This trek takes you around the impressive Mount Salkantay which is the second largest mountain in Cusco region (6,277m / 20,577ft). On your first day, you will enjoy the spectacular views of the snowcapped peaks such as: Salkantay Mountain and Humantay Mountain. The appeal of this trek to MACHU PICCHU is the stunning combination of Inca vestiges, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety. The trail goes through the National Sanctuary up to the Sun Gate with unforgettable views of the citadel and the cloud forest, ending at the magnificent wonder of the world: Machu picchu.
Have a look at the Inca Trail Availability in 2016
We drive from Cusco by bus for approximately 4 hours to Mollepata for breakfast. Afterwards we drive to Marccoccasa in our private van. Here we meet up with our wranglers and their horses that will carry our equipment during the trek. The trail climbs for approximately 2 hours before reaching Pajonales from where we get our first view of the magnificent snow-capped mountain of Humantay (5,917m).
We pass many beautiful rivers continuing our trek for about another 2 hours before reaching the small community and picturesque spot of Soraypampa. We stop here to take a break and have our lunch. In the afternoon we continue walking for about 2 hours to reach Salkantaypampa, which is nestled in-between the Snow Mountains. We will camp within the clear sight of the snow-capped peak of Salkantay Mountain (6277mt).
We continue walking today off the beaten track for about 3 hours uphill. We stop to have lunch along the way and proceed with our trek for 3 more hours to reach our campsite which is approximately 1km away from the snow-capped mountain Salkantay. On the way we will enjoy the magnificent views of all the surrounding snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and beautiful valleys. We will have high tea and hot toddy at the camp in Pampajaponesa.
Our day begins with a slow uphill climb of approximately 4 hours to reach the Incachiriaska Pass (4,880m) which means in quechua ‘the place where the Inca cools down‘. Around this area, in the rocky crags, lives the Condor, the world’s largest land bird. From here the trail levels off downhill and we reach our campsite for the night at Sisaypampa.
We continue to the end of the valley which then enters a wider valley named Pampacahua, where we find an Inca canal that is still in full use by the local farming settlements. At the end of the plain, we find our first Inca archaeological site named Paucarcancha and we proceed towards Wayllabamba for lunch. In the afternoon we walk for 3 more hours through the Llullucha Valley to reach our campsite at Llullucha Pampa. There we can enjoy our high tea and dinner in front of all the great views.
Early in the morning we take our breakfast and afterwards start our climb for about 2 hours following an original Inca stone path and trek up to the Warmiwañusqa Pass (4,217m/14,047ft). There we have a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a reconstructed Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayu River where we have lunch. Then we walk uphill for 2 more hours towards Runcurakay Pass; from here we may enjoy the breathtaking views of all the surrounding mountains. Afterwards we descend for 3 more hours to Phuyupatamarca where we spend the night.
Today is the most beautiful day of our trek. We have our breakfast early in the morning enjoying the sun rise over the Urubamba Canyon, the Machu Picchu Mountain and the stunning citadel, After time to enjoy all this beautiful scenery, we descend for 2 hours through the cloud forest to Wiñaywayna for lunch. then we walk for 1 hour more to the Sun Gate. From here you may enjoy the gorgeous views of Machu Picchu and all the surrounding mountains. Afterwards we continue to the citadel and we take our bus to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a hotel.
We leave our hotel after a very early breakfast to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu vestiges. Once inside the citadel, we start the guided tour for three hours visiting all the important places such as: the temples, sundials, sun temple, cemeteries, enclosures and much more. After that we will have plenty of time for further exploring, taking photos and eventually climbing Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains. Then it will be time to head back to Aguas Calientes and take our return train to Ollantaytambo with a bus connection to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the evening.
The Salkantay Trekking & Inca trail Hike to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers
***This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we will provide you a duffle bag, you may put your things.