Salkantay Inca Trail 7 Days

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Soray Pampa – Salkantay Pampa

Our tour Salkantay Inca Trail Leaving the hotel at 5:30 AM we will take a ride to Mollepata (2,100 meters above sea level). From Mollepata we continue by bus to Soraypampa, where our adventure will begin, with a walk that lasts 2 hours until we reach the impressive Humantay glacier lake (4200m.a.s.l./ 13779 feet). Once at the lake, you will have time to explore the surroundings as well as relax, enjoying the beautiful views of this spectacular turquoise water lake. Then we will continue to the lunch spot for two more hours. The chef will be waiting for us to serve a delicious meal prepared with organic products, After lunch, you will continue for two more hours along a beautiful valley with meandering streams until you reach Salkantay Pampa (3900m.snm/ 12795 feet). This base camp offers you an unobstructed view of the Salkantay Mountain and the sky at night. Get ready to have dinner, look at the stars and sleep under a million stars!!!

• Meals Included: Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Elevation: 4,200 m/13,779 ft.
• Walking time: 9km
• Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Accommodation: camping

Day 2: Salkantay Pampa – Canal Inca

We will begin this day with the blessings bestowed upon you by the beauty of nature. You will enjoy a delicious breakfast feeling many emotions for the journey that awaits you. We will wake up early and admire the spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. After breakfast, your guide will take you through the Inca Chiriasca pass (5,000m.a.s.l.), at a steady pace to see the wonderful views of the mountains and glaciers. Once you have reached the top, you will have a view of the valley and the lakes, and even birds such as condors and falcons.

After this wonderful experience, we begin to descend, or we can take an optional hike to a glacier, which only takes 30 minutes. Then, we will continue the walk to your lunch spot, where a delicious menu will be waiting for you. During the rest of the day, you’ll trek downhill, through lush green valleys and winding streams, before reaching your campsite

• Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: 5,000 m/16,400 ft.
• Walking time: 18 km
• Time: Approximately 8-9 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3:  Canal Inca – Pauccar Cancha

We find ourselves with an extraordinary adventure and emotions activated. This day will give you a glimpse into the past as you wander through trails and slopes. Here we can see the way of living of the local people. They still use the same work customs as they did in the time of the Incas. You will then arrive at the Inca archaeological site, where your tour guide will provide you with some background on the Incas. After visiting the archaeological site, as we walk we will see the change of new and different vegetation, as we enter the microclimate of the high jungle. Finally, you will arrive at the classic Inca Trail, where our cooks await us with a delicious lunch.

• Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: 5,000 m/16,408 ft.
• Walking time: 6 km
• Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 4: Paucar Cancha – Llulluchapampa

We are inside the famous Inca Trail, this day we will have more emotions and we will go deeper into history of the Incas who walked along these roads.

Our campsite for tonight lies at Llulluchapampa (3800m.a.s.l. / 12460ft.), this camp is closest to Dead Woman’s Pass. As we climb to Llulluchapampa we will go through several bio zones that include the low sierra, the cloud forest and the high puna (highland)

As we walk we will have many opportunities to see a variety of plants and birds, and if we are lucky, we may again see white-tailed deer and other animals of this areas.

• Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: 3,800m/12,460 ft.
• Walking time: 8 km
• Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Llulluchapampa- Ch’aqui Qocha

Today we start with new expectations of this trek. It will be a difficult but beautiful day. Today we will walk until the pass of the Dead Woman which is the highest point of this trek, 4200 m.a.s.l / 13779 feet)- On this day, you will feel a true sense of achievement when you reach the top! After feeling the greatness of this road, and our well-deserved rest, we will continue our descent walking to the place where we will have lunch.

After our delicious lunch we will keep on watching the fantastic views. We will also see varieties of plants and a cloud forest, really incredible! Our campsite for tonight is at Chaquicocha (3600m.a.s.l. / 11800ft) that is one of the quietest camps and offers beautiful views of the sun setting over the mountains in the distance.

• Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: 4,200 m/13,779 ft.
• Walking time: 11 km
• Time: Approximately 7-8 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 6: Ch’aqui Qocha – Wiñay Wayna

Today is an easy day because we will enjoy a relaxing day through some of the most impressive and beautiful landscapes that the Inca Trail offers. We start the day with a gentle climb to the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, which means ‘Town in the Clouds’. We will reach the third highest point along the Inca trail (3,680m.a.s.l. / 12,073ft). The views of the mountains, canyons, and surrounding areas are spectacular!

With the visit to these 2 Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna), this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our campsite for tonight is at Wiñay Wayna (2680m.a.s.l. / 8792ft), to which we will arrive in the early afternoon and have an extended guided tour once we have settled in.

• Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon tea – Dinner.
• Accommodation: camping
• Elevation: 3,680 m/12,073 ft.
• Walking time: 8 km
• Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 7: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the highlight of the hike. After waking up early, we head straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu and once the site opens, we can continue to the Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku. At that point, the majestic Citadel of Machu Picchu will be in front of you with its mystical beauty. An incredible sight for all to see. From The Sun Gate, you will see how the sunlight spreads over the citadel like melting ice, while the sun rises behind you.

Finally, we will walk downhill to the Citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400m.a.s.l. / 7,872ft). After walking for about 40 minutes, we will enter to the citadel from above, through the “House of the Guardians”. From there, we head to the checkpoint, where we check in and leave our large backpacks and walking sticks.

You are only allowed to take small bags into the citadel, such as camera bags.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you will have a 2-hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you will have free time to explore the site on your own and if you have permission to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you will be able to do it. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where we will drive you back to Cusco.

• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Elevation: 2,700 m/8,856 ft.
• Walking time: 6km
• Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Note: The Hike to Huayna Picchu, and/or Machu Picchu Mountain depends on availability, please let us know if you wish to add one of these additional treks at the time of your reservation. **