TOUR DAY 1: CUSCO-MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA

We will pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus to the town of Mollepata. Along the way, we will pass through the picturesque towns of Pampa de Anta, Izcuchaca, Zurite, and Ancahuasi. Our journey will take us into the Limatambo Valley, and then toward Mollepata, where we will begin our adventure trek. At Mollepata, we will complete the arrangements for our trek and then hike to our first camp at Soraypampa.

TOUR DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA - PAMPAJAPONESA

We will begin our second day with a trek to Choquekiclla, where we will view the majestic Salkantay Humantay, a sacred mountain capped with snow peaks and we’ll make camp on its skirts (4,000 meters above sea level).

TOUR DAY 3: PAMPAJAPONESA – SISAYPAMPA

The third day is by far going to be the hardest day on the trek. It’s long, it’s cold, and you have to make your way over the 4,650 meter Salkantay Pass. Nonetheless, waking up at sunrise amidst the sprawling grasslands of Sisaypampa, the sun illuminating the 6264 meter Andean peaks springing up from behind you makes for an energizing and mesmerizing start of the day. The climb to the pass takes about 3 or 4 hours, and it is fairly steep with narrow switchbacks and steady uphill climbs until the rock structures of the pass finally come into view. Unless hiking in June or July, the trail should not have any snow or ice, although hail, sleet, ice, and rain are possible at any time of the year. Though the air is thin and the trail is steep, anyone who is fairly physically fit and acclimated to the altitude can make it over the pass. Our group carries extra oxygen if needed, but you can also ride a horse over the pass. Once having crossed the pass it is the start of a long downhill hike where you will eventually drop over 1,700 meters vertically until you arrive at our campsite in the Inca Canal. During our trek, we will be able to fully appreciate and take in the imposing Andean landscape.

TOUR DAY 4: SISAYPAMPA - HUAYLLABAMBA

We begin Day 4 by hiking through the Inca Canal, which leads us to Paucarcancha. At Paucarcancha, we will enter the Cusichaca Valley and hike onward to Huayllabamba (Incaracay).

TOUR DAY 5: HUAYLLABAMBA - PACAYMAYO<

After waking up at around 5:00 - 5:30 am and having breakfast, we will start a steep ascent towards the highest pass: Abra de Warrmihuañusca also known as Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 meters. On this day you should feel proud for reaching the top! After a rest here, we begin the descent to the lunch stop which is located at Pacaymayu (3550 meters). On the way up to the pass we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds and other birds. Also we will have the time to appreciate an incredible variety of native plants and trees such as the Polylepis or Q'ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650 meters! We will arrive at our campsite, Pacaymayo, by 5 pm.

TOUR DAY 6: PACAYMAYO - PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYWAYNA

In our opinion, this is the most impressive day! We will wake up for breakfast around 6am, and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning Town in the Clouds) and to reach the third highest point on the trail at 3680 meters. The views from here of the mountains, canyons and surrounding area are spectacular. The Inca site, Phuyupatamarca, is located a few minutes walk from the third pass and after visiting this, we continue walking (3000 steps!) through the cloud forest and the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2680 meters). Today we have only walked about 4 to 5 hours and have arrived to camp by lunch time! A short distance from this campsite is the Inca site with the same name ,Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Even if you are tired after your day’s trek, don’t miss out on visiting the most impressive sites on the trail.

TOUR DAY 7: WIÑAY WAYNA - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will leave the last campsite at about 5:30am on the final day (breakfast 3.30-4:00am). It is an early start in order to get to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2730 meters before sunrise. This is the place from where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu at 2400 meters with the sun rising over it! After some time there, we will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city. Finally we visit Machu Picchu itself! A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. Train included in all tours is until Ollantaytambo (Expedition) and then bus to Cusco. 

Included

• Pre-trek briefing with your Tour Guide;
• Transfer by private vehicle to Soraypampa - the initial point of the trek;
• Accommodation: Campsites (6 nights);
• Entrance fees to the red of Salkantay, an Inca Trail Permit and Machu Picchu fee;
• Meals: 6x breakfast, 6x lunch, 6x dinner and 6x afternoon hot beverages (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 10 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 10 persons receives 2 Guides);
• Professional Cook;
• Horseman;
• Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and Porters to do so in the second part (due to very strict Inca Trail regulations);
• Camping equipment: Eureka personal double tents, sleeping foam matts, tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• Food;
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
• A Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo (Expedition Service);
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Not Included

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• A shuttle bus between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes Town ($12 - one way, $24 - a round trip);
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($65) or Machu Picchu Mountain ($55);
• Extra porter and horses to carry your personal belonging (USD 130)
• International and domestic flights nor airport departure taxes;
• Travel insurance;
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Other extras not mentioned.

How to Book Salkantay to Inca Trail?

If you like to do the Salkantay to Inca Trail, please first check an availability of Inca Trail. choose year and month when you like to do the tour.

PLEASE NOTE: the Inca Trail starts on the fourth day of the Salkantay to Inca Trail! (For example, if you like to start the hike on the 6th of July, you need to check Inca Trail availability of the day 09th of July!)

If there is still availability of the Inca Trail on your date requested in the time of your booking, the booking of the Salkantay to Inca Trail Tour will be confirmed firstly by our Reservation Department via e-mail. Then your full personal details wil be required as well as a deposit in order to purchase your Inca Trail permit. (Please note that an Inca Trail booking is valid only for 1 hour!! If it is not paid within this time, it expires!!!)

Inca Trail Available

It is very important to book this trek a good time in advance!!! As there are only 500 permits (Tour Guides, Porters and Cooks including) issued per day for the Inca Trail!!

A general recommendation on how long time in advance to book is:

• If you like to hike in December, January or March: 4-6 weeks in advance
• If you like to hike in April, October or November: 2-3 months in advance
• If you like to hike in May, September: 3-4 months in advance
• If you like to hike in June, July or August: 4-5 months in advance

Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail Departures 100% guaranteed!!

Do I need to book it in advance? Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail  has departures guaranteed, but Inca Trail permits, train tickets and entrances to Huayna Picchu Mountain are subjet to availability! For that reason, we HIGHLY recommend booking it well in advance to ensure you receive exactly what you want!!

PLEASE NOTE: May, June and July are peak months of a HIGH TOURIST SEASON in Cusco. It means that Inca Trail permits are SELL OUT MANY MONTHS IN ADVANCE!!

What to take on the hike?

• Original passport,
• Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)
• Travel insurance,
• Pocket money in Nuevos Soles,
• A small rucksack,
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
  Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refill.
• Optional: walking sticks; you can also rent it from us,
• Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.