7
daysInca Trail & Salcantay Trek
Inca Trail Salcantay Trek is the most scenic trail through the Vilcabamba mountain range in the southern Peru. The trail leads to Machu Picchu which is the most representative highlight of Peru; and it’s the wonder of the world. It allows the trekkers to explore close at hand some of the world’s wonder and most famous ancient Inca remain. The trek involves fabulous amount of up and down walking.
This Inca Trail Salcantay Trek to Machu Picchu; has been dubbed the most spectacular trail in the Peruvian Andes. This tour takes you trek the Salcantay trail; and on the fourth trekking day you´ll join to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll see countryside communities farming lands and herds of llamas and Alpacas.
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The Inca Trail Salcantay Trek boasts of some the Peru’s highest mountain; such as the Salcantay (6271m) and Chullunku (6,150m). It is also the home of countryside communities; whose warm hospitality and skills as mountains guides and porters have made them famous. Its mysterious Inca temples are the center of the Inca religion the culture and its festivals are many and colorful. In this region you will be in to the heart of these giant massifs passing through colorful and beautiful mountain scenery.
Our trek runs across the mountainous; hilly, and terrain regions offer some of the most spectacular Trekking in the world. Inca Trail Salcantay Trek varies from high-altitude routes to simple ones within the Paucarcancha valley. The Inca Trail Salcantay Trek will give you a chance to mix with the local people; and get an insight into their livelihood and culture. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of Trekking is clean mountain air and magnificent views of the mighty Salcantay peak. One will feel at pleasure with nature and oneself.
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There is no question that Inca Trail Salcantay Trek offers some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery in the world. Of course it’s the mountains that are best known and the exploits of mountain photographers have made Salcantay, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and other massive mountains instantly recognizable to keen trekkers all over the world. The mountains may be the most obvious scenic attraction, but trekkers soon find there are plenty of treats for the eye. The hill country is often breathtakingly beautiful with pretty villages, attractive houses, neat fields and interesting Inca Temples.
This Trek is fully portered trekking tour, we use horses for the first part and for the second part we use porters; the porters carry up to 20 kilos in total: 15kilos of our things and 5 kilos of their personal things; is this why we provide 1.5 porters for every tourist. We provide duffel backs for transporting your personal belongings (sleeping bags, personal clothes, and more) which we’ll give you at time of the briefing the night before we start the trek.
Overview – Inca Trail Salcantay Trek
The seven-day Inca Trail Salcantay Trek has been dubbed the most spectacular trail in the Andes. On this trip, you’ll trek in the shadows of the impressive Salkantay Mountain, interact with its inhabitants and explore its forgotten ruins. This trek takes seven days and has become popular with trekkers wanting to combine a quieter less trodden route with a visit to the Inca ruins of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. For the first, 3 days you will be surrounded with magnificent scenery and rarely see other groups of trekkers. On the fourth day, you join up with the Classic Inca Trail at Wayllabamba community and continue to Machu Picchu.
Thi trek runs over the Vilcabamba mountain range which is formed by two great rivers: Urubamba and Apurimac. Along the mountain range’s northern side, massive snow peaks collide with lush tropical rain forests. Located northwest of Cusco, snow-capped Salkantay mountain which is the mountain range’s tallest peak, it’s located at the eastern end of the chain and rises to 6,271 meters above sea level? The name Salkantay means ‘Savage Mountain’ which may refer to the swirling clouds that rise up from the jungle lowlands and engulf the peak.
- Timing: 7 days / 6 nights.
- Starting Point: Cusco hotel
- Finishing point: Cusco hotel
INCA TRAIL SALCANTAY TREK HIGHLIGHTS
- Guided Salkantay Trek
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Tour
- Free time within Machu Picchu
PRIVATE TOUR PRICE INFO
- 1,680 US$ (2 persons)
- 1,480 USD$ pp (3-4 person)
- 1,250 USD$ pp (5-6 person)
- 1,050 USD$ pp (7-8 person)
PLEASE NOTE.- If you interest is walking this tour in a small group and you still would like to join 2 or 4 person to make lower costs, please let us know, so we can try to find other interested people.
