Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail 5D/4N (Camping)

Itinerary

• DAY 1 : CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – LAGUNA HUMANTAY – SALKANTAY PAMPA
• DAY 2 : SALKANTAY PAMPA – INCA CHIRIASKA – CANAL DEL INCA
• DAY 3 : CANAL DEL INCA – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO
• DAY 4 : OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – WIÑAYHUAYNA – INTI PUNKU – MACHU PICCHU
• DAY 5 : MACHU PICCHU TOUR – AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO

DAY 1 – CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – LAGUNA HUMANTAY – SALKANTAY PAMPA

The Salkantay tour starts with pick up at 5am from your hotel in Cusco.

Your private transportation will take you on a 3-hour drive through the lush valley of the Apurímac River, until you reach the mountain town of Soraypampa at 3,850 m / 12,631 ft. Here you will be treated to a hot breakfast prepared fresh by our personal chef, before ascending on foot with your guide, up the mountain trail for 1-hour until you arrive at the turquoise waters of Humantay Lagoon at 4,180 m / 13,714 ft. On a clear day, the glacial waters of the lake reflect the breathtaking snow-capped peak of the Humantay mountain that towers above. Once you have soaked up your moment with Humantay, your guide will lead you back down the valley to enjoy a hot lunch in Soraypampa.

After lunch you will be guided a further 2-hours along the trail to our campsite at the foot of the famous Salkantay mountain. The valley of Salkantaypampa is surrounded on all sides by towering mountains and glacial peaks, making your first night camping under the magic of the Andes a special one!

DAY 2 – SALKANTAY PAMPA – INCA CHIRIASKA – CANAL DEL INCA

Day 2 of the Salkantay Trek begins with breakfast at camp, followed by a challenging ascent to the Inca Chiriaska Pass at 5,100 m / 16,730 ft. The trail zigzags up the mountainside along a well worn path, but will be a test of your strength thanks to the low oxygen at high altitude, and the bitter chill of the thin morning air. Typically, the climb takes 4 hours to reach the summit, but the breathtaking view of Humantay and Salkantay will have you smiling as you reach the highest point of the 7 day trail.

The 90 minute descent down the opposing side of the pass will reward you with a well earned lunch & rest in Sisaypampa. Afterwards continuing steeply down the valley to the campsite in Canal del Inca at 4,000 m / 13,123 ft. At camp you’ll find herds of resident alpacas, and the ruins of an Inca canal once used as an irrigation channel for the waters of Salkantay mountain.

After a 16 km hike over rough terrain, you will sleep well in your tent tonight at the camp Canal del Inca.

DAY 3 – CANAL DEL INCA – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO

On day 3 of the Salkantay tour, the surrounding ecology begins to change as you leave behind the treeless highlands of the glacial mountains & hike down into lush green wooded valleys.

The mornings’ trail follows the river from the Inca canal down to the archaeological site of Paucarcancha, an ancient Inca surveillance post and religious centre at 3,133 m / 10,278 ft. From here, you’ll follow your guide to meet the first section of the Inca Trail. Unlike the paths of Salkantay, your feet will now touch the original stones set down by the Incas centuries ago.

The second archaeological site of the day is Patallacta or Llactapata, meaning ‘High Town’ in Quechua at 2,840 m / 8,136 ft. The complex once served as an agricultural and urban center, and was an important checkpoint for travellers along the original Inca trail. After exploring the fascinating Inca ruins, you’ll walk a further 1-hour down the valley before stopping for lunch.

The final stretch of the day will be a leisurely 2-hour stroll along the Urubamba river until you reach the checkpoint at Kilometer 82. Awaiting you there is your private transport, eager to transfer you to your hotel in the town of Ollantaytambo.

After enjoying a well-earned dinner in a local restaurant, you will be glad to fall into bed in your hotel and rest up for the days ahead.

DAY 4 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL KM 104 – WIÑAYHUAYNA – PUERTA DEL SOL – MACHU PICCHU

Day 4 of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu tour, begins with pick up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and transfer to the local train station. At 7:20am you will take a 1-hour train journey to the start of the hike, Kilometer 104 at 2,200 m / 7,217 ft.

After crossing the bridge over the Willkamayu River (Sacred River in Quechua), you’ll pass through the checkpoint into the national park and find the first archaeological site of the day, Chachabamba (valley of the trees in Quechua). The ruins are hidden inside a pristine semi-tropical forest, surrounded by fertile land and lush vegetation.

Once you have had chance to explore the ruins of Chachabamba, you will begin the 3-hour climb up the mountain trail to Wiñaywayna. The hike is tough but steady and will treat you to spectacular views of agricultural stepped terraces, cloud forests and glistening waterfalls. Along the trail you will also get to know the local collection of flora and fauna, unique to the region, such as the Wiñay Wayna orchid, the Molle shrub and the Qeuña (Polylepis racemosa).

At around midday, you’ll arrive at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna. The name means ‘Forever Young’ in Quechua and is inspired by the beautiful orchids that surround the site. Located at 2,650 m / 8,694 ft, the complex it situated upon the steep slopes of the hillside, amongst 40 levels of agricultural stepped terraces, overlooking the Urubamba River. Built by the Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century, the citadel is one of the most famous sites within the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, and was once an important venue for agriculture, religion and administration. Here your guide will take you on a journey through its history and provide you with an opportunity to rest and eat the lunch box we have prepared for you.

After lunch at Wiñayhuayna, you’ll begin the afternoons’ hike to the Inti Punku Sun Gate. After hauling yourself up the steps for an hour or so, you’ll be greeted by the most breathtaking, panoramic view of Machu Picchu. At 2,720 m / 8,923 ft, the sun gate is strategically located to welcome noble visitors of the Inca citadel, acting as a control gate for its elite visitors. As well as offering one of the most stunning views of the sanctuary and its surrounding mountains, the sacred site is also famed for framing the sunrise during the winter solstice in June.

With a camera full of photos of that unforgettable view, you will follow the trail onward to Machu Picchu. Descending for 45 minutes, to the gates of the Lost city of the Incas at 2,490 m / 8,169 ft. Your first encounter with the citadel will be a relatively short one, but since our arrival will be late in the afternoon, there will be few tourists around to share it with.

As there will be plenty more time to befriend the Inca city on day 5, you and your guide will take the 30 minute tourist bus from Machu Picchu entrance to the town below, Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) is situated at 2,160 m / 7,086 ft, 300m lower than Machu Picchu, and will be your resting place for the night. It is also home to a public ATM, a collection of thermal baths (hot springs) and a multitude of bars and restaurants. Once your guide has accompanied you to your hotel for check in, they will also direct you to the restaurant where you will be treated to an a la carte menu that evening, and possibly a celebratory drink.

*If you wish to relax in the thermal baths (hot springs), they are only a 10 minute walk from the town center and are open for visitors until 8pm. Entrance fee is 10 soles (optional extra cost).*

DAY 5 – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU TOUR – CUSCO

After taking breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you at reception and escort you the bus station where you will board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu. The scenic route from Aguas calientes takes you on a 30 minute bus ride up the mountainside to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once inside, you will be taken on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu, journeying through its rich history, as you make your way through the Inca city with your personal tour guide. Aswell as visiting the famous sites of the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the stepped terraces, you will have plenty opportunity to take the bucket list photos you came for atop the panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Before boarding the bus back down the mountain, your guide will also allow you time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.

Once you have regrouped with your guide and taken the bus back to Aguas Calientes, there will be time to take lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants (optional extra), before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There you will be greeted by your guide and private transportation who will take you on the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 6.30pm.

*There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $70 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 8.30pm.*