On our 6 day Salkantay and Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu you will visit numerous Inca ruins and enjoy the magnificent views of the Salkantay Mountain, walking through the amazing Inca sites: Paucarcancha, Phuyupatamarca, Sayacmarca, Wiñaywayna and others. We consider this adventure a very unique way to experience the two most popular treks to Machu Picchu the Inca city as you will learn about the importance of individual Inca sites, history and culture.
The Salkantay and Inca Trail trek takes you into one of the most famous trekking routes in the world. This Inca Trail Expedition in particular takes you on a less traveled path around the sacred Salkantay mountain (6.271m/20,569ft) of the Andes. This is one of the highest and most stunning views in the Peruvian Andes, passing through native communities and lesser-known Inca ruins of the area such as, Paucarcancha, then to finally met the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This Inca Trail adventure combines the best of both worlds – stunning High Mountain trekking and the ruins of the Classic Inca Trail. Adventure Peru Path is very proud to offer this unique trek and the Classic Inca Trail trek is considered by our professional team one of the best options for those looking for a great adventure and beautiful memories of the Andean Mountains
Distance Trekked: 70 km/ 43,4 miles
Beginning altitude: 3,850 m/12,467 ft.
Maximum altitude: 4,965m / 16,289 ft.
You will be picked up at your hotel early in the morning and in a private van you we will drive 2.5 hours to the village of Mollepata. Here we will enjoy our first breakfast at the house of a local family and buy any additional supplies you may need, all in which supports the local economy. We then continue for one more hour by vehicle to Soraypampa (3,850m/12,467ft). Here at Soraypampa we will take in the magnificent views of Nevado Humantay (5,917m/19,412 ft.) and we meet our team horsemen and horses who are going to be trekking with us on this adventure.
We will start our journey by hiking uphill for 2 hours to the most stunning Umantay Lake. After we return down the same route for approximately 1 hour to enjoy a delicious lunch before we start our actual hike to our first camp.
From here we begin the trek of Salkantay! From Soraypampa camp to Ichupata (4,300 m / 14,104 ft.) we will hike uphill for 3 hours where we camp for the night with gorgeous views of Mount Salkantay.
This campsite is extremely cold so please be prepared for below freezing temperatures. Also, we ask that folks give themselves at least 3 days prior to the trek to acclimate to the altitude.
We wake early surrounded by the Andes, enjoy a breakfast and then head out to continue to Pampa Japonesa. We will ascend for 3-4 hours toward the highest point of our entire trek, Incachiriasca pass (4,965m/16,289 ft.). Here we will soak in incredible views of the Salkantay snow capped peak and the Urubamba mountain range.
After we rest, high up in the Andes we descend 3 hours towards Sisaypampa where we will be enjoying our well-deserved lunch. This is a flat area where it is possible to spot condors and looks over the Salkantay’s neighboring valleys.
From Sisaypampa camp (3,820m/12,532 ft.) we can make a short detour to the Palcay Pass, which has an altitude of (4,500m14,763 ft.) Palcay Pass offers a different and breathtaking view of Salkantay Mountain in the Andes. Here we will rest for the night and share a delicious warm dinner.
We will start the day with breakfast and a beautiful sunrise and descend for approximately 3 hours to the Pampacahuana community located near the original Inca canal.
The Incas, agricultural masterminds as they were, often created canals through the valley to increase water flow to their land.
After taking in the scenery and history at Pampacahuana we move an hour and a half downhill, trekking the narrow and steep valley to the Inca ruin of Paurcarcancha (3133m / 10,276 ft.). Here we have the opportunity to explore this secret gem, as many visitors do not know of these ruins. We will also get a more in depth understanding of the area and ruins through a special tour given by your guide. Then we will relax and share a lunch at Paucarcancha.
After a reenergizing lunch we are off to Wayllabamba village(2,866m / 9,400 ft). For 35 minutes we hike downhill and then cross paths with the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Here we part way with our helpful mules, as they are not allowed on the trail for preservation purposes. We then welcome on porters as part of our trekking family who will be accompanying us for the remaining days.
Then we begin our journey up to Warmihuañusca Pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) through beautiful vegetation and surrounded by gorgeous views. This is the the steepest part of our trek stretching for 8km. However, don’t worry we only hike halfway up today, setting up camp and enjoying our delicious dinner at Ayapata Camp at approximately (3,300m /10,826 ft.)
Early to rise! We bring on the day with a nourishing breakfast and then we are off all uphill to the famous Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m/13,828 ft.) This is the highest point of the Inca Trail (but not the highest point on our trek!). This portion of our hike from Ayapata to the Dead Woman’s Pass will take about 4 hours and then a 2 hour descent to follow into the Pacaymayo Valley where we will stop for lunch.
Lunch will be followed by a 45 minute uphill hike to the ruin of Runcuracay. Here we will stop to tour around the Runkurakay ruins, which is believed to once be used as a watchtower or message exchange center. We take a break here, enjoy the beautiful views and learn about Incan history. Also, from here we will have a view of two large waterfalls on the opposite side of the valley. After touring Runcuracay we will continue trekking uphill for 1 more hour to the second pass of the Inca Trail, Abra Runkurakay (3,970m/13,022ft).
After our rest at the Rucuracay pass, we descend 2 hours making our way through the magnificent cloud forest and to the site of Sayamarca (3,624m/11,887ft).
Again, we get to explore more ruins surrounded by beautiful Incan circular structures. Only 30 minutes more and we are to our home for the night at Chaquicoha (3,600m/11,811 ft.). Here we will spend the night and eat our dinner under the vibrant stars.
After we enjoy our breakfast today, it will be an easy 2 hour up and downhill terrain bringing us to the third pass in our trek, Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,700m/12,136 ft.) Not only do we have spectacular views of the Urubamba River Valley but Phuyupatamarca is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu. Phyupatamarca means “town over the clouds or construction on the clouds” which makes sense as it is located on the highest point the mountain.
We then descend 2 hour on a stone path to Wiñaywayna (2,650m/8,692 ft.). These impressive ruins consist of beautiful terraces, a religious, and an urban sector. Here we camp and eat dinner, ending the shortest day of our trek so we are well rested for tomorrow’s grand finale!
Today is the day we have all been hiking for! Machu Picchu, the highlight of our 6 day Salkantay and Inca Trail trek! After our early breakfast, we head straight to the checkpoint at Winaywayna in order to enter Machu Picchu Inca Citadel. Then for 90 minutes we make our way through a variant terrain to Inti Punku (2700 m/ 8856 ft.), the sacred Sun Gate. As we welcome the sun and begin our exploration of Machu Picchu from atop, we will take in the gorgeous views of Machu Picchu city.
When we arrive to Machu Picchu (2,430 m/ 7,972 ft.), we will begin our 2-3 hour guided tour, learning about about Ican history and culture. We will be visiting numerous sites, including the most significant, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the central water fountain, the temple dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and the main temple of Machu Picchu. After your walking tour you’ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. For an additional fee, you will also have the option to hike Huayna Picchu (The Young Mountain). Please speak to your tour guide prior to the trek as there are advance tickets that will need to be purchased.
After our Machu Picchu tour, we will come down the beautiful mountain on a bus and then take the train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. The train ride provides a comfortable way to enjoy incredible scenery of the mountains and high jungle. From Poroy train station you will travel by a private van back to your hotel in Cusco
***If Huayna Picchu is sold out, and you choose to hike Machu Picchu Mountain instead, the permit to hike Machu Picchu Mountain is US $60 per person
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