Salkantay & Inca Trail Hike To Machu Picchu  7/6 Days.

DAY 1 : Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa.

We start the day by picking you up from your hotel at approx 04:00 AM. We will drive for around 4 hours, crossing Anta and Mollepata and ending up at Challancha. Through the windows of the bus, you can clearly see the white, snowcapped mountains of Apus Salkantay and Humantay: two colossal gods of the Incas. You will also see the spectacular scenery of high peaks and low valleys in a colorful and contrasting panorama filling every direction you turn your eyes! After the first two hours of driving, we will stop quickly in Mollepata to take advantage of the toilet facilities, souvenir shops, and optional, short breakfast. We will then continue to Challacancha, the starting point for our trek. We will meet our support staff, and they will organize all of the equipment and cargo mules. Around 09:30 AM, we will begin trekking to Soraypampa (3850 MASL – 12631 FASL), the first campsite on our journey.

The first section of the path takes us over a few deep valleys along the side of a mountain. At some parts of the trail, an old aqueduct can still be seen which still supplies water to farmers in the lower valleys. We will travel 7 km (4.35 miles) in 3 hours to Soraypampa where we will have our lunch at the base camp of Salkantay. After lunch and a short rest, we hike up to the unforgettable Humantay Lake (4200 MASL – 13779 ft). This is a 5 km (3.1miles) round-trip which we will walk in a total of 3 hours. This place one of the most beautiful sights in all the Andes with unbelievable blue-green water reflecting the mountain glaciers of Apu Humantay. It seems like something out of a dream or fairy tale! Back at our camp, the background of the valley at sunset creates the most peaceful scene with an energy that can only be felt and not described! Because Soraypampa (our camp) is located in the middle of the glacier valleys, the sky is so immensely clear at night that you can truly appreciate the stars, constellations, and even comets shooting across the pitch blackness, uninterrupted by the hustle, bustle, or lights of the city. Take a moment this night to re-center your spirit and consider all the deep things of life in the profound silence and tranquility of Soraypampa!

Hiking distance: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hours approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm at the night.
Accommodation: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 4200 Masl / 13779 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2954 masl / 9694 ft.

DAY 2 : Soraypampa – Inka Chiriasqha Pass – Sisaypampa Camp.

Today will be a beautiful day because we will see the snow mountains of Humantay (5,217 masl), Salkantay (6,271 masl), and Chullunku (5,570 masl). We will start the trek at 07:30 a.m; the trail climbs up gentle to “Pampa-Japonesa” (Japanese Climbers Base-camp set 3 decades ago) then, we’ll continue to the highest pass called Inka Chiriasqha (5,200m / 17060ft) from where one is rewarded with splendid mountain scenery.

The trekking time from the camp to the pass will take us 4 to 5 hours. After we have a rest on the pass, we’ll continue down through old moraine until the Accobamba zone where our lunch will be served. After lunch we will descend until Sisay pampa Camp (3,790 m / 12434ft).

A Sisaypampa section we will be able to fully enjoy and take in the imposing Andean topography, quiet and cozy place where you can see a herd of llamas, alpacas and with luck, we might see the Andean condor consider an important deity among the locals. Our camp will be near the kid’s school. (7-8 hours walking)

Hiking distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hours approximately.
Climate: cold by day, very cold at night.
Accommodation: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 4650 masl / 15255 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2750 masl / 9022 ft.

DAY 3 : Sisaypampa – Paucarcancha.

After breakfast, we will start the trek at 07:30 a.m; we will walk down in a beautiful valley with native flowers and exciting views; after 3 hours, we will arrive at the Pampaccahuana community near the Inca canal repaired a few years ago by Kendall’s Project (American archaeologist) to help local farmers and shepherds. From Pampaccahuana, it will be 3 hours to Paucarcancha camp where we will find a beautiful Inca ruins.

Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Hiking time: 7 hours approximately.
Climate: cold by day, very cold at night.
Accommodation: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 5000 masl / 16404 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3750 masl ASL / 12303 ft.

