkantaypampa. As we go, we’ll have wonderful views of the beautiful but imposing Salkantay Mountain in front.
- As we ascend along the tail, we will stop along the way to enjoy the outstanding mountain scenery of the Vilcabamba range. After lunch, we will gradually continue ascending to our campsite in Pampa Japonesa.
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Highest Point: 4,000 m / 15,097 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 3: Salkantay Trek - Incachiriaska - Inca Canal.
- Today we will rise early for breakfast before setting off to conquer the last mountain pass on our Salkantay section of the trek. This pass, called Incachiriaska, sits at 5,338 m (17,513 ft). It’s a challenging trek to the top, but we’ll take it nice and slow and you can stop for a breather and to enjoy the views whenever you like. From here, the views of Salkantay are awe-inspiring.
- After reaching the pass and stopping for a quick rest, we will make our way down to our lunch camp in Sisaypampa, where the highest-living Andean rodent, the chinchilla, can be seen.
- In the afternoon, we will descend towards Pampacahuana through beautiful Andean Valleys so picturesque that they will surely motivate you to have a camera in hand. This is an ideal place to rest and enjoy the views. Then, we will walk through section of the inca trial that connects to different archaeological sites in the area until we reach the Inca Canal.
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Highest Point: 4,000 m / 15,097 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 4: Canal Inca - Paucarcancha - Wayllabamba - Ayapata.
- Day 4 begins with a steep three-hour trek downhill to the Inca ruins of Inkaracay, also known as Paucarcancha. We’ll explore this small but fascinating Inca site before continuing our trek down to the small village of Huayllabamba. It is here that our Salkantay trek joins with the classic Inca Trail.
- After making a lunch stop, we will head up to our campsite, through a steep but very scenic climb. Our campsite tonight is at Ayapata.
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Highest Point: 3,750 m / 16,404 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 5: Ayapata - Warmi Wañusca - Runkuraqay Pass - Yanacocha - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha
- It’s another early start as our cooks prepare a hearty breakfast to get your energy levels up, and you’re going to need it. Today we join the classic Inca Trail on what is generally regarded as the toughest section, and we have a steep ascent ahead of us.
- After a few hours trekking we will reach the highest pass on the trail, known as Abra de Warmihuañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at an elevation of 4,200 m (13,779 ft). It’s a challenging trek to get up to this point, but we’ll be with you all the way, taking it one step at a time. The high altitude makes it even tougher, so don’t worry if you find yourself stopping every few steps – that’s perfectly normal (unless you’re one of our incredible porters, who make it look easy!). Once we make it to the pass, we’ll have a well-deserved rest and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, and you can be justifiably proud to have made it to Dead Woman's Pass. After our rest, we will begin the descent to our lunch stop, located at Pacaymayu at 3,550 m (11,646 ft). On our way, you’ll be able to see lots of hummingbirds as they flit about, as well as other species of birds. The variety of native plants is all impressive here, and your guide will point out some species, such as the Polylepis, a native tree that only grows in the cloud forest at this particular altitude.
- After lunch, we’ll set off on another steep ascent for about two hours. Our destination is the Runkurakay pass (4,000m), where we will camp for the night. We should get there around 5 p.m., with plenty of time to set up our campsite before having dinner. Then it will be time for bed, your body tired but your mind exhilarated by the day’s achievements.
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 8 miles
Highest Point: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 6: Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñay Wayna
- After another energy-filled breakfast, we’ll set off on a relatively gentle uphill trek to our first stop of the day: the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, "The City Above the Clouds," located at around 3,680 m. This enchanting Inca ruin features terraced slopes and five small stone baths that contain constant fresh running water during the wet season. From here, we have incredible views of snow-capped peaks in the distance, including Salkantay and Veronica.
- Heading on, we walk up and down a series of Inca steps – more than 1,000 in total! While not as physically difficult as the previous day’s trek, these steps put a lot of strain on the knees, especially going downhill, so take it slowly. Then we’ll pass through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata, which is one of the lesser known ruins along the Inca Trail. But its agricultural terraces are very impressive, and we’ll have great views of them from parts of the trail.
- We will continue on our way, heading to the third campsite at Wiñay Wayna, at 2,680 m (8,792 ft). After a total of 4 or 5 hours trekking, we will arrive at the camp by lunchtime. We’ll have lunch and a rest, and then go on a short walk to explore the nearby Wiñay Wayna “Forever Young” archaeological site. This site has magnificent agricultural terraces as well as numerous Inca buildings displaying a high level of Inca masonry. There is also a series of 10 baths, which suggests that the site was once a religious center of water worship. Some archaeologists have surmised that travelers heading to Machu Picchu may have cleansed themselves here before heading on to the citadel.
- We are now close to our final destination and the end of our trek. We’ll have dinner at the campsite and rest in advance of the next day -- and our arrival at Machu Picchu.
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Hiking Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Highest Point: 2,680 m / 8,530 ft
Meals: All Included
Day 7: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
- Today we want to get moving as soon as possible, so we’ll wake at 4:30 a.m., have breakfast and then set off along the last section of the trail. We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours until we reach Intipunku the “Sun Gate”, arriving before the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, at around 7 a.m., we can watch as the sun spills across the landscape, slowly revealing Machu Picchu and our first sighting of our final destination.
- We will then walk the short distance to Machu Picchu itself, where you’ll begin your guided walking tour with your experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour you’ll have about two hours to explore Machu Picchu on your own, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge, or hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain.
- When you’ve spent enough time at Machu Picchu, we’ll head down to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Aguas Calinetes, where we’ll have lunch. Your guide will then give you your tickets for the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where you can jump on the bus back to Cusco.
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 6 km / 9.9 miles
Highest Point: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft
Meals: Breakfast
