Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail, 6 days to Machu Picchu, from Cusco
A local certified guide from our team will lead you on this special and unique 6-day adventure of the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail to Machu Picchue in Peru, a strikingly beautiful path that goes through tropical forests and a wide variety of terrain, all while soaking up the local culture, customs and traditions.
Private
Andes
6 Days
Apr - Nov
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Hike through the stunning forestry and scenery of the Salkantay Trek!
- See the world famous and awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
- Learn about the Incan culture, customs and traditions from local people
- Witness some of the best views in all of South America
Description
This 6-day trip to Machu Picchu, setting off from Cusco and going via the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail, is astoundingly memorable and fun, and I will lead you on this epic adventure as we traipse and travail around the breathtaking forests, snow-capped mountains and vast valleys of the region, before reaching our ultimate destination, the world famous Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trek is one of the most popular alternatives to the oft-overbooked Inca Trail, and its relative peacefulness ensures the landscape around it remains in a pristine and untouched condition. The daylight in this region is particularly gorgeous and bright, ensuring an excellent view of the immediate surroundings and the scenery that stretches out in to the distance.
We start early on the first morning by departing from the city of Cusco, and from there we drive to the starting point of the trek, Cruz Pata. We then begin the Salkantay Trek in earnest, as the first 2 days are spent winding our way around this glorious route, culminating in reaching the highest mountain pass in the park of Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Pass (5200m), with magnificent views out across to the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m).
The subsequent 3 days involve much hiking through many truly beautiful and pretty areas, with creeks, rivers, valleys and more high passes such as the Warmiwanusca pass (4200m) featuring heavily.
There are many archaeological sites along the way, and the 5th day will include walking through an Inca tunnel and also meeting local farmers and weavers, who will impart their wisdom about the traditions and customs that still remain from one of the oldest cultures on earth.
The 6th and final day is when we reach our destination of the world famous Machu Picchu, a site that still maintains the ability to amaze despite its prominence, and we will have several hours to wander around before the trip finishes, this being the perfect way to end 6 days of awesome sights and sounds.
This trip promises to be 6 of the most memorable days of your life – book now so you don’t miss out!
For a different experience en route to Machu Picchu, try our 5-day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, here!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Porters
Price details
- Group of 910: 638 USD. Group of 11-13: 616 USD.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata) – Soraypampa – Salkantay pampa
We will leave Cusco at 5:45 am. After having passed the town Mollepata (3000m/9843f), we will head for Cruz Pata (3400m/11155f), where we will meet the rest of the group. From Cruz Pata we start hiking into a magnificent valley surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains, such as the Humantay (5217m/17116f) and the Salkantay (6264m/20551f). Our campsite will be at Salkantay pampa (3900m/12795f).
Day 2: Salkantay pampa – Salkantay pass – Sisay pampa
After breakfast, we will continue our journey around midmorning and head for the highest mountain pass in the park of Machu Picchu: the Salkantay pass (5200m/17060f). From there, we will have an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m/20551). Thereafter, we will descend to the next camping place, called Sisay pampa (3700m/12139f).
Day 3: Sisay pampa – Canal of the Inca – Wayllabamba
At dawn our trek leads us to the Secret Valley of the Incas. We will pass little creeks and visit several small archeological sites. Our last station for this day will be Wayllabamba (3000m/9843f), both our camping site and the starting point for the Classic Inca Trail on the next morning.
Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu
To enjoy the beautiful panorama and the cosy and mystical atmosphere, our day starts early in the morning. Our trek takes us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa (3300m/10827f) and Lulluchapampa (3850/12631f) and finally leads us to the Warmiwañusca pass (4200m/13780f), which offers an impressive view of the snow-capped Verónica. After a short moment at the summit, we will continue walking down to our camping place named Pacaymayu (3500m/11483f).
Day 5: Pacaymayu – Runkurakay – Chaquicocha – Wiñayhuayna
We begin with energy, after a delicious breakfast. This day is coming as the prettiest of the trek. The fir st place we are going to arrive is the archeological site of Runkurakay (3050 meters). Perched on a rocky outcrop, this site was supposed to be a Tambo. We continue the rise to a pass, at an altitude of 3950 meters, before coming down to the ruins of Sayacmarca (3600 m), a small city composed of a maze of narrow streets, plots, houses, terraces, fountains, etc.
The path continues quietly amount, and we go by an Inca tunnel and then walk throughout a forest, before reaching the last pass, at an altitude of 3700 meters.
Below, the ruin of Phuyupatamarca: “City above the clouds”, Inca relay, impresses by its circular walls and his ingenious system of aqueducts that still supplies the baths.
We enjoy a tunel – Inca Trailsuperb view on the snowcapped peaks and the Urubamba Valley. The descent of the other side is done under a thick canopy of bamboo.
On the merits, appear the extraordinary ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2650m) on a rocky spur at the heart of the forest and overlooking t he Urubamba Valley. Dominated by a vast array of Inca terraces, the urban complex is separated in two by a grand staircase leading to a ceremonial area.
This is where we will spend our last night in tents.
Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes - Cusco
After our breakfast around 5:00 am, we will head – equipped with our flashlights – to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. Around 8:00 am we will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) and enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour of about two hours. Thereafter, you will have enough time to explore the archeological site on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
Details
More info
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
Inca Trail programs must be booked 6 months prior to the beginning of the trip.
Meeting point
About the guide
Peru
4.6
(20)
Guide Agency
Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.
It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.
We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.
Languages
| English
Certificates
AGMP | IFMGA
What people are saying about Peru
He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.
We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.
Alexey
Marcela
The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.
5 star guide. Nothing but the best.
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