Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail Machu Picchu 7 days

OVERVIEW

TIMING: 7 days and 6 nights.
STARTING AND ENDING POINT: Cusco Hotel.
DEPARTURE DATES: Daily Departure group service and private service – Mini: 2 people.
TYPE OF TOUR: Adventure, Cultural and History.
TRANSPORT: Bus, trekking and train.
DIFFICULTY:Does involve some narrow trails, so sturdy footwear is required to help you enjoy it fully.
TRAIN OPTIONS: Expedition Option: This is the cheapest, but still a very comfortable way of getting to Machu Picchu.
VISTADOME OPTION: Vistadome train is faster, has snack-service, bigger windows and is generally a more comfortable experience; if you prefer this service, please the let us know at the booking time (Extra US$30pp).

DESCRIPTION FOR SALKANTAY TREK INCA TRAIL

7-day Salkantay Trek Inca Trail is one of the famous trekking routes in Peru. It opened for trekkers in the 1980s and since has been possible for the adventure travelers. The region no doubt is rich in sceneries apart from the diverse culture, flora and fauna. The route is the most popular trekking because of its panoramic sceneries of the Andes, including the Mt. Salkantay(6,271m), Mt. Umantay (6,194m) Mt. La Veronica (5,750 m), Mt. Chullunko (5,980m.), Mt. Qesqa(5,800m), Mt. San Gabriel (5,760m). There are Inca settlements along the trail and diverse communities.

The trek takes you around the Mt. Salkantay, following the courses of three mighty rivers- “Soray” in the beginning, “Pampajahuana” in the zone where the trail joins to the classic Inca trail and “Urubamba” which is one of the world’s deepest gorges, flanked by the giant Salkantay and “Vilcabamba” range. The flora, geography and culture also change dramatically along the Trail; This trek starts at the village of Mollepata and cross two high passes one of them is located at 5,200 m / 17060ft (Inca Chiriasqha Pass), and the other reaches 4,200 m / 13779ft (Dead woman’s pass).

THE SALKANTAY MOUNTAIN

Salkantay or Salcantay is a Quechua name that means “wild”; it’s one of the highest mountain in Peru and is located in the mountain range of Vilcabamba between the two large rivers: Urubamba and Apurimac rivers. Our program of Salkantay Trek Inca Trail normally takes 7 Days and has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter and less trodden route with the history of the Inca ruins on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

SHORT ITINERARY

Day 1: Salkantaypampa camp:

First of all , we’ll pick you up from your hotel and travel to Cruzpata (One hour beyond Mollepata ); here we’ll start trekking with stunning views of the Vilcanota mountain range. The camp will be at the base of the Salkantay Mountain; 6-7 hour trek.

Day 2: Inca Chiriasqha pass at 5,200m:

We will start at 07:30 a.m trek up toward the highest pass; and after a good rest at this lovely spot decent to the Sisaypampa camp; 7-8 hour trek.

Day 3: Paucarcancha Inca ruins:

The trail continues descending through the high Andean valley with the presence of Llamas and Alpacas until Paucarkancha camp where we will see the Inca Channel still in use; 6-7 hour trek (L-D).

Day 4: Llulluchapampa camp:

One hour down to Wayllabamba community and join to the traditional Inca Trail; from here, we’ll continue up to Llullucha camp located at 3,800 m / 12467ft; 5-6 hour-trek. (B-L-D)

Day 5: Ch’akiccocha:

Two-hour trek up to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200 m / 13779ft), then we’ll descend to Pacaymayo Valley where lunch will be served; after lunch, we’ll continue up to the second pass ( 4,000 m / 13123ft) and then we’ll descend to Ch’akiccocha Camp; 7-8 hour trek (B-L-D).

Day 6: Wiñaywayna:

5 hour-trek through the original Inca Trail with stunning mountain scenery and exploring enchanting Inca site: 7 -8 hour trek (B-L-D).

Day 7: Machu Picchu:

Two hour-trek to Machu Picchu and visit before the crowd arrives from Cusco at midday. Finally, we’ll return to Cusco by train.

DEATILED ITINERARY FOR SALKANTAY TREK INCA TRAIL

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Cruzpata – Salkantaypampa:

The Adventure begins once we pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 a.m and transfer you to Mollepata town; here we’ll stop for 30 minutes to have breakfast and purchase some items for the trek; from Mollepata, we’ll continue one hour more by car until Cruzpata (3,200 m / 10450ft – the starting point of the trek) here we will encounter our “arrieros” (horsemen) and trekking staff. We’ll initiate our Trek to Machu Picchu carrying small bag because the heavy ones will be taken by the horses.

At Cruzpata, we’ll see spectacular views of the chains of snow-capped mountains of Vilcabamba and the lush of Apurimac River Valley, then a gentle climb for about 4 hours to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12467ft) our spot for a rest and lunch. After lunch, we’ll continue climbing gradually for 2 hours and 30min through the more unspoiled Andean valleys to Salkantaypampa, our campsite for our first night.

Please Note: There is an option to explore the Umantay lagoon. This will be decided by the criteria of the guide and the group.