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Drive from Cusco to Mollepata and trek to Salkantaypampa
3-hour bus journey from Cusco to Cruzpata, then trek for 6 hours to Salkantaypampa camp.
Day 2: Trek over the “Inca Chiriasqha Pass” at 5,200
Today, we will pass the highest point (5,200 masl) of the trek from where you will be rewarded with spectacular mountain landscape.
Day 3: Trek to Paucarcancha
Today will be a wonderful trek through the high mountain valley where you can see great quantity of birds and hummingbirds.
Day 4: Trek to Llulluchapampa Camp
Today, we will join to the Classic Inca Trail; we also will change the horses with porters to carry the camping equipments and the food as well you personal belongings.
Day 5: Trek over the second Pass at 4,200 m
We will pass the second highest pass of the trek (dead woman’s pass 4,200 masl) and we will visit Runkuraqhay and Sayacmarka Inca Ruins.
Day 6: Trek to Wiñaywayna
Today will be a lovely day with many thing to see, especially the flora and fauna of the zone and the Phuyupatamarka and Wiñaywayna inca ruins as well the sunset at Machu Picchu.
Day 7: Explore Machu Picchu Tour
Full-day, we will explore the stunning Machu Picchu and in the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train.
VIDEO
Important Faq’s
Deatiled Itinerary
Cusco – Mollepata – Cruzpata -Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa
The Inca Trail Salcantay Trek begins once we pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 a.m and transfer you to the town of Mollepata, 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 masl – the starting point of the trek) here we will encounter our “arrieros” horsemen and trekking staff. We’ll start our Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu carrying small bag because the heavy ones will be taken by the horses. At Cruzpata, we could see spectacular views of the chains of snow-capped mountains of Vilcabamba and the lush Apurimac River valley, then a gentle climb for about 4 hours to Soraypampa (3,800 masl) our spot for a rest and lunch. After lunch, we’ll continue climbing gradually for 2 hours and half through the more unspoiled Andean Valleys to Salkantaypampa (3,900 meters above sea level) our campsite for our first night.
- Meals: L-D
- Accommodation: camping
- Maximum Altitude: 3,200 masl
- Minimum Altitude: 3,900 masl
- Trekking time: 6 – 7 hours
Salkantaypampa, Inka chiriasqha pass – Sisaypampa Camp
We’ll start at 07:00 a.m descending until the camp; one hour, after we start the trek you will see that the vegetation changes; this is indicating the beginning of the high Jungle zone or Cloud forest and we often see humming birds and varieties of orchids. We’ll continue through the “Ceja de Selva” with gradual descent and enjoying level areas of “pampa” for approx 2 .5 hours to Challhuay 2,920 masl and observing different kinds of plants, fruits, flowers and birds. Another 1km gentle walk to Collpapampa 2,800 masl, here our lunch will be served. After lunch, we’ll continue parallel to the Santa Teresa River observing plenty of wild live like: flowers and birds, some cornfields, fruit fields and we will have the opportunity to see the most beautiful waterfall on the trail.
- Meals: B – L-D
- Accommodation: camping
- Maximum Altitude: 5,200 masl
- Minimum Altitude: 3,800 masl
- Trekking time: 7 – 8 hours
Sisaypampa – Paucarcancha
After 07:30 a.m, we’ll continue the Inca Trail Salcantay Trek descending through a beautiful valley with native flowers and impressive views of a typical Andean Valley where we can see llamas and alpacas; after 3 hours of trekking we will arrive to Pampaccahuana community near the Incan 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 to Paucarcancha an old Inca ruins where we will stop to explore and explanations; here also will be our camp site.
- Meals: B – L-D
- Accommodation: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 3,800 masl
- Minimum Altitude: 3,200 masl
- Trekking time: 7 – 8 hours
Paucarcancha -Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa Camp.