DAY 4: Paucarcancha – Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa Camp.

After breakfast we’ll continue one hour to the Wayllabamba community; at this place, we will enter the original Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Here is also where our muleteers return home with their mules; fresh porters will welcome us to continue the trek carrying the gear, equipment, and food all the way to Machu Picchu; Horses aren’t allowed on the Inca Trail Trek. From Wayllabamba we’ll continue the gentle climb up to Llullucha camp, along the way we will see a rushing stream, we’ll walk through enchanted native Polylepis woodland.

Distance Travelled: 14 Km. / 8.7 mile
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
Climate: tropical warm.
Logging: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3750 masl / 12303 ft.

DAY 5: Llulluchapampa – Dead Woman Pass – Pacaymayo – Runkuracay – Chakiccocha

Today will be a long day; After breakfast, we’ll climb up for two hours to reach the second-highest pass known as “Warmiwañusqha” or Dead Woman Pass (4,200m / 13779ft), from where one is rewarded with spectacular mountain scenery. After a good rest, we will continue trekking down to Pacaymayu Valley through several Inca steps.

The descend to Pacaymayo Valley will last for two hours; here our lunch will be served. After a good rest, we climb up again for 1 hour to visit the archaeological site of ‘Runkuraqhay’ (round shape balcony) and then continuing one more hour to Runkuraqhay pass at 4,000m / 13123ft; from wherein a clear day you can see on your bag “Dead Woman Pass” and in front of the Pumasillu snow mountain range.

From the pass, we’ll continue descending for one hour through Inca steps until the Inca site of ‘Sayacmarka’ (inaccessible town) which also was discovered by Mr. Hiram Bingam in 1915. We will have a short rest here before we continue walking for 20 minutes to Ch’akiccocha camp.

Distance Travelled: 16 Km. / 9.9 mile
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
Climate: tropical warm.
Logging: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 4200 masl / 13776 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3400 masl / 11144 ft.

DAY 6: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarka – Wiñaywayna.

Toda is another beautiful but short day. You will notice a change in the eco-system while walking through the tropical forest. After two hours walk, we’ll arrive at the Inca settlement named Phuyupatamarca (Town above the clouds) (3,600 masl/11,811 ft). A well-preserved site with a long chain of Inca baths where one can see impressive Inca engineering. Here you’ll receive an explanation from the tour guide for a half-hour.

From Phuyupatamarca, we will descend approximately 3,200 of well-preserved Inca steps (3 hours); we also will pass another Inca Tunnel before we arrive at the Inca ruins of Wiñaywayna (Young Forever) (2,650 m/8,694 ft). Next to the ruins will be set up in our camp. Today’s lunch will be served in the camp so, after lunch, you’ll have time to rest and be ready to start very early the next day.

Distance Travelled: 16 Km. / 9.9 mile
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
Climate: tropical warm.
Logging: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Maximum Altitude: 3600 masl / 11811 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2600 masl / 8530 ft.

DAY 7: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – “Aguas Calientes” town – Cusco

Today, we will start the tour very early; the breakfast will be served at 04:30 a.m, and we’ll begin to trek at 05:00 a.m to be in time at the Sungate or Inti Punku to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. We will continue with the last triumphal descent to Machu Picchu and you will receive a relaxing tour for two hours approximately.

After the tour, you will have enough time to explore the Machu Picchu site on your own. At around noon, you must take the bus that will take you down to the town of “Aguas Calientes”; Here you will have your lunch in one of the restaurants; in the afternoon at 2.55 pm we’ll take the train to Ollantaytambo train station from where you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Cusco arriving there at 7:30 pm.

Distance Hiking: 6 Km. / 3.7 mile
Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours approximately.
Machu Picchu guided tour: 2½ hour.
Climate: tropical warm.
Shuttle to Cusco:3 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.
Maximum Altitude: 2429 masl / 7972 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.