• Meals: L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3,200 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3,900 masl
• Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Inca Chiriasqha Pass – Sisaypampa:

A wonderful morning because the imposing views of the Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20574ft) close to the camp; the trek will start at 07:00 a.m with a gentle climbing to Pampa-Japonesa (Japanese Climbers Base-camp) and then, we’ll continue up toward the Inca Chiriasqha Pass (5,200 m / 17060ft) the highest of the trek. This pass is a wonderful spot for sightseeing because it is surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as: Humantay (5,217 masl), Tucarhuay (5,450 masl) and Chullunku (5,428 masl).

The mountains still plays very important role in the mentality of the inhabitants of the zone; they believe that in each mountain is living one spiritual person named “APU”. After the pass, we will trek down for 30 minutes where we’ll stop for lunch, afterward, we will descend until Sisaypampa Camp (3,800 m / 12467ft).

• Meals: B – L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5,200 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3,800 masl
• Trekking time: 7-8 hours

Day 3: Sisaypampa – Paucarcancha:

After breakfast, we’ll continue descending through a beautiful valley with native flowers and impressive views of a typical Andean Valley where we’ll see llamas and alpacas; after 3 hours of trekking, we will arrive to Pampaccahuana community near which exist an Inca canals repaired few years ago by the archeologist Ann Kendall Project to help local farmers of the zone; here we will stop for rest break and enjoy our lunch; then, we’ll continue the final 3 hours approximately down to Paucarcancha, an Inca ruins where we will stop to explore – camp here.

• Meals: B – L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3,800 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3,200 masl
• Trekking time: 7-8 hours

Day 4: Paucarcancha – Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa:

Today we will connect to the famous Inca Trail. After breakfast, one hour walk down to Wayllabamba Community (3,000 masl); this is also the place from where our muleteers return to their homes with their mules. Fresh porters will join us to continue the trek to Machu Picchu; the porters will carry the heavy gear like: duffel bags, camping equipment and food, etc

From Wayllabamba the trail climbs zigzag up for 2 hours to Ayapata where the lunch will be served; after that, we’ll continue up through enchanted native polylepis woodland until we arrive to Llulluchapampa camp.

• Meals: B – L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5,200 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3,800 masl
• Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Day 5: Llulluchapampa – Pakaymayu – Ch’akiccocha:

After breakfast, we will start ascending through numerous Inca steps towards the warmihuañusca pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) 4,200 m / 13779ft. From here, we will have amazing view of the impressive Inca Trail and spectacular mountains around. Then, we’ll descend to Pakaymayu Valley where we will have lunch. After a rest, we’ll climb again to visit the archaeological site of ‘Runkuraqhay’ (round shape balcony) and then, we’ll continue to Runkuraqhay Pass 4,000 m / 13123ft.

From the pass in a clear days you can see Dead woman’s pass and in frond the Pumasillu snow mountain range. From the pass, we’ll continue to descend through Inca steps to the Inca site of ‘Sayacmarka’ (inaccessible town) which also was discovered by Mr. Hiram Bingam at 1915. We will have a short rest here before continuing towards Ch’akiccocha camp.

• Meals: B – L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4,200 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3,600 masl
• Trekking time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 6: Ch’akiccocha– Phuyupatamarka – Wiñaywayna:

Today will be an excellent day because we will trek through the cloud forest and on the original Inca Trail which is paved with white granite stone. We will visit Phuyupatamarka ruins and observe many flowers and a great variety of birds, especially Hummingbirds. Also, we’ll have a splendid view of the snow-capped mountains of Pumasillu Mountain Range. Lunch will be served at the campsite; In the afternoon, we will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñayhuayna (Young Forever) often considered the most beautiful Inca Temple.

• Meals: B – L-D
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3,600 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 2,600 masl
• Trekking time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 7: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco:

Our reward at the end of our epic 7-day Salkantay Trek Inca Trail is the amazing Panorama as we’ll arrive to the great Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. We will enjoy a 2 hour-guided tour of Machu Picchu and then you will have extra time to explore by yourself; at midday approximately, we will take the bus down to the town of “Aguas Calientes” where you can enjoy your lunch and in the afternoon, we will catch the train back to Cusco and you will be transferred to your Hotel.

Meals: B
Maximum Altitude: 2,750 masl
Minimum Altitude: 2,000 masl
Trekking time: 2 hours

THE PRICE FOR SALKANTAY TREK INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU

Daily Departure
Group serveice and private service

Private Service Prices

2 people    US$1,250 per person
3 people    US$1,230 per person
4 people    US$1,200 per person
5 people    US$1,180 per person
6+ people    US$1,150 per person

Discounts for Salkantay Trek Inca Trail Machu Picchu

Student Discount: US$40 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
Under 18’s Discount: US$40
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$40
Walking Pole US$12
Inflatable Mattress US$30
Single Tent Supplement US$45
Personal Porter to carry extra 7kg of personal items US$120

SALKANTAY TREK INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU VIDEO

SALKANTAY TREK & INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU LOCATION