Continuing the Inca Trail Salcantay Trek; today we will connect to the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After breakfast, one hour walk down to Wayllabamba community (3,000 masl); this is also the place from where our muleteers return home with their mules and fresh porters will join us to continue the trek carrying our gear, camping equipment and food, we’ll start our gentle climbing 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
Llulluchapampa – Dead Woman Pass – Pacaymayo- Runkuracay – Chakiccocha
We’ll begin at 07:30 a.m through numerous Inca steps towards the Warmihuañusca Pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) 4,200m. 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 good rest, we climb up to visit the archaeological site of ‘Runkuraqhay’ (round shape balcony) and then continuing to Runkuraqhay pass 4,000m. From where in a clear day you can see on your bag dead women pass and in frond the Pumasillu snow mountain range. From the pass, we’ll continue descent 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 Chakiccocha camp.
- Meals: B – L-D
- Accommodation: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 4,200 masl
- Minimum Altitude: 3,600 masl
- Trekking time: 7 – 8 hours
Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarka – Wiñaywayna.
We’ll start at 07:30 a.m, from Chakiccocha, we’ll trek two hours to Phuyupatamarka and the 3 hours to Wiñaywayna camp. Today, we will trek on the original Inca Trail which is paved with white granite stone. We will visit Phuyupatamarka ruins, after that we’ll continue the trek observing many flowers and a great variety of birds, especially Hummingbirds. Also, we’ll have a splendid view of the snow-capped mountains of the Pumasillu mountain Range. Lunch will be served at the campsite; in the afternoon, we will visit the Inca Ruins of Wiñaywayna (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
Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu Tour – “Aguas Calientes” – Cusco
Very early, we’ll start the trek toward the Sungate to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu then you will enjoy the two hours 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 we can enjoy the 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
Inclusions
TREK INCLUSIONS
- Transportation: Tourist bus from Cusco to Cruzpata (starting point of the trek); bus down from Machu Picchu to “Aguas Calientes”; Tourist train Expeditions class from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo; transfer to your hotel.
- Camping equipment: We provide four people capacity tent for two people, brand new four season tents, Therm-a-rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toiled tent, seats, tables, tent for guides and helpers, kitchen gears.
- Entrance fee: to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts; 6 hot lunches; 6 hot dinners. We offer vegetarian option if you request; we provide available boil water each morning for your water bottles.
- Guides: English-speaking professional guides, 2 guides over 8 people
- Chef: Professional chef and Chef’s Assistants.
- Horses and porters: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears as well to carry your personal items (7kg per person) in duffel bags that we provide; Muleteers.
- Others: First-aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
EXCLUSIONS
- Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office for US$ 20 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
- Breakfast: on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast service. If not, we’ll stop at Mollepata for your breakfast and also you can buy some items for the trek.
- Lunch: in the town of “Aguas Calientes” on the final day you must consider a bugged of US$ 15 to 20 in average restaurant.
- Entrance: to the thermal baths in “Aguas Calientes” (optional) US$ 3.
- Tips: for the staff.
RECOMENDED THINGS TO TAKE
For 7-day Inca Trail Salcantay Trek , you’ll need a sleeping bag (you can rent it at the SUNRISE PERU TREK office), one liter of water, rain gear or poncho (plastic poncho can be purchased in Cusco), hiking boots (running shoes are not recommended), Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp, warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping, wind coat, T-shirts, shorts, long pants, sun hat, wool hat, flashlight, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, garbage bag, small towel, bathing suit (for hot springs), camera, extra batteries, snacks (such as chocolates, energy bars), emergency money and walking sticks (optional) and personal things.
PAYMENT DETAILS
For 7-day Inca Trail Salcantay Trek, we require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$200 per person. The deposit can be sent by a WESTERN UNION or to our BANK ACCOUNT by money transfer or through payment on Line. The money transfer should be in the name of “SUNRISE PERU TREK OPERATOR E.I.R.L”. Once you arrive in Cusco, you must pay the remaining balance in cash prior to beginning your tour. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).
IMPORTANT
For 7-day Inca Trail Salcantay Trek, the night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office or in your hotel at either 06:00 p.m or 07:00 p.m (exact time will be confirmed on arrival to Cusco).
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